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  • MIL-OSI USA: Gun Violence in New York Has Declined to Lowest on Record

    Source: US State of New York

    October 17, 2024

    Albany, NY

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new data that shows reported gun violence in New York State is at its lowest point since the state started tracking this data in 2006. Shooting incidents with injury declined 26 percent through September 2024 compared to the same nine-month period last year, as reported by the 28 police departments outside of New York City that participate in New York State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. A total of 170 fewer individuals were injured by gun violence in Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative communities, with significant decreases in shooting incidents with injury reported in Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Troy, Utica and on Long Island. Since taking office, Governor Hochul has secured record-level funding for local law enforcement and district attorneys’ offices, from $30 million during State Fiscal Year 2022 to $392 million in the current fiscal year. At the same time, the New York State Police budget has increased by 30 percent, allowing the agency to hire and train additional troopers, and significantly expand its support to local law enforcement agencies to address major crimes, gun violence and retail theft. Additionally, Governor Hochul directed state landmarks to be lit purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

    “Public safety is my number one priority, and New York is leading the nation with proven initiatives that are making communities safer,” Governor Hochul said. “Our record investments in law enforcement and in critical programs like the GIVE initiative are making a real difference in every corner of our state, and my administration will continue fighting to keep New Yorkers safe.”

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    The 26 percent decline reflects 476 shooting incidents with injury from January 1 through September 30, 2024, compared to 646 incidents from January 1, through September 30, 2023, and represents the fewest reported since the state began tracking this data in 2006. At that time, only 17 police departments reported this data and received state funding to reduce gun and violent crime. The Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative (GIVE) provides nearly $36 million to 28 police departments, as well as district attorneys’ offices, probation departments and sheriffs’ offices, in 21 counties outside of New York City. The following police departments reported particularly significant declines:

    • Utica: 52 percent
    • Troy: 48 percent
    • Niagara Falls: 40 percent
    • Rochester: 38 percent
    • Nassau County, Hempstead, Suffolk County (Long Island): 36 percent
    • Syracuse: 29 percent

    Shooting incidents with injury, shooting victims and shooting homicide data for each of the 28 police departments participating in GIVE are available on the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) website. In addition, the 476 shooting incidents with injury reported by these 28 police departments are the fewest reported since 2006.

    In addition to the collective decrease in gun violence in GIVE communities, the New York City Police Department reported a nearly 9 percent (723 v. 791) decrease in shooting incidents through Oct. 13, 2024.

    Overall crime outside of New York City also has declined. The 57 counties outside of the five boroughs collectively reported a 9 percent decrease in index crime during the first five months of 2024, the most recent data available, when compared to the same time in 2023. There are seven index crime categories that are used to gauge overall crime trends: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. The most significant declines were reported in motor vehicle theft (-27 percent), followed by rape (-14 percent), and murder (-12 percent) when comparing January 1, through May 31, 2024, to that five-month period last year. The NYPD also reported a 2 percent decrease in crime complaints through Oct. 13, 2024.

    Earlier this month, Governor Hochul also announced another record-level state investment to further improve public safety: $35 million to strengthen the law enforcement response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence and better address the needs of survivors. DCJS will administer $5 million to the five New York City District Attorneys’ Offices, and $23 million to law enforcement agencies and service providers in 20 counties outside of the five boroughs to implement the Statewide Targeted Reduction in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative. Up to $7 million will allow the State to provide training and technical assistance, risk assessment tools, and investigative support to participating agencies and improve the domestic violence reduction efforts of state agencies.

    STRIVE is modeled after GIVE and plans developed by participating counties must use evidence-based strategies and ensure that community members and programs that serve victims and survivors are actively involved in strategy selection and implementation. One or more of the following strategies must be used: domestic violence high-risk team model, lethality assessment program or intimate partner violence intervention.

    Our record investments in law enforcement and in critical programs like the GIVE initiative are making a real difference in every corner of our state”

    Governor Kathy Hochul

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rosanna Rosado said, “These reductions in gun violence show that our evidence-based approaches like our street outreach programs, our GIVE Initiative, hot-spots policing and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design are effective. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul, our community partners and law enforcement across the state for investing in our communities and for the work they do to improve public safety for all New Yorkers.”

    New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Over the years, law enforcement has learned that we are most effective when we work together. Combating gun violence is no small matter and we are fighting this battle on many fronts along with our local, state, and federal partners. The decrease in numbers shows progress is being made and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support of these integral efforts to tackle gun violence.”

    New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “Today’s announcement comes as we mark Purple Thursday here in New York, a day to show support for survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The color purple has long been a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending violence. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for standing with survivors and for your continued efforts in finding innovative, effective ways to combat domestic violence and keep all New Yorker’s safe.”

    New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, “We at OVS are proud of the work we do to help prevent violence and to support victims and survivors of crime and their families, including funding victim assistance programs in communities across the state and reimbursing eligible individuals affected by crime for out-of-pocket expenses such as medical care, counseling, lost wages and funeral arrangements. It is great news that our state’s gun violence numbers are decreasing, and we thank Governor Hochul for her successful leadership and her steadfast commitment to supporting survivors.”

    NYS Troopers PBA President Charles W. Murphy said, “On this day on which we celebrate the 215th New York State Police Graduation, the New York State Troopers PBA appreciates Governor Hochul’s funding of two additional police academies so that we increase our membership numbers to respond to the needs of all New Yorkers.”

    NYC PBA President Patrick Hendry said, “The road to a safer New York starts with strong support for police officers on the streets. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul and all of our state partners to tackle the challenges facing New York City police officers.”

    New York State Police Investigators Association President Tim Dymond said, “We appreciate Governor Hochul’s support for the New York State Police. The additional funding and resources that she has provided over the last two years have made a positive impact on our members and their ability to do their jobs. We look forward to continue working with her and her staff on improving recruitment and finding a solution to retain our most senior experienced members. Together we are making progress on these issues and ensuring that the New York State Police remains as the top law enforcement agency in the country.”

    Since Governor Hochul took office, funding for the State Police has increased by $264 million (30 percent) to support additional staffing and an increase in police services. The agency’s budget for FY 2025 is $1.14 billion. This funding supports the hiring and training of nearly 1,000 new Troopers and allows the State Police to address major crime and support local police agencies. This includes $25 million to target and retail theft, and expansion of Community Stabilization Units, which use a multi-pronged approach to interdicting illegal firearms and provide local police agencies with resources to proactively address surges in crime. Other programs that are part of the Governor’s comprehensive plan to improve public safety include:

    • $21 million for the SNUG Street Outreach program, which uses a public health approach to address gun violence by identifying the source, interrupting transmission, and treating individuals, families and communities affected by violence. Community-based organizations and hospitals operate the program in 14 communities and employ nearly 200 outreach workers, social workers and case managers. Outreach workers are credible messengers who have lost loved ones to violence or have prior justice system involvement. They respond to shootings to prevent retaliation, detect conflicts and resolve them peacefully before they lead to additional violence. Social workers and case managers work with individuals affected by community violence, including friends and family. DCJS also supports New York City’s violence interruption efforts, providing $5 million for its Crisis Management System (CMS) so it can bring those programs to scale.
    • $18 million for the state’s unique network of Crime Analysis Centers, which analyze, compile and distribute information, intelligence and data to local law enforcement agencies statewide. No other state has anything similar and the centers — operated in partnership with local law enforcement agencies in 10 counties and New York City — are hubs of state and local efforts to deter, investigate and solve crimes. Last year alone, staff handled more than 90,000 requests for assistance, helping agencies solve everything from retail theft to murders.
    • Up to $20 million for Project RISE, a unique funding model that convenes community stakeholders to respond to gun violence, invest in solutions, sustain positive programs and empower communities. In its first year, the initiative supported 99 organizations, including 74 small, grassroots programs, many of which had never received state support for their work. Programs and services funded by RISE include academic support, employment services, mentoring and delinquency/violence prevention.
    • $10.4 million for the Supervision Against Violent Engagement (SAVE) program, overseen by the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The program uses enhanced supervision, including active GPS monitoring; intelligence and data gathering; and cross-jurisdictional cooperation to prevent gun violence, violent crime and domestic violence among the most high-risk individuals returning to Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

    Governor Hochul also directed landmarks to be lit purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The landmarks to be lit include:

    • One World Trade Center
    • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
    • Kosciuszko Bridge
    • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
    • State Education Building
    • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
    • Empire State Plaza
    • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
    • Niagara Falls
    • The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
    • Albany International Airport Gateway
    • MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
    • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
    • Moynihan Train Hall
    • Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government reduces credit card fees by 27 per cent for small business owners

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Canada’s small- and medium-sized businesses create good-paying jobs, keep main streets flourishing across the country, and deliver the dream of entrepreneurship.

    October 17, 2024 – Hamilton, Ontario           

    Canada’s small- and medium-sized businesses create good-paying jobs, keep main streets flourishing across the country, and deliver the dream of entrepreneurship. It is essential that these businesses thrive so they can continue being the bedrock of our communities and our economy.

    Small businesses pay fees to process credit card transactions, with the largest component being the interchange fee paid to credit card-issuing financial institutions, such as banks. That is why the federal government negotiated and finalized new agreements with Visa and Mastercard, which also protect reward points offered to Canadians.

    Today in Hamilton, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced that new credit card fee reductions for small business owners will come into effect this Saturday, October 19, 2024. For qualifying small businesses, Visa and Mastercard have agreed to:

    • reduce domestic consumer credit interchange fees for in-store transactions to an annual weighted average interchange rate of 0.95 per cent;
    • reduce domestic consumer credit interchange fees for online transactions by 10 basis points, resulting in reductions of up to 7 per cent; and,
    • provide free access to online fraud and cyber security resources to help small businesses grow their online sales while preventing fraud and chargebacks.

    More than 90 per cent of businesses that accept credit cards will receive lower rates and see interchange fees reduced by up to 27 per cent. These fee reductions will save eligible small businesses about $1 billion over five years.

    Reduced credit card transaction fees will save small businesses thousands of dollars every year. For example, if a store processes $300,000 in credit card payments, they currently pay nearly $4,000 in annual interchange fees. With these new agreements, the store could save $1,080 in fees every year. The federal government expects all members of the credit card industry, including payment processors, to pass these savings on directly to small businesses.

    Second, the federal government announced a revised Code of Conduct for the Payment Card Industry in Canada to protect over 1 million businesses that accept credit card and debit card payments from customers. Starting on October 30, 2024, the revised Code will help businesses compare prices and offers from different payment processors, and shorten the complaint handling response time by nearly 80 per cent to just 20 business days. All major payment card network operators in Canada have agreed to the terms of the revised Code. Certain obligations requiring complex or technical system changes will come into effect by April 30, 2025.

    In addition, the federal government announced the payment amounts for the new Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses, which will deliver over $2.5 billion to about 600,000 Canadian businesses before the end of this year. The Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses will deliver up to $4,010 to a business with 10 employees in Ontario, $59,100 to a business with 50 employees in Alberta, and $576,844 to a business with 499 employees in Saskatchewan. Small businesses in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador will also receive payments.

    The government is taking action to help small businesses start up, grow, and thrive by reducing the costs of running a business. These reduced credit card fees for small business owners build on the government’s lowering of the small business tax rate to 9 per cent—which is already saving small businesses $6.6 billion every single year. 

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

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tech bosses think nuclear fusion is the solution to AI’s energy demands – here’s what they’re missing

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sophie Cogan, PhD Candidate in Politics and Environment, University of York

    Illustration of nuclear fusion in a tokamak. John D London / Shutterstock

    The artificial intelligence boom has already changed how we understand technology and the world. But developing and updating AI programs requires a lot of computing power. This relies heavily on servers in data centres, at a great cost in terms of carbon emissions and resource use.

    One particularly energy intensive task is “training”, where generative AI systems are exposed to vast amounts of data so that they improve at what they do.

    The development of AI-based systems has been blamed for a 48% increase in Google’s greenhouse gas emissions over five years. This will make it harder for the tech giant to achieve its goal of reaching net zero by 2030.

    Some in the industry justify the extra energy expenditure from AI by pointing to benefits the technology could have for environmental sustainability and climate action. Improving the efficiency of solar and wind power through predicting weather patterns, “smart” agriculture and more efficient, electric autonomous vehicles are among the purported benefits of AI for the Earth.

    It’s against this background that tech companies have been looking to renewables and nuclear fission to supply electricity to their data centres.

    Nuclear fission is the type of nuclear power that’s been in use around the world for decades. It releases energy by splitting a heavy chemical element to form lighter ones. Fission is one thing, but some in Silicon Valley feel a different technology will be needed to plug the gap: nuclear fusion.

    Unlike fission, nuclear fusion produces energy by combining two light elements to make a heavier one. But fusion energy is an unproven solution to the sustainability challenge of AI. And the enthusiasm of tech CEOs for this technology as an AI energy supply risks sidelining the potential benefits for the planet.

    Beyond the conventional

    Google recently announced that it had signed a deal to buy energy from small nuclear reactors. This is a technology, based on nuclear fission, that allows useful amounts of power to be produced from much smaller devices than the huge reactors in big nuclear power plants. Google plans to use these small reactors to generate the power needed for the rise in use of AI.

