NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-Evening Report: The US isn’t the only country voting on Nov 5. This small Pacific nation is also holding an election – and China is watching

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graeme Smith, Associate professor, Australian National University

    The Capitol building in the Pacific island nation of Palau.
     Erika Bisbocci

    The United States isn’t the only country with a big election on November 5. Palau, a tourism-dependent microstate in the north Pacific, will also vote for a new president, Senate and House of Delegates that day.

    Why does this election matter? Palau is one of the few remaining countries that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

    In addition, elections in the Pacific – and the horse-trading to form government that follows – often present a chance for China to steal an ally away from Taiwan in its efforts to further reduce the self-ruling island’s diplomatic space.

    For example, there was speculation Tuvalu could flip its allegiance from Taipei to Beijing based on the outcome of January’s election, but the government decided to remain in Taiwan’s camp.

    Another Pacific nation, Nauru, did flip from Taiwan to China in January, less than 48 hours after Taiwan’s own presidential election.

    I recently visited Palau as part of a research project examining China’s growing extraterritorial reach, and was curious to see if the balance is shifting towards Beijing in the lead-up to this year’s election.

    What’s at stake in Palau’s election?

    Palau, a nation of 16,000 registered voters, has close ties to the US. It was under US administration after the second world war and recently signed a “Compact of Free Association” with the US. Palau also has a similar presidential system of government, with a president directly elected by the people every four years.

    However, there are also some key differences: there are no political parties in Palau, nor is there any replica of the absurd Electoral College voting system.

    The archipelago also has extremely polite yard signs (“Please consider[…]”, “Please vote for […]” and “Moving forward together”). Alliances are based more on clan and kinship relations than ideology (although that’s not entirely dissimilar to the US).

    This year’s presidential race is between the “two juniors”: the incumbent, Surangel Whipps Junior, and the challenger, Tommy Remengensau Junior. If either man were facing a different opponent, he would win easily. Nearly all of Palau’s political insiders deem this contest too close to call.

    Whipps has been in office since 2021. Accompanied by his beloved father, a former president of the Senate and speaker of the House in Palau, he is expected to door-knock each household at least four times.

    Remengensau isn’t a political newbie, either. He’s been president for 16 of Palau’s 30 years as an independent state. In the comments section of the YouTube live feed of a recent presidential debate, one person asked, “you’ve had four terms, how many more do you need?”

    Whipps copped flak for his tax policy, but the comments and the debate itself reached Canadian levels of politeness. As the debate wound up, the rivals embraced warmly – befitting their closeness (they are actually brothers-in-law) and their lack of discernible ideological differences.

    2024 Palau presidential debate.

    A ‘pro-Beijing’ candidate in the race?

    However, there is one issue that has the potential to drive a wedge between the two candidates: the China–Taiwan rivalry.

    In a recent article for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Remengensau was described as a “pro-Beijing” candidate who might be inclined to switch Palau’s diplomatic relations to Beijing, cheered on by the “China-sympathetic” national newspaper, Tia Belau.

    Remengensau’s reaction to the ASPI piece was genuine fury, and aside from a few fly-in lobbyists from the US, no one in the country has taken the characterisation seriously. Yes, he is less pro-US than Whipps, reciting the “friends to all, enemies to none” mantra beloved by Pacific leaders in the debate. But that’s some distance from being “pro-Beijing”.

    Other outside commentators have also weighed in with similar viewpoints. Recent pieces by right-wing think tanks, the Heritage Foundation and the Federation for the Defence of Democracies, have pushed a similar line that every Pacific nation is just “one election away from a [People’s Republic of China]-proxy assuming power and dismantling democracy”.

    What’s really behind concerns of Chinese influence

    The basis for both allegations in the ASPI piece is a fascinating investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The story detailed an influence attempt led by a local businessman from China, Hunter Tian, to set up a media conglomerate in Palau with the owner of the newspaper Tia Belau, a man named Moses Uludong. (I played a small part in the investigation.)

    The proposed conglomerate had eyebrow-raising links to China’s secret police and military. But COVID killed the deal, and today, the newspaper runs press releases from Taiwan’s embassy without changing a word.

    Palau’s media is also ranked as the most free in the Pacific, and Tia Belau is a central part of this healthy media ecosystem.

    Uludong is a pragmatic businessman who’s no simple cheerleader for Beijing, explaining to OCCRP’s journalists last year:

    The Chinese, they have a way of doing business. They are really not open.

    This doesn’t mean Chinese operations in Palau will stop, though. Representatives of the Chinese government like Tian, who is the president of the Palau Overseas Chinese Federation and has impressive family links to the People’s Liberation Army, will keep trying to influence Palau’s elites and media.

    Evidence uncovered by Palau’s media suggests some of their elites are vulnerable to capture. In recent months, the immigration chief stepped down for using his position “for private gain or profit”, while the speaker of the House of Delegates was ordered to pay US$3.5 million (A$5.2 million) for a tax violation, in part due to an irregular lease to a Chinese national.

    Chinese triads are also now involved in scam compounds and drug trafficking in Palau, which has done little to burnish China’s image among Palauans.

    Playing into China’s hands

    So, can we expect a dramatic Palau diplomatic flip after November’s election? Not anytime soon.

    But labelling respected leaders and media outlets as “pro-Beijing” with no basis, and fabricating a Manichean struggle in a nation where there’s plenty of goodwill for the US, won’t cause China’s boosters in Palau to lose sleep.

    Egging on US agencies to “do something” to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific, such as a poorly thought-out influence operation run by the Pentagon in the Philippines during the pandemic, will just play into Beijing’s hands. In the Pacific, secrets don’t stay secret for long. And if you call someone “pro-China” for long enough, one day you might get your wish.

    Graeme Smith works for the Australian National University’s Department of Pacific Affairs, which is partially funded by DFAT through the Pacific Research Programme.

    – ref. The US isn’t the only country voting on Nov 5. This small Pacific nation is also holding an election – and China is watching – https://theconversation.com/the-us-isnt-the-only-country-voting-on-nov-5-this-small-pacific-nation-is-also-holding-an-election-and-china-is-watching-237321

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The federal government has left Indigenous Treaties to the states. How are they progressing?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bartholomew Stanford, Lecturer in Political Science/Indigenous Politics (First Peoples), Griffith University

    Since the Voice to Parliament referendum last year, there has been a lack of leadership on Indigenous policy from the Australian government.

    With this absence, the states and territories now present greater opportunity for Indigenous groups in seeking rights recognition. This is the level where agreements are being made and Treaty proposed.

    It is important to take stock of the progress that is being made in agreement-making and Treaty in Australian states and territories. While this is an area of Indigenous policy that has been set aside of late, it has great potential to deliver self-determination for First Nations people.

    First Nations agreement-making in Australia

    Agreement-making is relatively new in the context of First Nations relations with the Australian state.

    The recognition of Indigenous land rights in law has enabled First Nations people and Australian governments to enter legally binding agreements across matters such as:

    • land use and access

    • Indigenous cultural heritage protection

    • co-management of land and sea

    • economic development

    • employment

    • resolving land claims.

    First Nations groups in Australia have made hundreds of these agreements with Australian governments at all levels.

    However, there is a type of agreement that these parties are entering that is advancing the cause more generally. They are called settlement agreements.

    What is a settlement agreement?

    Victoria and Western Australia have been signing settlement agreements with First Nations groups since 2010.

    These agreements are more comprehensive than other agreements, including terms that cover numerous matters like those listed above, and often include financial packages aimed at supporting First Nations governance institutions.

    In Victoria, settlement agreements are made under state legislation. So far, four First Nations groups have entered these agreements with the Victorian government.

    In Western Australia, three settlement agreements have been made between the WA government and First Nations under Commonwealth native title legislation. The largest of these, known as the Noongar Settlement, is worth $1.3 billion and has been characterised by legal scholars as “Australia’s first Treaty”.

    Victoria and WA are the only jurisdictions that have these agreements and there are two main reasons why they were successfully signed. The first is the success of First Nations groups in mobilising political power to lobby the state. The second is the willingness of governments to enter negotiations because of economic and political motivations.

    A crucial question is whether existing settlement agreements will form an important basis for developing Treaty in the states and territories.

    How is Treaty different?

    According to legal academics Harry Hobbs and George Williams, Treaty involves three elements:

    • recognition of First Nations as distinct polities

    • negotiation in good faith

    • a settlement that deals with claims and that enables Indigenous self-government.

    Treaties are different from other agreements, as they provide scope to recognise Indigenous sovereignty, enable some limited forms of autonomy, and create a framework for Indigenous/government relations.

    Australia has not signed treaties with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Canada, New Zealand and the United States began signing treaties centuries ago, so why is Australia so far behind?

    There are several reasons why Indigenous treaties were never signed in Australia.

    First, Australia was colonised in different circumstances, established as a penal colony and not initially a part of European expansionism.

    In North America, numerous European powers were competing for control over the continent. The British, French, Spanish and others fought against each other and procured First Nations warriors for their military ranks through treaties.

    Trade was also a motivating factor for Treaty-making in North America. Europeans coveted the animal pelts produced by First Nations people for sale in the European fashion markets.

    Today, it is arguable that Australia stands out as uniquely opposed to Indigenous rights recognition relative to other British settler states. This idea is supported by our most recent referendum result.

    So why are Australian governments engaging in Treaty discussions now?

    What’s happening across the country?

    There is currently a combination of Indigenous political action and leverage enabled through Indigenous land rights recognition. Some governments are also beginning to see value in Indigenous Knowledge, especially with regard to environmental management.

    Treaty, however, is deeply political in Australia, and since the referendum last year it has come under increased political scrutiny and attack.

    Days after the referendum result, the Queensland Liberal National party walked back support for a state-based Treaty.

    If the LNP wins government at this month’s election (as polls are predicting), Treaty will likely be shelved.

    This move would undo the years of work the state government has undertaken as part of its Tracks to Treaty initiative.

    Victoria has made the most progress on Treaty of any Australian state or territory. This is due to the leadership of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, which has spearheaded Treaty in the state.

    A Treaty negotiation framework has been developed by the assembly and Victorian government. This will guide negotiations towards a state-wide Treaty in the near future.

    Other Australian jurisdictions have made far less progress. The referendum result seems to have stalled any momentum that existed prior.

    In the Northern Territory, there’s been no progress since the NT Treaty Commission lodged a report with government in 2022. As the newly elected Country Liberal government doesn’t support a Treaty, it won’t happen anytime soon.

    In South Australia, the First Nations Voice to Parliament is expected to lead the development of Treaty. The first election was held in March of this year, and First Nations elected members had their first meeting in June 2024.

    New South Wales recruited Treaty commissioners earlier this year. They’re now embarking on a 12-month consultation process before reporting back to government.

    Governments in Tasmania and the ACT have committed to Treaty, but haven’t made any meaningful progress yet, while WA has made no formal commitment.

    Where to from here?

    Although there are notable setbacks emerging from the referendum result, it has not discouraged First Nations from working towards agreements and Treaty with Australian governments.

    With the proliferation of native title determinations, there is grounds for agreement-making, whether that be through settlement agreements or Treaty.

    There is also growing interest in how Indigenous Knowledge can inform our responses to climate change, food security and foreign relations. Accessing this knowledge will require governments to formalise relations with First Nations through agreements.

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

    – ref. The federal government has left Indigenous Treaties to the states. How are they progressing? – https://theconversation.com/the-federal-government-has-left-indigenous-treaties-to-the-states-how-are-they-progressing-240552

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $21.7 million boost for local roads in South Australia

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government continues to support local governments across South Australia improve road safety and reduce long-term road maintenance, with $21.7 million flowing to 34 projects under the latest round of the Special Local Roads Program.