    This year, Microsoft announced an agreement with the company Constellation Energy, which could pave the way to restart a reactor at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear power station, the site of the worst nuclear accident in US history.

    However, nuclear power produces long-lived radioactive waste, which needs to be stored securely. Nuclear fuels, such as the element uranium (which needs to be mined), are finite, so the technology is not considered renewable. Renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power suffer from “intermittency”, meaning they do not consistently produce energy at all hours of the day.

    These limitations have driven some to look to look to nuclear fusion as a solution. Most notably, Sam Altman of OpenAI has shown particular interest in Helion Energy, a fusion startup working on a relatively novel technological design.

    In theory, nuclear fusion offers a “holy grail” energy source by generating a large output of energy from small quantities of fuel, with no greenhouse gas emissions from the process and comparatively little radioactive waste. Some forms of fusion rely on a fuel called deuterium, a form of hydrogen, which can be extracted from an abundant source: seawater.

    In the eyes of its advocates, like Altman, these qualities make nuclear fusion well suited to meet the challenges of growing energy demand in the face of the climate crisis –- and to meet the vast demands of AI development.

    However, dig beneath the surface and the picture isn’t so rosy. Despite the hopes of its proponents, fusion technologies have yet to produce sustained net energy output (more energy than is put in to run the reactor), let alone produce energy at the scale required to meet the growing demands of AI. Fusion will require many more technological developments before it can fulfil its promise of delivering power to the grid.

    Wealthy and powerful people, such as the CEOs of giant technology companies, can strongly influence how new technology is developed. For example, there are many different technological ways to perform nuclear fusion. But the particular route to fusion that is useful for meeting the energy demands of AI might not be the one that’s ideal for meeting people’s general energy needs.

    AI is reliant on data centres which consume lots of energy.
    Dil_Ranathunga / Shutterstock

    The overvaluation of innovation

    Innovators often take for granted that their work will produce ideal social outcomes. If fusion can be made to work at scale, it could make a valuable contribution to decarbonising our energy supplies as the world seeks to tackle the climate crisis.

    However, the humanitarian promises of both fusion and AI often seem to be sidelined in favour of scientific innovation and progress. Indeed, when looking at those invested in these technologies, it is worth asking who actually benefits from them.

    Will investment in fusion for AI purposes enable its wider take-up as a clean technology to replace polluting fossil fuels? Or will a vision for the technology propagated by powerful tech companies restrict its use for other purposes?

    It can sometimes feel as if innovation is itself the goal, with much less consideration of the wider impact. This vision has echoes of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s motto of “move fast and break things”, where short-term losses are accepted in pursuit of a future vision that will later justify the means.

    Sophie Cogan receives funding from the EPSRC Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training.

    – ref. Tech bosses think nuclear fusion is the solution to AI’s energy demands – here’s what they’re missing – https://theconversation.com/tech-bosses-think-nuclear-fusion-is-the-solution-to-ais-energy-demands-heres-what-theyre-missing-240580

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Could Life Exist Below Mars Ice? NASA Study Proposes Possibilities

    Source: NASA

    Researchers think meltwater beneath Martian ice could support microbial life.
    While actual evidence for life on Mars has never been found, a new NASA study proposes microbes could find a potential home beneath frozen water on the planet’s surface.
    Through computer modeling, the study’s authors have shown that the amount of sunlight that can shine through water ice would be enough for photosynthesis to occur in shallow pools of meltwater below the surface of that ice. Similar pools of water that form within ice on Earth have been found to teem with life, including algae, fungi, and microscopic cyanobacteria, all of which derive energy from photosynthesis.
    “If we’re trying to find life anywhere in the universe today, Martian ice exposures are probably one of the most accessible places we should be looking,” said the paper’s lead author, Aditya Khuller of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
    Mars has two kinds of ice: frozen water and frozen carbon dioxide. For their paper, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, Khuller and colleagues looked at water ice, large amounts of which formed from snow mixed with dust that fell on the surface during a series of Martian ice ages in the past million years. That ancient snow has since solidified into ice, still peppered with specks of dust.  
    Although dust particles may obscure light in deeper layers of the ice, they are key to explaining how subsurface pools of water could form within ice when exposed to the Sun: Dark dust absorbs more sunlight than the surrounding ice, potentially causing the ice to warm up and melt up to a few feet below the surface.

    Mars scientists are divided about whether ice can actually melt when exposed to the Martian surface. That’s due to the planet’s thin, dry atmosphere, where water ice is believed to sublimate — turn directly into gas — the way dry ice does on Earth. But the atmospheric effects that make melting difficult on the Martian surface wouldn’t apply below the surface of a dusty snowpack or glacier.
    Thriving Microcosms
    On Earth, dust within ice can create what are called cryoconite holes — small cavities that form in ice when particles of windblown dust (called cryoconite) land there, absorb sunlight, and melt farther into the ice each summer. Eventually, as these dust particles travel farther from the Sun’s rays, they stop sinking, but they still generate enough warmth to create a pocket of meltwater around them. The pockets can nourish a thriving ecosystem for simple lifeforms..
    “This is a common phenomenon on Earth,” said co-author Phil Christensen of Arizona State University in Tempe, referring to ice melting from within. “Dense snow and ice can melt from the inside out, letting in sunlight that warms it like a greenhouse, rather than melting from the top down.”
    Christensen has studied ice on Mars for decades. He leads operations for a heat-sensitive camera called THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) aboard NASA’s 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter. In past research, Christensen and Gary Clow of the University of Colorado Boulder used modeling to demonstrate how liquid water could form within dusty snowpack on the Red Planet. That work, in turn, provided a foundation for the new paper focused on whether photosynthesis could be possible on Mars.
    In 2021, Christensen and Khuller co-authored a paper on the discovery of dusty water ice exposed within gullies on Mars, proposing that many Martian gullies form by erosion caused by the ice melting to form liquid water.
    This new paper suggests that dusty ice lets in enough light for photosynthesis to occur as deep as 9 feet (3 meters) below the surface. In this scenario, the upper layers of ice prevent the shallow subsurface pools of water from evaporating while also providing protection from harmful radiation. That’s important, because unlike Earth, Mars lacks a protective magnetic field to shield it from both the Sun and radioactive cosmic ray particles zipping around space.
    The study authors say the water ice that would be most likely to form subsurface pools would exist in Mars’ tropics, between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude, in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
    Khuller next hopes to re-create some of Mars’ dusty ice in a lab to study it up close. Meanwhile, he and other scientists are beginning to map out the most likely spots on Mars to look for shallow meltwater — locations that could be scientific targets for possible human and robotic missions in the future.
    News Media Contacts
    Andrew GoodJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-2433andrew.c.good@jpl.nasa.gov
    Karen Fox / Molly WasserNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov
    2024-142

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Secures Over $33 Million in Federal Funding for the Paducah and Louisville Railway

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide $33,780,304 in federal funding to Paducah and Louisville (P&L) Transportation to support several infrastructure projects along its 280-mile main line between Louisville and Paducah, Kentucky; including upgrades to signals and track infrastructure, installation of a wheel truing machine, and rehabilitation of five rail bridges in Hardin and Muhlenberg Counties.
    DOT awarded this grant as part of the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, which awards competitive grants for freight and highway projects. Senator McConnell helped secure $3.2 billion for the INFRA program in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed Congress with the Senator’s support and was signed into law by the President. Senator McConnell also wrote to the Secretary of Transportation in support of P&L Transportation’s grant application.
    The P&L main rail line connects with four major railroads in North America, transporting equipment for Kentucky’s military installations, materials used for manufacturing, and other freight vital to interstate commerce.
    “As a transportation and logistics hub, Kentucky keeps millions of American goods and people on the move. From strengthening our regional economy to facilitating interstate commerce nationwide, our rail infrastructure – and investments to sustain it – has benefits that ripple across the entire country. Projects like this one are precisely the reason I supported the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has delivered billions for Kentucky’s roads, ports, railroads, and waterways. I look forward to watching this much-needed investment spur development along the entire P&L corridor,” said Senator McConnell.
    “P&L is excited to continue our work to rebuild critical freight railroad infrastructure. This project will benefit all Kentuckians by keeping employers in the Commonwealth connected to markets around the world. I want to especially thank Senator McConnell for all of his hard work to ensure that Kentucky infrastructure projects receive their fair share of funding. These projects and the funding announced today would not be possible without his support,” said Chairman, President, and CEO of P&L Transportation Tom Greene.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Supports Child Care Facilities Impacted by Hurricane Helene to Reopen Safely, Return to Serving Families

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Supports Child Care Facilities Impacted by Hurricane Helene to Reopen Safely, Return to Serving Families

    NCDHHS Supports Child Care Facilities Impacted by Hurricane Helene to Reopen Safely, Return to Serving Families
    rmbeck

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is supporting child care facilities to reopen as safely and quickly as possible after Hurricane Helene to ensure families in storm-impacted communities have access to child care services. More than 200 facilities in the 25 major disaster counties in western North Carolina were impacted by the storm, with 55 centers having damage that will prevent them reopening for the foreseeable future.

    “Even before Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, our child care facilities were in financial crisis,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Quality child care is a critical resource not only for children in storm-impacted counties, but for parents working to rebuild their homes and lives. Work is underway to get programs reopened quickly, but we will need additional funding from the General Assembly to address both the immediate Hurricane impacts and also ensure the long-term viability of North Carolina’s child care system.”

    State and local efforts to safely reopen child care facilities align with Governor Cooper’s recently announced Executive Order, which allows regulatory flexibilities in storm-impacted counties so that critical services can resume supporting families, even as facilities recover and rebuild. These flexibilities are especially important as the North Carolina child care system faces a drastic cut in state funding. Without additional funding to assist child care programs, facilities across the state, and particularly in Western North Carolina, will struggle to remain open and serve families and their communities. 

    “As our friends, neighbors and communities in Western North Carolina begin to recover, we are committed to helping child care facilities reopen safely,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “We want children to have access to quality early care and learning, and parents to return to work confident their children are safe and cared for.”

    NCDHHS is helping child care facilities reopen so they can support the children and families in their communities. Regulated child care facilities who lack their usual sources of power, drinking water, wastewater treatment, etc., or have lost records, documents or other paperwork may be able to reopen under an Emergency Operations Plan developed with their child care licensing consultant from the NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). DCDEE is collaborating with the Division of Public Health (DPH) to develop environmental health guidance for child care facilities to reopen quickly and operate safely. 

    Additionally, the department is collaborating with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to align North Carolina’s child care facility rules and regulations with disaster flexibilities allowed under the federal program. The CACFP is administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to ensure eligible children receive nutritious meals through qualifying child care facilities. Disaster flexibilities in the program after Hurricane Helene will help to simplify the delivery of nutrition assistance, make these benefits more accessible to families impacted by the storm, and prevent a lapse in food security for children currently served by the program.

    For families impacted by Hurricane Helene seeking child care options, NCDHHS has partnered with Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies to activate the Find Child Care NC hotline. Families can call 1-888-600-1685 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for help finding an open child care facility near you.

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte está apoyando a las instalaciones de cuidado infantil para que vuelvan a abrir de la manera más segura y rápida posible después del huracán Helene para garantizar que las familias en las comunidades afectadas por la tormenta tengan acceso a los servicios de cuidado infantil. Más de 200 instalaciones en los 25 condados con desastres mayores en el oeste de Carolina del Norte se vieron afectadas por la tormenta, y 55 centros sufrieron daños que evitarán su reapertura en el futuro previsible.

    “Incluso antes de que el huracán Helene devastara el oeste de Carolina del Norte, nuestros centros de cuidado infantil estaban en crisis financiera”, dijo el gobernador Roy Cooper. “El cuidado infantil de calidad es un recurso fundamental no solo para los niños en los condados afectados por la tormenta, sino también para los padres que trabajan para reconstruir sus hogares y sus vidas. Se está trabajando para que los programas se reabran rápidamente, pero necesitaremos fondos adicionales de la Asamblea General para abordar los impactos inmediatos del huracán y también garantizar la viabilidad a largo plazo del sistema de cuidado infantil de Carolina del Norte”.

    Los esfuerzos estatales y locales para reabrir de manera segura las instalaciones de cuidado infantil se alinean con la Orden Ejecutiva recientemente anunciada por el gobernador Cooper, que permite flexibilidades regulatorias en los condados afectados por la tormenta para que los servicios críticos puedan reanudar el apoyo a las familias, incluso mientras las instalaciones se recuperan y reconstruyen. Estas flexibilidades son especialmente importantes ya que el sistema de cuidado infantil de Carolina del Norte se enfrenta a un recorte drástico en la financiación estatal. Sin fondos adicionales para ayudar a los programas de cuidado infantil, las instalaciones en todo el estado, y particularmente en el oeste de Carolina del Norte, tendrán dificultades para permanecer abiertas y servir a las familias y sus comunidades.

    “A medida que nuestros amigos, vecinos y comunidades en el oeste de Carolina del Norte comienzan a recuperarse, nos comprometemos a ayudar a que las instalaciones de cuidado infantil vuelvan a abrir de manera segura”, dijo el secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte, Kody H. Kinsley. “Queremos que los niños tengan acceso a atención y aprendizaje tempranos de calidad, y que los padres regresen al trabajo confiados de que sus hijos están seguros y cuidados”.

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS, por sus siglas en inglés) está ayudando a los centros de cuidado infantil a reabrir para que puedan apoyar a los niños y las familias en sus comunidades. Las instalaciones de cuidado infantil reguladas que carecen de sus fuentes habituales de energía, agua potable, tratamiento de aguas residuales, etc., o que han perdido registros, documentos u otros documentos pueden reabrir bajo un Plan Operativo de Emergencia desarrollado con su consultor de licencias de cuidado infantil de la División de Desarrollo Infantil y Educación Temprana (DCDEE, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte. DCDEE está colaborando con la División de Salud Pública (DPH, por sus siglas en inglés) para desarrollar una guía de salud ambiental para que las instalaciones de cuidado infantil vuelvan a abrir rápidamente y operen de manera segura.

    Además, el departamento está colaborando con el Programa de Alimentos para el Cuidado de Niños y Adultos (CACFP, por sus siglas en inglés) para alinear las reglas y regulaciones de las guarderías de Carolina del Norte con las flexibilidades por desastre permitidas por el programa federal. El CACFP es administrado por el Servicios de Alimentos y Nutrición (FNS, por sus siglas en ingles), del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos para garantizar que los niños elegibles reciban comidas nutritivas a través de instalaciones de cuidado infantil calificadas. Las flexibilidades para desastres en el programa, después del huracán Helene, ayudarán a simplificar la prestación de asistencia nutricional, hacer que estos beneficios sean más accesibles para las familias afectadas por la tormenta y evitar un lapso en la seguridad alimentaria de los niños actualmente atendidos por el programa.

    Para las familias afectadas por el huracán Helene que buscan opciones de cuidado infantil, el NCDHHS se ha asociado con las Agencias de Recursos y Referencias de Cuidado Infantil para activar la línea directa de Búsqueda de Cuidado Infantil en Carolina del Norte (Find Child Care NC). Las familias pueden llamar al 1-888-600-1685 de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. y pedir ayuda para encontrar un centro de cuidado infantil abierto cercano.

    Oct 17, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung and the New York Mets Hit a Multi-Year Grand Slam at Citi Field

    Source: Samsung

    In 2021, Samsung and the New York Mets embarked on a journey to transform Citi Field into the most technologically advanced professional ballpark in Major League Baseball. Today, that vision is a reality, with the ballpark sporting over 1,300 LCD displays and over 29,800 square feet of new LED displays, totaling 40 million pixels. The result is an unforgettable, immersive experience that hits a grand slam with all bases loaded – from elevating fan engagement to enhancing team practice and Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH) advertising for brand partners.

    “As a landmark for baseball and of New York City, Citi Field represents the very best in live sports experiences,” said David Phelps, Head of the Display Division at Samsung. “The New York Mets have set new standards for in-stadium technology and what ticketholders can expect at the ballpark. With cutting-edge displays that boost fan engagement, amplify the energy in the stands and unlock unique advertising possibilities, every visit to Citi Field leaves a lasting impression.”
    A whole new ballgame for fan experience
    The Mets set out to replace its previous static signage at Citi Field with state-of-the-art digital displays that would align the stadium experience with the team’s high-caliber performance on the field. The Mets selected Samsung as its technology partner due to its proven record of transforming large-scale stadiums into cutting-edge experiences. Moreover, Samsung could provide an end-to-end solution, encompassing design, manufacturing, installation and service.

    Samsung and the Mets collaborated and pushed the boundaries of possibility to design a stadium-wide system that immerses fans in digital content throughout the park. For instance, ribbon boards wrapped around multiple levels of the seating bowl deliver real-time statistics, player data and messages during games. Direct View LED Displays in high-traffic spaces, such as the Jackie Robinson Rotunda and concourses, keep fans captivated from the moment they enter the stadium to the final inning.

    Citi Field’s crown jewel remains its centerfield main scoreboard, a first-of-its-kind, dual-sided LED display that proudly stands as the largest scoreboard in professional baseball. Equivalent to the size of about 450 65-inch Samsung TVs combined, the high-resolution scoreboard features a 17,400 square-foot video display on the front and 6,900 square feet on the back. The display’s sheer size delivers maximum visibility and impact when showcasing live game action, 4K instant replays, player statistics and other engaging content.

    From a Samsung-powered 4K control room, the Mets manage and ensure the centerfield scoreboard works harmoniously with the other displays on the field. Control room staff can synchronize content to “fly” across the entire network of displays to amazing effect to hype the crowd up at exciting points in a game, such as strikeouts and home runs. This thrilling use of digital content is nothing short of spectacular and creates wow-worthy moments like no other ballpark.
    Batting practice gets the big-screen treatment
    In addition to enhancing the fan experience, the Mets use the scoreboards as an effective coaching tool during batting practices before night games. When a player is in the batting cage, the coaches put a live feed on the right-field scoreboard and a delayed feed on the centerfield scoreboard. The displays will showcase key metrics for the batters, such as pitch speed, exit velocity and launch angle. After a session at bat, players can look up at the centerfield scoreboard and review their performance with the coaches to make adjustments to prepare for that night’s game.

    “Samsung has been a true partner in our digital transformation journey not only from a hardware perspective but also through a shared vision for reinventing the stadium experience,” said Oscar Fernandez, Senior Vice President of Technology at the New York Mets. “Today, we can create remarkable experiences using the latest, best-in-class technologies to benefit our fans, the coaching staff, players and brand partners. There is now no better show than coming to Citi Field.”

    Revenue and growth opportunities in a league of their own
    The high-definition Samsung displays installed throughout Citi Field also offer dynamic canvases for DOOH advertising. For example, the Mets’ brand partners can take advantage of the unique double-sided design of the main scoreboard and showcase content on the rear side that faces the ballpark’s exterior, further extending the reach of their advertising as fans can see the display from the highway before they even arrive at the park.

    The revolutionary stadium technology also opens new revenue potential by empowering the Mets to offer more flexible and attractive advertising opportunities for partners like brand takeovers. Companies can amplify their name and logo by owning specific moments in the game, such as an entire inning. Since the Mets can easily control and change the content through the stadium, every display becomes a valuable marketing asset and creates limitless options for creative advertising.

    Beyond gamedays, Samsung displays allow the Mets to further diversify their revenue by supporting various other events, from New York City Football Club games and concerts to fundraisers and corporate events. Citi Field’s technologically advanced experience makes it a sought-after venue for event organizers and entice attendees who look forward to the same excitement they enjoy at New York Mets games.
    Learn more about the one-of-a-kind stadium experience at Citi Field powered by Samsung display technology in the full case study: https://insights.samsung.com/2024/10/17/the-ny-mets-and-samsung-reinvent-the-fan-experience-at-Citi-Field.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Polis-Primavera Administration’s Landmark Reinsurance Effort Will Save Coloradans $493 Million on Healthcare Premiums in 2025, Putting Money Back in the Pockets of Hardworking Coloradans

    Source: US State of Colorado

    Even more savings can be found by shopping and switching to a Colorado Option plan during open enrollment.

    DENVER – Today Governor Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera, and the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), announced that Reinsurance will save Coloradans almost $493 million on approved plans and premiums for 2025, building on the millions in savings available to Coloradans through Colorado Option plans. The figures below on the final, approved health insurance plans and premiums for 2025, highlight the impact of these efforts to save people money on health insurance.  

    “Our landmark bipartisan reinsurance plan continues to lower healthcare premiums and provide Coloradans with historic savings on their healthcare plans. These savings put money back in the pockets of hardworking Coloradans to spend on what people need and in our strong, small local businesses across the state,” said Governor Polis.

    “Access to high quality and affordable healthcare is critical for the health of all Coloradans. Increasing access to quality healthcare people can afford is something I have fought for over my decades of public service. These reinsurance savings will ensure getting the care people and their families need doesn’t feel out of reach,” said Lt. Governor Primavera.

    “These savings are incredible,” said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. “We have a Reinsurance Program that will save nearly $500 million for Coloradans next year. Add to that, Colorado Option plans that continue to be cheaper than non-Option plans, saving families millions a year. So my advice this year is the same as it is every year – get out there and shop to see what plans are available for you and your families.”

    Reinsurance Savings: Nearly $493 Million

    Colorado’s Reinsurance Program continues to deliver savings for people buying their insurance on the individual market (meaning insurance that is not provided through an employer). For 2025, the program is estimated to save Coloradans 23.8% on their premiums, equal to nearly $493 million ($492,847,3512). For a 40-year-old individual, that means an average savings over $1,500, and for a family of four, up to $5,800 in savings.

    In many counties in the western half of Colorado, Reinsurance is saving people more than 40% on their premiums, and in Mesa County (Rating Area 5), premiums would be 44% higher without the Reinsurance Program. For a 40-year-old individual in Mesa County, that means an average savings of $2,700, and for a family of four, almost $10,000 in savings.

    Reinsurance Savings by county

    With the $493 million in savings for 2025, the total estimated savings for the program will be over $2 billion since its inception.

    Colorado Option: Colorado Consumers Could Save an estimated $235 Million

    For 2025, Colorado Option plans will again offer significant savings for enrollees.

    In the individual market, the average increase for Colorado Option plans is again lower than non-Option plans: Colorado Option plans average premium change is 4.6%, while non-Option premiums will increase by an average of 6.1%. And Colorado Option plans will be the lowest or the second lowest plan in over 90% of Colorado counties next year for Bronze and Silver plans. For Gold plans, Colorado Option plans will be the lowest or second lowest plan in every county in the state in 2025.

    Additionally, someone currently enrolled in an average cost, non-Option plan who switches to a Colorado Option plan in the same metal tier (bronze, silver, gold), could see significant savings. A 40-year-old switching to the lowest cost Colorado Option plan could save up to $225 a month, or nearly $2,700 for the year (depending on where they live in the state). A family of four making the same change could realize savings of $800 a month, or nearly $10,000 for the year. These Colorado Option savings add up to $235 million if everyone in the individual market made this switch.

    In the small group market (for business with less than 100 employees), a 40-year-old making the change to the lowest cost Colorado Option plan would see savings of up to nearly $3,700 for the year, and a family of four would save over $14,000 on the year.

    Rate Review Savings: $15 million

    Every year, the DOI’s Rate Review Team works through all of the information the health insurance companies file to check that it meets the requirements of State and federal laws and regulations, but also to ensure that the premiums the companies request make sense. This year, the rate review process saved Coloradans over $15 million.

    In the individual market, the average premium increase for 2025 will only be 5.6%, while in the small group market, the average premium increase will be 7.1%

    Take the Time to Shop to Find More Savings

    On top of these programs saving Coloradans money on health care, many people who get their insurance from the individual market and use the state’s exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, will be eligible for additional savings.

    At least 80% of people currently enrolled in 2024 health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado will be eligible for financial assistance in 2025 that will help to make their insurance more affordable.

    And that financial assistance can also be significant, as 77% of customers getting financial assistance will be able to find a plan with a premium less than $100 a month if they shop,  and 62% will be able to find a premium under $25.

    With 219 plans available across Colorado for 2025 in the individual market, plus all of the available financial assistance, it is important that Colorado consumers take the time to shop and compare plans available as well as determine how much assistance would be available. Remember, the expanded eligibility for assistance available that was created by the Inflation Reduction Act is still in place, so if it’s been some time since you checked what assistance you might qualify for, it is time to check again at the Connect for Health Colorado’s Quick Cost and Plan Finder Tool.

    Open Enrollment Starts Nov. 1 – Don’t Wait

    Even though open enrollment doesn’t start until November 1, we encourage everyone to start looking at the health insurance plans available for 2025 and determining what financial assistance is available. At Connect for Health Colorado’s Quick Cost and Plan Finder Tool, the 2025 plans, premiums and financial assistance details will be available to view starting on October 22.

    Open enrollment for 2025 individual health insurance lasts until January 15, 2025. People enrolling November 1 – December 15, will have their coverage start on January 1, 20254. For those that wait to enroll between December 16 and January 15, coverage will start on February 1, 2025.

    More information can be found on the DOI’s website for approved plans.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Making home ownership a reality for more Albertans

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Minister Nixon with two of the families benefiting from the project and Gerrad Oishi, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity for Southern Alberta

    Every community has unique housing needs, and what works for one community may not work for another. That is why we are finding innovative solutions to ensure Albertans have access to safe, secure and affordable homes.

    As part of the Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta’s Livingston project, 24 new, affordable homes will be available for families and Albertans in need. This project has received $900,000 in bilateral funding from the governments of Alberta and Canada. To date, 12 homes have been completed with the remainder scheduled for completion in spring 2025. Alberta’s government continues to work to deliver affordable housing solutions to meet local needs and ensure Albertans have a place to call home.

    “I want to extend my congratulations to Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta on the Livingston home dedication. These new, affordable town homes will make home ownership a reality for 24 families in Calgary. Affordable housing remains a priority for our government and this project is a great example of how partnerships like this can make a real difference in the lives of Albertans.”

    Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

    Habitat for Humanity’s Southern Alberta Livingston project began construction in October 2023 and is located in a family-friendly community with access to major roadways, public transportation, schools and services. The townhomes feature open-concept kitchens and living spaces with energy-efficient appliances. They are designated for eligible Habitat families in the Calgary community.

    “Habitat for Humanity offers a sustainable path for building more affordable housing in Alberta. With the Government of Alberta’s support, along with the private sector and local communities, we are rising to meet the need so the cost of home is something every family can afford.”

    Gerrad Oishi, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta

    Quick facts

    • Since 2019, the Government of Alberta has committed $11 million for 110 Habitat for Humanity units across the province.
    • Alberta’s government continues to implement the Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy, which will help us support a total of 82,000 low-income households by 2031 – an increase of more than 40 per cent from the strategy’s launch in 2021.
    • Since 2019, Alberta’s government has invested almost $850 million to build more than 5,100 affordable units and close to 900 shelter spaces. This includes projects government has committed to, that are in progress and that are complete.

    Related information

    • Affordable housing and rent assistance
    • Supports for providers, developers and municipalities

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alabama Man Arrested for Role in Securities and Exchange Commission X Account Hack

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    An Alabama man was arrested by the FBI this morning in Athens, Alabama, on charges related to the January hack of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    According to court documents, on or about Jan. 9, Eric Council Jr., 25, of Athens, allegedly conspired with others to take unauthorized control of the SEC’s X account and, in the name of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, prematurely announced the approval of bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds. Immediately following the false announcement, the price of bitcoin increased by more than $1,000 per bitcoin. Shortly after this unauthorized post, the SEC regained control over its X account and confirmed that the announcement was unauthorized and the result of a security breach. Following this corrective disclosure, the value of BTC decreased by more than $2,000 per bitcoin.

    The conspirators gained control of the SEC’s X account through an unauthorized Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swap, allegedly carried out by Council. A SIM swap refers to the process of fraudulently inducing a cell phone carrier to reassign a cell phone number from the legitimate subscriber or user’s SIM card to a SIM card controlled by a criminal actor. As part of the scheme, Council and the co-conspirators allegedly created a fraudulent identification document in the victim’s name, which Council used to impersonate the victim; took over the victim’s cellular telephone account; and accessed the online social media account linked to the victim’s cellular phone number for the purpose of accessing the SEC’s X account and generating the fraudulent post in the name of SEC Chairman Gensler.

    “The indictment alleges that Eric Council Jr. unlawfully accessed the SEC’s account on X by using the stolen identity of a person who had access to the account to take over their cellphone number,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Council’s co-conspirators then allegedly used this unauthorized access to the X account to falsely announce that the SEC had approved listing bitcoin ETFs, which caused the price of bitcoin to rise by $1,000 and then fall by $2,000. Council’s indictment underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to countering cybercrime, especially when it threatens the integrity of financial markets.”

    “These SIM swapping schemes, where fraudsters trick service providers into giving them control of unsuspecting victims’ phones, can result in devastating financial losses to victims and leaks of sensitive personal and private information,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Here, the conspirators allegedly used their illegal access to a phone to manipulate financial markets. Through indictments like this, we will hold accountable those who commit these serious crimes.”

    “The FBI works to identify, disrupt, and investigate cyber-enabled frauds, including SIM swapping,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David E. Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “SIM swapping is a method bad actors exploit to illicitly access sensitive information of an individual or company, with the intent of perpetrating a crime. In this case, the unauthorized actor allegedly utilized SIM swapping to manipulate the global financial market. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners around the country and globe to hold accountable those who break U.S. laws.”

    “This criminal indictment demonstrates our commitment to holding bad actors accountable for undermining the integrity of the financial markets,” said Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey of the SEC.

    A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment on Oct. 10 charging Council with one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Washington Field Office and SEC Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

    For more information on SIM swapping, go to http://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240411.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why calls to review Lucy Letby’s case are so different from other miscarriage of justice campaigns

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sam Poyser, Lecturer in Criminology, Aberystwyth University

    Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse, was convicted after two trials of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Sentenced to life imprisonment following a case which many believe was built on circumstantial evidence, Letby has consistently maintained her innocence.

    In a recent interview on LBC, the UK government’s health secretary, Wes Streeting, was asked for his opinion on those questioning the safety of Letby’s convictions.

    Streeting’s reply urged campaigners to place their faith in the judicial and appellate processes to identify and correct their mistakes, if any. He added that there was no purpose in campaigning as it would have no impact and that if people insisted on doing so, they should do it “quietly”.

    But my research shows that Streeting’s comments are not reflective of the broader history of miscarriages of justice.

    Wes Streeting on Lucy Letby’s conviction.

    Letby’s first trial was preceded by the publication of a report by the Royal Statistical Society in September 2022 detailing how statistical issues in the investigation of suspected murders in medical settings can contribute to causing miscarriages of justice. It drew attention to the case of Dutch nurse Lucia de Berk who was convicted in circumstances which shared striking similarities with the Letby case.

    Almost six months after Letby’s conviction in August 2023, the New Yorker magazine published an article challenging the prosecution’s account of events. And a body called Science on Trial, which calls out “problematic science”, also began raising questions. This sparked further scrutiny from journalist Peter Hitchens, who continues to express his doubts in the press.

    National publications, radio programmes and TV broadcasts featuring prominent medical experts have also raised doubts about the evidence used at trial.

    Lucy Letby.
    Cheshire Constabulary

    Politicians, like David Davis, began voicing concerns both inside and outside parliament, intensifying the debate around the safety of Letby’s conviction.

    The Letby campaign stands out as an alleged miscarriage of justice because there are very few cases in which so many people have moved so quickly, and so publicly, to raise concerns.

    Lessons from history

    Miscarriages of justice are not new and are often very difficult to put right. The history of miscarriages of justice is littered with failed appeals and unsuccessful applications submitted by prisoners to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the body now responsible for investigating and referring them back to the Court of Appeal.

    For example, Andrew Malkinson spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Even after DNA evidence excluded him as the perpetrator, his case was essentially blocked from proceeding to appeal by the very system designed to identify such errors. Had it not been for sustained public campaigning and an investigation spearheaded by the legal charity Appeal, his conviction would probably not have been quashed.

    Streeting’s argument that “there is no purpose in a campaign” overlooks the effect organised calls for justice have had. Campaigns like those for the Birmingham Six – in which six men spent 16 years in prison for a crime of which they were entirely innocent – led to significant reforms. These include the establishment of the CCRC itself. Without public scrutiny and outcry, these changes would not have been achieved.

    My research shows that an important goal of justice campaigns is to “gain a voice” – to raise questions, build support and influence outcomes. This can sometimes lead to convictions being overturned. These campaigns are typically led by the prisoner’s family, whose fight to be heard is often a long and arduous journey.

    Some families eventually manage to engage journalists who help them gain a voice in the mainstream media. This oxygen of publicity may, in turn, attract the attention of those whose intervention might further strengthen the campaign, such as specialist experts, lawyers and other professionals.

    These individuals may lend their knowledge, skills and expertise to a case and sometimes even go public with their concerns. This often pressures people in positions of authority to respond.

    The “campaigning voice” can also draw the attention of investigative journalists who specialise in re-examining alleged miscarriages of justice. When they take interest, their thorough and often obsessive work can uncover new evidence, sometimes strong enough to convince the Court of Appeal to overturn a conviction.

    The judiciary itself has acknowledged the transformative role of such journalists. But it’s important to note that families usually have to wage a long and loud campaign before reaching this point.

    Why the Letby case is different

    Although Letby’s parents have stuck by her from the start, they have rarely spoken publicly.

    In this case, the voices shouting the loudest, and refusing to be quiet, belong to eminent statisticians, epidemiologists, neonatologists, pediatricians and biochemical engineers. These are the types of people that most miscarriage campaigns spend years trying to attract. The sheer number speaking out is unprecedented.

    So too is the swift involvement of John Sweeney, a journalist who specialises in investigating what researchers call “no crime miscarriages”. These are cases where people are convicted for crimes that never happened.

    The speed with which these professionals and others have raised doubts about the Letby convictions is highly unusual, especially given the severity of the convictions. My work shows that people convicted of especially horrific crimes often struggle to establish campaigns that question whether the justice system got it wrong.

    While it’s now widely accepted that juries, judges and the CCRC can make mistakes, justice systems tend to fiercely protect their decisions and reputations in such cases. Although no one can at this time say for certain whether or not Letby’s convictions are unsafe, research shows that public campaigns – and campaigning loudly – can make a difference.

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

    – ref. Why calls to review Lucy Letby’s case are so different from other miscarriage of justice campaigns – https://theconversation.com/why-calls-to-review-lucy-letbys-case-are-so-different-from-other-miscarriage-of-justice-campaigns-239465

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why many Poles are not as supportive of Ukraine’s war effort as their leaders in Warsaw

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chris Hann, Emeritus Director, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

    Consumers of western media could be forgiven for supposing that Ukraine, the state whose sovereignty was violated so brutally with the Russian invasion of February 2022, enjoys unstinting support from its western neighbour Poland. The support of the Polish government has been unambiguous. Donations of military equipment and humanitarian support for refugees have been second to none in Europe.

    The election of a new government at the end of 2023 made no discernible difference to the Polish commitment. Antipathy towards Russia in Poland has strong roots, dating back even before the days when much of the country (including Warsaw) was formally incorporated into the Romanovs’ Russian empire.

    Observers in the west take it for granted that the pro-Ukrainian policies of successive Polish governments – endorsed by the Catholic churches – reflect views shared by citizens throughout the country.

    But after more than two years of war, as I found during a recent research trip, doubts are being voiced in some segments of society.

    Farmers have been angry for years. Ukraine has rich soils and its agribusiness is free from EU regulations. In the exceptional conditions created by the invasion, with the government desperately in need of revenue, Ukraine has been allowed to export its cheap grain to the EU. This has undermined the market for Polish farmers. Some Poles event believe that, since much Ukrainian farmland is owned by foreign capital, the prolongation of the war has been orchestrated by the west for economic reasons.

    Similar arguments can be heard concerning energy. The end of cheap gas from the Russian Federation promises a bonanza for the producers of alternative supplies, notably in the United States at the expense of higher prices for Polish households. I also heard in plenty of conversations that Poland is the only ally of Ukraine to provide military hardware free of charge – whereas other Nato states insist on full payment or offer credits that will theoretically have to be repaid one day.

    The resentments run deep and they affect large sections of the population. Why do I have to wait months for my hospital appointment, people ask – is it because of increased demand for health services from the millions of Ukrainian refugees? Why should my taxes pay for generous financial grants to Ukrainians who turn up at the border, claim the cash, and promptly return home?

    A tangled history

    Most educated citizens dismiss such allegations with scorn. Those who complain and exaggerate isolated abuses are often written off as gullible victims of Russian propaganda. But Poles are unlikely dupes. Monuments to communist crimes are everywhere – above all the Katyń massacres of 1940, when the Soviet security forces murdered thousands of Polish officers. More recently, many Poles still suspect the Kremlin’s complicity in the plane crash that killed their then president, Lech Kaczyński in Smolensk in 2010.

    Yet hatred of Russia does not translate into unconditional support for Ukraine.

    The enduring reason for friction between the two states has to do with diverging interpretations of violence which took place during and after the second world war. Ukrainian ministers have the undiplomatic habit of pointing out that large areas of present-day Poland were formerly occupied by Ukrainians. According to the historical ethno-linguistic and religious criteria generally considered central in the formation of peoples, Ukraine might indeed have a stronger claim to sections of the Polish Carpathians than it has to Crimea or Donbas.

    Does this help explain why the Polish government upholds the sanctity of Ukraine’s border with Russia? They want Ukraine’s border with their country to be equally sacrosanct.

    The typical Polish response to Ukrainian nationalist goading is to point out that Poles used to form the majority in most towns of western Ukraine – and that Lviv itself was a Polish city until Stalin redrew the borders in 1944 and the Polish population was deported westwards. These eastern borderlands are known to Poles as the Kresy. They are the focus of strong emotions and mythology. The Kresy is imagined as a harmonious realm in which, for many centuries, cultivated Poles ruled benignly over all other nationalities.

    This multiculturalism came to an abrupt end in the 1940s. These days, Poles with family roots in Volhynia and Galicia, much of which is now in western Ukraine, are incensed by Kyiv’s refusal to admit that Ukrainian nationalists were responsible for the ethnic cleansing of the Polish population. Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, recently made it clear that Poland’s continued support for admitting Ukraine to the EU will depend on coming to terms with this dark past.

    Western complicity

    During my recent visit, I was sometimes asked why the BBC and other influential western media never probed behind the slick public face of Volodymyr Zelensky’s team to report on the real conditions and opinions of ordinary Ukrainians. Instead, Russians are demonised and Ukrainians hailed for their “European values” and their sacrifices on behalf of the west.

    Coverage in Polish state media conveys a similar message – but I found many citizens have become sceptical. There is pity for conscripts, sorrow for the loss of young lives on both sides and fear for where all this dehumanising violence is leading. But few of the people I spoke with believed that Russians are the only party violating the Geneva Conventions.