    Unique to South Australia, the program enables the state’s 68 councils to pool together a portion of their federal road funding – and distribute it through competitive grants.

    This supports the delivery of high priority projects that would otherwise exceed an individual council’s capacity – with $17.9 million from this round flowing to regional and rural roads, and $3.8 million to metro projects.

    Stretching from the Lower Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast, projects will improve road safety, boost tourism access to key parts of the state, and help reduce congestion.

    Works will include resealing and reconstruction of roads, shoulder widening, and improvements to kerbs and gutters.

    This includes $993,000 to complete the third and final stage of the Billiatt Road reconstruction in the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.

    As the gateway to the Billiatt Conservation Park and the main tourism route in the region, the works will seal and widen the road from 6.2 metres to 7.6 metres to accommodate increased traffic, including road trains.

    Improving the safety of Hawker Street, Brompton is something the local community has long called for – with $600,000 flowing to the City of Charles Sturt to reconstruct the road, and to upgrade street lighting.

    The City of Holdfast Bay will receive $200,000 to improve the safety of the emu school crossing on Partridge Street, Glenelg and to upgrade the roundabout at Colley Terrace and Anzac Highway, which will reduce congestion.

    Nationally, the Albanese Government is delivering significant funding increases to support local councils deliver their priority projects. 

    The Roads to Recovery program is progressively increasing from $500 million to $1 billion per year, with South Australian councils receiving $395 million over five years – an increase of $153 million.

    The Road Black Spot Program is increasing to $150 million per year, and $200 million per year is available under our new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program – with both programs open for applications year-round.

    For more information on the Special Local Roads Program, administered by LGA South Australia, visit: http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/members/infrastructure-and-assets/special-local-roads-program

    For the full list of 2024-25 funded projects, visit: https://www.dit.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1396195/special_local_roads_program_2024-25.pdf

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Kristy McBain MP:

    “The Albanese Government continues to turn national funding into local results, by partnering with local councils across South Australia to deliver their priority road projects.

    “This $21.7 million will improve the safety of local road networks across the state, making it easier to drop the kids off at school, and for tourists to experience everything that South Australia has to offer.

    “We know that roads across regional South Australia are not only under more demand than ever, but critical to keeping our supply chains moving – which is why the bulk of this round’s investment is targeting high-priority regional upgrades.” 

    Quotes attributable to SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP:

    “We welcome any initiative designed to help councils reduce the maintenance task on local government owned roads.

    “This innovative funding solution from the Australian Government will support councils in maintaining and improving South Australia’s critical local roads network – and that will provide a broader benefit that extends beyond individual council areas.”

    Quotes attributable to SA Minister for Local Government, the Hon Joe Szakacs MP:

    “South Australian councils, particularly smaller, regional councils, are constantly balancing service and infrastructure delivery against the growth of rates. 

    “Through these merit based grants councils have a chance to undertake important road improvements they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.

    “This is a terrific initiative, unique to South Australia, that sees all three levels of government working hand-in-hand to deliver the best outcomes for South Australians.”

    Quotes attributable to Local Government Association South Australia President, Mayor Dean Johnson:

    “Councils do an incredible job improving and maintaining South Australia’s local road network, but it’s a costly process that’s reliant on support from other levels of government.

    “The $21.7 million allocated through the Special Local Roads Program this year – which the LGA is pleased to facilitate for our councils – will help enhance liveability in local communities and make our roads safer and more accessible.”

    Quotes attributable to District Council of Loxton Waikerie Mayor, Trevor Norton:

    “The Billiatt Road project has been ongoing for several years and we’re extremely excited to enter the final stage.

    “These works have been made possible by previous Special Local Roads Program funding and we’re grateful to again be a recipient under this latest round to complete the vital reconstruction of the road for our community and visitors to our region.

    “Once finished, Billiatt Road will be better equipped to handle increased freight and tourist traffic, making it safer for locals, workers and visitors travelling to and from the Riverland.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: The not so magnificent seven

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have taken seven youths into custody following a fleeing driver incident in east Auckland early this morning.

    Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook, says a Police unit noticed a suspicious vehicle in Panmure just before 2.30am.

    “The vehicle was not signalled to stop, but on seeing Police, the driver has taken off at speed.

    “Police did not pursue, however, the Eagle Helicopter was deployed to observe of the vehicle as it headed towards Pakuranga.

    “Eagle relayed the vehicle’s position to Police ground units, who successfully deployed road spikes on Ti Rakau Drive.”

    At this point, the vehicle has come to a stop and all seven occupants ran into nearby bush.

    “They soon ran into trouble though — they came up against a high fence that proved impossible to climb and were forced to return to the roadside,” Inspector Cook says.

    “We were then able to take all seven into custody without further issue.”

    The vehicle was confirmed as having been stolen in Weymouth and was recovered for its owner.

    All the alleged offenders were youths aged between 11 and 15. 

    A 15-year-old is due to appear in the Manukau Youth Court today charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and escaping lawful custody.

    Youth Aid files are being prepared for the other six youths taken into custody.

    “A number of Police resources were deployed quickly and safely to the area in order to apprehend these offenders,” Inspector Cook says.

    “Incidents like this are not just a concern for the Police but also for the public in that it’s invasive, frustrating and needs to stop.”

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung and KT Selected To Build Private 5G Network for the Republic of Korea Navy

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics and KT Corporation (KT) today announced that the companies have been selected to deploy a Private 5G network for the ‘Smart Naval Port’ project by the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy. This marks the first deployment of its kind at a Korean Naval base. The Navy is carrying forward with this project to improve the battleship and base operation support capabilities and achieve comprehensive base defense.
     
    Samsung and KT have been collaborating on this project since the summer of 2024, with a goal to complete the deployment by December 2025. The companies will build a more intelligent and fully independent network infrastructure to provide seamless coverage and enhanced connectivity for the Republic of Korea Navy 2nd Fleet.
     
    Private 5G solutions are essential to support national defense sectors, which require ultra-fast speeds and hyper-connected communications for the foolproof and effective operation management. These solutions will build a highly reliable network dedicated to the Navy, increasing security and reducing vulnerabilities.
     
    To ensure military workplace safety and efficiency, Samsung and KT will support the Navy’s Private 5G buildout by applying smart, AI-enabled connectivity solutions and powering a variety of next-generation applications. The project will establish a comprehensive Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure that encompasses 13 different systems, ranging from uncrewed vehicle operation to armory management and ammunition depot management. Specific use cases include:
     
    A digital twin of the smart Naval base will provide a three dimensional and high-definition digital replica of the base. This will enable an integrated management system that can also be used as a foundation for establishing strategy development. Insights gathered from the digital twin can inform decisions that will increase the resilience, efficiency, adaptability and autonomy of the Naval base.
    Intelligent security monitoring will enhance the Naval base defense by introducing real-time video control of operational forces and vehicles, surveillance cameras for ammunition depots and armories, and surveillance drones, incorporated with the existing Video Management System (VMS). This monitoring will deliver a holistic view of the base and all for optimal operational response in case of an emergency event through a real-time auto screen switch.
    A one-stop battleship operation management system will enable intelligent battleship operation support through all-in-one system by integrating multiple critical systems — such as navigation support, logistics management, safety management and monitoring. This comprehensive system will streamline and operationalize administrative work for the Navy personnel.
     
    “KT will contribute to establishing a standardized system for the Republic of Korea Navy through the Smart Naval Port project,” said Jun-Ho Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of Public Customer Business Unit at KT Enterprise. “We look forward to laying the foundation for the ‘Smart Naval Port’ which will improve its capability to support battleship and naval base operations.”
     
    Samsung will provide its proven end-to-end private 5G network solution for defense, including its private network 5G SA Compact Core, indoor and outdoor radio solutions and network management software. These solutions support the mid-band (n79, 4.7GHz) spectrum, which is widely adopted for military usage.
     
    With Samsung’s compact solution for the full stack of Private 5G that can run on a single server hardware, the Navy will benefit from quick deployments and less complex operations. Its private 5G radios will deliver improved uplink performance with optimized uplink features, designed to help government agencies upload vast amounts of data across numerous devices simultaneously.
     
    “Samsung’s Private 5G solutions are trusted due to their dependable security, reliability and proven commercial expertise, already serving diverse private and public sectors in countries like South Korea, the U.S. and Japan,” said Simon Lee, Vice President and Head of B2B·B2G Business Development Group, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “In collaboration with KT, we are excited to deploy Korea’s first Private 5G at a Naval base. This project exemplifies our ongoing commitment to enhance and unlock the potential of 5G to meet every customer’s needs.”
     
    Samsung has been actively delivering private 5G networks in collaboration with a range of sectors from hospitals, universities, construction sites to military and local government agencies.
     
     
    About KT CORPORATION (KRX: 030200; NYSE: KT)
    KT Corporation, Korea’s largest telecommunications service provider, reestablished in 1981 under the Telecommunications Business Act, is leading the era of innovations in the world’s most connected country. The company is leading the 4th industrial revolution with high speed wire/wireless network and new ICT technology. KT launched the world’s first nationwide commercial 5G network on April 3, 2019, after successfully showcasing the world’s first trial 5G services at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in February 2018. This is another milestone in KT’s continuous efforts to deliver essential products and services as it aspires to be the number one ICT Company and People’s Company.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwi Art Trail takes kiwi conservation to the streets of Te Ika-a-Māui | Conservation blog

    Source: Department of Conservation

    By Erin Reilly, Save the Kiwi

    The Kiwi Art Trail hits the streets of Tauranga on Monday 14th October. Photo credit: Matter

    Forget rattling buckets for loose change on street corners; there’s a new fundraising initiative in town for kiwi conservation, just in time for Save the Kiwi Week (14-20 October).

    After a successful inaugural campaign in Auckland last year, the Kiwi Art Trail is back, bigger, better and … Buzzier?

    On Monday, the Kiwi Art Trail launched in Tauranga, kickstarting a six-month roadshow around Te Ika-a-Māui.

    The Kiwi Art Trail is a collection of 20+ kiwi sculptures that have been turned into bespoke pieces of art by talented New Zealanders, including Otis Frizzell, FLOX, Jing Liu, Milarky and Sarah Oostendorp.

    And the best bit? When the trail ends in March, the sculptures will be auctioned and proceeds will go towards kiwi conservation.

    “What kind of art and what artists are involved?” I hear you ask. Well, the trail includes an array of well-known and up-and-coming artists across multiple genres. There’s pop art, street art, floral art, surreal art … there’s even a quintessential Buzzy Bee crossed with a kiwi, designed by renowned artist duo Weston Frizzell (coming soon!).

    Buzzy Kiwi’ by Weston Frizzell. Photo credit: Matter.

    This is artist and actress Amanda Billing’s second year participating in the Kiwi Art Trail. She says:

    “The Kiwi Art Trail is a celebration of creativity and community,” Amanda says. “I feel lucky that I get to make a contribution to something meaningful through making art.

    “All of the artists embrace the project in their particular way, so following the trail when they’re all on show is exciting and inspiring. And the auction at the end is a nail-biter! The Kiwi Art Trail is a great initiative that really is win-win-win: our beautiful national apteryx icon wins through the auction winnings, and everyone who gets to see them out and about is reminded of how good art is for us – how it really does make our lives better.”

    Bloom Bird by Amanda Billing. Photo credit: Matter.

    One sculpture has been designed by 14-year-old Pakuranga College student Abby Taylor, who won a school competition run by principal sponsor Gallagher Insurance. Her design called “Wingless” was selected from more than 1,800 entries.

    “I drew inspiration from the Māori story about how the kiwi sacrificed its wings to protect the ground,” Abby says. “I incorporated wing bones and the letters ‘INRI,’ typically found on crucifixes, symbolising self-sacrifice.”

    Wingless by Abby Taylor features a kiwi skeleton on one side
    and a heavily bandaged kiwi on the other.

    This year, the trail isn’t heading to one but four locations: Tauranga, Napier, Whangārei and Auckland. This means there’s plenty of time for locals and visitors alike to get up close and personal with these beautiful, bespoke sculptures.

    And if you thought that wasn’t local enough, here’s the kicker. At every location, two local artists are participating too. Plus, proceeds from the sale of their sculptures will go to local kiwi conservation efforts.

    For more information about the Kiwi Art Trail, brought to you by Save the Kiwi and Gallagher Insurance, visit the website and follow the trail on Facebook and Instagram.

    Kiwi Art Trail dates

    • Tauranga: 14 October – 17 November
    • Napier: 23 November – 29 December
    • Whangarei: January
    • Auckland: February/March
    • Auction: late-March

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Robots on the Plains: NSA Helps Native Students Engage in Cybersecurity Learning

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    Last month, National Security Agency (NSA) affiliates traveled to North Dakota’s Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation to teach Native high school students about programming, cybersecurity, and robotics.

    Dr. Adam Tagert from Research and Dr. Nathan BrownEagle from Cybersecurity attended NSA Day, the final day of the Sandia National Laboratory-sponsored camp at Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC)—a private tribal land-grant community college founded by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in 1972.

    NSA’s diverse workforce, cybersecurity mission, and history of bringing the robots to Indian Country attracted the attention of the National Nuclear Security Administration and Sandia National Labs. Sandia then extended the invitation to NSA’s American Indian Alaska Native Employee Resource Group (AIAN ERG) to participate in the event with Tribal community colleges and universities.

    NSA Day at the camp was included for students interested in future STEM or cybersecurity careers. TMCC has a strong focus in cybersecurity and is working towards accrediting a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity to add to their Associate of Applied Science program.

    The first assignment of NSA Day at the camp was to program a set of robots to play soccer.

    “It was inspiring to see students take a difficult challenge and the excitement that followed when they saw the robots move based on their commands and programming,” Tagert said, explaining that is the benefit of robotics. “It’s the ability to see the effect on the real world compared to changing something on a monitor.”

    After a few soccer matches, where the students had the robots push a neon green foam ball into the goal, the NSA team performed a cyberattack on the robots to show that without cybersecurity, simple attacks, like a denial of service (DoS) can make cyber devices uncontrollable. A DoS is an event in which an attacker sends more information than the recipient can handle, which causes delays or missed commands.

    The students then experimented by attacking each other’s robots and defending themselves with a mitigation that caused the robot to stop listening to commands over a set threshold. The students took to the final activity eagerly, which was more programming intensive than the soccer game and cybersecurity component.

    This camp has appealed to Native youth in the past, even successfully attracting Native interns to Sandia National Labs over the past two summers.

    “Hopefully, these students will be interested in applying for Stokes or other programs,” BrownEagle said. “Our opportunity to present just shows the impact of NSA reaching out to a broader demographic of STEM fair participants.”

    BrownEagle added that a shortened version of the activity has also been presented at various national STEM conferences over the years.

    “I’m grateful that Sandia recognized the value of Adam’s curriculum and invited us to bolster the region’s cybersecurity education for these Native students,” BrownEagle said.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: “Remember Why You’re Here”: Mother of 9/11 Victim Visits Morrison Center Memorial

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    FORT MEADE, Md. – “It shows you how fragile life is,” mother of Flight 93’s youngest victim said with tear-filled eyes at the sight of her 20-year old daughter’s photo and purse on display at the 9/11 memorial in the lobby of the Morrison Center on NSA/CSS Washington’s East Campus.
     
    Earlier this year, Deborah “Debby” Borza donated to NSA the purse that her daughter carried on 11 September 2001. She was recently invited to the Agency to view this memorial on what would have been her daughter, Deora Bodley’s, 43rd birthday.

    Debby Borza weeps at the sight of NSA’s Flight 93 memorial in memory of her daughter.

    Borza and her partner, Gregory Linden, began their visit at the National Cryptologic Museum with a guided tour from the Center for Cryptologic History Chief John Tokar and a retired NSA employee and museum docent.

    After a first-hand look into the Agency’s history, Borza and Linden boarded a van to East Campus to see the 9/11 memorial.
     
    “What a great honor to have you here,” Deputy Director Wendy Noble said as she greeted them both upon their arrival.
     
    Noble shared with Borza how much this memorial means to NSA.
     
    “The reason we have it in the front of the building is especially for new employees, to remember why you’re here,” she said.
     
    The project manager of the 9/11 memorial, and other members of the Morrison Center construction team were also present for the visit.
     
    “A lot of folks that come and work here were born after 9/11,” the project manager said, sharing how the memorial helps the workforce relate to this tragic event in history.
     
     The co-facility manager and former Morrison Center construction manager, along with members of the Facility Management Team from East Campus, also got emotional and thanked Borza for her contribution.

    Picture of Flight 93 victim Deora Bodley, and the purse she carried on 9/11 on display at the 9/11 memorial at NSA/CSS Washington’s Morrison Center.

    The co-facility manager explained how Borza was instrumental in the Flight 93 memorial at NSA becoming a reality, and her visit brought it all together.
     
    Borza was equally grateful for the time and hard work they put into the entire display, especially the piece honoring her daughter.
     
    “To the gentlemen who built it, thank you,” she said. “Thank you for taking on that responsibility. This is amazing.”
     
    The 9/11 memorial displays: an American flag from Shanksville, Pennsylvania; elevator tracks from the World Trade Center; limestone rubble and a partially melted laptop from the Pentagon; and Bodley’s purse, cleaned and preserved from the Flight 93 crash site.
     

    A Day Etched Into Memory

     
    On 11 September 2001, Borza’s daughter was entering her junior year as a French and child psychology major at Santa Clara University in California, and was returning to school after a visit with girlfriends on the East Coast. She had gone to the airport early that morning to accommodate her friend who had an early class. While Bodley was not scheduled to be on Flight 93 traveling from Newark International Airport to San Francisco, she was able to get a seat on standby.
     
    Borza was at work when she got a tearful phone call from her daughter’s friend, saying that she had gotten on an earlier flight.
     
    It was in that moment that Borza had an unsettling feeling, and went to a church across the street to pray. Borza recalled that she asked God, “Where is Deora?” and she heard a quiet voice respond, “She’s with me.”

    Moments later, Borza got a call from the airline, and heard, “I’m sorry to inform you—” from the other line. Borza dropped the phone.
     

    Debby Borza reads a quote at the 9/11 memorial.

    Remembering and Honoring Her Daughter’s Legacy

     
    Bodley dreamed of becoming a child psychologist, and was committed to community service, volunteering in high school, working with the America Reads program, and tutoring kids after school.
     
    Since that phone call, Borza has dedicated her life to honoring her daughter and the other lives lost in Shanksville, and even relocated to Maryland to be closer to the crash site and to Washington D.C.
     
    She has been a fixture in Congress and Shanksville since 2001 — working on memorial plans, committees, and legislation where she served on the board for Families of Flight 93 and the 9/11 National Memorial Trail.
     
    “She’s the unofficial mayor of that place! Everybody knows her,” Tokar said as he accompanied Borza to the Flight 93 crash site.
     
    Borza spent the day prior to the NSA visit at the Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania, watching the recent solar eclipse and commemorating her daughter’s birthday.
     
    She was asked to speak to a school group that was scheduled to be at the Tower of Voices memorial that day to highlight history and take in the experience. There, Borza and the students made memories as they ate Oreos (her daughter’s favorite snack), and got to see a scientific wonder happen before their eyes.
     
    “Being with those kids, I felt Deora closer than ever before,” Borza said.
     
    The Tower of Voices, a 93-foot tall musical instrument holding 40 wind chimes, stands as a landmark feature near the entrance to the Flight 93 National Memorial, located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

    NSA Deputy Director Wendy Noble with Debby Borza, mother of 9/11 victim, standing in front of the 9/11 memorial at NSA/CSS Washington’s East Campus.

    The living memorial creates a set of forty tones (“voices”) to remember Bodley and the 39 others who died through their ongoing voices.

    “Thank you for everything you’ve done,” said Ms. Noble, further recognizing Borza’s tireless work to help memorialize those who lost their lives 23 years ago.
     
    Borza replied tearfully, “I did it for her.”
     
    Before the afternoon concluded, Ms. Noble gave Borza her personal coin.
     
    Borza recalls how the trip to the Agency to see the final piece of her daughter’s memorial was a fulfilling culmination to an emotional week, and before leaving Borza told the crowd, “Some people say ‘Never Forget,’ I like to say, ‘Remember.’ I know for sure, Deora’s very happy.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NSA and Universities Partnering to Advance Cybersecurity Research

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    NSA Research invited leading university research institutions across the country to the National Cryptologic Museum for a day-long event to tackle the ongoing challenge of securing critical cyber systems.
     
    The Laboratory for Advanced Cybersecurity Research sponsored the Science of Security (SoS) Virtual Institute (VI) kick-off meeting earlier this year. It was aimed at advancing foundational research in three key areas: Trusted Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, and Defensive Mechanisms.
     
    These three VIs facilitate collaboration of industry and academic communities with NSA research liaisons, and align with the Research Directorate’s mission to anticipate technological advances, prevent disruptive technology surprise, and partner to transition research into operational outcomes, according to Dr. Rita Bush, chief of the Laboratory for Advanced Cybersecurity Research.
     
    Bush provided opening remarks and expressed her admiration of the SoS partnerships with academia.
     
    “I am truly honored to welcome the university researchers to our latest version of the Science of Security program. SoS has a long history of sponsoring innovative unclassified research at great universities,” Bush said. “I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to continue this program, and introduce a new generation of students to the kinds of cybersecurity challenges that we face in protecting National Security Systems.”
     
    In 2012, the Research Directorate began funding academic “lablets” focused on the development of a broad, self-sustaining community effort to advance the science of security. The lablets were small multi-disciplinary labs at universities across the country that perform cybersecurity, to underpin advances in cyber defense.
     
    “Building these relationships is so important because the foundational research and results of the projects will help drive improvements in cybersecurity,” SoS Program Manager Shavon D. said. “The students at these institutions are working on hard research problems that align with our Agency’s strategic goals and with the interests of the Government as a whole.”
     
    This year, lablets were replaced by VIs, a new model that will continue in the spirit of foundational research they established while also allowing projects to be added or retired as the knowledge in various topic areas advances.
     
    Research advancements from each VI will be extensively documented and widely distributed through the SoS Virtual Organization (SoS VO), an online unclassified repository for SoS community awareness, directed toward the maturing of the scientific basis for security.
     
    This year, the SoS team hosted principal investigators (school representatives) from Arizona State University, the International Computer Science Institute, University of Kansas, Ohio State University, Towson University, and Vanderbilt University. Their presentations addressed wide-ranging technical topics from the VIs including “Improving Safety and Security of Neural Networks” (AI and Cybersecurity), “Advancing Security and Privacy of Bluetooth IoT” (Trusted Systems), and “Neurosymbolic Autonomous Agents for Cyber-Defense” (Defensive Mechanisms.) There are currently 11 funded VI projects this year, including projects with Carnegie Mellon University, which was awarded a contract after the kickoff meeting.
     