    Often, the conversation turned to Boris Johnson. I was asked to explain why the then prime minister advised Zelensky in April 2022 that Ukraine should continue the fighting. Did Johnson, as has often been rumoured, sabotage proposals for a negotiated peace carefully drawn up in Istanbul shortly before his visit? Was it the spontaneous whim of a western politician who knew nothing about regional history, a clown playing macho games with Zelensky for the sake of his own image? Did he not care at all about the hundreds of thousands who would suffer and die if this war continued? Was he pursuing a devious strategy agreed with EU leaders and Nato partners, above all Washington?

    I did not have answers to any of these questions.

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

    – ref. Why many Poles are not as supportive of Ukraine’s war effort as their leaders in Warsaw – https://theconversation.com/why-many-poles-are-not-as-supportive-of-ukraines-war-effort-as-their-leaders-in-warsaw-240562

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wyoming County Man Charged With Drug Trafficking And Firearm Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony C. Donnora, Sr., age 79, of Forkston Township, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 15, 2024, by a federal grand jury and charged with drug trafficking and firearm offenses.

    According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Donnora with the distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, maintaining a drug involved premises, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.  The alleged offenses occurred in Wyoming County between August 6, 2021 through February 27, 2024.

    The charges stem from a joint investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations– Scranton Office, ATF, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Tunkhannock Borough Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.

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

    The maximum penalty under federal law is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Guthrie and Griffith “The Biden-Harris EPA- From the Government Not Here to Help”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

    In Case You Missed It – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), recently published a joint op-ed in The Washington Reporter detailing how the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been providing solutions in search of a problem in the name of “climate justice.”

    Below are the highlights of their op-ed published by The Washington Reporter.

    Click HERE to read the full op-ed.

    “When you drive to work in the morning and drop your kids off at school, the EPA wants to make sure they can choose which vehicle you’re using. Their electric vehicle (EV) mandates, which are attempting to make two thirds of all US car sales by 2032 electric vehicles, are completely unrealistic and ignore the factors that make EVs untenable for many families across the country.  EV use is limited in mountainous regions where traversing the mountains drains batteries at a faster rate. EVs cost on average $17,000 more than their gas-powered counterparts and some EVs are suspectable to severe weather with battery range cut by up to 40% in cold conditions. This is further evidenced by the high percentage of auto-dealers’ lots filled with unsold EVs because of the continued popularity of gas-powered cars.

    The Biden-Harris hypocritical electrification strategy will increase the need for reliable baseload power generation, while at the same time they’re forcing the use of intermittent sources of wind and solar through the Clean Power Plan 2.0 that will drive out fossil fuels that are reliable and keep the lights on. But don’t just take our word for it, the very entities charged with overseeing our grid are sounding alarms about implications of EPA’s plans. Access to electricity is not a luxury, but a necessity.

    Power generation is the linchpin to economic activity in our nation. We should see this next-gen economy as an opportunity to reduce our reliance on adversarial nations like China and create stable, good paying jobs that lift up communities across the nation. Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris EPA doubled down on their radical agenda by implementing a host of regulations that target the manufacturing sector in an effort to fulfill a far-left environmentalist wish list.”

    …

    Click HERE to read the full op-ed.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Collaboration on disability data aims to drive AI innovation

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Collaboration on disability data aims to drive AI innovation

    Today, Microsoft announced a new collaboration with Be My Eyes to bring high-quality, disability representative data to help train AI systems. This work with Be My Eyes will help make Microsoft AI models more inclusive for the 340 million people in the world who are blind or have low vision and is the latest step in our commitment to build inclusive technology.

    AI requires large amounts of data for training and utility but too often disability is underrepresented or incorrectly categorized in datasets. In Microsoft Research’s most recent paper on AI performance for describing images from blind or low vision individuals, disability objects, like a braille device, were included less frequently in popular large-scale image-text datasets, leading to recognizing those objects ~30 percent less accurately. This disability data desert can limit the utility of a technology, strengthen existing stereotypes and magnify bias. As we continue to discover the opportunities for AI and accessibility, inclusive data through these types of partnerships and community collaborations are paramount to building inclusive AI.

    How we do this matters. Transparency and user control are the guiding principles for data privacy in this agreement. Be My Eyes will provide video data sets, including unique objects, lighting and framing that realistically represents the lived experience of the blind and low vision community. Personal information will be removed from metadata by Be My Eyes prior to sharing and the company continues to work transparently with its members to provide a clear process and options to opt out of data sharing. Microsoft will then use the data to improve the accuracy and precision of scene understanding and descriptions with the goal of increasing the utility of AI applications for the blind and low vision community.

    Today’s news is the next chapter in our collaboration with Be My Eyes, which began in 2017 when their app was integrated into the Disability Answer Desk support experience to give customers more efficient technical support. Last year, Microsoft was the first to pilot their new ‘Be My AI’, with AI helping to solve technical support issues. Be My Eyes also recently developed a Windows app, available in the Microsoft Store. Collaborations like these allow us to improve representation and diversity of AI data and drive more authentic inclusion of disability in our technology.

    Responsible AI is inclusive AI

    In the last 18 months, we have been focused on understanding how generative AI can directly impact disabled people, but our history here goes back even further. We are principled in our approach to make sure we extend those benefits and mitigate potential harms of AI. Microsoft’s Responsible AI framework is how we do this. It includes fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness including accessibility.

    AI innovations can reduce cognitive load through summarization, automate meeting notes, and provide detailed image descriptions. These innovations have so many positive implications for neurodiverse, deaf, and blind communities and more, and with 1+ billion people on the planet who experience some type of disability, the disability data desert is a crucial issue to address.

    Speech is one example of where we have been investing, and since 2022, we are proud to work with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) along with Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon on the Speech Accessibility Project. The UIUC works with nonprofit organizations to collect data to improve speech recognition for individuals with diverse speech patterns such as those with ALS. This data helps AI models learn a broader understanding of the diversity of speech and expands scenarios where this technology can bring benefits – including accelerating non-standard speech data accuracy in mainstream speech platforms, like Azure Speech. The project is enhancing AI systems for people with disabilities by integrating diverse data and perspectives into the development process.

    Our commitment to inclusive AI

    At Microsoft, we are committed to building inclusive AI that is representative of all who use it, while also protecting marginalized members of society from proliferated bias that could impact education, employment, and civic engagement. We believe accessible technology is a fundamental right that can unlock opportunities in every part of society, and generative AI is one of the most powerful tools we have today to deliver on that potential when designed inclusively and responsibly. We are also committed to transparency and providing robust data protection for every individual. Today’s news with Be My Eyes builds on these commitments, and we will continue to seek out partnerships across the industry and community to create a more inclusive future.

    If you have questions or feedback on Accessibility at Microsoft, let us know at the Disability Answer Desk or try out the Bing AI-powered Ask Microsoft Accessibility tool.

    To learn more about Accessibility at Microsoft: Our Accessibility Approach | Microsoft Accessibility

    Read more on Be My Eyes privacy commitments.

    Tags: Accessibility, AI, AI for Accessibility, disabilities, disability, generative ai, inclusion, inclusiveness, neurodiversity, Responsible AI, Speech Accessibility Project, speech recognition

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Norcross Presents $696,000 in Community Project Funding to Upgrade Stormwater Infrastructure in Washington Township

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

    CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) presented $696,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) to Washington Township for stormwater infrastructure upgrades to Ward Lake and Spring Lake. 

    The funding was secured through the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding package and will be used to prevent flooding and improve safety for residents in the region. The existing stormwater outlets and natural runoff from these lakes have caused erosion and siltation build-up over the past decades. Improvements will include stormwater infrastructure repairs and removal of sediment. 

    “Community Project Funding grants invest in our communities and support economic development, job creation, and critical projects that improve the quality of life,” Rep. Norcross said. “I’m proud to have secured this funding and present this Community Project Funding award to Washington Township for necessary stormwater infrastructure upgrades. Improving our nation’s infrastructure also means improving public safety, and with this new funding we will be able to mitigate flooding in South Jersey.”  

    “We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Donald Norcross for his strong support and for securing $696,000 in funding for vital stormwater improvements at Ward Lake and Spring Lake,” said Laurie Burns, Mayor of Washington Township. “This investment will enhance the safety and functionality of our infrastructure, positively impacting many residents of Washington Township. Together, we are committed to creating a better future for our community, and we look forward to working collaboratively on future projects that address the needs of our residents.” 

    “We are proud to support Washington Township in securing the $696,000 in funding for essential stormwater improvements at Ward Lake and Spring Lake,” said Frank J. DiMarco, Director of Gloucester County Board of Commissioners. ” This project reflects our ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvements that enhance public safety and environmental sustainability. We look forward to continuing our partnership with local and federal officials to ensure that important projects like this are completed for the benefit of our communities.”  

    Rep. Norcross recently secured 14 CPF awards totaling $13,565,031 for projects throughout New Jersey’s First Congressional District to support economic development, create jobs, and respond to the most pressing needs of the community. More information on the 14 projects can be found here. 

    Since the creation of CPFs in 2021, Rep. Norcross has secured $28.8 million in awards for local projects throughout South Jersey. CPF awards secured by Rep. Norcross range from road and transportation projects and affordable housing upgrades to improving health care and education accessibility.   

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar: Secretary Su’s Policies Hurting Michigan Farmers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar: Secretary Su’s Policies Hurting Michigan Farmers

    Today, Julie Su, the Acting Secretary of Labor the for the Biden-Harris administration, is expected to be in Michigan. Her policies have hurt Michigan farmers by mandating unsustainable wages for farm workers, known as the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). This year, under Acting Secretary Su’s direction, the AEWR in Michigan was raised to $18.50 per hour, the fourth highest rate in the nation. 

    “Many Michigan farmers are on the brink of bankruptcy because of the failed leadership of the Biden-Harris administration and Acting Secretary Su. I have met with fifth and sixth-generation farmers who fear that unless something changes, they will be the last in their family to farm. President Biden, Vice President Harris and Acting Secretary Su’s policies are responsible for this hardship, and my bipartisan Supporting Farm Operations Act would help provide Michigan farmers overdue relief,” said Congressman John Moolenaar.

    Last month, the Protect Our Product coalition had an event with Moolenaar to discuss the high labor costs of the Biden-Harris administration’s policies. The Michigan Farm News reported:

    “For the Kropfs, phasing out older varieties of apples on 25 acres carries a replanting cost of around $1 million. It’s money the couple said they won’t have if labor costs under the H-2A program continue to increase. “This money has to come from somewhere, and the price of the product has been relatively consistent, if not dropping,” Chris Kropf said. “We have to control our labor costs — at all costs.”

    The AEWR in Michigan has been increased for ten consecutive years. Moolenaar has introduced bipartisan legislation called the Supporting Farm Operations Act. This bill would freeze Su’s increase to the AEWR until the end of 2025. The legislation has been endorsed by multiple Michigan agriculture groups. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Monmouth County Resident Admits Fraudulently Obtaining over $3.7 Million in Cares Act Loans

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A former resident of Monmouth County admitted his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

    Kevin Aguilar, 54, previously of Farmingdale, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court on Oct. 15, 2024, to a superseding indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; seven counts of bank fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; three counts of wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; one count of money laundering; and one count of aggravated identity theft.

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

    From April 2020 to April 2021, Aguilar conspired with others to submit seven fraudulent PPP loan applications and three fraudulent EIDL applications on behalf of four businesses. Based on the fraudulent applications, Aguilar received approximately $3.3 million in PPP loan funds and approximately $450,000 in EIDL funds. After receiving the PPP and EIDL funds, Aguilar caused those funds to be transferred to other businesses that he created to give the false appearance that the PPP and EIDL funds were being used for legitimate purposes. Aguilar then used the PPP and EIDL funds to purchase residential properties in Sherman, Texas, a new truck for approximately $100,000, and to pay for other personal expenses.

    The bank fraud conspiracy count and each count of bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The wire fraud conspiracy count and each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. The money laundering conspiracy count and money laundering count each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. The aggravated identity theft counts carry an additional consecutive mandatory minimum term of two years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Aguilar’s sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2025.

    Charges remain pending against Aguilar’s co-defendant, Jean E. Rabbitt, formerly of Farmingdale, New Jersey. The charges and allegations against Rabbitt are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca in New York; IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Corwin Rattler; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge is Christopher A. Nielsen; special agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Kozar, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Economic Crimes United in Newark.

    The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of the five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Raising independent and resilient children: Lessons from TVO’s ‘Old Enough!’ and the science of love

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Nikki Martyn, Chair of Early Childhood Studies, University of Guelph-Humber

    The show demonstrates that young children are capable, curious and competent. (Blue Ant Media)

    There is an evolutionary need for parents to protect their children from harm. One of the most difficult and important aspects of parenting is allowing children to take the necessary risks which enable them to grow.

    TVO’s Old Enough!, based on a hit Japanese TV series, helps parents consider the balance between protection and creating space for children to develop independence and resilience. It shows very young children being provided the responsibility of running errands seemingly on their own.

    It should be noted there are protections in place, for example as seen in Episode 1. Viewers see four-year-old Parker with supports for crossing streets, camera crews and shop keepers who are prepared for the child’s visit. It is not recommended that very young children complete errands unsupervised.

    However, the show demonstrates that young children are capable, curious and competent. It encourages us to consider how we can support children in developing their confidence, self-worth and trust, and help them become independent and resilient while ensuring they feel supported and loved.