    “Our research universities are a national treasure, and I want you to be aware of the impact of your work and the work of Science of Security,” said Dr. Glenn L., Acting Technical Director, Laboratory for Cybersecurity Research, during his closing remarks.
     
    Glenn shared how one of the sections in the White House’s Office of Science, Technology, and Policy 4-year Cybersecurity R&D Strategy was influenced by a Science of Security project out-brief. “Your work can have outsized impact; impact in ways that we didn’t initially imagine, informing a broad range of cybersecurity research.”
     
    For more information about the SoS initiative and to view this year’s SoS-VI projects, please visit http://www.sos-vo.org/research#lablets.

    Interested in learning more about joining NSA’s mission? Visit NSA.gov/Careers for more information. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: History Today, June 6: The role of signals intelligence or ‘ULTRA’ on D-Day

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    The term D-Day was a shorthand expression first used in World War I to denote the date an operation was to be launched. In the earlier war, officers also used H-HOUR and M-MINUTE, but these were seldom used in World War II. Because of the scope of the 1944 operation and the momentous stakes, in common parlance, “D-Day” has come to refer primarily to the landings in Normandy.

    The Germans had occupied France since 1940. When the Americans entered the war in December 1941, U.S. strategic thinking called for an immediate landing in France in conjunction with our British allies, followed by an advance to liberate the country and then press on to Berlin. Britain’s high command argued against this course of action, pointing out, correctly, that the Germans were well dug in, American forces lacked experience in combat against the powerful foe, and neither country had yet assembled the reserve of men and materiel such an effort required.

    As a consequence, the Allies battled the Germans in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy – but by spring 1944, the time had come to land in France and carry the battle to the German homeland. Hundreds of thousands of American, British, and Canadian men readied to land on five beaches in Normandy, France, to face well-prepared German defensive positions.

    The planning for this operation, codenamed OVERLORD, was complex, but the strategic planning staff had an important asset — SIGINT. This was ULTRA, the product of cryptanalysis of high-grade enemy cryptosystems such as the now-famous ENIGMA machine. Crucial information also was derived from decrypts of reports written by the Japanese ambassador to Germany, who had toured the beachfronts of France in the autumn of 1943.
    Those who study intelligence know that ULTRA gave planners access to copious amounts of information about the German weaponry emplaced along the beaches, the order of battle of the defensive units, and the standing orders given to the defenders.

    Less well known but no less important was the information on German defensive mines in the English Channel. This was a vital factor, since Britain and the United States were transporting their combat units across the channel in hundreds of ships.

    ULTRA provided a great deal of data on German mine laying. Some of it came from communications of the boats actually creating the minefield, some of it came from instructions to German ships about cleared areas for their sailing. The information included types of mines used, as well as boundaries for closed and open channels.

    This information allowed the Allies to select mine-free routes for the ships carrying the landing parties and identify areas where minesweeping actions would be a priority.

    The official historian of British COMINT in World War II wrote, “Largely with the assistance of SIGINT, though not without much tedious analysis of it . . ., the programme was reconstructed in considerable detail — a fact which proved to be of considerable importance for the success of the landings.”

    In addition to ULTRA, U.S. ground forces had tactical COMINT personnel who accompanied deployed troops and provided intelligence from low-level German or Japanese communications.

    The U.S. Navy also had tactical COMINT teams aboard ships in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of War, called the Y Service, a term borrowed from British usage. One of the primary missions of these teams was to provide warning of enemy air attacks and to jam German radio-controlled bombs.

    Initially, the U.S. Navy had to borrow intercept operators from the U.S. Army or the Royal Navy. In early 1944, the commander of U.S. naval forces in Northwest African waters asked the Chief of Naval Operations to send twenty-four men for training in Y Service operations. He noted that the candidates should be of good intelligence, without family ties in Axis countries, wholly trustworthy, and be thoroughly fluent in idiomatic German; if any had a knowledge of German shorthand, that would be especially desirable.

    In March two officers and ten enlisted men were dispatched from the U.S. to Europe for Y Service training, which was to be provided by the British admiralty.

    As Allied forces prepared for Operation NEPTUNE, the naval phase of the Normandy landings, seven naval Y teams were deployed. Three of the teams had only British personnel; the other teams had mixed U.S. and UK personnel. It was felt that training alone was insufficient for success; the U.S. had to overcome lack of experience by integration of personnel with its ally.

    During the D-Day landings and afterward, the Y teams undertook twenty-four-hour coverage. This began on June 5 and continued through June 18. As one later report put it, “. . . [I]n the case of the Normandy Operation, Y service proved to be of little assistance because of the general lack of enemy aircraft and naval surface craft in the face of overwhelming Allied surface and air power.”

    The Y Service teams were disbanded in January 1945. By this time, the German naval and air forces were no longer a threat to U.S. and British movement of troops and support for them from the British Isles to France.

    Today is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, still the largest amphibious attack conducted in the face of an armed enemy. The sacrifice in life by British, Canadian, and American troops was heavy on this day in 1944, but the successful landings truly marked the beginning of the end for Adolph Hitler and Nazism.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Military Academy Wins First Place at the 2024 NSA Cyber Exercise

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    FORT MEADE, Md. – After months of preparation and three days of elaborate and challenging cyber operations, the U.S. Military Academy has emerged as the champion of the sixth annual NSA Cyber Exercise (NCX).
     
    The battle for the coveted NCX trophy included participants from the U.S. service academies and senior military colleges, who competed alongside individuals from multiple NSA professional development programs. A team from USCYBERCOM’s Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) participated in a For Exhibition Only (FEO) status. All team members rose to the challenge, applying their technical, collaborative, and critical thinking skills to simulated scenarios they can expect to encounter throughout their cyber careers.
     
    “Agility and adaptability have been and will continue to be keys to our success,” Maj Gen Matteo Martemucci, deputy chief of the Central Security Service said during his welcome message “Remain alert, focused, and trust your training. This is what we prepare for.”
     
    The U.S. Air Force Academy placed second, while the University of North Georgia finished third, beating out the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the senior military colleges, including Norwich University, Texas A&M University, The Citadel, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech. NSA’s Cybersecurity Operations Development Program (CSODP took first amongst the development programs.
     
    This year’s NCX was the first hybrid competition since the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing institutions to participate in person or virtually.
     
    Teams engaged in offensive cyber activities against a fictional adversary that attacked a satellite downlink. Exercises focused on active attack and malware, software development, and cybersecurity policy. These, along with the final attack-and-defend cyber combat exercise, challenged participants to use their creativity and collaboration skills to prevail against complex cyber threats.
     
    “The competition is more than a trophy,” said Kenneth Allison, associate director of the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership at Texas A&M University, whose team competed in this year’s contest. “The additional knowledge and exposure to real-world challenges, the opportunities to ask questions, build confidence, and meet people that you may work with in the future – that’s what makes the NCX such a valuable part of our academic program.”

    Martemucci awarded West Point’s cyber competition team members with the NCX trophy after edging out their competition in the tournament.
     
    “Congratulations to the U.S. Military Academy,” Martemucci said during the closing ceremony. “We hope that this simulation not only deepened your understanding of the current threat environment, but also inspired you to continue to hone your skills and talents to help protect our Nation, whether in uniform, academia, government, or industry.”

    This three-day, unclassified cyber competition is the culmination of the Agency’s effort to advance strategic goals by developing and testing the skills, teamwork, planning, and decision-making of future cybersecurity professionals.

     “The most exciting part for me is witnessing our future leaders put their skills to use,” said NCX Program Manager Kelley Welch. “Throughout the year, and especially during the competition, planting the seeds giving students firsthand insight into the vast cyber career opportunities within NSA’s mission, and how they can apply their passions and skills to help secure our Nation’s future.”
     
    The final cyber combat exercise required participants to work collaboratively as they applied their cybersecurity knowledge to exploit and extract data from a physical device. Strong coordination, planning, communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills were essential to each team’s success.
     
     “I was a little intimidated at first because I assumed that we would only interact with our team members during the event,” said Joselyn Cordova-Flores, a junior at Norwich University and first-time NCX participant. “Instead, I had a chance to engage with people from NSA and different teams while working on other activities. The collaborative environment not only showed me that I have what it takes to be successful in this field, but also solidified NSA as my No. 1 career choice after graduation.”
     
    Fostering connections across the cyber defense community in a conducive learning environment is what LT Ryan Quarry, instructor for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, finds most rewarding about the NCX.
     
    “This is a unique opportunity for students to network with their peers in other service academies, and other like-minded individuals who can help them reach their career goals,” he said. “In addition, the real-world scenarios give them immediate insight into their strengths and areas for development. These are two of many factors which make the NCX a premiere event for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a critical component of its cyber education programs.” 
     
    For more information on the NSA Cyber Exercise, visit https://www.nsa.gov/Cybersecurity/NSA-Cyber-Exercise/

    NSA Media Relations
    MediaRelations@nsa.gov
    443-634-0721

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Tuesday, 15 October 2024 – Volume 777 – 001418

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

    New Zealand Defence Force—Sinking of HMNZS Manawanui

    Hon CHRIS PENK (Associate Minister of Defence): I rise to make a ministerial statement regarding the all-of-Government response to HMNZS Manawanui‘s sinking off the coast of Samoa on Saturday, 5 October. I’d also like to acknowledge the brave ship’s company and passengers, who evacuated overnight in extreme conditions, and Commander Yvonne Gray, who made the right decision to evacuate the ship. We should be incredibly proud of all of our New Zealand Defence Force personnel, who are all highly skilled and serve New Zealand without hesitation.

    With the passengers and crew safe, the Government’s focus shifted to mitigating any environmental impacts. I assure this House, the people of New Zealand, and those of Samoa that we will do everything that we can. The New Zealand Defence Force is leading the all-of-Government response to this incident, named Operation Resolution, which includes support from Maritime New Zealand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Defence, and wildlife experts from Massey University. Operation Resolution involves working with Samoan authorities to understand the implications of this incident and to evaluate salvage options. Personnel have been clearing flotsam from the beach area, and navy divers are regularly assessing the ship’s position and the status of oil tanks onboard.

    I’d like to express our deepest thanks to the Samoan Government for their support and patience as we assess the impact of this incident on their exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, and to the Samoan personnel who rescued the ship’s crew and passengers on that fateful Saturday night. We are also grateful for the support provided by HMS Tamar of the Royal Navy, and other partners. The defence force is investigating options to mitigate the capability loss as a result of the HMNZS Manawanui‘s sinking. The navy still has diving and survey capabilities that operate independently of Manawanui and are, therefore, still available and deployable. Further considerations, including as part of the upcoming Defence Capability Plan, will provide options for broader and longer-term solutions.

    On Thursday, 10 October, Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding announced the details of the New Zealand Defence Force court of inquiry into the matter. This inquiry will collect and record evidence and report on the sequence of events leading up to the loss of the ship, the cause of the grounding, the subsequent sinking, and details on notification procedures, along with injuries sustained and, of course, any environmental damage. We do know that there will be many questions, but the appropriate process does need to play out through the court of inquiry, which is being conducted strictly in accordance with the Armed Forces Discipline Act. The Government recognises the high level of public interest in the matter and will continue to keep the New Zealand public informed as new information comes to light, subject to privacy, national security, and commercial sensitivity concerns.