    Independence begins with love

    Old Enough! exemplifies many insights for parents about nurturing relationships with their children to support their emerging independence.

    Secure attachment develops when a child consistently experiences a loving, attuned and responsive emotional connection, fostering a sense of trust and safety, and learning that their emotional needs will be met.

    This is at the heart of raising independent and resilient children. Every experience shapes a child’s brain and influences gene expression. The emotional bond that develops from secure attachment provides children reassurance to take risks and try new things on their own. This emotional security enables them to confidently explore the world, knowing they have a secure base to return to.

    In Old Enough!, viewers see glimpses of this trusting and loving relationship with five-year-old Simon and his dad David in Episode 3. Simon’s dads, David and Stephane, have different views around how much freedom Simon should have, with David feeling more protective. The episode shows Simon shopping on his own at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market, with David outside.

    Trailer for ‘Old Enough!’ Episode 3.

    When the bags are too heavy, Simon drags them outside to give to David, sharing he was “dropping off a load because it was too heavy.” Simon’s dad empathically sighs in agreement.

    Simon knows his dad will be waiting for him. There is no concern of where to find his dad, or apprehension his dad would be upset Simon hadn’t finished, or had taken too long. Simon flops on the sidewalk and shares his solo adventure.

    His father, clearly anxious, finds a way through his own feelings to ask Simon if he will go back in to finish. Simon proudly beams yes! Upon return, he is greeted with pride and a big hug. Simon is proud of himself, stating “now I know how to shop by myself,” shining with confidence and resilience.

    That Simon knows the world is safe and trustworthy was evident in his secure internal working model. This is seen in his willingness to confidently ask others for help, knowing it will be OK if he fails. His reflection “I was not even scared,” emphasizes the confidence in his relationships and secure base from which he explores the world.

    Love supports courage to take on tasks

    Old Enough! also shows everyday moments of independence parents can foster by allowing children to complete simple, age-appropriate tasks.

    For example, viewers see Parker making her lunch, or Luther empty the dishwasher. These tasks offer them the chance to build self-reliance and problem-solving skills in manageable ways.

    Love and autonomy go hand in hand. This emotional foundation provides children the courage to take on tasks, solve problems and struggle through challenges. Love is not just a form of emotional support; it is also a tool for growth.

    When children are provided with opportunities to face small challenges, make decisions and manage frustration, we help them build the resilience to handle bigger challenges later in life. This approach reinforces that their loving caregiver trusts and believes in them.

    Children who know they are loved unconditionally feel secure in their worth and are more likely to navigate the complexities of life with a sense of inner stability. This emotional foundation prevents them from relying heavily on external validation because they have internalized their worth and value.

    As children grow, having a balanced view of themselves, their relationships and the world prepares them to manage peer pressure, bullying and setbacks, reinforcing the understanding of their worth isn’t determined by others’ opinions.

    Parents’ own attachment experiences

    Parents can support their children’s journey toward independence and resilience by encouraging small acts of autonomy.

    Letting children make their own choices, take on responsibilities and engage in problem-solving helps build their confidence. At the same time, parents should be emotionally available, offering comfort and support without taking over. This balance of trust and love gives children the necessary tools to become both independent and resilient, knowing they can face challenges and are always supported.

    Parents who want to do more to support their children’s autonomy while maintaining a close connection often find that making changes can be difficult. This is especially the case if they have not experienced secure attachment, unconditional love or have a history of relational trauma.

    Managing the real fear and anxiety of stepping back, perhaps fearing your child will feel unloved, can feel incredibly challenging. In Old Enough! such feelings are expressed by Ohelya’s mom, Arfina, in Episode 8, who shares she had to grow up faster than most of her friends and she wants to protect her daughter from this experience, allowing her to enjoy childhood.

    Trailer for ‘Old Enough!’ Episode 8.

    For parents, it’s important to separate your fears and anxieties from what is real for your child, and ensure your history and experiences do not negatively impact your child’s opportunities for growth and development. Be kind and patient with yourself and your child during this process.

    Watch, wait and wonder

    Parents can consider using a strategy such as “watch, wait and wonder”:

    • Watch: observe your child without intervening.
    • Wait: allow them the time and space to explore and play independently.
    • Wonder: reflect on their needs and your responses.

    By acknowledging and managing your own fears and anxieties, you create space to see your child truly sparkle.

    Learn and know who your child is, what their strengths are and what they need support with. It’s never to late to let children show you what they are capable of and reveal their amazing self. With consistency, you will build a deep meaningful connection built on trust and love, which will last a lifetime.

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

    – ref. Raising independent and resilient children: Lessons from TVO’s ‘Old Enough!’ and the science of love – https://theconversation.com/raising-independent-and-resilient-children-lessons-from-tvos-old-enough-and-the-science-of-love-239178

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Labrador Files Brief to Stop Biden-Harris Administration’s Electric-Truck Mandate

    Source: US State of Idaho

    [BOISE] – Attorney General Raúl Labrador and a coalition of 23 other states filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to stop the Biden-Harris Administration from imposing an electric-vehicle mandate on truck manufacturers in Nebraska v. EPA.  This coalition has joined the suit alongside Nebraska as petitioners to challenge the new rule.
    In April, the federal Environmental and Protection Agency (EPA) published a rule imposing stringent tailpipe emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles that effectively force manufacturers to produce more electric trucks and fewer internal-combustion trucks. The Attorneys General argued that EPA’s electric-truck mandate raises a “major question” that Congress has not clearly authorized EPA to decide.
    “Once again, the Biden-Harris administration is superseding their constitutional authority in a short-sighted pursuit of their green agenda,” said Attorney General Labrador.  “They are making laws and standards which are the sole purview of Congress.  This kind of reckless rulemaking will damage our national economy, infrastructure, and resiliency.”
    The brief points out that just one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of all heavy-duty trucks sold today are powered by a battery, but that EPA’s rule would increase that number to 45 percent in less than a decade away. That massive shift in the nation’s trucking and logistics industries will slow down transportation of essential goods, stress the electric grid, and raise prices for Americans. The brief also argues that EPA has never before forced manufacturers to produce heavy-duty electric vehicles and that allowing the electric-truck mandate to stand would short circuit the ongoing policy debate that should be left to Congress and the States.
    In addition to Attorney General Labrador, attorneys general from the following States joined the suit against the Biden Administration: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, South Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: September’s Sunny Skies Make Perfect Day for Solar Calibrations

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL Hosts 24th Pyrheliometer Comparisons for North American Region

    Participants from the Physical Meteorological Observatory in Davos (PMOD) attended the 24th NREL Pyrheliometer Comparisons (NPC). PMOD maintains the World Radiometric Reference. NREL visits PMOD in Switzerland every five years, and PMOD comes to Golden, Colorado, four out of every five years to participate in NPC. All photos by Gregory Cooper, NREL

    Say you are in the market for solar panels for the roof of your home. You are researching the different types, especially noticing the efficiency that they claim. How do you know that you can trust that number?

    Or let’s say you want to build an entire solar array. You need a loan from the bank, but they want to know how much energy you think you are going to get from your array to make sure they make a wise investment. How do you know how much energy you are going to get?

    The same answer applies to both of these scenarios because what we are talking about is traceability: the ability to trace your measurement back to a standard source that is common to everyone. The person who sold you the solar panels and the bank that agreed to invest in your solar farm both rely on a traceable measurement, and NREL plays a major role in providing just that.

    From Sept. 21 to 27, groups of scientists and engineers from around the globe gathered at NREL’s Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (SRRL) on the top of South Table Mountain in Golden, Colorado, for the 24th NREL Pyrheliometer Comparisons (NPC). While Colorado is a destination for many people, NPC’s participants do not just come for the stunning views and the clear skies. As the regional leader, NREL keeps its reference instruments calibrated directly to the World Radiometric Reference and World Infrared Standard Group. Since 1996, NPC has been a gathering place for people from across the globe to calibrate their reference instruments to the world standard.

    On the first day of the NPC, participants from Saudi Arabia set up their active cavity radiometers (ACRs) in the morning to begin measurements.

    Studying Solar Energy Is Part of What Unites Us

    One expert in the field, Tom Stoffel, is a former NREL employee. Tom began working at NREL when it was just beginning as the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in the late1970s, and he played a major role in establishing NREL as the region’s leader in pyrheliometer comparisons. Tom still comes back to the comparisons every year to share his insights and to join the participants with whom he shares a passion for solar measurement.

    “Solar radiation measurements are the basis for understanding Earth’s primary energy source,” Stoffel said. Knowing how much of the sun’s power is available on Earth is crucial for solar and climate research and for the solar industry in general. Since the beginning of time, people have studied the sun and harvested its power for everything from basic needs like heating something to eat and telling time to today’s advanced uses for powering our homes and cars and, moreover, to understand and detect the changes in the Earth’s radiation budget for climate studies.

    Measuring the sun’s power remains one of the most difficult-to-define physical measurements. As researchers strive to get more and more precise measurements, they also need to ensure that the measurements used are compliant with international standards. This area of research lies at the origins of NREL’s work when it was once the Solar Energy Research Institute, and it still guides the laboratory’s mission today seeking to transform energy.

    A clock runs one hour behind Mountain Daylight Time to align with solar noon, when the sun is at maximum elevation, keeping participants aware of progression throughout the day. The number below the time indicates the current stable irradiance reading.

    What Is It Like Attending NPC?

    Affectionately referred to as the “sun nerds convention,” NPC serves as a World Meteorological Organization regional comparison for maintaining traceability, hosting participants who seek compliance with the International Organization for Standardization requirements for interlaboratory calibrations. Participants set up their instruments on the top of South Table Mountain and, beginning at sunrise, they start taking solar irradiance measurements in groups of 49 observations at 30-second intervals.

    Researchers at the SRRL analyze the data to provide participants with a ratio of their instrument’s measurement to the NREL reference group that allows them to calibrate their instruments to the World Radiometric Reference. Maintaining this traceability to the world standard allows participants to take their instruments back to their organizations and continue doing the important work of solar resource assessment, climate change studies, and atmospheric research with the assurance that their measurements are aligned with the world standard.

    As an example, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program personnel James Martin, Jim Stow, and retired Craig Webb participated in this year’s NPC to maintain its traceability of radiometric measurement. This supports the ARM program in closing the gap between the radiative transfer models and solar irradiance measurement.

    NPC participants set up and validate data collection to verify that solar alignment is not lost during the measurements. They need precise solar alignment to ensure they are measuring the full solar irradiance (i.e., the full power of the sun).

    Collaboration at the Event

    After attending this event, participants leave with more than just calibrated instruments. Collaboration and networking are an equally important part for this tight-knit industry to share valuable information about their work across all different industries and in different parts of the world.

    Logan Soldo, one participant at this year’s event from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, Colorado, commented on the value of the opportunity to collaborate.

    “Even just sitting here and learning from all of these people who have been around a lot longer than me is valuable,” Soldo said. “I feel like I’m learning so much.”

    Charles Robinson from Sandia National Laboratory remarked on how he is grateful for the mentorship he has received in this field. His mentor was mentored by one of the men who was at the very first international comparisons back in the 1960s, and Robinson was still using one of those original instruments at NREL’s comparisons.

    Participants from EKO Instruments attended this year’s NPC. EKO manufactures many of the trackers that NREL uses, which orient the ACR to point directly at the sun.

    Tom Kirk of Eppley Laboratories said that he enjoyed the opportunity to be in person with his clients who bought Eppley’s instruments and help them with their instruments in a more hands-on way.

    Erik Naranen of ISO-CAL North America, “a proud member of the sun nerds convention,” remarked on the value of being together with others in the industry. Many of the participants remarked similarly on the value of hearing from some of the experts in the field and being grateful for the chance to spend so much time with them to share their passion for accurate solar resource measurement.

    Future Directions

    The future of metrology is bright because of the work being done by NREL and many others in the field. Their goal is to have the most precise measurements possible to ensure that the research is as sound as possible. Measuring the sun’s power is still a difficult task. But when people know their instruments are sound, they can lay a strong foundation to push the envelope of climate and atmospheric research.

    More than a dozen ARCs are lined up on the top of South Table Mountain, making simultaneous solar irradiance measurements with one another. 

    The logistics associated with NPC require support from NREL’s Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality Office; Site Operations; Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness; Power Systems Engineering Center; Shipping and Receiving; DOE’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program; DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies program; and more. Thank you to all the NRELians who pitched in to help advance NREL’s leadership in this area and provide support to an event that improves research outcomes across renewable energy and atmospheric research.

    Learn more about NREL’s work in the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory, which includes the Metrology Laboratory. To find out more about attending NREL’s comparisons in 2026 or to learn more about past events, visit NPC’s website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada Announces Funding for Emissions Reduction Alberta Through the Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 17, 2024                    Calgary, Alberta                   Natural Resources Canada

    The Government of Canada is committed to maximizing energy performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while helping industry gain a competitive edge.  

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson announced a federal investment of $40 million from the Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program (GIFMP) to Emissions Reduction Alberta. This funding will help to develop and manage a province-wide program for industry to become more cost- and energy-efficient.