    It is important that we do not rush to speculate on what happened and also to allow the court of inquiry process to play out. While we do not yet know what caused this terrible incident, I do wish to echo the sentiments of the Minister of Defence, the Hon Judith Collins, that we do know that the ship’s captain’s gender had no role to play in the incident. Our personnel are highly skilled, and it is a testament to their courage, comradeship, and commitment that the evacuation of HMNZS Manawanui was carried out safely—that is, with no loss of life. The Government will continue to do everything that we can to continue to mitigate the impact of this incident on Samoa and the wider Pacific.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NSA/CSS Employees Donate More Than $2M for 2023 Combined Federal Campaign

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    The 2023 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) concluded on January 12, 2024, with National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service (CSS) affiliate contributions exceeded NSA’s goal of $1.9 million with over $2 million donated to 1,398 charities.

    The CFC, led by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), enables federal employees and retirees to support people and communities in need across the country and around the world.

    It is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, according to Barry Boseman, chief of State and Local Affairs.
    NSA led donations in the mid-Atlantic region, which includes four states, Washington D.C., and 1,200 participating government agencies, Boseman said. The Department of Defense (DoD) total for the 2023 CFC was over $8.5 million, of which NSA contributed over 20%, and the nationwide total was $68.3 million.

    “I’m incredibly proud of the contributions that our workforce made during this year’s campaign,” said Gen. Tim Haugh, Commander, USCYBERCOM, Director, NSA/Chief, CSS. “NSA remains committed to giving back to our local communities during the CFC and beyond.”

    “The theme for the 2023 CFC was ‘Give Happy,’ as the CFC connected giving with happiness, showing that when federal employees give together, they are happier,” said Veronica Maylish Beckenstrater, NSA’s CFC program manager for the 2023 campaign.

    William “Roy” Surrett, NSA’s lead CFC senior advocate, agreed. “Thank you again for ‘giving happy’ to important causes like helping communities recover from disasters, supporting military families, ensuring education for all, and more,” he said. “There is no better feeling than to help those in need here in our local area, across our Nation, and around the world.”

    “The workforce’s dedication was vital to the success of the campaign and will bring help and hope to thousands of people as monetary and volunteer pledges go to support the missions of participating charities,” Maylish Beckenstrater said.

    Keyworkers and senior advocates distributed marketing materials, spoke at town halls, and hosted events, including charity fairs, chili cook-offs, pet contests, painting parties, and bingo games to encourage the workforce to donate to causes that mean the most to them, she explained.

    “It was innovative ideas like these that helped NSA exceed its goal this year and to show the community we care,” Maylish Beckenstrater added. “I can’t wait to see our workforce band together for next year’s campaign.”

    Interested in learning more about joining NSA’s mission? Visit NSA.gov/Careers for more information. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Saving lives and protecting migrants: Operation Liberterra II

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Douala – From September 29 to October 4, 2024, a major effort to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling took place in Douala, Cameroon. This initiative, named “Operation Liberterra II,” was led by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and brought together a team of nearly 30 experts. The team included police officers, judges, and government officials from departments dealing with social affairs, labor, and job training.

    For six intense days, the team worked to uncover and stop groups involved in exploiting vulnerable people. They watched the city closely, checked passengers on certain flights, and looked for people who might be in the country without proper documentation. The team also carried out carefully planned raids on places they suspected were being used by traffickers.

    Their hard work paid off with some disturbing but important discoveries. In total, they rescued 17 people who had been trafficked – brought into the country illegally and forced to work against their will. Among those saved were 14 women (10 from Vietnam and four from China) who had been forced into prostitution at a local brothel. They also rescued three people from Chad who had been tricked with false promises of good jobs but instead were made to work in terrible conditions.

    These victims, all between 23 and 34 years old, were immediately taken to safe places. The team is now working on plans to help them return to their home countries and families if they want to.

    The head of police for the region spoke about why this operation was so important. He said, “This work has finally shown everyone a problem that has been hurting our city for years. It’s a good start, but we need to do more. Douala is a busy place where many people come and go for business, which makes it easier for criminals to take advantage of people. We need to keep working to make our city safer and ensure that people are treated fairly and respectfully when they come here for work.”

    The raids also showed how complex these criminal operations can be. The team found that some traffickers were pretending to run normal businesses or job recruitment agencies to cover for their illegal activities. They also identified people who were helping others enter the country illegally or bringing people in specifically to force them into sex work.

    The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was an important partner in this operation. They emphasized why this work matters for the bigger picture. A representative said, “We want to make sure that when people move to other countries for work, they can do it safely and legally, and that their rights are protected. This operation shows why it’s so important for companies and people who hire workers from other countries to use fair and honest methods. We’re asking everyone involved in hiring to join us in making sure this happens.”

    As Douala deals with what was uncovered by Operation Liberterra II, one thing is clear: the fight against human trafficking is far from over. But the success of this operation gives hope for a safer future. It shows how important it is for different organizations and governments to work together to solve this worldwide problem. The challenge now is to build on this success and create lasting changes, not just in Douala but in communities everywhere that face similar issues.

    ***

    For further information, please contact : 

    • Franck Olivier Mbang, IOM Cameroon, Tel : 690366090, Email : fmbang@iom.int
    • Gisèle MASSINA, IOM Cameroon, Tel : 699004516, Email : gmassina@iom.int
       

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does drinking coffee while pregnant cause ADHD? Our study shows there’s no strong link

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gunn-Helen Moen, Post-doctoral research fellow in genetic epidemiology, The University of Queensland

    Velishchuk/Shutterstock

    International guidelines recommend people limit how much coffee they drink during pregnancy. Consuming caffeine – a stimulant – while pregnant has been linked to how the baby’s brain develops.

    Some studies have shown increased coffee consumption during pregnancy is associated with the child having neurodevelopmental difficulties. These may include traits linked to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as difficulties with language, motor skills, attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.

    But is coffee the cause? Our new research aimed to clear up the sometimes confusing advice about drinking coffee during pregnancy.

    We studied tens of thousands of pregnant women over two decades. The results showed – when other factors like genes and income were accounted for – no causal link between drinking coffee during pregnancy and a child’s neurodevelopmental difficulties. That means it’s safe to keep drinking your daily latte according to current recommendations.

    What we were trying to find out

    Past research has identified a link between drinking coffee during pregnancy and a child’s neurodevelopmental difficulties. But it hasn’t been able to establish caffeine as the direct cause.

    Biological changes during pregnancy reduce caffeine metabolism. This means the caffeine molecules and metabolites (the molecules produced while breaking down the caffeine) take longer to be cleared from the body.

    Additionally, past studies have shown caffeine and its by-products can cross the placenta. The fetus does not have the necessary enzymes to clear them, and so it was thought that caffeine metabolites may impact the developing baby.

    However it can be hard to identify whether coffee directly causes changes to the fetus’s brain development. Pregnant women who drink coffee may differ from those who don’t in a number of other ways. And it could be these variables – not coffee – that affect neurodevelopment.

    These variables, known as “confounding factors” might include how much people drink or smoke while pregnant, or a parent’s income and education. For example, we know people who tend to drink coffee also tend to drink more alcohol and smoke more cigarettes than those who don’t drink coffee.

    Our study aimed to look at the effect of drinking coffee on neurodevelopmental difficulties, isolated from these confounding factors.

    What we did

    We know genes play a role in how many cups of coffee a person consumes per day. Our study used genetics to compare the development of children whose mothers did and did not carry genes linked to increased coffee consumption.

    The study looked at tens of thousands of families registered in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. All pregnant women in Norway between 1999 and 2008 were invited to participate and 58,694 women took part with their child.

    Parents reported how much coffee they drank before and during pregnancy. Mothers also completed questionnaires about their child’s neurodevelopmental traits between six months and eight years of age.

    The questions covered many traits, including difficulties with attention, communication, behavioural flexibility, regulation of activity and impulses, as well as motor and language skills.

    The parents and children also provided genetic samples. This allowed us to control for genetic variants shared between mother and child and isolate the behaviour of coffee drinking.

    The study used reports from mothers about their child’s neurodevelopmental traits over more than seven years.
    Ann in the uk/Shutterstock

    What we found

    We were able to look at causality through this method of adjusting for potential confounding factors in the environment (the mother smoking or drinking alcohol, the parents’ education and income).

    The results showed no strong causal link between increased maternal coffee consumption and children’s neurodevelopmental difficulties.

    The difference in findings between our and previous studies may be explained by our work separating the effect of coffee from the effect of other variables, as well as genetic predisposition to neurodevelopmental conditions.

    Our study has limitations. Importantly, we were only able to rule out strong effects of coffee on neurodevelopmental difficulties, and it is possible small effects may exist.

    We only investigated offspring neurodevelopmental traits, and coffee consumption during pregnancy could impact the mother or child in other ways.

    However we have previously shown coffee consumption during pregnancy did not have strong causal effects on birth weight, gestational duration, risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. But other outcomes – such as mental health or a child’s risk for heart disease and stroke later in life – should be investigated.

    Overall, our study supports current clinical guidelines that state low to moderate consumption of coffee during pregnancy is safe for the mother and developing baby.

    For most people, that means sticking below 200mg of caffeine per day – usually equivalent to one espresso or two instant coffees – should be safe. If you have concerns, it’s best to speak to your clinician.

    Gunn-Helen Moen receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Research Council of Norway.

    Shannon D’Urso 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. Does drinking coffee while pregnant cause ADHD? Our study shows there’s no strong link – https://theconversation.com/does-drinking-coffee-while-pregnant-cause-adhd-our-study-shows-theres-no-strong-link-241015

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: A murder investigation is under way following a shooting in Linton Road, Barking

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A murder investigation is under way following a shooting in Barking.

    Police were called at approximately 04:35hrs on Sunday, 13 October to reports of a man injured in Linton Road, Barking.

    Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, believed aged in his 30s suffering a gunshot injury. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services he was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Next of kin have been informed.

    A crime scene remains in place at the location.

    There has been no arrest and enquiries into the circumstances continue.

    Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Basford who is responsible for policing in East Area which covers Barking said: “I understand the shock and concern local residents will be feeling following this incident, but I want to reassure them that a team of experienced detectives are already working diligently to piece together the events that has led to this shooting and identify who is responsible.

    “Local residents will see increased police activity in and around the Linton Road area and I would ask them for patience while officers carry out vital work.

    “If you have any concerns, or information that could assist the investigation, then please speak to one of them or contact police.”

    Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD 1295/13Oct. You can upload information and material online.

    You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three men have been sentenced for the rape of a 13-year-old girl following an in-depth investigation by specialist Met detectives.

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Three men have been sentenced for the rape of a 13-year-old girl following an in-depth investigation by specialist Met detectives.

    On Friday, 11 October, Paul Maxwell, 24 (03.12.99) of Wood Lane Estates, W12 was sentenced to 12 and a half years.

    Kayon Bhola, 29 (28.10.1994) of no fixed address, and Jeremiah Jackson 24, (8.11.99) of Longford Court, W12 were both jailed for 11 years.

    All three men were given Sexual Harm Prevention Orders lasting 15 years.

    The victim, aged 13, left her home address on 30 September 2023 and travelled into London where she encountered the three defendants at a tube station in Hammersmith.

    They lured her back to Maxwell’s flat where she was raped by all three.

    Detectives gathered a combination of forensic evidence, CCTV and phone analysis. Working closely with specialists from CPS London’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences unit, they built up a case against the three defendants.

    CCTV showed the group travelling from the station towards the flat. In-depth phone analysis also revealed a short video clip of the three men carrying out their attack. This evidence played a significant part in convicting the three men.

    Detective Constable Will Murphy, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victim for her ongoing support in this case and for her extreme bravery in coming forward and reporting this to police.

    “This has been a challenging investigation, however due to the dedicated efforts of my team we were able to secure convictions. I hope the victim feels that justice has been served.

    “Today’s sentencing highlights how despicable this crime was and Maxwell, Bhola and Jackson will now face the consequences of their horrendous actions. The Met is here to support victims of sexual assault, and to provide the best care we can. Please do not hesitate to come to us.”

    The victim read out a victim impact statement, a part of which said:

    “I have gone over the date a million times thinking of what I could have done differently to change the outcome of what happened to me. No matter what I change, it would’ve ended the same way. This is because these three men, fully grown men, knew exactly what they were going to do as soon as they saw me at Hammersmith.

    “I was caught alone, and vulnerable. But that shouldn’t have mattered.”

    On 22 July, all three defendants were found guilty of rape – with Maxwell convicted of an additional count – following a three-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.

    A New Met for London is improving how we protect women and girls from violence, largely at the hands of predatory and abusive men. We encourage victims to come forward and help us put an end to this extreme violence – to report rape or sexual abuse, find out more: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/how-to-report-rape-and-sexual-assault/.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Rediscover Beijing’s history aboard the iconic dang-dang bus

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Along the Beijing Central Axis, pedestrians can hear the dang-dang sightseeing bus passing by, so named for the copper bell that rings to announce its presence. The cultural mainstay has become more prominent since the area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in July.

    Red lanterns sway gently before the windows within the quaint confines of the dang-dang bus. Intricate ancient motifs and tile designs adorn the roof, evoking a nostalgic sense of old Beijing. Above them, images of the Beijing Central Axis’ renowned landmarks unfurl a visual narrative of the city’s history.

    Beside the seats, tables are elegantly laid with an array of culinary delights. Passengers indulge in panoramic views of the Central Axis while sampling the flavors of authentic Beijing snacks.

    “The Great Beauty Central Axis Sightseeing Bus features a novel iteration of the classic dang-dang bus,” shared Yun Haibing, the director of the Beijing Tourism Distribution Center’s market management department.

    According to Yun, the dang-dang sightseeing buses date back to the inaugural tram service at Qianmen in 1924. The copper bell was used as a courtesy signal to pedestrians. As the city evolved, the traditional transportation gradually faded from the street.

    Today, a revival of these antique-style vehicles, sporting refurbished green or brown exteriors and wooden-framed windows, presents a fresh option for travelers exploring Beijing.

    These modern dang-dang buses offer a nostalgic voyage through Beijing’s storied past, traversing iconic landmarks like Zhengyangmen, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park.

    Since the debut of the Great Beauty Central Axis Sightseeing Bus, 41 such vehicles transport an average of 4,000 visitors daily, underscoring the enduring appeal of this unique experience, said Yun.

    The dang-dang buses today are all-electric vehicles with a robust battery life, contributing to the eco-friendly ethos of tourism in Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Annual Awards Ceremony Recognizes Outstanding Contributions From Western Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Officers and Prosecutors

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Law Enforcement Agency Directors (LEAD) of Western Pennsylvania recognized more than three dozen area law enforcement officers and prosecutors during its 26th Annual LEAD Awards Ceremony, announced United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. Comprising the Western Pennsylvania heads of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, LEAD bestows awards annually as a way of recognizing outstanding performance from law enforcement agents and officers, as well as prosecutors.

    Notable among the LEAD Awards presented were:

    • The Lifetime Service Award was presented to (Retired) Supervisory Special Agent Louis “Lou” Weiers for his outstanding service with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Weiers began his career with the ATF in January 1991 as a Special Agent with the Pittsburgh field office’s Arson/Explosives group, also serving as a member of the National Response Team from 1998 until 2005. Weiers was promoted to Resident Agent in Charge of the Pittsburgh Firearms Trafficking and Violent Crime group in March 2005, and was among the longest tenured supervisory investigators within the ATF upon his September 2024 retirement. Among the many investigations on which he worked during his career, Weiers served as the first-line supervisor at the 2018 Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, where his group led the ATF response and firearms investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); represented ATF at the September 11, 2001, Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and was involved in the 2014 48-day manhunt for Eric Frein, who killed a Pennsylvania State Trooper and critically injured another during an attack at a State Police barracks. Weiers also served in several acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge details within the Philadelphia Field Division throughout the decades.

    • The Courage Under Hostile Fire Award was presented to Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Officer Craig Claflin, who, as the first officer on the scene of a domestic dispute call at a Kincaid Street residence in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood in July 2024, was immediately fired upon by the assailant. Officer Claflin quickly neutralized, disarmed, and detained the assailant, saving lives and preventing injuries to neighboring civilians and fellow law enforcement officers.

    • An individual LEAD award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. AUSA Jordan’s work has consistently involved the handling of both complex, long-term investigations and prosecutions of violent individuals and drug traffickers. During the past year, her cases included multiple long-term drug trafficking investigations conducted by FBI’s Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force—one of which was a Title-III wiretap investigation—as well as a long-term Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization, the latter of which included the execution of multiple search warrants in late-June 2024 that ultimately resulted in the seizure of nearly 120 kilograms of cocaine, over $1.2 million in cash, and eight firearms, in addition to the charging of numerous individuals. In September 2024, shortly after the takedown of her FBI Title-III investigation, AUSA Jordan secured a guilty verdict in the jury trial of local large-scale drug trafficker Leon Ford Sr., whom Jordan and her team of investigators had indicted and successfully convicted of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    • Several individuals from the ATF, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, received a team award for outstanding performance for their seven-month investigation and prosecution of a complex illegal firearms manufacturing and distribution network out of Altoona, Pennsylvania. The criminal conspiracy involved the manufacture and sale of untraceable ghost guns, AR-15 style rifles, and “hit kits” containing a Polymer 80 privately made firearm with no serial number, a threaded barrel to attach an included silencer, subsonic ammunition, and latex gloves.

    • Members of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI received a team award for their investigation of a series of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.

    • Corporals and troopers from Pennsylvania State Police Troops B and D Forensic Services Units were honored with a team award for their processing of a particularly complex Pittsburgh crime scene.

    • Two U.S. Postal Inspection Service officials received individual LEAD awards for their roles in helping to uncover and disrupt criminal operations in separate investigations involving, in one case, a California-to-Western Pennsylvania drug trafficking network, and, in the other, a games of chance theft ring. Officers and agents from organizations including the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and Pennsylvania State Police also received individual awards for their performance in a variety of incidents and investigations involving firearms, narcotics, sexual exploitation of minors, tax evasion, and public safety.

    LEAD is composed of the following law enforcement agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration; U.S. Department of Defense – Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services; United States Secret Service; U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Air Marshal Service; U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Veterans Administration – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service; U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Pennsylvania State Police; Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole; Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association; Allegheny County Police Department; Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office; Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association; Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Department; Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department; Washington County District Attorney’s Office; Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office; Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; Mt. Lebanon Police Department; Carnegie Mellon University Police Department, and University of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Fort Dodge, Iowa Man for Illegal Possession of Firearm

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Vanvacter, a convicted felon, led law enforcement on high-speed chase prior to throwing his firearm from vehicle

    A man who illegally possessed a firearm was convicted by a jury on October 10, 2024, after a three-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

    Lennox Vanvacter, 31, was convicted of one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  The verdict was returned following about 7 hours of jury deliberations.

    The evidence at trial showed that on July 30, 2023, law enforcement officers observed Vanvacter operating a motor vehicle.  Based on their observations and the fact Vanvacter had an active arrest warrant for a previous eluding charge, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop and apprehend him.  When emergency lights/sirens were activated, Vanvacter engaged in a high-speed attempt (approximately 30 minutes in duration) to elude law enforcement, including speeds of 70 mph or more in Fort Dodge and 100 mph or more outside city limits in Webster County.  Two sets of spike strips deployed by officers ultimately stopped the vehicle.  Once stopped, Vanvacter attempted to flee from the officers on foot, through the passenger door, but was captured a short distance later.  Officers located a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, near the end of the vehicle’s flight path.  Later, officers determined by review of patrol car camera video, that the firearm was thrown from the vehicle at the end of the pursuit.   

    Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Vanvacter remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Vanvacter faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

    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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DCI Laboratory, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 23-3037.  

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stratford Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Gun Trafficking Offense

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ESKAVAIL GORDON, also known as “Vail,” 21, of Stratford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a firearm trafficking offense.        

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 26, 2023, Stefan Bagley, Jr. was shot and wounded while traveling in his vehicle in Bridgeport.  Later that same day, Bagley’s vehicle was used in another shooting incident in Bridgeport.  An investigation revealed that, between October 2022 and October 2023, Bagley purchased approximately 20 9mm handguns from licensed firearm dealers and then trafficked the guns to a network of customers, including Gordon.  Bagley typically scratched the serial numbers off of the firearms before providing them to his customers, making the guns more difficult to trace.

    During the investigation, a search of Bagley’s text messages revealed communications with Gordon in which the two discussed Bagley purchasing a Glock handgun for Gordon.  Gordon then paid Bagley $750 for the gun.

    Gordon was arrested on December 18, 2023, and investigators seized a 9mm firearm from Gordon on the date of his arrest.

    Gordon was previously convicted in state court of possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and he was on state probation at the time of his criminal conduct in this case.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

    On May 20, 2024, Gordon pleaded guilty to receipt of a trafficked firearm.  He has been detained since his arrest.

    Bagley pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing.

    Most of the firearms trafficked by Bagley are unaccounted for.

    U.S. Attorney Avery noted that this case is being prosecuted, in part, under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022.  The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

    This matter is being investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

    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 gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Justice 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.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psn.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Greenwood Felon on Federal Supervised Release Sentenced for Weapons Violation Arising from State Domestic Violence Charges

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Thaddeus Deon Devlin, Jr., 29, of Greenwood was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    Evidence presented to the court showed that on March 11, 2023, a victim called 911 stating that her children’s father had a gun, threatened her with it, and had taken her 5-year-old son.  Greenwood Police Department officers responded to the location where the victim indicated Devlin would likely take her child and saw Devlin pull up. When Devlin and the child exited the car, Devlin was holding a liquor bottle and stated that he had been drinking. Officers searched the car and located a loaded .40 caliber pistol. At the time of the offense, Devlin’s criminal history included multiple incidences of domestic violence, assault and battery, and a prior felon in possession of a firearm charge. Devlin was on federal supervised release at the time.

    United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr., sentenced Devlin to imprisonment for a term of 84 months on the indictment and a consecutive 16 months on the supervised release violation, all to be followed by a one-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Greenwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Reforestation Underway on NSA Washington’s East Campus

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    As construction continues on NSA/CSS Washington’s (NSAW) East Campus, hundreds of native trees have been planted as part of the agency’s reforestation effort.

    Reforestation is the process of planting new trees in areas that have been disturbed by construction, or where there were few trees initially. The construction of East Campus required the removal of many trees that had been part of the site, in order to construct the utility infrastructure, as well as the new buildings on site.

    This reforestation effort is driven by NSA’s Environmental Management System Policy, which states that the Agency is committed to the establishment and maintenance of world-class environmental, safety, and occupational health programs, and that these programs are designed to protect the environment and health of the workforce, customers, and communities.

    “We believe it is important to be a good neighbor, so we worked to incorporate the requirements of the Fort Meade forest policy into our site layout and construction,” said Matthew Boren, chief of the Military Construction (MILCON) office within NSA’s Installation and Logistics (I&L) organization.