    Funding will support Emissions Reduction Alberta’s $50-Million Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program, which will provide industrial and manufacturing facilities with expertise and training in energy management.  Industrial participants will be given the opportunity to increase profitability by reducing energy costs and to take advantage of funding to help cover the cost of capital retrofits for industrial process equipment. An additional $10 million was invested by the Government of Alberta for Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Strategic Energy Management for Industry program.   

    As Canada advances toward a net-zero future, investments like these are key to minimizing emissions while maximizing industry competitiveness. Today’s investment supports workers and industry in Alberta on the road toward a prosperous and clean future.

    Quotes

    “Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadian business. Supporting Canadian industrial facilities with their efficiency targets is a necessary step toward improving competitiveness in the global economy. We are pleased to play a part in launching Emissions Reduction Alberta’s innovative Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program, which helps strengthen the knowledge and expertise that Alberta industries need to keep energy-efficient and competitive. Through investments like the $40 million we are providing for SEMI, the federal government is helping provinces, territories and industry in their goal to seize the financial opportunities of a clean economy.”

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

    Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

    “Improving the efficiency of industrial and manufacturing processes and facilities is the quickest, most cost-effective way to lower energy bills and stay competitive. But it takes knowledge, expertise, training and capital. With SEMI, Alberta companies now have even more opportunity to invest in energy- and cost-saving technologies, right here in the province.” 

    Justin Riemer

    CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta

    “ERA’s SEMI program represents a pivotal opportunity for industry to further our collective mission of enhancing environmental performance and operational efficiency. By providing the necessary financial support, this program will enable companies to invest in advanced technologies and practices that significantly reduce emissions and improve efficiency and energy management solutions to contribute to a more sustainable future.” 

    Grant Wilde

    Board Chair, Spartan Controls and BlueMarvelValidator 

    “Reducing greenhouse emissions through energy efficiency is a powerful way industries can make a mark on reducing their carbon footprint while reducing energy costs. The SEMI program is an ideal opportunity for industries seeking to decarbonize through energy management and retrofits. At Lafarge, we have benefited from long standing support from ERA, and we are excited to see new opportunities put forward in energy management and conservation.”

     

    Stephanie Voysey

    Head of Sustainability and Environment, Lafarge, Western Canada

    Quick facts

    • Canada’s industrial sectors represented about 3,650 petajoules (PJ), or more than 40 percent, of Canada’s total energy use in 2021. 

    Related products

    Contacts

    Natural Resources Canada
    Media Relations
    343-292-6100
    media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    613-795-5638
    cindy.caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Follow us on LinkedIn

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge Defense Secretary to Fix Rule Hurting Colorado Springs Children’s Hospitals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet

    Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Doug Lamborn and Jason Crow, along with 16 of their Senate and House colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The letter urges the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to address the financial burden caused by a change in the way children’s hospitals are reimbursed for the care provided to military families covered by TRICARE, the government health care program for active duty service members and their families. 

    “We write to express our deep concerns about a 2023 Defense Health Agency (DHA) rule that catalyzed a major shift in the TRICARE reimbursement methodology for children’s hospitals,” wrote Bennet and the lawmakers. “Children’s hospitals situated in defense communities in our home states are now grappling with the impacts of this change.” 

    Each year over 2.4 million children obtain care from children’s hospitals through TRICARE, and the change has placed an outsized burden on children’s hospitals in major defense communities, like Colorado Springs. Specifically, Children’s Hospital Colorado said one in five patients in their Colorado Springs facility pay with TRICARE. The DHA previously exempted children’s hospitals from the adult Medicare reimbursement process because the program’s policies weren’t applicable to the care children typically need. The rule change is expected to cost the hospital over $25 million annually. 

    The Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) sent letters to DoD in 2020 and 2023 expressing their concerns about the proposed rule. However, they did not receive a response before the DHA implemented the change in October 2023.

    The lawmakers specifically asked the following questions:

    • What dialogue has DHA had with the affected children’s hospitals to understand how this new reimbursement methodology impacts operations and access to care? 
    • What data and sources informed the agency’s analysis of the impact on children’s hospitals that care for TRICARE patients? 
    • How did the agency account for the financial impacts of military families traveling for care in circumstances where local services are no longer available? 
    • How did the agency develop the contingency payment and why did the DHA set a lower contingency payment for pediatrics?
    • Can the agency verify the number of children’s hospitals that are expected to qualify for the contingency payment that is outlined in the rule?  

    In addition to Bennet, Hickenlooper, Lamborn and Crow, U.S. Senators … and X members of the U.S. House of Representatives also signed the letter.

    The text of the letter is available HERE and below. 

    Dear Secretary Austin: 

    As members of Congress representing military-connected children, we write to express our deep concerns about a 2023 Defense Health Agency (DHA) rule that catalyzed a major shift in the TRICARE reimbursement methodology for children’s hospitals. Specifically, we urge the Department of Defense (DOD) and DHA to expeditiously meet with the affected hospitals to discuss administrative policy options to preserve access to pediatric care for military dependents. 

    Collectively, we represent a significant number of the 2.4 million children who obtain care in children’s hospitals through TRICARE each year. These hospitals provide specialized treatment for a spectrum of concerns, including minor health issues and complex, long-term health conditions. They play an essential role in the wellbeing of our nation’s military families. 

    Until recently, since 2008, TRICARE exempted children’s hospitals from the adult Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). This exemption made logical sense, as very few children who seek care in children’s hospitals are covered by Medicare and the program policies do not adequately reflect children’s health needs.  

    In 2019, however, DHA proposed a rule to eliminate this exemption. In response, children’s hospitals with larger TRICARE volumes collectively submitted comments through the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), outlining a number of concerns and asking DHA to extend the comment and implementation timelines pending the provision of more information. Instead, DHA’s final rule, TRICARE; Reimbursement of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Outpatient Services Provided in Cancer and Children’s Hospitals, was finalized without any response and took effect on October 1, 2023. 

    Children’s hospitals situated in defense communities in our home states are now grappling with the impacts of this change, as well as the ripple effects that the ensuing financial challenges may have on the provision of care for military families. For states with large military populations and no specialty children’s hospital, any reduction in access to care would further complicate military family’s choices by increasing burdens placed on families who already have to travel outside of their own state for medical services. Given the significant concerns expressed by children’s hospitals about how the rule may impact military families’ access to timely health care, we request that you provide us with responses to the following questions: 

    1. Dialogue: What dialogue has DHA had with the affected children’s hospitals to understand how this new reimbursement methodology impacts operations and access to care? 
    2. Financial Data: What data and sources informed the agency’s analysis of the rule’s impact on children’s hospitals that care for TRICARE patients? How did the agency account for the financial impacts of military families traveling for care in circumstances where local services are no longer available? 
    3. Contingency Payment: How did the agency develop the contingency payment and why did the DHA set a lower contingency payment for pediatrics? Can the agency verify the number of children’s hospitals that are expected to qualify for the contingency payment that is outlined in the rule? 

    Additionally, we request DoD and DHA officials schedule a meeting as soon as possible with the children’s hospitals that support military families. We believe a dialogue between the department and the hospitals will help identify impactful policy adjustments that can protect access to care. As you know, a robust TRICARE network for pediatric care is critical to the sustainment of our armed forces—working together, we can achieve this.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: SmartThings Partners with Sapphire Connected Communities to Revolutionize Smart Apartment Living

    Source: Samsung

    SmartThings, Samsung’s global connected living platform, announces today a partnership with Sapphire Connected Communities, an enterprise software company which has built the first multifamily smart apartment solution on the SmartThings Pro B2B development platform. By leveraging the power of SmartThings Pro, Sapphire is able to offer apartment residents a familiar and feature-rich experience through the SmartThings app, while delivering an integrated management solution for property managers that improves operating efficiency across an entire portfolio of properties.
    “Together, SmartThings and Sapphire will redefine the apartment living experience,” said Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings US. “We’re not just offering a product; we’re delivering a lifestyle upgrade that enhances convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind for both residents and property managers.”

    With SmartThings Pro, SmartThings introduces a new platform for enterprises that builds on the strengths of the SmartThings ecosystem, offering new tools and capabilities for developing integrated, business-critical applications. The platform accelerates the development of applications in B2B sectors like multifamily housing, vacation rentals, hospitality, and healthcare, while also catering to consumer demand for a seamless, efficient, and scalable smart home experience.
    Sapphire is the first Multifamily Residential solution to leverage this platform, enabling them to offer their multifamily customers a standards-based, integrated solution that leverages the reliability, security, and global brand power of Samsung, with the innovative new capabilities available with SmartThings Pro, like smart appliance diagnostics and asset management.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Demands Immediate Stay of Execution for Robert Roberson

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Demands Immediate Stay of Execution for Robert Roberson

    Washington, D.C. –Congressman Jonathan Jackson today called for an immediate stay of execution for Robert Roberson, who is scheduled to be executed in Texas. 

    Congressman Jackson emphasized the urgent need for a thorough review of Roberson’s case, citing significant concerns about the fairness of his trial and the 

    evidence used to convict him.

    “Robert Roberson’s case raises serious questions about the integrity of our justice system,” said Congressman Jackson. 

    “We cannot allow an execution to proceed when there are substantial doubts about the validity of the conviction. It is imperative that we ensure 

    every individual receives a fair trial, and that justice is truly served.”

    Congressman Jackson highlighted several key issues in Roberson’s case, including the use of outdated and discredited forensic science, 

    as well as the lack of adequate legal representation. He urged the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Greg Abbott 

    to grant a stay of execution and allow for a comprehensive review of the case.

    “Our justice system must be based on fairness and accuracy,” Congressman Jackson continued. “Executing Robert Roberson without 

    addressing these critical concerns would be a grave miscarriage of justice. I implore the authorities to halt this execution and ensure that justice is upheld.”

    Congressman Jackson remains committed to advocating for justice and fairness in the criminal justice system and will continue to fight for the rights of 

    those who have been wrongfully convicted.

    Contact:

    Office of the Director of Communications

    Office of Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-01)
    1641 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515 

    Official Website | 202-225-4372 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Denmark — 63-year-old man dies following single-vehicle collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 63-year-old man from Grand Falls, N.B., has died following a single-vehicle collision in New Denmark, N.B.

    On October 16, 2024, at approximately 9:50 a.m., members of the Saint-Léonard RCMP responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Route 108, in New Denmark.

    The collision is believed to have occurred when the vehicle, travelling Westbound, drove off of the road and flipped on its side. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was transported to hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

    Members of the Grand Falls (Drummond) Fire Department and Ambulance New Brunswick also attended the scene.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: The AI opportunity: Updates to our Gemini and Knowledge & Information teams

    Source: Google

    Editor’s note: Today, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai shared the following note to employees.

    Hi Googlers, 

    It’s been an exciting few days for AI across our products. We saw NotebookLM with Audio Overviews go viral, added more ways to find information in Search and Lens, and launched a revamped Google Shopping for the AI era. We also just shared a big milestone in our work to help doctors use AI to detect diabetic retinopathy: 600,000 screenings and counting, and we’re expanding access to more people across India and Thailand. There’s a lot more to come.

    AI moves faster than any technology before it. To keep increasing the pace of progress, we’ve been making shifts to simplify our structures along the way, including the creation of Google DeepMind and the joining of the Platforms & Devices teams. As a next step, Prabhakar and I have been thinking through how to structure our Knowledge & Information team for the Gemini era, and today we shared the following changes:

    • The Gemini app team led by Sissie will join Google DeepMind under Demis. As the name suggests, the Gemini app is the direct consumer interface to the latest and greatest Gemini models. Bringing the teams closer together will improve feedback loops, enable fast deployment of our new models in the Gemini app, make our post-training work proceed more efficiently and build on our great product momentum. 
    • The Assistant teams focused on devices and home experiences will move to Platforms & Devices so they can sit closer to the product surfaces they’re building for and bring our AI-powered home initiatives into one team and focus on improving user experience.

    In parallel to this, Prabhakar has decided it’s time to make a big leap in his own career. After 12 years leading teams across Google, he’ll return to his computer science roots and take on the role of Chief Technologist, Google. In this role, he’ll partner closely with me and Google leads to provide technical direction and leadership and grow our culture of tech excellence. Nick Fox, a longtime Googler and member of Prabhakar’s leadership team, will be stepping up to lead K&I, which includes our Search, Ads, Geo, and Commerce products.

    Prabhakar’s leadership journey at Google has been remarkable, spanning Research, Workspace, Ads, and K&I. He led the Gmail team in launching Smart Reply and Smart Compose as early examples of using AI to improve products, and took Gmail and Drive past 1 billion users. Across K&I, Prabhakar and team have achieved significant growth and innovation: from launching AI Overviews, a groundbreaking advancement in Search that benefits hundreds of millions of users worldwide to introducing new search modalities like Circle to Search, video understanding, and “shop what you see” in Lens — all while improving core Search functionality. Maps and Shopping have transformed with AI-driven features like immersive view and virtual try-on. And in Ads, we’ve made real progress with AI-powered ad formats and streamlined campaign management, while continuing to innovate with Performance Max to empower millions of businesses. 

    I’m so grateful to Prabhakar for the strong foundation and leadership bench he’s built across K&I. That includes his incredible senior leaders and Nick who is ready to hit the ground running in his new role as SVP of K&I!

    Over the past few years, Nick has been instrumental in shaping Google’s AI product roadmap and collaborating closely with Prabhakar and his leadership team on K&I’s strategy. And throughout his career, Nick has demonstrated leadership across nearly every facet of K&I, from Product and Design in Search and Assistant, to our Shopping, Travel, and Payments products. He was also a pioneering leader in Ads, where he helped establish a rigorous quality and user-focused approach that remains key to our success. Nick has launched innovative consumer products like Google Fi and spearheaded complex initiatives such as RCS messaging. I frequently turn to Nick to tackle our most challenging product questions and he consistently delivers progress with tenacity, speed, and optimism.

    Congratulations to Nick, and a heartfelt thank you to Prabhakar for his leadership through numerous technology shifts and for building a strong foundation for the future.

    – Sundar

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: A golden age for research: broader scope, faster cycles, greater impact

    Source: Google

    We live in a golden age for research.

    Never before have we had the opportunity to make such rapid advances in computer science, and apply them so quickly to global-scale challenges, in a way that can help people in their daily lives. Since the start of my career, I’ve been excited by the “magic cycle” of research, where real-world challenges motivate new foundational and applied research, which in turn has a positive impact in the real world. Today, with the right infrastructure, talent and approach, we’re able not only to make rapid breakthroughs in everything from AI to algorithms to computing infrastructure, but to put those technologies to work to improve people’s daily lives and have societal impact faster than ever before, sometimes in a matter of months.

    I’m seeing this firsthand as I’ve recently stepped up to lead Google Research, so I wanted to share a perspective on the incredible progress we’re seeing — and how important research is in driving helpful innovation.

    Our approach: impact-driven curiosity

    Google itself in fact began with research. “The anatomy of a large-scale hypertextual Web search engine,” published in 1998, explored how PageRank could provide a fundamentally better way to find info on the web, But it didn’t stop with a research paper — it was applying that research that produced Google. Over the past 26 years, that approach to implementing research — quickly — has transformed not only our company, but also how people can interact with the world’s information. Indeed, much of the rapid progress in AI we see all around us today grew from Google Research’s invention of the Transformer.

    In all of our research, we ask ourselves: How can we make a step change, not just incremental? What’s impossible today, that we could make possible? And what is the greatest impact we can have — how can this make a real difference in the world?

    Google Research today includes fundamental and applied work in foundational machine learning and algorithms, computing systems and quantum AI, and science, AI & societal impact. And across all these domains, we run initiatives on efficiency in machine learning, factuality & grounding in AI systems, and new data techniques.

    Breakthroughs for the benefit of people and the planet

    We motivate our research by going after the biggest questions that matter to advance science and make a difference to people and to communities globally. What are the most effective ways to mitigate climate change? How can we help make billions of people healthier? How can we enable new experiences? And to do all this, can we break through limitations in computing and AI systems? Each of those becomes an inspiring research challenge — and in so many cases we’ve already translated research into solutions.

    For example, to address climate change, in a trial with American Airlines we used AI to help reduce contrails by 54%, demonstrating that airlines can verifiably avoid contrails and thereby reduce their climate impact. To help address the growing wildfire crisis, we partnered with leading wildfire authorities to develop FireSat, an upcoming AI-powered global satellite constellation to detect and track wildfires the size of a classroom — within 20 minutes. And consider flood forecasting — when our team at Google Research began the project in 2018, experts I met with said it was likely impossible to forecast riverine floods. But by developing AI that can build a global hydrologic model, we’ve not only proven it’s possible, but applied it to provide communities accurate early warnings and help save lives.

    Meanwhile, to support health and wellbeing, we’ve developed AI that can help screen for breast cancer and colorectal cancer, help prevent blindness at scale, spot potential skin conditions and detect diseases based on the sound of coughs. We’re still in the earliest days of AI breakthroughs and genomics research, and yet we’ve made progress with Large Language Models for the medical domain and we’re already poised to improve the health care for hundreds of millions of people.

    But perhaps one of the biggest undertakings involves advancing computing itself, and how it can fundamentally alter the scope of problem-solving. We’ve developed state-of-the-art attention models and use graph mining to improve retrieval quality. We’re also working on approaches to grounding large language models, such as by training models to rely on source documents for summarization and evaluating factual consistency. This research has led to improvements like the double-check feature in the Gemini app. We’ve made AI more efficient with research on speculative decoding, efficient inference techniques, and cascades, and we’ve helped improve privacy with federated learning and differential privacy. And our quantum computing team just published new results in Nature affirming that as we reduce the error rate in our quantum processors, we reach levels of computation that can’t be matched by even the world’s most powerful classical computers — putting us on track to crack open an entirely new computational capability for the world.

    These are just a few examples of the type of work done across Google Research.

    Why partnership is crucial for turning research into impact

    Of course, as we turn research towards impact, we’re acutely aware that technology is not automatically beneficial — you can’t “invent it and forget it,” simply releasing powerful technologies on the naive assumption that they will be helpful. It requires careful stewardship, partnership and a fundamentally human-centric view of how to design and guide emerging technologies. That’s one reason we do our research in partnership with a multitude of researchers in academia and many others, while creating tools and best practices that support a truly global research ecosystem with the aim of steering new technologies towards beneficial outcomes. We actively engage in advancing socio-technical research to bolster our AI principles — including on equitable datasets, interpretability, and algorithmic fairness — and there’s important work ahead to make our AI models even more efficient, factual, robust and safe.

    We have the greatest impact when we’re working with research partners. Since 2005, Google has worked with more than 1,000 research institutions and invested over $400 million dollars in academic research worldwide, much of this led by Google Research. We find experts across disciplines, roll up our sleeves, dive into the research, and make scientific advances together. In our connectomics research, we’ve partnered with Harvard to use AI to make the most detailed mapping yet of neurons in the human brain, revealing newly discovered structures — all towards helping scientists understand fundamental processes such as thought, learning and memory. Google Research also engaged in a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Howard University and other HBCUs to build a high-quality African-American English (AAE) speech dataset that Google — and others — will use to improve speech products. This is related to our overall effort to reduce barriers and better serve communities by enabling technology to work in many more languages.

    With our partners, and through Google’s own products, we use our research advances to benefit billions of people. For example, as populations swell and shift in the Global South, millions of people’s buildings aren’t represented on any map, and they risk missing out on essentials like electricity, healthcare and mail delivery. So Google Research in Africa has used AI to make big improvements to the Open Buildings dataset — transforming blurry, low-res satellite imagery into useful, high-res building outlines so partners like the World Bank, the World Resources Institute, UN Habitat, WorldPop and Sunbird AI can use it to ensure global development includes everyone. Along with our SKAI effort, this has helped our partnership with the UN to boost damage assessment.

    In another sphere, our Operations Research team recently showed how cargo shippers could double their profit, deliver 13% more containers and use 15% fewer ships. This is not only helpful for businesses, but good for supply chains globally.

    Finally, we of course partner extensively with product teams to drive innovation across Google — and our responsibility also includes keeping an eye on the horizon, exploring the art of the possible, and imagining how we can apply our breakthrough technologies for maximum benefit in years to come.

    Towards the future

    We feel great urgency given the scope of problems facing humanity — but also great optimism because of what we’ve been able to do already. Our multi-decade track record shows that Google Research is second-to-none in delivering helpful advances. We’ve delivered breakthroughs that have shaped Google’s identity as a company, helped inaugurate new fields in computer science, and advanced the frontiers of innovation and technology with thousands of publications. The advances we’ve shared are already assisting people – from their everyday tasks, to their most ambitious and imaginative endeavors — and addressing society’s most pressing challenges, from healthcare to education to climate change and climate science.

    We’ll keep sharing our breakthroughs on our Google Research blog, at conferences and at other events. We’re eager to explore — and invent — the future alongside all the partners and communities we work with.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: How gen AI can help doctors and nurses ease their administrative workloads

    Source: Google

    Did you know doctors and nurses spend more than a third of their work week on paperwork? This includes maintaining detailed patient records, completing insurance forms and referrals, documenting procedures performed, organizing documentation for claims and inputting claim information into the system. A study published today by Google Cloud and The Harris Poll sheds light on the extent of this burden — and it also highlights how generative AI (gen AI) can help.

    Clinicians, including doctors and nurses in the United States, report that nearly 28 hours of each week are lost to administrative tasks, leaving less time for what truly matters: patient care. It’s no wonder that 82% of clinicians report feeling burned out. This isn’t just a doctor problem: Insurance staff face an even bigger mountain of paperwork, spending 36 hours a week on administrative duties, such as maintaining member records and compiling documentation for claims.

    Burnout, errors and less time with patients

    This administrative overload is contributing to many of healthcare’s biggest challenges:

    • Burnout and staffing shortages: 82% of clinicians, 81% of medical staff and 77% of claims staff agree that administrative work contributes to feelings of burnout. Furthermore, 85% of provider executives and 78% of insurance company (payor) executives report that excessive administrative work has led to staffing shortages.
    • Reduced time with patients: 8 in 10 providers say administrative tasks detract from time spent with patients, and 68% believe this negatively impacts the quality of care. This sentiment is echoed by 93% of clinicians, 88% of medical staff, and 94% of claims staff, who believe they could dedicate more time to patient care if their administrative burden was lessened.
    • Increased risk of human error: Two-thirds of providers and 89% of payors express significant concern about human error in administrative tasks, with 22% and 49%, respectively, being “extremely” concerned.

    Generative AI solutions

    However, there is a promising solution to help with many of these tasks: gen AI. The study found that healthcare professionals are open to using generative AI, with 91% of providers and 97% of payors saying they feel positively about AI’s potential to ease administrative burdens. The general public feels the same, with 72% of respondents saying using AI is a worthwhile way to allow their healthcare providers more time to talk to them. Here are a few ways gen AI can help:

    • Making it easier to search patient documents and medical records
    • Creating clinical documents, like discharge summaries, progress notes and referral letters, giving clinicians more time to focus on reviewing and finalizing the documents
    • Getting prior authorizations approved faster by pre-populating forms, flagging potential issues and suggesting relevant clinical guidelines
    • Speeding up turnaround times in medical imaging by creating initial drafts of reports, allowing radiologists to prioritize complex cases and collaborate more effectively

    While AI can’t replace human compassion and expertise in healthcare, it can support healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus more on people, not paperwork. By easing administrative burdens, AI can pave the way to a more efficient, accurate, and human-centered system where the needs of patients are always at the forefront.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dental Students Honor Hispanic Heritage

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Students in the UConn Chapter of the Student National Dental Association/Hispanic Student Dental Association (SNDA/HSDA) have been celebrating the vibrant culture and significant contributions of the Hispanic community during Hispanic Heritage Month.

    “I believe recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month is essential to celebrating the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities,” said co-president and third-year student Jaelon Blandburg. “It’s a time to honor the diverse traditions that have shaped our society and to promote greater understanding and inclusion. By acknowledging this heritage, we not only recognize past achievements but also inspire future generations to continue making an impact in fields like health care and education.”

    Princess Stark prepares empanadas for the empanada sale.

    Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sept.15 through Oct.15 annually. This year, students packed the month with several cultural activities, such as a salsa dance night, a “Wear Your Colors” day, and an empanada sale in the dental student lounge. The students also hosted educational workshops on medical Spanish and alebrijes, which are colorful Mexican folk art sculptures.

    Co-president and third-year student Princess Stark said, “I was really happy with how both our Empanada Sale and Salsa Night turned out! They were great ways to celebrate Hispanic culture and bring people together. Whether people were enjoying the food or learning new dance moves, it was all about appreciating the traditions that make our campus more inclusive.”

    To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, the students also got involved in the community with several service opportunities. In Windsor, the students partnered with the Hispanic Dental Association and local hygienists for Colgate’s Bright Smiles Bright Future education program to deliver oral health screenings and education.

    Volunteering at Bright Smiles, Bright Futures in Windsor.

    “As an SNDA/HSDA member, I had the opportunity to work alongside Colgate to screen, educate and interact with young children about the benefits of maintaining good oral health hygiene practices. By actively volunteering in the community we can increase the awareness and prevention of oral health diseases,” said first-year student Ted Pasquette.

    In Norwich, the students performed head and neck cancer screenings at the Healthy Living Festival.

    “SNDA/HSDA provides wonderful opportunities to use the knowledge and skills that we cultivate at the School of Dental Medicine to benefit the community,” said Bryson Christian, a second-year student. “At the Healthy Living Festival, I got the chance to provide head, neck, and oral screenings. We caught some suspicious skin changes and many oral health concerns and were able to point these patients to resources to address their issues before they develop more dangerous complications.”

    Dr. Sarita Arteaga, associate dean for students, reflected on the importance of students participating in Hispanic Heritage Month.

    “Hispanic Heritage Month is vital for dental and medical students because it highlights the cultural richness and diversity that shape patient care,” said Arteaga. “By celebrating this heritage, future health care professionals gain deeper insight into the unique challenges and strengths within Hispanic communities, empowering them to provide more compassionate, culturally competent care. Through all of these various events over the month, we have been able to continue learning outside of the classroom.”

    MIL OSI USA News –