    Reforestation has benefits to both the environment and to the workforce.

    Environmentally, it improves and expands the natural habitat of birds and animals. A large portion of the reforestation occurred along the Midway Branch, where the reforestation trees expand the stream buffer and ensure that development does not encroach on the stream. Additionally, the trees help reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from the site, as well as improve the quality of stormwater that does leave. In turn, that protects the Little Patuxent and the Chesapeake Bay and the quality of those waters.

    Reforestation replants trees in a more natural environment and in larger numbers. This is different from landscape trees, which are standalone and singular in nature and do not provide the same habitat features, or quantity of stormwater support.

    To grow these reforestation areas, MILCON office partners with Occupational Health and Well-Being Services to enhance the NSAW campus, adding shade, storm water management, and improving the well-being of the workforce by creating a more relaxed atmosphere, according to Williams.

    Both the reforestation areas and landscape trees require care and maintenance, from normal mulching to evaluation by an arborist. Whether it is a new tree that does not thrive or an established tree that is causing issues for the surrounding forestation, they may need to be trimmed or replaced.

    I&L tries to plant a new tree somewhere close to the original spot, but in a better location, whenever one is removed.

    “Our goal is to be a great place for the next generations of Agency employees,” Boren added.

    Interested in learning more about joining NSA’s mission? Visit NSA.gov/Careers for more information. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Women of Installations & Logistics Build Strong Future for NSA

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    FORT MEADE, Md. – Construction is booming across the NSA/CSS Washington (NSAW) campus, with upgrades to existing buildings and the expansion of East Campus.

    Behind these innovative projects are the women of Installations & Logistics (I&L), who play a critical role in paving the way for the future of NSA. During Women’s History Month, NSA celebrates them and all of the women helping drive mission outcomes.

    Caryn O. began her career in I&L about 15 years ago and although she had no construction background when she started, she has since flourished in her role as an I&L project manager.

    “I absolutely love being in the construction field because it is really cool to see drawings and then see it actually turn into something physical,” she said.

    After joining I&L, Caryn earned a graduate degree in construction management and has since managed major upgrades to the Friedman Conference Center in 2017 and floor to ceiling renovations in the OPS1 building on NSAW’s main campus that began in 2019. According to Caryn, both projects involved obstacles that had to be overcome, including supply chain issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Despite these obstacles, Caryn said she would definitely recommend construction as a career.

    “I enjoy working with dedicated and hard-working individuals who endure dirt, climate issues, and long hours and never complain,” she said.

    Project Manager Katie F. is leading renovations to the 70-year-old 9800 barracks buildings located east of the “Big 4” – a group of buildings on NSAW’s main campus. This $44.5M project was awarded in 2020, and the final phases are expected to be finished in April.

    “Overall, it was gratifying to support a project that improves the quality of life for service members,” she said.  “It is personally satisfying to use my background and skills to help deliver facilities that will ultimately support NSA’s mission.”

    Katie worked as a civil engineer for several years at an external organization before joining I&L’s Design & Engineering team in 2012. After several years, she decided to learn more about the construction side of projects. In 2017, she joined the Infrastructure team within Project Execution, whose mission is to improve existing spaces and infrastructure at NSAW.

    “As a project manager, I am able to leverage my work experience, as well as my master’s degrees in civil engineering and business administration, to execute projects from start to finish,” Katie said. “It was challenging to balance the requirements of various stakeholders while staying within budget and complying with the contract.”

    Katie said she enjoys learning from people with different areas of expertise.

    “It’s inspiring to watch people with diverse backgrounds, including engineering, business, and trades, collaborate to execute a successful project,” she said.

    Carolyn S. is the deputy project manager supporting the construction of the Chiari Center on East Campus. She has more than 12 years of interior design and project management experience, both external and internal to NSA. She joined NSA in August 2016 as an interior designer in the Design and Engineering office, where she gained a strong foundational knowledge of I&L’s facility design and construction requirements. She joined the Military Construction (MILCON) team in September 2023.

    Carolyn said her favorite part about the MILCON office is that every day is different, and she is able to witness all aspects of a project.

    “Being able to see designs come to life in construction and eventually become a finished building that will support some of our Agency’s biggest missions is one of the best parts of my job,” she said. “Since we are working in active construction, you never know what each day will bring.”

    Jessica M., who joined NSA as a contractor in 2010 and became an Agency employee in 2019, is currently a project manager in the MILCON office working on East Campus Building 5.

    “I enjoy the varied and changing work,” she said, adding that she enjoys the work/life balance that includes telework and a flexible schedule.

    “Being a woman in construction can be intimidating at first,” said Jessica. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 1 in 10 of those in the construction industry are women. Advice I have as a woman in this male-dominated field would be to be your own best advocate, be confident enough to use your skillset and knowledgeable to make the right decisions, understand your strengths, and use all the tools you’ve acquired throughout your life to be successful.”  

    According to Jessica, she and the MILCON team work to build long-lasting facilities that will serve NSA’s workforce for the next 50 years, and keep the mission moving forward.

    “We are being good stewards for being fiscally responsible,” she said. “We are problem solvers. We look at the big picture and find how to reduce or mitigate a problem.”

    All of the women said they enjoy their work and are proud to be a part of the construction field.

    “There are many professional opportunities in construction, and women should not be intimidated by outdated stereotypes of the industry,” Katie said.

    NSA Media Relations
    MediaRelations@nsa.gov
    443-634-0721

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Minnie Kenny Remembered During Event at National Cryptologic Museum

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    The life and legacy of one of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Hall of Honor cryptanalysts was recently recognized at the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM). Nearly 70 current and former NSA employees along with NSA organizers, gathered for an afternoon of reflection and fellowship to honor cryptologic giant, Minnie Kenny.
     
    Kenny started at the NSA’s predecessor agency in 1952 as a Communications Clerk. At the time, there were very few African Americans in that role. Kenny quickly excelled in language, traffic analysis and cryptanalysis. She rose through the ranks at the Agency, working at an elite “think tank” studying the future of cryptanalysis. Kenny served as Deputy Commandant of the National Cryptologic School and made her mark as a leader along the way.
     
    The NCM was the backdrop for fellowship amongst the Phoenix Society members and the current workforce. Organizers say the event, “preserves the connection between former and current cultural influencers with an eye on the path laid for future generations at NSA.”
     
    Kenny was known for leaving a red carnation on the desks of managers and employees she felt were doing a good job. So it was only fitting that organizers of the memorial event wore red as a representation.
     
    Kenny’s impact is still felt within the agency. She influenced the career of NSA Chief of Staff, Marlisa Smith who said, “Her name speaks for itself. When you say Ms. Kenny’s name you are just in awe of her.” During the event, Smith told the story of being a very young person at the agency and being scared to approach Minnie Kenny. “When you did approach her, you got that warmth and you knew she really cared about the workforce”.
     
    Former NSA Chief of Staff Ernie Green was also in attendance. He recalled walking in the halls of NSA and getting bumped by a woman who said, “I don’t know you.” That woman was Minnie Kenny. Green said from that point on, Kenny took him under her wing, taking him to Washington D.C., introducing him to influential lawmakers. Green talked about Kenny’s passion of furthering the mission to help elevate African Americans in the agency.
     
    Another Cryptologic Pioneer, Lillian “Lil” Berry said, “The thing that impressed me most about Minnie Kenny was how she pushed us to do our best. How she encouraged us to get our education. She pushed us. The best thing is, she encouraged you to bring your families in, and we have three generations of my family here today.”
     
    Other attendees, including Kenny’s former receptionist told the crowd funny anecdotes about Kenny, from how she liked her coffee to that overseas trip where her luggage was lost…twice.
     
    Those in attendance had the opportunity to view the grounds of the future building named the Kenny Center, in her honor. The 700,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed in 2028. The Kenny Center will provide a modern platform to support Information & Intelligence Analysis (IIA) for NSA and the Intelligence Community (IC).
     
    Guests concluded the afternoon with a tour of the National Cryptologic Museum, given by NSA Historian Dave Hatch. Attendees toured the tribute to Minnie Kenny and other Women in Cryptology, who were ahead of their time.
     
    The overall theme of the day was honoring Minnie Kenny, the contributions she made, the influence she had and the legacy she left.
     
    Guests left with red carnations, a fitting end to honor a life well lived.

    The National Cryptologic Museum is the only fully public museum in the Intelligence Community and is now open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and no reservations are required — click here for more information about the museum or to start planning your visit!

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cybersecurity Speaker Series: Preparing for Post-Quantum

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    FORT MEADE, Md. – Cryptography is our first and last line of defense for the nation’s most sensitive systems. The quantum threat is real and it is imperative to modernize to protect these systems now.

    In the next video in the Cybersecurity Speaker Series released today, NSA’s Senior Cryptographic Authority, Dr. Adrian Stanger, and NSA’s Cryptographic Solutions Technical Director, Dr. William J. Layton, sat down with NSA’s Cybersecurity Collaboration Center Chief of Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Defense, Bailey Bickley, to discuss preparing for Post-Quantum.

    “In theory if you make one of these [Quantum Computers], it can solve some math problems regular computers can’t,” said Layton.  “If you were to build a very large scale one that was very reliable, that’s still some distance in the future, it could break an enormous share of all the cryptography we use in the government at home or to run the internet. Essentially the foundation of security for a lot of the world would be shaken if we didn’t do anything about that.”

    Through the Cybersecurity Speaker Series, the center highlights NSA experts to share their insights, lessons, and contributions of their work in cybersecurity. 

    Cyber is an ever-changing landscape, and part of NSA’s mission is to look out to the horizon at new technologies that will become the next generation of threats. Quantum computing will be a game changer and will introduce new and advanced threats. A “Cryptographically Relevant” Quantum Computer has the potential to break existing public key crypto according to Stanger.

     “When we talk about cryptography here, we are not just talking about breaking encryption,” said Stanger, “but also the ability to masquerade as somebody to break authentication which has a bigger and more profound effects as that allows an adversary access to systems.”

    “The real challenge is for those who are managing systems who are custom building things,” said Layton. “For all those things in the world we forget to update or have been carefully built and rarely touched getting through and finding all those places that need to be fixed over the next few years is really the big challenge we are facing.”

    We have to move out now and plan for the future. Once the first cryptographically relevant quantum computer boots up, any system not upgraded to Quantum Resistant cryptography will be susceptible to attack.

    “The take away is “don’t panic!” But plan and prepare now,” said Bickley.

    View the latest Speaker Series installment below, along with the complete series on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter/X @NSACyber and on the CCC LinkedIn showcase page to track future releases.
     
    If you’re interested in joining NSA’s team, visit http://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nsa.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NSA’s Morrison Center Earns Gold LEED Certification for Sustainability

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    The Morrison Center, constructed on the National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service (CSS) Washington East Campus, has received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification — the first project on the campus to earn the designation.

    “The Morrison Center demonstrates that innovative design, functionality, and environmental stewardship can coexist harmoniously to create exceptional spaces for the benefit of both people and the planet,” said Randy Westfall, chief of Installations & Logistics (I&L).

    Recent awards bestowed upon one of NSA’s newest buildings is further cementing NSA’s Military Construction (MILCON) team as a leader in sustainable and innovative builds.

    “Obtaining LEED Gold is a notable achievement, demonstrating that our next-generation operational mission space has been built with attention to both the workforce space and the larger environmental impact of our expansion,” said Jeffrey Williams, the environmental engineer responsible for East Campus sustainability.

    Williams noted that the accolades not only highlight the building’s outstanding design and functionality, but also demonstrate NSA’s commitment to environmental stewardship and efficient resource management. “The Morrison Center boasts state-of-the-art insulation, high-performance windows, and efficient HVAC systems to minimize energy consumption and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

    LEED certification is the premier, globally recognized symbol of sustainable building design and construction. While all the buildings on East Campus are built to be LEED Silver, the Morrison Center is the first NSA-owned building to achieve LEED Gold, according to Williams. This certification signifies that the Morrison Center meets stringent criteria for energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site development, he said.

    The facilities throughout the building feature low-flow fixtures to significantly decrease water usage, as well as use of water from the reclaimed water system in industrial sources, promoting responsible resource management, Williams explained. The structure prioritizes the health and well-being of its occupants by incorporating ample daylight, superior air quality control, and ergonomic design principles, he said.

    Additionally, the facility incorporates lush green spaces for storm water management integrated into the East Campus design, along with a rooftop garden and outdoor gathering areas. According to Williams, this was done to foster a connection with nature and provide a serene environment away from the mission tempo.

    Finally, during the construction — managed by U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District East Campus Integrated Program Office — materials were sustainably sourced. From construction to interior finishes, the building utilizes locally sourced, environmentally friendly materials with recycled content, minimizing the impact on natural resources, Williams said.
     
    Under LEED, an evaluated project scores points across six categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environment quality (IEQ), and design innovation. Certification is achieved by documenting compliance with requirements in each category.

    “The higher the degree of compliance, the higher the certification level,” Williams said. “Achieving LEED Gold demonstrates a high degree of attention to the sustainable aspects of the building’s construction.”

    The certificate marks the latest significant recognition captured by the state-of-the-art building since it opened late last year. The Morrison Center, which serves as the new home for the National Security Operations Center and the Director, also won the Association of General Contractors Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering and Collaboration Award and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) Intelligence Community (IC) Facilities Program of the Year.

    The Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering and Collaboration Award is a highly coveted honor presented annually to construction projects that demonstrate excellence and achieve success by implementing the principles of partnering.

    According to MILCON Chief Matt Boren, construction of the 843,000-square foot facility was successful due to six guiding principles established early on: putting the mission first, safety, operational readiness/schedule, quality, teamwork, and team experience.

    “This project showcases partnering at its finest,” Boren said. “Collaboration and communication among stakeholders and the team’s commitment to a ‘mission first’ mindset resulted in a facility of exceptional quality that will play a vital role in protecting our national security for decades to come.”

    The IC Facilities Program of the Year award recognizes buildings that demonstrate excellence in facility management, maintenance, and operations. The Morrison Center surpassed other facilities projects in the IC by implementing cutting-edge technologies and systems that optimize energy consumption, enhance occupant comfort, and streamline maintenance processes, Boren said.

    By employing intelligent building automation, advanced energy management systems, and efficient waste management strategies, the facility showcases a commitment to operational efficiency and sustainable practices, Boren said.

    The Morrison Center is a testament to the possibilities of sustainable architecture and design, according to Westfall.

    “The receipt of these awards solidifies NSA’s position as a trailblazer in the IC,” Westfall said. “By combining architectural ingenuity, operational excellence, and environmental leadership, this extraordinary structure has set new benchmarks for sustainable building practices.”

    As I&L looks to the future of the East Campus, the Morrison Center stands as an inspiration for architects, developers, and facility managers worldwide, Westfall explained.

    MILCON is already applying the lessons learned in collaboration and design to create future structures on East Campus.

    “Both the Chiari Center and the Kenny Center are being constructed with the goal to further establish the East Campus as the global state-of-the-art IC campus,” Westfall said.
     

    Interested in learning more about joining NSA’s mission? Visit NSA.gov/Careers for more information. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NSA Volunteers Give Back at Sandalwood Elementary

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    BALTIMORE, MD. — Seven National Security Agency (NSA) employees took the phrase “giving back to the community” to heart during a recent visit to Sandalwood Elementary School where they shared cyber safety tips with 4th and 5th grade students and talked about their careers at NSA.
     
    A new NSA K-12 pilot program called “All In” coordinated the volunteers’ visit. The All In program supports under-resourced elementary schools in the counties surrounding NSA’s Maryland headquarters with STEM and world culture education. The program’s goal is to increase awareness and knowledge to build the next generation of citizens and professionals.
     
    In celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the volunteers shared cyber safety tips, such as password security, the good and bad of geotagging, and how to stay safe on social media and while emailing. They also highlighted their own cyber careers and experiences.
     
    “The students were engaged in the discussions, eager to share their own stories related to the topics, and walked away with a better understanding on how to be cyber safe at home and in the classroom,” said Jen Greenwaldt, the K-12 Outreach/All In Baltimore County liaison. “Seeing the excitement and engagement of students at these 4th and 5th grade levels was impressive. It made me more aware of the need to educate students on this important topic.”
     
    For Servia D., an engineer at NSA, the visit was personally rewarding.
     
    “I was pleasantly surprised to see how engaged the students were, and how much they already knew about cybersecurity topics at a very young age,” she said. “I am truly fortunate to be part of an Agency that is highly invested into giving back to the community and helping cultivate our future generation, especially in under-represented school communities.”

    To augment Sandalwood Elementary School’s cybersecurity curriculum, the NSA volunteers also shared cybersecurity resources from the National Institute of Standards & Technology and the National Initiative for Cyber Education with the school’s teachers.
     
    “With the evolution of technology and the next generation becoming more in-tune with the cyber world, it’s imperative to embrace the National Cybersecurity Workforce and Education Strategy to instill the importance of cyber safety,” Greenwaldt said.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over 2 500 quality job vacancies to be offered at Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme Job Fair

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Over 2 500 quality job vacancies to be offered at Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme Job Fair
    Over 2 500 quality job vacancies to be offered at Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme Job Fair
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Labour Department (LD) will hold the Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme (REA Scheme) Job Fair at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai on October 17 and 18, providing a large number of vacancies from various industries for job seekers, particularly middle-aged and elderly people.          Around 60 organisations will participate in the two-day job fair, offering over 2 500 quality full-time or part-time job vacancies from various industries, including retail, catering, hotel, manufacturing and transport industries. More than 20 and 30 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment on the spot on their respective days. A wide variety of positions will be offered, including engineer, assistant branch manager, concierge, nurse, administrative officer, legal assistant, engineering supervisor, accounting/book-keeping clerk, assistant digital marketing officer, meal assembly services operator, cook, bookstore assistant, clinical assistant, Chinese medicine dispenser and packaging assistant. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $11,000 to $24,000. Around 81 per cent of the vacancies are full-time jobs. About 97 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Seven education level or below. Around 60 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant work experience. Job seekers can visit the LD’s Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk) for more details of the vacancies.                Job seekers can submit job applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries on the LD’s employment services and details of REA Scheme at its counter inside the venue. In addition, the job fair on October 17 includes an experience-sharing session featuring artist Kwok Chun-on and REA Scheme participants. The service organisation of REA Scheme and various employers will also deliver talks on the same day.          The job fair will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, Southorn Stadium, 111 Johnston Road, Wan Chai (near MTR Wan Chai Station Exit A3). Admission is free, with final admission time at 5pm each day.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, October 15, 2024Issued at HKT 10:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Winston Peters’ $100 billion infrastructure fund is the right idea. Politics-as-usual is the problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    New Zealand’s infrastructure woes are a constant political pain point. From ageing water systems to congested roads and assets increasingly threatened by climate change, the country faces mammoth upgrading and future-proofing challenges.

    Enter Winston Peters and NZ First with a surprise proposal for a NZ$100 billion “Future Fund” dedicated to infrastructure investment. Sounds promising – but the proposal’s success will hinge on getting the details right and, more importantly, getting the politics out of infrastructure planning.

    Unveiled at NZ First’s annual convention last weekend, the idea bears striking similarities to challenges previously highlighted by urban planning and infrastructure experts.

    The country currently has an estimated infrastructure deficit of over $100 billion, which aligns eerily with the scale of Peters’ proposed fund.

    The Future Fund proposal sounds impressive on paper. Ring-fenced from political meddling and focused on national interests, it’s billed as a silver bullet for infrastructure funding problems.

    Peters claims he’s taken a page from the Singapore and Ireland playbooks – potentially breaking New Zealand’s habit of treating big infrastructure projects like they’re part of a three-year plan.

    Long-term savings

    As always, the devil is in the details – and the Future Fund is light on them. How exactly would this fund be financed? How would projects be selected and prioritised? And, crucially, how would it be insulated from the political interference it claims to avoid?

    The potential benefits are significant. Research suggests that a stable, long-term approach to infrastructure investment and better utilisation of existing assets could unlock substantial savings – potentially up to 40% of total project costs.

    A well-managed $100 billion fund could provide the certainty and consistency needed to achieve these efficiencies.

    The scale of the fund also aligns with the urgent need for a comprehensive infrastructure overhaul. From modernising water systems to expanding road and rail networks, and ensuring resilience against climate change, the required investment is indeed massive.

    Politics is the problem

    Yet the proposal faces significant hurdles, not the least of which is from NZ First’s own coalition partners.

    The National Party’s previous commitments to curb borrowing seem at odds with a fund of this magnitude. Peters argues that debt for wealth creation and infrastructure differs from debt for consumption.

    That’s a valid point, but one that may struggle to gain traction in a political environment focused on reducing overall government debt.

    The proposal also raises questions about how it would interact with existing initiatives, such as the National Investment Agency set up by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. It’s unclear whether these entities would complement each other or create redundancies and inefficiencies.

    Perhaps the most critical question is whether this fund, despite its claimed independence, can rise above the political cycle. We have a long and exhausting history of proposing infrastructure for political gain, where one government’s “vital infrastructure” becomes the next’s “wasteful spending”.

    Time for a 30-year plan

    While the Future Fund could be a big move in the right direction, we must also rethink how we plan (and pay) for infrastructure completely.

    A good start would be a 30-year plan that all political parties can get behind, like the United Kingdom’s National Infrastructure Assessment. This would give us a real long-term vision rather than promises that change with each election cycle.

    We should also look at more innovative ways to fund projects. Value capture, which leverages rising property values near new infrastructure to help finance its development, helped build London’s Crossrail. And Australia is “asset recycling” from old infrastructure into new projects.

    These aren’t just theoretical ideas. They could change how we build what New Zealand needs without the risks of entirely relying on taxpayers.

    Ending the boom-bust cycle

    Efficiency must also be a priority. Time-of-use charges for roads, already implemented in cities such as Stockholm and Singapore and proposed for Auckland, could reduce congestion and wasteful spending on unnecessary road expansions.

    Volumetric charging for water, as seen in the Kāpiti Coast, can significantly reduce water waste without massive new investments.

    New Zealand could also break free from its boom-bust infrastructure cycle by establishing an agency outside the political realm to manage the cash Winston Peters is proposing.

    A truly independent infrastructure body, similar to Infrastructure Australia, could provide the continuity and expertise needed to see projects through political cycles.

    Money isn’t the only issue here. Politics is the real roadblock. Right now, every election cycle, priorities change, projects fly out the window, and the bill for desperately needed infrastructure only gets bigger.

    The Future Fund seems like a step in the right direction. But without also overhauling how we make decisions about infrastructure, it could end up being just another political football.

    Timothy Welch 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. Winston Peters’ $100 billion infrastructure fund is the right idea. Politics-as-usual is the problem – https://theconversation.com/winston-peters-100-billion-infrastructure-fund-is-the-right-idea-politics-as-usual-is-the-problem-241346

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –