Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – Nine Inmates Earn Certificates, Degree Graduation Ceremony Honors First Inmate to Earn AA While in Custody

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – Nine Inmates Earn Certificates, Degree Graduation Ceremony Honors First Inmate to Earn AA While in Custody

    Posted on Oct 3, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION

    KA ‘OIHANA HOʻOMALU KALAIMA A HOʻOPONOPONO OLA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    TOMMY JOHNSON

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 3, 2024

    Nine Inmates Earn Certificates, Degree Graduation Ceremony Honors First Inmate to Earn AA While in Custody

    HONOLULU — The Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) in partnership with Windward Community College (WCC) hosted a graduation ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, for nine women who earned a Certificate of Competence in WCC’s Mental Health Technician Program.

    One of the nine women also earned her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, the first woman at the correctional facility to receive an AA degree while in custody.

    Honored guests attending the ceremony in the WCCC Maunawili Cottage courtyard included: Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) Director Tommy Johnson; Dr. Michael K. Champion, senior advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System, Office of the Governor; State Rep. Lisa Marten (D – Waimānalo, Keolu Hills, Lanikai, portion of Kailua) State Rep. Linda Ichiyama, member of the House Committee on Corrections, Military and Veterans; Honolulu Councilmember Esther Kia‘aina who represents District 3 (Windward O‘ahu); and WCC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg.

    During the event, Director Johnson addressed the graduates and said, “We all make mistakes in life but the content of our character is better defined by what we do after that. To move forward, to put those things behind us. To show people we’re not that person that they think we are, that we can change.”

    “We’re so proud of you. No matter what, never give up,” he added. 

    “This should be the beginning of your educational journey, not the end, and likewise, your achievements represent the start of opening doors to new and exciting paths forward to change the trajectory of your lives and those of your loved ones that supported you through your period of incarceration and positive changes forward,” Director Johnson said.

    Inmates’ Sarah Liaszenik,Tamila Alcoran, Mickie Kolo, Necia Hao, Ashley Nihipali, Juanita Grammer, Randikeli Banagan, Charisse Lawelawe and Ewalani Cluney earned a Certificate of Competence in the Mental Health Technician Program. Seven of the nine inmates attended Wednesday’s graduation ceremony.

    Individuals in the program earned nine college credits that encompass two required courses: Survey of Psychology and Conflict Resolution and Mediation and one elective psychology course. 

    In addition to earning a Certificate of Competence in the Mental Health Technician Program, Kolo, 52, received her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, the first woman to receive her AA degree awhile in custody at WCCC.

    “It was hard work and a long journey for me. It took a lot of discipline and a lot of focus and a lot of perseverance,” Kolo said after the ceremony. Earning an AA degree and certificate helped Kolo gain a positive outlook where she aims to continue her education and work as a case manager when she reenters the community.

    The nine graduates are participants of the WCC Pu‘uhonua Program which provides incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn college credits through coursework and classes taught by WCC staff.

    WCCC Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta said, “I’m very proud of them, all nine of them.” The AA and Mental Health Technician programs, Guillonta added, are examples of the efforts by WCC, WCCC and DCR’s Corrections Program Services – Education Services’ staff to better prepare inmates to transition back into the community when released from custody.

    WCC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg said she is thankful for the partnership with DCR to help change the lives of female inmates. At the ceremony, Eschenberg addressed graduates: “Your palapala (degree) is your gateway to your next dream. It is a testament to your knowledge, your skills, your abilities and hard work. I wish each of you big dreams.”

    For graduation photos and videos, please go to: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vxuBB1qfr_zupq0kWTaZ4_l8JpUqL96L.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Rosemarie Bernardo

    Public Information Officer

    Hawai‘i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

    Office: 808-587-1358

    Cell: 808-683-5507

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two Board Members reappointed to The National Lottery Community Fund board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Secretary of State has reappointed John Mothersole as the England Committee Chair and Kate Still as the Scotland Committee Chair for a second term of two years commencing on 14 May 2024.

    John Mothersole

    John Mothersole has held senior local government posts in UK cities including London, most recently as Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council. Since standing down from that post in December 2019 after 11 years, John has taken on a series of non-executive roles which now include Chair of The Sheffield College, trustee of a community care charity and advisory roles with companies involved in regeneration and environment. He was also an assessor for the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, a role that concluded with the publication of the final report in September 2024. Prior to being selected as Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund England Committee John was a member of that committee.

    John has been heavily involved in the policy agenda for UK cities through the Core Cities network, the Northern Powerhouse initiative and with Government in securing city and city region devolution deals and participating in trade missions.His early career was in the arts, primarily in London and the North-East, and he sees a highlight of that part of his career being the reopening of the Roundhouse in London which enabled its subsequent redevelopment.

    Kate Still

    Kate is currently conducting the Independent Review of Community Learning and

    Development across Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. She was a Board

    member of ERSA for many years, Chair of Employment Support Scotland and a Fellow of

    the Institute of Employability. Kate started her career as a teacher after completing an MA

    (Hons) in Politics at Glasgow University.

    She has over 25 years of relevant experience in delivery of education, apprenticeships, skills, employability and community enterprise and regeneration programmes across multiple sectors, including 15+ years in the Charity sector. Kate has a passionate desire to make a difference coupled with the drive to achieve impact on issues of poverty, equality and diversity and social justice. Kate has held strategic leadership roles at EU and UK levels including Management of EU aid programmes to Central and Eastern Europe. A former Board Member of Strathclyde European Partnership, she completed her MPhil in European Policy research at Strathclyde University in 2011.Kate has held Director roles previously with the Prince’s Trust, Rathbone and Wise Group.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    These positions are remunerated at £24,000 per annum. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. John Mothersole and Kate Still have not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Citizens urged to take part in International Fire Safety and Prevention Week

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has called on all South Africans to participate in this year’s International Fire Safety and Prevention Week, which will be observed from 6 to 12 October 2024.

    This global event aims to raise awareness of fire prevention and safety practices, encouraging individuals, communities and businesses to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of fires and protect lives.

    According to the organisation, South Africans can pledge their support by learning more about fire safety, practising safe fire prevention measures at home and in the workplace, and backing local fire services. 

    During the International Fire Safety and Prevention Week, fire services across the country will host a variety of awareness campaigns and community outreach activities to educate the public about fire safety. 

    “These efforts will include school visits, fire drills, safety demonstrations, and information sessions designed to help communities better understand how they can prevent fires and respond effectively in an emergency,” the NDMC said.

    Meanwhile, the NDMC has also taken the time to recognise the heroic work done by the brave men and women of fire services across the country, both public and designated services, who are at the forefront of fire prevention and emergency response. 

    “Their dedication to protecting lives and property, often in dangerous and challenging conditions, deserves the highest praise.” 

    The organisation has been working closely with all provinces and local municipalities to strengthen fire safety and prevention measures across the country.

    Since 2016, according to NDMC statistics, more than 118 municipalities have been assessed, with more than 500 fire safety practitioners trained in fire risk assessment and safety strategies through partnership with the Fire Protection Association of South Africa (FPASA).

    “In line with the Fire Services White Paper, fire services are encouraged to pursue the implementation of an integrated fire risk management strategy, as it is critical that collectively we, as a nation, focus on fire prevention and preparedness together,” the statement read. 

    Fire is preventable, and the NDMC urges everyone to take simple steps, such as:

    • Educating communities to build their informal dwellings with a minimum gap of three meters between them to reduce the risk of fire spreading quickly.
    • Ensuring that the spaces between these buildings are kept clear of debris and always maintain open and accessible roads leading to the homes, so that emergency vehicles can reach them without delay.
    • Ensuring that homes are equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
    • Creating and practising fire escape plans.
    • Being mindful of potential fire hazards, such as unattended cooking or faulty electrical wiring.
    • Educating children, family members, and the frail and elderly about fire safety measures. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI: Calfrac Well Services Ltd. to Announce 2024 Third Quarter Earnings Release and Hold a Conference Call and Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calfrac Well Services Ltd. (“Calfrac”) (TSX:CFW) intends to release its 2024 third quarter results before the market opens on Wednesday November 6, 2024, and has scheduled a conference call to begin at 10:00 A.M. MT (12:00 P.M. ET) on the same day.

    Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis will be posted onto Calfrac’s website and on SEDAR+ after the press release has been disseminated.

    A webcast of the conference call can be accessed through the link below:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/u6rkjvae

    A replay of the conference call will also be available on Calfrac’s website for at least 90 days.

    To participate in the Q&A session, you may dial-in (toll free) 1-833-630-1956 (or at 1-412-317-1837 for international participants) fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the call and ask for the Calfrac Well Services Ltd. 2024 Third Quarter Earnings Release Conference Call to register.

    About Calfrac:

    Calfrac’s common shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CFW”.

    Calfrac provides specialized oilfield services to exploration and production companies designed to increase the production of hydrocarbons from wells with continuing operations focused throughout North America and Argentina. The Company executes on its brand promise of “Do It Safely, Do It Right, Do It Profitably” to generate long-term, sustainable returns for its shareholders.

    Further information regarding Calfrac Well Services Ltd., including the most recently filed Annual Information Form, can be accessed on Calfrac’s website at http://www.calfrac.com or under the Company’s public filings found at http://www.sedarplus.ca.

    For further information on this conference call, please contact:

    Michael Olinek
    Chief Financial Officer
    (403) 234-6673

    Suite 500, 407 – 8 Avenue S.W.
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1E5
    Website: http://www.calfrac.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal development consent decision announced

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport.

    The application comprises a new roll-on/roll-off facility comprising a new jetty with three berths, improved hardstanding, Terminal buildings and an internal side bridge to cross over existing port infrastructure. 

    The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Associated British Ports on 10 February 2023 and accepted for Examination on 06 March 2023. 

    Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 25 April 2024.  

    This is the 53rd transport application out of 144 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.  

    Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to participate in this six-month Examination.  

    The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State. 

    The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Transport and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website. 

    Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:  

    Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inside the Oasis Restore secure school

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    YJB Chief Executive, Steph Roberts-Bibby reflects on her visit to the UK’s first secure school and its unique focus on education, healthcare and wellbeing.

    The secure school’s education centre.

    Back in May, I joined Minister Argar and the Youth Custody Service to visit the UK’s first secure school and explore its revolutionary approach to youth justice. As we toured the site, what stood out to me was an unmistakeable feeling of care.   

    The Oasis Restore secure school has now opened its doors and has started to welcome its first children.  

    What does the secure school offer?  

    The school, which was a former secure training centre, felt worlds away from my experiences as a prison officer at Feltham young offender’s institution (YOI) in 1997 and other adult prisons throughout my career, with more similarities to university accommodation than custody. The environment felt compassionate and child-orientated, nurturing children to change, grow and learn.  

    Security was built into the infrastructure without feeling oppressive, but still appropriately secure – there were no bars on the windows, no keys or locks, only wristband-operated fobs. It was these subtle differences that made me leave Oasis Restore feeling hopeful. 

    The bedrooms were calming and quiet with private ensuite bathrooms and built-in computer screens for doing homework and watching TV. The attention to detail throughout was evident. There was artwork on the walls, and soft blankets and sofas in the shared living spaces. These are incredibly important to help children learn to cohabit and foster a sense of community and responsibility. 

    Oasis Restore provides family rooms with kitchens so that children can cook and eat with their families when they visit. Our guide Dr Sadie pointed out that this can be very culturally important when living away from home, not least for successful rehabilitation but also for rebuilding existing family relationships. Siblings often visit with families, and evidence shows that intergenerational and sibling offending is common, so having a space promoting learning, togetherness and care is key to prevent further offending among families. 

    A shared living area in one of the flats at the secure school.

    The site boasts brand-new state-of-the-art facilities, including 3D printers in the design technology classroom, a hair and beauty salon and even music recording booths. While other sites do provide similar facilities, never had I seen them at this standard before. These facilities provide a wide range of educational opportunities, including core academic subjects and vocational training in areas like barbering, drama and catering, that children might otherwise have never been exposed to.  

    Therapeutic sensory rooms are also woven throughout the site. These supportive spaces have soft beanbags and padded walls to support children to regulate their emotions during the day and take time out when needed. 

    Looking to the future 

    As the tour was finishing, I stopped to speak to a restorative practitioner who was showing some of the creative activities on offer for children. She explained that she would be supporting children through every part of their day at Oasis Restore, be that walking with them to the education centre in the morning, or just being there to chat.  

    When I asked her what part of the new school she was most looking forward to, she said, “I’m just excited for the children to come now.” It’s clear that what makes this approach to youth custody different isn’t just the holistic model or the modern facilities; it’s the people.  

    Strong relationships between staff and children are at the heart of the Oasis model, to truly understand a child’s journey. Oasis Restore’s team are highly trained and committed to providing responsive, psychologically informed and developmentally appropriate models of support and education for children in their care. Relational practice is also crucial, with staff committed to loving children like their own, and this shone through from the practitioners I spoke with at the school.  

    The Oasis secure school is a prime example of how custody for children can and should be done: care-focused, needs-led and with children at the heart. This model inspires hope for the future about how we can best support children to go on to live crime-free lives and make our communities safer places with fewer victims. 

    What is a ‘secure school’?  

    The first-of-its-kind secure school in Rochester houses children who are on remand or sentenced to custody. But what exactly is a secure school? 

    Oasis Restore places education and healthcare at the heart of its approach to support children and steer them away from reoffending. This unique model was recommended by Charlie Taylor, the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, who has long advocated for a different approach to children in custody. In 2016, prior to becoming Chair of the Youth Justice Board from 2017-2020, he conducted an independent review of the youth justice system 

    The Oasis Restore philosophy 

    At the Youth Justice Board, we have long advocated for a rethink of how children are cared for in custody. This is because our evidence tells us that to be effective, secure settings must be small and replicate a safe family home environment with a sense of community and trust. They should also have excellent healthcare and education provisions. 

    The Oasis Restore model mirrors this, and I was pleased to see that these values shine through when visiting the school. Oasis Restore is guided by the understanding that children are different from adults. Its philosophy ensures that each child’s voice is heard and valued, and opportunities are created for them to contribute within a school community.  

    In the words of the school: “Oasis Restore is a secure school enabling young people to live their best lives, through education, wellbeing, and hope.” 

    The secure school gives children the opportunity to make positive choices about their futures upon release from custody. By equipping them with essential skills and education, the school not only benefits children but hopes to reduce crime rates and make our communities safer places to live with fewer victims.  

    Who is the Oasis Restore secure school for? 

    Although the number of children in custody is the lowest on record since records began (an average of 440 children were in custody between 2022-23), we know that the children who remain in the secure estate are vulnerable and often have complex needs.  

    2021 Census data showed that more than three-quarters (79.8%) of people who went on to receive a custodial sentence had been identified with special educational needs (SEN) at some point during their schooling 

    Lower education levels are also likely. The same dataset also found that young adults who receive custodial sentences have lower levels of educational attainment, with only 37% achieving the expected level of English and maths by the end of key stage 2 compared with 53% of peers with non-custodial sentences.  

    In a 2022 joint inspection of education, training and employment services from HM Inspectorate of Probation, almost 65% of children had been excluded from school from at some point 

    Justice-involved children have also experienced higher levels of trauma throughout childhood and themselves are victims. This makes it crucial for the school to be care-focused, needs-led, and Child First. In one study of 80 children, over 75% had experienced family violence or child abuse  

    The secure school will care for children aged between 12-18-years-old who are on remand or sentenced to custody. It will be home to up to 49 children at any one time, both girls and boys. Every child will be enrolled in formal education or training and encouraged into further study or employment on release. This innovative new model of care will promote rehabilitation and contribute to positive outcomes for children, leading to fewer victims and safer communities. 

    The Discovery-i education centre at the secure school.

    What makes Oasis Restore different? 

    The Oasis Restore secure school is unique in its approach and Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, said to visitors at the opening event: “From the day children arrive, the focus is on preparing them for the day they leave.”  

    The school has been co-designed with children working with youth justice services and will be registered as both an academy and a secure children’s home. It will be inspected by Ofsted and held to the same standards as other schools across England.  

    While the current secure estate is not fit for purpose, the secure school offers a Child First redesign. It’s an innovative, holistic approach to custody for children within a secure setting. This is what distinguishes the secure school from existing youth custody provisions and sends a message to children that they are valued; something many may not have experienced growing up.  

    I spoke to a colleague from NHS England during the visit, a key partner in the development of the school, and heard about just some of the wellbeing services on offer, including advice on dieting, smoking, body image, as well as wider mental health and physical health support.  

    Education at the school is based on the reflective practice model, with a therapeutic approach to learning. It is recognised that many of the children who will live at the secure school are likely to be disengaged from education and so staff are specially trained to focus on one-to-one support and children’s individual needs, which their curriculum will be tailored around.  

    A place of hope 

    The secure school is a place where children can feel safe and be supported by well-trained staff who are committed to developing positive purpose. We at the YJB support and advocate this approach in line with the evidence base. I echo the words of Ed Cornmell, Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service, when he says the school represents a “revolutionary change for the youth justice system.” 

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Brazil Cancer Drug Clinical Trials Brazil Clinical Trial Registry ANVISA Brazil Guidelines

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delhi, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brazil Cancer Drugs Clinical Trials Insight 2024 Report Offering:

    • Brazil Clinical Trials Market Opportunity 2024 and 2030 (In US$ Million)
    • Clinical Trials Regulatory Framework In Brazil
    • Total Number of Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials In Brazil
    • Total Number Of Cancer Drugs Approved In Brazil
    • 400 Pages Clinical Trials Insight On All Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials By Company, Indication and Phase
    • 80 Pages Clinical Insight On All Cancer Drugs Approved in Market By Company and Indication
    • Insight On 25 Pharmaceutical Companies & CRO In Brazil

    Download Report:  https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-clinical-trials-brazil-cancer-drug-research-brazil-cancer-drug-research-brazil-oncology-drug-development-brazil

    Brazil’s cancer drug clinical trial landscape has been evolving rapidly in recent years, positioning the country as an increasingly important player in global oncology research. As the largest country in Latin America, with a population of over 215 million and a diverse genetic makeup, Brazil offers unique opportunities for conducting clinical trials for conducting clinical trials in oncology. The Brazilian clinical trial environment is characterized by a mix of private and public health systems, providing researchers with access to a wide range of patient population. This diversity is particularly valuable in cancer research, where genetic and environmental factors can significantly influence treatment outcomes. Major urban cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre have become hubs for clinical research, housing state-of-the-art medical facilities and research institutions.

    One of the key drivers of Brazil’s growing prominence in cancer drug trials is the country’s high cancer burden. According to estimates, Brazil recorded around 630,000 new cancer cases in 2022, which is estimated to cross 750,000 by 2030. This high incidence rate, coupled with the need for innovative treatments, has created a song impetus for conducting oncology trials in the country. Breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancers are among the most common types, aligning with global trends and research priorities.

    The regulatory landscape for clinical trials in Brazil has seen significant improvements in recent years. The Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) has streamlined i8ts approval processes, reducing timelines for trial initiation. The creation of the Rede Nacional de Pesquisa Clínica (RNPC) has also facilitated the convict of multicenter trials across the country. These regulatory advancements have made Brazil more attractive to international pharmaceutical companies and research organizations looking to conduct global trials.

    Brazil’s participation in international collaborative research networks has further enhanced its position in cancer drug trials. The country is increasingly involved in global phase III trials, allowing Brazilian patients access to cutting-edge experimental therapies this involvement not only contributes to global drug development but also helps build local expertise and infrastructure for conducting complex oncology trials.

    The Brazilian government has also played a role in fostering cancer research through initiatives like the National Policy for Cancer Care (PNAO). This policy aims to improve cancer care across the country and includes provisions for supporting clinical research. Additionally, public-private partnerships have emerged as a key strategy for advancing cancer drug development in Brazil, combining government resources with private sector expertise and funding.

    However, challenges remain in Brazil’s clinical trial landscape. Disparities in healthcare access and quality between urban and rural areas can affect patient recruitment and trial conduct. Language barriers and the need for translation of trial materials can also add complexity to international studies. Moreover, navigating the Brazilian regulatory system, despite improvements, can still be complex for foreign sponsors unfamiliar with local processes.

    Another significant aspect of Brazil’s cancer drug trials landscape is the focus on biosimilars and generics. As patents on several key oncology drugs expire, Brazil has become an important market for biosimilar development and testing. This aligns with the country’s efforts to increase access to cancer treatments and reduce healthcare costs.

    Looking ahead, Brazil’s cancer drug clinical trial landscape shows promise for continued growth and innovations. The country’s large and diverse patient population, improving regulatory environment, and growing expertise in oncology research make it an attractive destination for global cancer drug development. As Brazil continues to invest in its research infrastructure and capabilities, it poised to play an increasingly significant role in advancing cancer treatments on a global scale.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Lebanon struggles to cope as over a million people flee Israel’s military invasion- Oxfam

    Source: Oxfam –

    The Lebanese authorities, communities and humanitarian agencies are struggling to shelter and provide the necessities of life to over one million people fleeing Israel’s airstrikes and invasion to the south, Oxfam said today. 

    Oxfam is working with local partners in Lebanon and alongside other aid agencies as part of the government’s humanitarian response plan following Israel’s invasion of Southern Lebanon and aerial bombardment. 

    Oxfam assessments in shelters across Lebanon have found people most need mattresses, bedding, and cooking and sanitation items. Women also need sanitary pads, towels, and underwear. Oxfam and partners have started distributing some of this aid as well as water.

    “People are coming to us traumatized. Most of them have lost their houses and relatives. Some of them are scared because of the scale of bombardment as they were fleeing.”

    Gheith Bittar, Executive Director of SHIFT

    Oxfam partner SHIFT – Social Innovation Hub

    Gheith Bittar, Executive Director for Oxfam partner SHIFT – Social Innovation Hub, said more displaced people are arriving by the day and he fears shelters may buckle under the strain.  

    “The shelters are not ready to host the number of displaced people we are taking on and 629 are already full. They are public schools that are not equipped to be shelters and we are facing problems. For example, we don’t have hot water for showers. We will get to a point where we won’t be able to cope. Without funds, we cannot sustain our support to the shelters. The ground invasion will only increase the number of refugees, and we have already seen an increase in the number of displaced people on a daily basis with the continuous bombardment. The situation will only get worse as winter approaches. 

    “People are coming to us traumatized. Most of them have lost their houses and relatives. Some of them were scared because of the scale of bombardment as they were fleeing, and many others because of their fear of the unknown coming to a new city. People are suffering, they have many, many, issues to think about,” 

    Oxfam says without a ceasefire, the greenlight by Israel to a ground invasion in southern Lebanon will likely lead to a further escalation of the conflict and fighting, that will cause even more destruction of communities and inflame an already volatile region. 

    “The ground invasion and bombardment that includes Beirut and the southern suburbs will create a serious challenge for the humanitarian system in a few short days. People are being forced to flee with little to no notice, and often having to leave everything behind to shelters that are inadequate or sharing crowded homes with few essential supplies. None know when they can return. Without a ceasefire, the number of people desperately in need will only grow, as will their needs. The shelter system is set to collapse if there is no peace on the horizon,” said Oxfam’s Lebanon Country Director, Bachir Ayoub. 

    Oxfam is appealing for donations globally. “The needs of people in Lebanon who’ve been injured, traumatized and displaced, in fear of what the future might hold for them, are already huge. No other solution other than a ceasefire can alleviate the crisis they are facing,” Ayoub said. 

    There must be an end to this violence. All parties must stop fighting. We need safe space to get people the aid they need,” he said.  

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI: Beneficient Appoints Patrick J. Donegan to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled financial services holding company, today announced the appointment of Patrick J. Donegan as an independent member of the Company’s Board of Directors as of September 30, 2024. In addition to being an independent director, he was appointed to serve on the Audit, Products and Related Party Transactions, Credit and Enterprise Risk committees of the Board.

    Mr. Donegan brings almost thirty years of compliance, legal, banking and capital markets experience to Ben, having held various senior compliance positions, including as Chief Compliance Officer, for bank holding companies and broker dealers and as Assistant General Counsel for a securities company. Over the course of his career, Mr. Donegan has attained eleven FINRA licenses and two certifications from the American Bankers Association, including the Certified Regulatory Compliance Mangers designation, and currently holds a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist certification.

    “Our Board worked to identify a new, independent director who would bring unique skills and senior experience to support Ben’s commitment to operate using industry best practices,” said Beneficient’s CEO and Chairman Brad Heppner. “I am pleased to welcome Patrick to Ben’s Board. Patrick’s extensive legal and regulatory compliance experience – specifically within the FinTech industry – will provide valuable leadership and governance insights to the Board.”

    Mr. Donegan received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Donegan currently serves as a Senior Adviser at Premier Consulting Partners, Inc., a consulting firm focused on operational risk evaluation and compliance, and previously served as the Global Chief Compliance Officer of OKX Group from August 2023 to January 2024. From 2015 to 2023, Mr. Donegan held various leadership positions at Signature Bank, including Chief Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President and Sanctions Compliance Officer. Mr. Donegan’s professional career has also included positions with a number of prominent investment banks, including Cantor Fitzgerald, RBC, Guggenheim, BNP Paribas and Nat West, and compliance roles at Mitsubishi UFJ and Hudson City Bancorp. Through his legal experience and compliance officer roles, Mr. Donegan has developed expertise in identifying risks and establishing policies and procedure to effectively manage those risks. Mr. Donegan’s understanding of banking and capital markets rules and the related regulatory processes will benefit the Company’s efforts to maintain industry best practices across the organization.

    About Beneficient

    Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds − with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote™ tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment.

    Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

    For more information, visit http://www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Investors

    investors@beneficient.com

    Contacts

    Matt Kreps: 214-597-8200, mkreps@darrowir.com
    Michael Wetherington: 214-284-1199, mwetherington@darrowir.com
    Investor Relations: investors@beneficient.com

    Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be generally identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this document and are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, assumptions, beliefs and information. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this document. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this document and in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Anti CD70 Antibodies Clinical Trials FDA Approval CD70 Cancer Therapies Clinical Trials Market Opportunity Insight

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delhi, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global CD70 Targeting Therapies Market Opportunity and Clinical Trials Insight 2024 Report Highlights:

    • CD70 Targeting Therapies In Clinical Trials: > 20 Therapies
    • CD 70 Targeting Therapies Clinical Trials Insight By Company, Country, Indication and Phase
    • Insight On CD70 Targeting Therapy Technology Platforms: 6 Platforms
    • FDA and EMA Designations Insight: Orphan, FTD, RMAT Designation
    • Combination Stratagems for CD70 Targeting Therapies
    • Insight On 10 Companies Involved In Development Of CD70 Therapies

    Download Report:

    https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-cd70-antibodies-cd70-antibody-targeting-therapies-cd70-targeting-therapies-market-cd70-targeting-therapies-trials-cd70-antibodies-fda-approval

    In the dynamic realm of immunotherapy, CD70 inhibitors have emerged as promising candidates, opening a new frontier in precision medicine. The immune system is subject to intricate modulation through various checkpoints, with CD70, a multifaceted cell surface molecule, playing a pivotal role in influencing immune responses and cellular interactions. The inhibition of CD70 presents a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention, and this article serves as a comprehensive guide to the burgeoning landscape of CD70 inhibitors.

    From facilitating T-cell activation to maintaining immune homeostasis, CD70 is integral in shaping immune responses. However, its dysregulation has been implicated in numerous diseases, rendering it an intriguing target for therapeutic modulation. The history of CD70 inhibitors sheds light on the molecule’s multifaceted roles in both health and disease, alongside the development of targeted pharmacological agents aimed at modulating its activity. The groundwork for CD70 inhibitors began with the identification of CD70 as a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. Initially recognized for its role in T-cell activation, CD70’s expression on activated immune cells marked a significant milestone in immunology.

    Research throughout the 1990s delved into the immunomodulatory functions of CD70, revealing its involvement in T-cell co-stimulation and the regulation of immune responses. The perception of CD70 as a viable therapeutic target gained momentum as its dysregulation was associated with autoimmune disorders and certain cancers. The early 2000s witnessed an intensified exploration of CD70 as a potential therapeutic target, particularly concerning cancer and autoimmune diseases. Preclinical studies involving animal models and in vitro experiments laid the foundation for investigating the efficacy of CD70 inhibition in altering immune responses and disease progression.

    Advancements in biotechnology and drug development techniques during the mid-2010s facilitated the design and synthesis of CD70 inhibitors. Monoclonal antibodies and small molecules targeting CD70 emerged as promising candidates for therapeutic intervention, providing a means to selectively modulate CD70-mediated signaling pathways. The first half of the 2020s saw the initiation of clinical trials evaluating the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of CD70 inhibitors in human subjects.

    Several ongoing clinical trials focus on various disease contexts, including cancer and autoimmune disorders, with the aim of translating promising preclinical findings into tangible therapeutic outcomes. One notable example is SEA-CD70, an investigational sugar-engineered antibody targeting CD70, currently undergoing clinical research for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. This phase I, open-label, multicenter, dose-finding, and dose-expansion study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and antitumor activity of SEA-CD70, either as a monotherapy or in combination with azacitidine. Sponsored by Seagen, this investigation was initiated in August 2020, and is expected to be completed by November 2026.

    The development and utilization of CD70 inhibitors present several potential advantages across diverse medical contexts. CD70 is often upregulated in various cancers, promoting immune evasion; thus, CD70 inhibitors can modulate immune responses and enhance the anti-tumor activity of immune cells, particularly T cells. Inhibiting CD70 may directly affect tumor cells by reducing their proliferation and survival, potentially slowing cancer progression.

    Moreover, CD70 inhibitors offer a targeted therapeutic approach by specifically addressing the dysregulated immune responses associated with CD70 expression. This precision may minimize off-target effects commonly seen in broader immunosuppressive strategies. The exploration of CD70 inhibitors represents a captivating journey into the intricate world of immunomodulation and targeted therapy. The multifaceted roles of CD70 in health and disease have catalyzed the development of inhibitors with the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy, autoimmune disorders, and beyond.

    As these inhibitors advance through clinical trials, the narrative surrounding CD70 inhibition evolves with each study, providing insights into their safety, efficacy, and broader applications. The prospect of precision medicine, where tailored interventions reshape patient care, is on the horizon. Furthermore, the potential synergies with existing therapeutic modalities hint at a future where combination strategies harness the full power of the immune system against complex diseases.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft supports projects to study and preserve biodiversity

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On October 4, the whole world celebrates Animal Protection Day, which was established in 1931 with the aim of drawing attention to the problems of preserving the inhabitants of our planet.

    Rosneft pays special attention to environmental issues and biodiversity conservation. Environmental care is an integral part of the Company’s corporate culture and social responsibility. The protection and preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity is one of Rosneft’s main environmental goals until 2035.

    The Company is implementing the largest Arctic region study program since Soviet times. Over 50 expeditions have been conducted over 12 years, during which the country’s leading scientists have studied key species-bioindicators of Arctic ecosystem stability: polar bear, Atlantic walrus, wild reindeer and ivory gull. This has allowed them to collect a unique array of information about the Arctic animal world. The data obtained is used to create a series of ecological atlases by Rosneft and Innopraktika.

    In 2024, as part of the national project “Ecology”, the Company launched a new research program called “Tamura”. In the period up to 2027, it is planned to study reindeer, polar bear, valuable bird species, and fish in the mouth of the Yenisei River on the Taimyr Peninsula. In total, ten expeditions will be conducted over four years. This season, scientists have already carried out field work to study birds on the Brekhov Islands, as well as large islands of the Yenisei Gulf. The total length of the air routes of the bird study expedition conducted in the Krasnoyarsk Territory exceeded 4,000 km.

    In addition, with the support of Rosneft, a research expedition to study wild reindeer was organized within the Tamura program. The total length of the expedition’s boat routes to study wild reindeer exceeded 2,800 km, and the area of aerial observations was 360 thousand km2. Rosneft has been studying wild reindeer since 2014. During this time, large-scale ground and aerial surveys of animals were conducted in Evenkia and Taimyr. Using satellite tags installed on the reindeer, scientists tracked their full annual migration cycle for the first time, and also identified seasonal behavior patterns.

    The Company pays special attention to the study and conservation of the polar bear. Scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with the Company’s specialists, conducted a full-scale census of the polar bear population distribution during the ice-free period on the northwestern coast of the Taimyr Peninsula and the islands of the Kara Sea as part of the Tamura program. The total length of the polar bear study expedition’s air routes exceeded 2,500 km, and the scientists encountered 50 Arctic predators in total. For the first time in Russian practice, ear radio tags were placed not only on females, but also on males.

    Rosneft, together with the non-governmental development institute Innopraktika and the Center for Full Genome Sequencing, are implementing a unique project to create a genomic database of living organisms in the Russian Arctic. This information is needed for long-term planning of the region’s sustainable development and the preservation of its fragile ecosystems. Among the priority projects is the assembly of the polar bear’s full genome.

    Since 2013, Rosneft has been the guardian of all polar bears living in Russian zoos. Currently, the Company patronizes 34 polar bears in 16 zoos in the country, providing them with care, feeding, veterinary support, and updating their enclosures. With the support of the Company, special toys have been developed to increase the physical activity of the animals. In addition, Rosneft is implementing a program to rescue and rehabilitate young polar bears left in the wild without the care of their mothers.

    Rosneft also supports programs to preserve the Amur tiger population – interacting with specially protected natural areas in the predator’s habitat, rehabilitation and reintroduction centers for animals. With the Company’s participation, equipment and transport for scientific purposes are purchased, and social infrastructure for scientists is being built.

    In 2024, scientists from the Siberian Federal University, with the support of Rosneft, analyzed the state of the wolf population in the Evenki District of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The result of the research was a set of recommendations from specialists on improving the regulation of the number of predators to maintain the balance of ecosystems. In total, the researchers conducted 67 field trips to various areas and reserves of Yenisei Siberia. Specialists developed a method for calculating the number of predators, according to which the wolf population in Evenkia numbers 2,600 individuals.

    The study and protection of the whale and dolphin population is one of the areas of the Company’s environmental program. As part of environmental monitoring when supporting Rosneft projects, observations are made from ships of all mammals found in the vast expanses of the seas, including whales and dolphins. One of the main species that receives close attention is the gray whale of the Okhotsk Sea population. The program for monitoring the Okhotsk Sea population of gray whales on the northeastern shelf of Sakhalin Island has been conducted for 27 years. As part of the program, the population size is annually counted, animal behavior is observed, their food supply is studied, photo-identification studies and acoustic monitoring are carried out.

    In addition, in 2020, Rosneft, together with the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, implemented a large-scale project to study and monitor Black Sea dolphins. Based on the results of 3 years of observations, modern up-to-date data were obtained on the number and preferred habitats of Black Sea dolphins, and the characteristics of their seasonal distribution. Recommendations were prepared for the study and conservation of Black Sea cetaceans.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 4, 2024

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

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

    http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/220882/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New energy efficiency grants for homes not heated by mains gas

    Source: City of York

    Eligible households in York which aren’t heated by mains gas are being given free energy-efficiency boosts by the Council for greater comfort, lower bills and less carbon output.

    During this month of environmental action in York (14 September-12 October), residents are being urged to check their eligibility and grab a grant for measures suitable for their home.

    The grants are for up to 60 households which are owned or privately rented. They offer energy-efficiency measures suitable for homes ranging from insulation upgrades to modern low-carbon heating systems or even photovoltaic panels. Eligible homeowners can get 100% grants and eligible private landlords can get 66% grants.

    Eligible homes must:

    • have a total household annual income of £36,000 or less, or live in specific areas
    • be heated primarily by non-gas fuel such as oil, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), coal, solid fuels or electricity
    • have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower.

    If the household is eligible and the home is suitable, the grant can be used for one or a number of improvements. These could include:

    • Wall, loft and floor insulation
    • New, efficient low-carbon heating system
    • Solar photovoltaic (PV) which generate free electricity
    • High heat-retaining electric storage heaters.

    Sixteen postcodes in York have been identified where residents can automatically qualify for the grant if their home isn’t heated mainly by gas and has an EPC rating of D or below. Residents can see if they live in a pre-qualified area using this interactive map – simply add the address or postcode in the search bar to find out.

    Residents living outside those postcodes in a home with an EPC rating of D or below and isn’t heated mainly by gas, will be eligible only if their household income is £36,000 or less.

    If a home’s EPC rating is unknown, please contact the Council’s delivery partner, Clear Climate, to discuss an assessment as part of your application.

    Steve Coupland, a resident of Stockton on the Forest, applied and qualified for a grant for his bungalow. For the council, contractor Clear Climate assessed his home and installed 300 millimetre-thick loft insulation, and a low-carbon heating system via an air source heat pump (ASHP) which is about three times more efficient than LPG, oil, electricity and gas boilers.

    The ASHP now provides him with hot water for a new central heating system and six new radiators, the system can be controlled by a phone app or a control panel. He has access to instant hot water throughout his home fed by his new accompanying insulated hot water tank.

    Steve said:

    The loft insulation has made a vast difference already: it’s 300mm deep now which is really warm so I’ve not needed to switch on my new heating yet. The installation was a fantastic job: clean and tidy and they were in and out in three days.

    “Last winter was a bit grim, but this year I’m hoping the insulation and heating system will halve my bills at least.”

    Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, said:

    Don’t wait to get your grant! The improvements will help your home stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, while saving on carbon emissions and on your energy bills. They’re designed not to be too disruptive to install – and you’ll certainly feel the difference when they’re in.

    “If you’re eligible, please take up this terrific offer to benefit you and future generations who live in your home!”

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment, said:

    Every house is different and the solution for your home will be tailor-made to ensure that it is more comfortable and cheaper to run. We look at each house construction and where it needs insulation to stop heat escaping. Then we check if it’s suitable for electricity generating panels and/or identify the most effective form of low-energy heating with the lowest carbon impact.

    “60 upgrades are on offer and we want them all to be used; check if you qualify and get in touch with the team.”

    City of York Council is writing to eligible residents and is working with contractor Clear Climate to deliver this project, and who are visiting pre-qualified postcodes.

    Other funding is being used by the Council to improve energy efficiency in council homes.

    To find out if you and your home are eligible and to see the pre-qualifying postcodes, please visit http://www.york.gov.uk/HUG or contact Clear Climate by calling 0191 710 2550, texting 0786 090 7354 or emailing sales@clearclimate.co.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Third State University Moot Court Competition held in Mostar

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Third State University Moot Court Competition held in Mostar

    The Faculty of Law of the University of Mostar organized jointly with the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH (HJPC BiH), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) the Third State University Moot Court Competition in Mostar. (OSCE) Photo details

    Mostar, 4 October 2024 – From 2 to 4 October the Faculty of Law of the University of Mostar organized jointly with the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH (HJPC BiH), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) the Third State University Moot Court Competition in Mostar. 16 law students and their professors from the law faculties in Zenica, Tuzla, Bihać and Mostar attending the competition were able to present their best skills and knowledge in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
    The competition was divided in several phases: in May 2024, a case study on the rights of vulnerable groups and trafficking in human beings was developed by the Mission and distributed to the teams to prepare written submissions in July 2024. The final round in October focused on the teams’ oratory skills in presenting their arguments.
    The written submissions of each team of four students and a mentor were evaluated and presented before the panel of judges composed of members of the justice community in BiH: the Court of BiH, the Ombudsman Institution, the Constitutional Court of BiH, other courts, prosecutor’s offices, and the Bar.
    This competition was designed to highlight the talent of young legal professionals vis-a-vis important rule of law and human rights issues advocated by the Mission. It was an excellent opportunity to build students’ legal analytical skills, increase their capacity to develop briefs, and provide a forum to practice oral argumentation before prominent legal professionals in BiH. In addition, the teams have enhanced their practical knowledge of applying the European Convention on Human Rights in accordance with rules and procedures that apply before the European Court of Human Rights.
    Representing the students, Ms. Magdalena Zelenika, deputy president of the Student Union of the Faculty of Law, University of Mostar underlined the importance of the competition in simulating trial before the ECtHR for education and professional development. “It allowed us to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, and at the same time we got the opportunity to co-operate with the best legal experts in the country. These experiences have further motivated us to continue working on ourselves and prepare for the challenges of the legal profession that await us”, she added.
    Ms. Sanela Gorušanović Butigan, Deputy President of the HJPC BiH pointed out that for the third year in a row the HJPC BiH supports the implementation of this competition, which is important for the professional development of students and the improvement of legal education.
    “Our commitment to improving education through the practical application of theoretical knowledge was confirmed by the adoption of the Guidelines on long-term cooperation between judicial institutions and law faculties. These Guidelines, adopted in February 2023, resulted in the active engagement of the majority of judicial institutions, including the HJPC BiH, which shows the commitment of the judiciary to contribute to the quality education of future legal experts,” said Deputy President Gorušanović Butigan.
    “We see the topics that you have researched in the past few weeks as extremely relevant for the BiH context – rule of law and fundamental freedoms are high on the agenda of the Mission and they are an important part of BiH’s path towards the EU”, stated Mr. Jiri Rous, Head of the Mission’s Field Office in Mostar. “This competition proves to be a valuable opportunity for the young people from different parts of the country to meet, learn together and network”, he noted.
    The Mission commends the hard work of the participating teams in the past several months, congratulates to the winners and stands ready to support the activity in the future.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched after man fatally stabbed in Ilford

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a man was found stabbed at a residential property in Ilford.

    Police were called at 01.06hrs on Friday, 4 October to reports of a stabbing in Chapel Road, Ilford.

    Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a 50-year-old man suffering from a stab injury in the corridor of a block of flats.

    Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at 01:30hrs.

    His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

    The investigation is being led by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

    Officers carried out fast-paced enquiries and three men, aged 40, 36 and 28, were arrested shortly after on suspicion of murder. They were taken to an east London police station where they remain in custody.

    Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Basford, who is in charge of policing for the East Area Basic Command Unit, said: “My thoughts are first and foremost with the man’s friends and family. I understand this incident will cause concern in the local community, but I’d like to reassure you that this investigation is progressing at pace led by specialist detectives.

    “However, I’d encourage anyone who has any information who hasn’t spoken to us yet to get in touch. My officers will continue to patrol the area over the next few days to offer reassurance and listen to your concerns.”

    Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, who is leading the investigation, said: “My team have been busy carrying out a number of enquiries and we have already arrested three people in connection with the murder. However, our investigation continues and I’d appeal to anyone who has any information, no matter how small, to contact my team so we can ensure those responsible for this heinous crime are brought to justice.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 quoting CAD 298/04OCT. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: AFRICA/TOGO – 19 dead in attack on border post on Burkina Faso

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Video of the assault released by JNIM

    Lomé (Agenzia Fides) – The toll of the attack conducted on the night between 1 and 2 October in Fanworgou, a border town between Togo and Burkina Faso, is 19 dead. A commando of armed men attacked a contingent of Togolese soldiers charged with monitoring the border and protecting the workers of a local company charged with building a protective barrier to prevent the infiltration of armed groups present in Burkina Faso. The commando managed to overcome the barriers already built and attacked the patrols of the Togolese soldiers. They then attacked the hut where the workers were resting and destroyed some of the contractor’s equipment. There were 19 victims on the ground: 9 soldiers and 10 civilians. The injured are at least 8 civilians and 4 soldiers. The army intervened by sending reinforcements and armed helicopters. According to testimonies collected, the attackers included women and children. The attack has not been claimed but occurred about 4 km east of the one on 20 July this year in Kpenkankandi, which cost the lives of at least twenty-one Togolese soldiers, which had been claimed by JNIM (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin “Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims”), which had posted on its social media some footage of the attack taken by its own drone. JNIM, affiliated with Al Qaeda, which operates in the Sahel belt between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, is trying to expand its activities towards the West African states bordering the Atlantic Ocean, such as Togo. In the region bordering Burkina Faso, a state of emergency has been declared since 2022 to deal with armed incursions from the neighbouring state. The border areas of Togo and Burkina Faso and the latter with Benin have long been crossed by tensions linked to the presence of jihadist and criminal groups engaged in illicit trafficking (see Fides 6/10/2023). (LM) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2024)Share:

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Pushing Into a New Age for Digital Advertising – Alkimi Secures Top Exec in NED Role

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Oct. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UK-based Alkimi, the world’s first decentralised ad exchange, is excited to announce the appointment of Robert Bradley as Non-Executive Director. Robert brings over 20 years of experience in the media industry, working for the biggest media brands, and leading digital innovation, commercial strategy, and ad tech operations, driving significant revenue growth across global markets.

    As an advisor at Alkimi, Robert will leverage his extensive background in digital ecosystems, ad technology, and international commercial strategy to help scale Alkimi’s platform, bringing innovative solutions to the forefront of the advertising industry.

    “Robert’s unparalleled expertise in the media sector, particularly in digital strategy and revenue growth, aligns perfectly with Alkimi’s vision of disrupting traditional advertising. At our core, we truly believe in addressing transparency at an industry level, reducing fees whilst gaining efficiency and working our way towards net zero emissions. Robert is the perfect fit to help move mountains with us and we are thrilled to have him on board as we continue to scale and innovate,” said Ben Putley, CEO & Co-Founder of Alkimi.

    Bradley’s career has spanned key leadership roles at News Corp, IDG, CNN International Commercial (CNNIC). His current role as the Senior VP at CNNIC / Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. where he spearheads commercial digital transformation and revenue growth across key digital assets. Alongside managing strategic partnerships across APAC, LATAM, and EMEA regions, he also has experience in managing multi-platform brand partnerships and ad sales, positioning him uniquely to guide Alkimi in its next phase of growth.

    Having followed the highly motivated nimble team for several years, Bradley has been impressed by the meteoric rise, taking note of Alkimi’s transparency and low fees.

    “Alkimi is at the cutting edge of the advertising industry, and I’m excited to be part of a team that’s revolutionizing how brands connect with audiences in a way that’s transparent, efficient and in a way media owners can benefit. I look forward to contributing to the company’s strategic direction and helping it achieve its ambitious goals,” said Robert Bradley, Non-Executive Director at Alkimi. 

    Bradley’s breadth of experience in AdTech and programmatic advertising gives him unique insights, built from years of practical, hands-on senior roles within the ecosystem. Alkimi is not only a natural fit for Bradley, but the company will also benefit from his wealth of knowledge and leadership as it continues to expand its offerings, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in decentralised ad technology. Bradley will be making his first live panel appearance with Alkimi at Zebu Live in October.

    About Alkimi

    Alkimi is a decentralised replacement to the inefficient legacy programmatic ad exchanges with the mission to restore the value exchange between advertisers, publishers and users. Alkimi is a custom layer 2 scaling solution on the Ethereum network, specifically for advertising — which allows us to provide the fastest, infinitely scalable solution with 0% fraud, low transaction fees and complete end-to-end transparency.

    About Robert Bradley 

    Rob joins Alkimi, as a NED, to share his vast background of leading processes related to the digital ecosystem for Web2 companies, such as CNN and Warner Bros Discovery. He is eager to sustain innovation and monetisation of new products, leading ad tech, commercial strategy, TV and digital operations.

    He has two decades of professional experience, including 6+ years as Senior Vice President at Warner Bros Discovery where he oversees Warner One’s commercial Strategy and Revenue. Prior to his current role Rob led commercial partnerships for CNNIC across the UK, US, and Nordics alongside overseeing international digital monetisation, ad operations and innovation. Rob’s illustrious career also includes stints at News Corp, OPW and IDG where he was the Head of Programmatic.

    Contact

    Associate Director of Marketing
    Milly
    Alkimi
    milly@alkimi.org

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: 20 Years Strong: RIB CostX Marks Two Decades of Revolutionizing the Construction Industry

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    2 OCTOBER, 2024, BRISBANE — RIB Software, a global leader in construction software solutions, this year celebrates 20 years of its award-winning all-in-one takeoff, estimating, and reporting software, RIB CostX. 

    CostX is a unified costing platform which seamlessly connects BIM and 2D takeoff and estimating with carbon accounting. With CostX, cost estimators have an easy-to-use tool which reduces errors and improves accuracy. It enables 2D takeoffs with a single click, which increases speed. Its advanced 3D/BIM support means that customers get more accurate calculations, considerable time savings, and improved quality within their estimates.

    For two decades, RIB CostX has been at the forefront of innovation in takeoff and estimation, consistently delivering the tools customers need to achieve accurate and reliable results. From pioneering digital takeoff technology to 5D BIM integration, RIB CostX has continually pushed the boundaries to empower professionals to work more efficiently.

    CostX’s ability to upload models so that all estimators can see the project in 3D is invaluable for our company,” says Allison Koester, Preconstruction Technology Lead at Austin Commercial in the U.S. “New design aspects that appear in the 3D model allow us to discover design features and price them at an early stage of design, helping to optimize our budget. 

    “We consider CostX part of the Austin team – they’ve been integral in our preconstruction technological transformation,” says Allison. “Costx’s outstanding customer support and product help us deliver accurate information that our customers rely on.”

    Ben White, Estimating Manager at Ausco Modular in Australia, adds that CostX is faster and more accurate than other industry software. “CostX is intuitive and widely taught, making it easy to find skilled staff. It suits various business sizes and offers a familiar, user-friendly interface similar to [Microsoft] Excel. It’s effective for companies with both office-based and remote teams.”

    CostX Highlights Through the Years

    CostX launched in 2004 with its first customer win, Rawlinsons, based in Brisbane, Australia. Shortly after, the groundbreaking Auto-Revisioning feature was introduced, facilitating revisions tracking between drawing designs, meaning estimates can be updated without missing critical alterations. Furthermore, CostX began supporting 3D/BIM models, enabling users to leverage large repositories of data to improve the accuracy of their estimates. These early innovations helped establish CostX as a leader in the construction estimation software. 

    In 2007, CostX expanded outside Australia, making its mark on the global stage. The product range was extended in 2009 with the introduction of CostXL, which seamlessly links CostX takeoff data with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. 

    By February 2017, CostX reached the milestone of selling 10,000 licenses globally. Since then, it has won the Estimation and Valuation of the Year award at the Construction Computing Awards for five years in a row.

    In 2018, CostX Cloud was launched to align with new ways of working, offering improved access and collaboration for globally dispersed teams while reducing reliance on internal IT infrastructure.

    In 2021, CostX made significant strides toward sustainability by introducing embodied carbon measurement, allowing users to calculate the carbon impact of materials in the construction process. These innovations have strengthened CostX’s position as a leading solution for the construction industry. 

    RIB understands that every business has unique challenges and requirements. That’s why this year, the company has moved to subscription options to ensure customers have the right takeoff and estimation tools at their fingertips for added flexibility. These products, namely CostX Quantify, CostX Core, and CostX Complete, offer varying functionalities to suit any business’s needs, from focusing solely on takeoff (providing robust measurement and quantification features) through to delivering the full suite of CostX capabilities (offering 2D and BIM takeoff, estimating spreadsheets, robust reports, and more in one program).

    Conclusion

    Since the release of Version 1.0 in 2004, RIB CostX has taken customers on a journey of precision, accuracy, and efficiency. Two decades of users have improved their flexibility, reduced errors, and saved time and money through the company’s award-winning takeoff and estimating.

    From Version 1.0 to Version 7.2, CostX’s journey has been guided by invaluable feedback from users. With each iteration, RIB has added features and functionalities, continuously striving to fulfil its commitment to make construction more efficient and sustainable for all.

    Tony Shaw, Product Solutions Director at RIB Software says, “From its inception twenty years ago, through the nascence of BIM, the advent of sustainability, and the emergence of AI, CostX has remained at the leading edge of technological changes across the construction industry. It has been a privilege to be a part of the team that continues to look forward and strives to exceed the demands of our customers, both present and future.”

    For more information on RIB CostX, please visit http://www.rib-software.com/en/rib-costx

    About RIB Software

    Driven by transformative digital technologies and trends, RIB is committed to propelling the industry forward and making engineering and construction more efficient and sustainable.

    Throughout its 60-year history, the business has expanded its global footprint to incorporate more than 550,000 users and 2,600 talents, with the vision of transforming the operation into a worldwide powerhouse and providing innovative software solutions to its core markets – while placing its people at the heart of everything it does.

    Managing the entire project lifecycle, from planning and construction, to operation and maintenance, the development of RIB’s portfolio of software solutions is driven by industry expertise, best practice and a passion to remain at the cutting edge of technology.

    Press Enquiries

    Tracy Woodland

    Marketing Director

    tracy.woodland@rib-software.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Putin and Sobyanin opened an innovative practical platform in Rudnev

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the Day of Secondary Vocational Education, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Russian Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov opened the Rudnevo practical training site for Moscow colleges.

    “We have started building a large area related to education. This is secondary vocational education. This building where we are is an intercollegiate center for training specialists on high-tech equipment. Next, a laboratory complex is being built. Next, a building for the Stankin University is being built, where there will be a student training center, their laboratories and production areas. Next, a building for the production of Rostec machine tools will be built. So this is a large machine-building complex that will be a center of competence for our country,” the Moscow Mayor said.

    The Rudnevo site is the first innovative educational space for practical training of qualified personnel taking into account the needs of the Moscow economy, which is the largest production and scientific-engineering center of Russia. More than 4.5 thousand enterprises operate here and over 750 thousand people work.

    Educational platform “Rudnevo”

    The college training platform was created taking into account the new concept of secondary vocational education (SVE) development. The capital’s industrial enterprises took part in the development of the project. Advanced training programs, workshops equipped with the most modern equipment, close cooperation with future employers ensure high quality training of sought-after specialists.

    The educational platform is located in the industrial park “Rudnevo”, which is part of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”. College students will study on the same territory with industrial partners – future employers.

    “The site’s capacity allows for training more than three thousand people per year. Practical classes are conducted by the most competent and experienced master teachers and employees of partner employers. Students from 15 Moscow colleges will be the first to undergo practical training here. A Center for Professional Competencies has also been created on the site. Its tasks include updating educational programs and forecasting the emergence of new competencies,” he wrote in his

    telegram channel Sergei Sobyanin.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    The building with a total area of 9.1 thousand square meters houses a high-tech complex, which includes 21 workshops and laboratories. It is as close as possible to the conditions of real production. Here, students will be able to practice professional skills in production conditions in such areas and specialties as:

    — mechanical engineering (assembly mechanic, turner, milling machine operator, operator of CNC machines, general machine operator, welder (manual and partially mechanized welding – surfacing), adjuster of machines and equipment in mechanical processing, specialist in the quality control department);

    — electronics (installer of electronic equipment and devices, assembler of electronic equipment and devices, adjuster of electronic equipment and devices, SMD line operator);

    — automation of production (specialist in servicing mechatronic and robotic systems, fitter of control and measuring instruments and automation, specialist in additive technologies);

    — aviation industry, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) (aircraft electrical equipment fitter, aircraft equipment assembler, aircraft composite parts assembler, unmanned aircraft system operator up to 30 kilograms).

    Thanks to cooperation with residents of the Rudnevo Industrial Park, all conditions for training have been created on the site. Workshops and laboratories are equipped with equipment that is installed in production facilities, and the training programs take into account the needs of future employers.

    The training and production complex of the site includes three blocks.

    The industrial block consists of a section where CNC machines are installed, laboratories for metrology, standardization and certification, precision digital measurements, mechanical engineering design, as well as testing grounds for turning, milling machines, and metalworking and welding work.

    The UAS production site includes areas for programming, installation of aviation and electronic equipment, final assembly of UAS, modeling and manufacturing of molds, composite materials, unit and modular assembly, as well as laboratories for aerodynamics, aeromechanics and UAS data analysis.

    The multi-profile unit consists of metalworking and electrical installation workshops, laboratories for technical systems control, materials science and composite materials, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.

    The uniqueness of the workshops is that they allow for a full-fledged production process to be organized. At the UAS site, students will be able to manufacture drone bodies, solder electronic boards, program, assemble, pilot, and decipher flight data, and in the mechanical engineering zone, they will be able to do metalwork and evaluate the quality of finished products.

    Large industrial enterprises take part in the practical training of students. Among them are the Moscow machine-building plants Avangard and Skorost, the production complex Salut, the National Helicopter Manufacturing Center named after M.L. Mil and N.I. Kamov, the Moscow Design and Production Complex Universal named after A.I. Privalov, the companies Gaskar Group, Kronstadt, Aeromax, Nyukon Energy, CARS, Vemina Aviaprestige, Monolith, Aeropribor-Voskhod.

    Preparing students at the educational site “Rudnevo”

    The capacity of the Rudnevo educational site allows it to train more than three thousand students per year.

    In the 2024/2025 academic year, practical training will be provided to students from 15 secondary specialized educational institutions. These include Polytechnic College No. 8 named after I.F. Pavlov, Polytechnic College named after N.N. Godovikov, Moscow State Educational Complex, College of Communications No. 54 named after P.M. Vostrukhin, College of Automation and Information Technology No. 20, Educational Complex “Yugo-Zapad”, Moscow Industrial College, College of Architecture, Design and Reengineering No. 26, College of Hospitality Industry and Management No. 23, Police College, Moscow College of Business Technologies, College of Modern Technologies named after M.F. Panov, College of Entrepreneurship No. 11, First Moscow Educational Complex and Technological College No. 24.

    Depending on the specialty, students will be able to complete a single professional module in one of the courses or work on site for the entire period of study. In addition, they will have the opportunity to find employment at a partner enterprise. In this case, you can complete your studies according to an individual schedule.

    Practical classes will be conducted by competent and experienced master teachers, as well as representatives of partner employers. In total, 42 masters of industrial training from Moscow colleges and 40 current employees of industrial enterprises of the capital will be able to teach at the site.

    A center of professional competencies has been created on the basis of the site. Here they will be engaged in updating educational programs taking into account the prospective development of science and production technologies, forecasting the emergence of new competencies based on the transformation of production and including them in training programs, as well as methodological support for industrial training masters and improving their pedagogical and professional skills. Cooperation with the country’s leading engineering universities, such as the Moscow State Technological University (MSTU) “Stankin” and the Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman, will help solve these problems.

    In addition, an entrance control of students’ readiness to master programs at the Rudnevo educational platform is provided. For this purpose, the center of professional competencies will interact with partner colleges, providing them with methodological and consulting support.

    Each student has an individual work place on the site. The logistics of the classrooms are well thought out: for example, there are areas for project and group work. Modern public spaces will make extracurricular time comfortable.

    In the coworking space, students can work on projects, discuss ideas, and analyze situations they have considered in class. The assembly hall is designed for conferences and business events.

    The college has a 147-seat canteen where students on a budget are provided with free hot meals. On the third floor there is a cafe whose products are produced and sold by students of Moscow food colleges.

    In addition to the practical training platform for colleges, the Moscow Government, together with MSTU Stankin, is implementing a project within the framework of which the first competence center for the machine tool industry in the country is being created in Rudnev.

    The 19.5 thousand square meter building will house a tool and equipment testing center, an expert analysis center, a design bureau, pilot production, a reverse engineering center, and a numerical control center.

    The center will be able to train and practice about a thousand students per year. The site also organizes pilot and small-scale production of specialized products.

    On the industrial policy of the city of Moscow

    Modern Moscow is the largest industrial and scientific-engineering center of Russia. There are more than 4.5 thousand industrial enterprises in the capital, employing more than 750 thousand people.

    Every year, 150 new technology companies open in Moscow and dozens of investment projects are implemented, providing the city with additional jobs. By 2030, the number of industrial production facilities will increase to 5.5 thousand, and their employees – to 850 thousand. The total area of industrial infrastructure will grow from 14 million square meters to 21 million.

    The manufacturing industry is the driving force behind Moscow’s economic development.

    “I will say about industry that in general it is actively developing. Over the past five years, I reported, the manufacturing industry has doubled,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    By the end of 2024, private and public investment will amount to 310 billion rubles. According to forecasts, by 2030 they will grow by 620 billion rubles – to 930 billion rubles.

    One of the effective measures to support the city is the localization of industrial enterprises in the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”. This is the center for the development of the capital’s advanced high-tech industry, which includes six sites with a total area of more than 280 hectares. More than 1.5 million square meters of industrial and public-business areas have been built here. The plan is to increase this figure to 3.8 million square meters by 2030.

    Today, there are more than 220 enterprises operating in Technopolis Moscow, 112 of which have resident status and receive tax preferences. Residents are exempt from paying property, land and transport taxes for 10 years, and the income tax rate for them is only two percent instead of 20.

    During the operation of the special economic zone, companies invested about 330 billion rubles in the development of their high-tech production facilities and created 22 thousand jobs. The volume of investments from the Moscow budget amounted to almost 135 billion rubles.

    Innovative developments of enterprises can be applied in various fields – from microelectronics to medicine and space. Among them are optical multiplexers, portable ultrasound machines, mobile ventilator complexes, multifunctional amphibious robots designed for reconnaissance and liquidation of consequences of accidents at various flooded objects, nuclear power plants and mines.

    Another tool for developing Moscow industry is clustering. By 2030, more than 13 inter-industry clusters will operate in Moscow – this is over seven million square meters of production space and 100 thousand jobs.

    Thus, one of the largest pharmaceutical clusters in the country, which includes 13 companies, is successfully operating at the Alabushevo site of the Technopolis Moscow special economic zone. A photonics and microelectronics cluster has also opened there, with 61 companies participating. Total investments in this site amounted to 137.9 billion rubles, of which 7.9 billion rubles were invested by the Moscow Government. Total investments will grow to 353 billion rubles by 2030.

    Two years ago, the Moscow cluster of electric vehicle manufacturing began its work. It included 64 companies, most of which receive benefits from the city. In particular, they are exempt from paying property, land and transport taxes.

    One of the important projects is the construction of the first gigafactory in Russia for the production of batteries. The city has signed an offset contract for the supply of batteries for public electric transport. The total purchase amount will be 172 billion rubles over six years. The enterprise will produce 50 thousand batteries per year, which will cover about 40 percent of the needs of the Russian market. The opening of the production will create 900 new jobs. The total investment in the project is 52 billion rubles, of which 25 billion rubles were allocated by the Moscow Government, and 27 billion are private funds.

    On behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, a new industrial park was opened in Rudnevo in 2023. Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Today it unites 11 leading developers and manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems. The enterprises have created more than 2.8 thousand jobs. Investments in the industrial park “Rudnevo” amounted to 97 billion rubles, of which 20 billion rubles are private funds, and 77 billion rubles were invested by the Government of Moscow. By 2030, a total of 490 billion rubles will be invested.

    Work is currently underway to form food and construction clusters in TiNAO.

    The food cluster will build over 800 thousand square meters of industrial space and create 11.4 thousand jobs. Private investments will reach almost 90 billion rubles.

    The opening of the construction cluster will create 30 thousand jobs. More than 1.6 million square meters of industrial real estate will be built within its boundaries. Private investments will amount to almost 145 billion rubles.

    In the capital it is being created shipyard for the production of electric ships. Its capacity will occupy 23 thousand square meters. Commissioning is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. The enterprise will provide more than 500 new high-tech jobs. Investments from the Moscow Government amount to more than 4.6 billion rubles.

    In addition, two new large industrial clusters will appear in TiNAO – automobile manufacturing and eco-industrial. In total, almost 23 thousand highly qualified jobs will be created there.

    Sobyanin named innovative clusters that will be created in New Moscow

    A cluster of innovative technologies in the field of construction is being created on the basis of OOO “Innovative Technology Plant – Monarch”. Last year, the first stage was put into operation – this is an experimental plant with an area of 26.6 thousand square meters. The volume of investments amounted to 3.4 billion rubles. Today, 500 people work here.

    A glass cluster is also being built in TiNAO. 120 hectares will be allocated for it for facilities with a total area of 840 thousand square meters. 9.6 thousand jobs will appear here. Investments will exceed 105 billion rubles. The implementation of the project will allow to cover the need for special glass, including medical glass.

    The elevator construction industry is quite promising for investment. The departure of foreign companies from the domestic market opens up new opportunities for capital enterprises to occupy vacant niches. Thus, on the basis of the Karacharovsky Mechanical Plant, a cluster of elevator construction and vertical transport of Moscow is being formed, which will accelerate the development and localization of vertical transport production in Russia.

    The National Space Center is being built on the territory of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. This is a large-scale project implemented jointly with Roscosmos. According to preliminary estimates, about 27 thousand jobs will be created on the site.

    Moscow has historically had a strong scientific base. Today, in the R sphere

    There are 735 higher education institutions (excluding branches) in Russia. At the same time, every fifth university is located in Moscow, which confirms the presence of significant human resources potential in the capital and the high level of training of students for work in high-tech enterprises.

    Today in Moscow, specialists in engineering and technical fields are trained at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the Stankin Moscow State Technological University, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Lomonosov Moscow State University, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, the MISiS University of Science and Technology and other leading universities.

    In order to increase the number of qualified personnel annually graduating for the industrial sector, the Moscow Government is modernizing the system of secondary vocational education and implementing accelerated training of engineering personnel.

    Industrial Park “Rudnevo”

    “Rudnevo” is an industrial park within the SEZ “Technopolis Moscow”, built in the east of the city in record time to accommodate critically important production. This is an example of a modern high-tech industrial park, where it is convenient to work, study, create production and educational clusters.

    Construction work in Rudnev began at the end of 2020. During the construction of production buildings, domestic materials were used (for a number of items, import substitution was 100%) and modern technologies, which made it possible to reduce construction time by 35-50 percent, and the cost of work by 10-15 percent.

    Currently, 21 production buildings with a total area of 377 thousand square meters have been erected, including a pilot production facility and a design bureau. Additional production buildings are in the active stage of construction, as well as a social infrastructure building, which will house laboratories, office space, a training center and other social facilities for company employees.

    In the future, 21 thousand highly qualified jobs will be created at the enterprises in Rudnev, primarily for residents of the rapidly developing Moscow districts of Kosino-Ukhtomsky, Vykhino-Zhulebino and Nekrasovka, as well as the urban district of Lyubertsy in the Moscow region.

    Thanks to the SEZ regime, companies – residents of Rudnev receive significant tax benefits. In particular, they are exempt from property, transport and land taxes. The income tax rate for them is only two percent. Residents have a free customs zone regime and land lease benefits.

    In addition to the Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, the Rudnevo Industrial Park also houses a production building for the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern and an industrial complex for PJSC Yakovlev, which currently produces wing kits for the MS-21 medium-range aircraft.

    In addition, enterprises producing ATMs, electrical capacitors, absorbent linen, equipment for industrial waste sorting, and others have set up their production facilities in Rudnev.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11847050/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin spoke about the development of secondary vocational education in Moscow

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Today, 275 thousand students study in Moscow colleges, and by 2030 their number will double to 420 thousand. This was announced by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin during the opening of the practical training site for Moscow colleges “Rudnevo”. The event was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov.

    “We plan to double the number of students studying in colleges and graduates in five years. Thus, the number of students in colleges and higher education institutions will be comparable. Which, in general, is necessary for the economy today. What do we plan to do? We have two thousand real laboratories, workshops. We plan to update them by 100 percent by 2027. To make both laboratories and workshops modern,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    In addition, according to the Mayor of Moscow, it is planned to build 400 thousand square meters of campuses, renovate existing sites and create shared-use centers.

    Today, there are 178 colleges operating in Moscow. Most specialists are trained for the IT sector, industry, creative industry and construction. Thanks to the high quality of training, graduates of the capital’s colleges quickly find work, Sergei Sobyanin said in on your telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    Secondary vocational education is actively developing throughout the country. More than 65 percent of all workers are specialists with secondary vocational education, noted Sergey Kravtsov.

    “It is important that the programs in colleges have become as practice-oriented as possible. About 80 percent of the educational process is practice. We updated the standards together with the industries. New 400 standards, directly with the enterprises for the requirements that the enterprises need. We do not forget about general education: Russian, mathematics, history, new history textbooks for colleges from this year and education. Each college has an education advisor,” said Sergey Kravtsov.

    Colleges prepare specialists that industries need. Some of the students begin their professional activities while still studying. According to Sergey Kravtsov, today more than 90 thousand college students are employed in the military-industrial complex.

    “The measures that are being implemented increase the prestige of blue-collar jobs. Last year, 1.25 million applications were submitted to colleges. Three people per place on average, in some specialties – nine people per place. 62.5 percent of ninth-graders choose colleges. In particular, career guidance helps, which we have been conducting in schools since last year from the sixth grade, when children come to colleges and to production facilities,” said Sergey Kravtsov.

    Labor market in Moscow

    The capital’s labor market is one of the largest and most diversified in the world. More than 8.6 million people are employed in the city’s economic sectors. Moscow has a constant need for qualified personnel, as well as a minimal level of unemployment.

    75 percent of employers are interested in specialists with secondary vocational education. Demand for college graduates is observed in such industries as industry, transport, logistics, construction, trade and information technology (IT).

    “Today, 75 percent of secondary vocational education personnel are required. At the same time, we train 63 percent of specialists with higher education in Moscow, and only 18 percent of secondary vocational education specialists. And another 19 percent of short programs are workers,” added Sergei Sobyanin.

    At the same time, the professional training system is primarily focused on specialists with higher education. There is an imbalance between the needs of the market and the capabilities of the professional education system. The demand for mid-level specialists with decent salaries is a stable trend in the capital’s labor market.

    The city pays special attention to the development of the secondary vocational education system. Currently, there are 178 colleges in the capital, including 71 private, 44 federal and 63 colleges under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Government. More than 270 thousand students study there, including almost 130 thousand people receive education in city colleges.

    20.6 thousand students study in city colleges in IT fields. 20.1 thousand people receive education in the industrial sector, 14.7 thousand Muscovites in creative industries and construction, 14.2 thousand and 13.4 thousand students in transport and healthcare, respectively. 12.9 thousand city residents study specialties related to hospitality, nine thousand students in education and social spheres, and 6.5 thousand people in security and law. 3.2 thousand Muscovites receive education in finance and trade, 1.5 thousand in culture and art, and 0.4 thousand students in sports.

    Last year, 93 percent of city college graduates found jobs.

    In 2023, an additional program of career guidance and career testing for ninth-graders was introduced. Thanks to this, graduates were able to get acquainted with modern professions taught in Moscow colleges. The program aroused great interest among teenagers and their parents. More than 60 thousand schoolchildren took free career testing, and over 70 percent of its participants decided to enroll in secondary vocational education institutions.

    Professional auditions, excursions to employers and interactive quests: Moscow ninth-graders completed a comprehensive career guidance program

    In 2024, the Moscow Government doubled the number of Moscow schoolchildren who graduated from city colleges nine classes. In total, 16 thousand additional budget places were created in popular areas. These include medicine, security, finance, information technology, hospitality, creative industries, industry, construction and transport.

    As a result, about 45 thousand students entered city colleges. Of these, about 36 thousand ninth-grade graduates study on a budget basis.

    The increase in budget places satisfies the demand of young people to obtain promising and in-demand specialties, allowing them to begin professional activities as early as 18–19 years of age.

    It is planned that by 2030 the number of students in Moscow (city, federal and private) colleges will grow to 420 thousand. Admission will increase by 53 percent: more than 150 thousand students will enroll in colleges annually – primarily ninth-grade graduates from the capital and other regions. Secondary vocational education programs will be taught to 11th-grade graduates and adults who want to obtain a popular and promising specialty.

    Modernization of the secondary vocational education system

    Increasing the number of college students is an important component of the modernization of the secondary vocational education system carried out by the Moscow Government. It is based on two basic principles:

    — relevance and demand — educational programs are developed with the participation of employers and professional associations;

    — practical orientation — students are immersed in a professional environment from the first year, and practical classes make up at least 70 percent of the total training time and are conducted under the guidance of experienced mentors.

    Sergei Sobyanin: At least 70% of classes in Moscow colleges will be practical

    As part of the modernization of the secondary vocational education system, the infrastructure and content of educational programs are being updated. This work includes several aspects.

    Constant interaction with enterprises and work at their request. For this purpose, colleges cooperate with many organizations. Today, among the partners of the capital’s institutions of secondary vocational education are more than three thousand employers. Among them are the state corporation Rostec, the State Unitary Enterprise Moscow Metro, JSC Sheremetyevo Security, PJSC MOEK, JSC Concern VKO Almaz-Antey, OOO Glavstroy, PJSC MGTS, PJSC Rostelecom, GUP Mosgortrans, PJSC Sberbank of Russia, PJSC Gazprom, the association of Russian automobile dealers, OOO Inzhenerstroy, OOO Spetsgrad, JSC Moscow Automobile Plant Moskvich, JSC NPP Toriy, the holding company United Confectioners and other companies.

    For the second year, a unique practice has been implemented — conducting a qualification exam in the conditions of a real production process. Its successful completion provides an opportunity to receive a rank and a job offer at the same time. In addition, employers participate in the development of the content and criteria for assessing the final demonstration exam and are part of the examination committee.

    Updating educational programs. The content of educational programs is formed on the basis of a competency profile compiled jointly with the professional community and industry representatives. In total, city colleges provide training in 170 specialties.

    By September 1, 2024, 60 percent of the programs currently being studied by 43 thousand college students have been updated. By the 2026/2027 academic year, all educational programs will be brought up to the new standard. In addition, a system for adapting programs to new technologies and changing labor market needs will be created. The main objective is to train a student who is ready to start full-time work immediately after graduation.

    “One of the most important problems is the quality of teachers. Since we have a large production potential, we are solving this problem. Reducing the training time to three years, today – four years. We are simply compressing some programs so that the guys can enter real life faster,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    The duration of training is reduced by increasing its intensity. This academic year, the number of four-year programs has been reduced by 70 percent. Starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, all preparatory programs will be designed for two years for those who have completed 11th grade and three years for ninth-graders.

    Multidisciplinary and increasing the level of qualification. Students have the opportunity to master not one, but even two or three professions during their studies. This increases the competitiveness of young specialists in the labor market.

    For example, in the specialty “mechanical engineering technology”, a graduate receives the basic qualification of “technician-technologist”, as well as the opportunity to work in the professions of “general profile machine operator”, “setter of machines and manipulators with program control”, “controller of machine and metalwork works”.

    The city is forming a mandatory level of training quality for each profession. The minimum standard of qualification level will be the third category, and for some specialties – the fourth.

    Previously, college graduates received no higher than a second degree. They were not allowed to work in complex types of production. The guys had to be trained further. As a result, the wages of young specialists were low.

    Digitalization of education using the services of “MES College”. Since September 2024, teachers and students of 47 city colleges have had access to the electronic services of the “Moscow Electronic School” to prepare for classes (“MESH”). This improved the quality of education and made the educational process more accessible and convenient for all participants.

    Currently, the “MES” is being finalized to meet the specifics and objectives of professional education. It will be completed by 2026. Specialized forms of control and certification will be introduced, a student portfolio, an electronic grade book, personal student and teacher accounts, as well as an electronic library of materials for teachers will be created.

    The MES library will feature a set of materials designed for modern formats and teaching technologies: electronic lesson plans with video assignments and tests, interactive applications, virtual laboratories, electronic teaching aids, and digital textbooks.

    Improving the material and technical base of secondary vocational education. A practical training site for Moscow colleges operates in the Rudnevo industrial park. In 2024–2025, it is planned to open two more similar sites — Pechatniki and Yug. Their educational capacity will allow them to train 20,000 students annually, as well as adults who want to get a new specialty.

    A large-scale process of equipping colleges with new modern equipment has begun. Thus, by the end of 2024, it is planned to update and create about 650 educational laboratories and workshops. In 2025, 1,450 workshops will be updated, and in 2026-2027 – another 300 workshops.

    In total, it is planned to re-equip about 2050 laboratories and workshops. This will allow practical and laboratory work to be carried out at a modern technological level using equipment installed at the capital’s enterprises.

    It is planned to build seven innovative educational campuses with a total area of almost 400 thousand square meters to accommodate more than 60 thousand students. Among them are colleges in the fields of creative industry, information technology, healthcare, hospitality, industry, transport, construction and others. The buildings are designed for modern educational technologies taking into account the best world practices. There will be ergonomic premises with a comfortable educational environment and the effect of complete immersion in the profession.

    The new campuses will feature professional workshops, as well as internal and external full-cycle production sites for students to practice their complex skills in conditions close to reality. The educational space will include coworking spaces and transformable rooms for group and project work.

    In addition, the plans include a major overhaul of the Moscow Technological College and the Moscow College of Management, Hotel Business and Information Technology “Tsaritsyno”. These are three buildings with a total area of 50 thousand square meters.

    By 2031, it is planned to completely renew the infrastructure of city colleges.

    Expansion of the career guidance program for schoolchildren. In the 2024/2025 academic year, the program will cover eighth-graders in addition to ninth-graders. It is expected that about 100 thousand Moscow schoolchildren will be able to take part in it.

    One of the new areas will be student-to-school mentoring. Senior students will visit schools and talk about college education, share their success stories, and help kids make the right choice.

    The pool of employers — project partners — will expand. In the new academic year, schoolchildren will visit companies operating in all sectors of the city’s economy. They will get acquainted with high-tech equipment and talk to specialists.

    In particular, excursions to the territories of industrial enterprises of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”, professional tests and master classes with the best employees of resident companies are planned.

    Particular attention will be paid to working with parents. Saturday meetings are planned at career guidance centers with labor market experts and college representatives.

    You can find out more about the in-demand professions and specialties taught in the capital’s colleges on the portal “School. Moscow”, in the section “Atlas of Professions” and podcast “The Key to the Profession”. Useful content about secondary vocational education is also published in the telegram channel “Moscow education” and the group of the same name on the social network “VKontakte”.

    Raising the prestige of secondary vocational education. In 2024, the Moscow Government established grants for capital colleges for achieving high results in teaching students.

    In total, it is planned to award 20 grants: three first-degree grants of 40 million rubles, seven second-degree grants of 25 million rubles, and 10 third-degree grants of 15 million rubles.

    When determining grant recipients, students’ results in passing qualification and demonstration exams, victories in professional skills championships, as well as graduate employment results and other achievements will be taken into account.

    The grant funds are planned to be used for additional material incentives for teachers and masters of industrial training who have achieved high results in their work. This will become an additional incentive for improving the quality of secondary vocational education in Moscow.

    The first colleges to receive grants will be determined based on the results of the 2024/2025 academic year. In the future, incentive funds are planned to be awarded to the best secondary vocational education institutions annually.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11848050/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Edmonton Institution

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French

    On August 19, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Edmonton Institution, a maximum security federal institution.

    August 26, 2024 – Edmonton, Alberta – Correctional Service Canada

    On August 19, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Edmonton Institution, a maximum security federal institution.

    Among the items seized were THC, crystal methamphetamine and cell phones. In total, the institutional value of the seized items is estimated at $917,400.

    The police have been informed and the establishment is investigating.

    The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has a number of tools to prevent the introduction of drugs into its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates and visitors.

    CSC is strengthening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions to ensure a safe and secure environment for all. CSC is also working in partnership with police forces to take action against individuals who attempt to bring contraband into correctional institutions.

    CSC has also established a telephone information line for all federal institutions to provide additional information on activities related to the security of CSC institutions. This may include activities related to drug use or trafficking that could threaten the safety of visitors, inmates or people working in CSC institutions.

    Using the toll-free line, 1-866-780-3784, helps ensure that the information transmitted is protected and that anonymity remains maintained.

    -30-

    Jeff CampbellRegional Communications ManagerRegional Administration, Prairies(306) 222-2258

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Middle Landing  — Have you seen this stolen trailer?

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Chaleur Region RCMP is seeking the public’s help locating a stolen trailer near Middle Landing, N.B.

    The theft is believed to have occurred sometime after 5 p.m. on September 18, 2024, and before 1:40 p.m., on September 22, 2024, at a residence on Anacon Road, near Middle Landing.

    The trailer is described as a white 2011 Heartland North Trail, with New Brunswick licence plate TNJ 338, and vehicle identification number 5SFNB3121BE229775.

    If you have seen the trailer since September 18, or if you have information that could help further the investigation, please contact the Chaleur Region RCMP at 506-548-7771. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at http://www.crimenb.ca.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Government of Canada, CRITUC, and FortisAlberta support project to plan transition to zero-emission vehicles

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French

    Press release

    Edmonton, Alberta, January 31, 2024 — Communities across the country are developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing carbon emissions from public transit.

    Today, Minister Randy Boissonnault, Curtis Eck, Vice President, Engineering, FortisAlberta, and Josipa Petrunic, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), announced a combined investment of $550,092 for the Alberta Municipal Constellation Project.

    The Alberta Municipal Constellation Project is a comprehensive study to guide the acquisition and deployment of zero-emission buses for nine transit agencies – Airdrie, Banff/Bow Valley, Fort Saskatchewan, Hinton, Leduc, Rocky View, Spruce Grove, Strathcona County and Whitecourt – in Alberta by assessing the economic, technical and environmental considerations associated with this transition. The study, led by CUTRIC and FortisAlberta, is being conducted in collaboration with local municipalities and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE). The project will guide local transit agencies in planning for the integration of zero-emission buses in the years ahead and provide a regional energy needs modelling study to ensure that needs can be met. Once the project is complete, the results will be shared with all participating communities, helping to spread the benefits of this important project.

    By investing in the electrification of Canada’s public transit systems, the Government of Canada is ensuring that communities across the country have access to clean and affordable transportation, which helps grow our country’s economy and improve the lives of Canadians.

    Quotes

    “When we invest in Alberta, we must consider current and future generations of our province. Our government remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and we will achieve this goal by funding clean transit projects, like this collaboration with FortisAlberta, OSPE, CUTRIC and local transit agencies. This project will provide Albertans with cleaner, quieter and more efficient travel, while contributing to our collective efforts to combat climate change.”

    The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “We are committed to supporting municipalities in our service area in their efforts to decarbonize their transit fleets. Our collaboration is designed to provide a comprehensive analytical framework that assesses economic impacts and designs energy management strategies for seamless integration into Alberta’s electricity grid. Leveraging our distribution planning expertise, FortisAlberta will assess and mitigate the challenges of grid capacity and voltage constraints associated with the decarbonization of municipal fleets. This initiative will facilitate the efficient and effective use of existing distribution infrastructure, ensuring a sustainable transition to greener transit solutions.”

    Curtis Eck, Vice President, Engineering, FortisAlberta

    “This first-of-its-kind project symbolizes the power of collaboration, bringing together municipalities and FortisAlberta to lead the way in zero-emission vehicles in the years to come. Through this project, we hope to not only meet the evolving energy needs of these regions, but also serve as a catalyst for positive change in sustainable transportation. We are confident that the results of this study will guide our partner organizations in their strategic planning and decision-making, fostering a cleaner, greener future for Alberta communities. CUTRIC looks forward to leading the way in innovative and environmentally responsible public transit.”

    Josipa Petrunić, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)

    “The Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission is committed to supporting the introduction of low-emission vehicles and related infrastructure in our region. As we operate in and around Banff National Park, it is essential that we respect the environment and be at the forefront of reducing emissions in the operation of our transit services. Fortis and CUTRIC’s involvement in the project is a critical step in continuing our transition and we are excited to be part of this initiative!”

    Martin Bean, CEO, Roam Transit

    “Our partnership with FortisAlberta and other municipalities on the electric bus feasibility study reflects our commitment to a more sustainable future. We are grateful for the support we receive from Infrastructure Canada through the Zero Emission Transit Fund. Airdrie is on the path to sustainable and efficient public transit.”

    Peter Brown, Mayor of the City of Airdrie

    Quick Facts

    The Government of Canada is providing a contribution of $440,074 to this project through the Zero Emission Public Transit Fund (ZETF). FortisAlberta is contributing $110,018.

    The nine Alberta communities included in this study are: Airdrie, Banff/Bow Valley, Fort Saskatchewan, Hinton, Leduc, Rocky View, Spruce Grove, Strathcona County and Whitecourt. The study will help these communities plan their transition to zero-emission buses.

    The FTCZE helps communities transition to zero-emission school and transit buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Canada’s net-zero emissions targets. By electrifying their bus fleets, communities are working to ensure our children benefit from a cleaner environment, while supporting Canada’s manufacturing sector.

    This Fund is closely coordinated with the Zero-Emission Bus Initiative, under which the BIC has committed to investing more than $1.5 billion to support the acquisition of zero-emission buses.

    The Government of Canada is investing billions of dollars to provide predictable federal funding for public transit. This funding will be available starting in 2026–27 to support solutions for reliable, fast, affordable and clean public transit. The CZETF complements Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. As part of this plan, the federal government is committing to providing permanent federal funding for public transit to ensure every community has clean and affordable transportation options.

    Under an agreement with CRITUC, the Government of Canada is investing $10 million over five years through the FTCZE to help transit bus operators conduct planning work and improve their readiness for a transition to zero-emission bus fleets.

    CRITUC’s mission is to support the commercialization of technologies through industry-led research, development, demonstration and integration projects that bring innovative design to Canada’s low-carbon smart mobility ecosystem.

    Related links

    Contact persons

    For further information (media only), please contact:

    Micaal AhmedManager, CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities343-598-3920micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca

    Media RelationsInfrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll Free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite: Infrastructure Canada

    Media RelationsFortisAlbertaPeter BrodskyManager, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications403-514-4040peter.brodsky@fortisalberta.com

    Media RelationsCanadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)Rachael D’AmoreTalk Shop Mediarachael@talkshopmedia.com

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Texas Hospital CEO to Pay Over $5.3M to Settle Kickback Allegations Involving Laboratory Testing

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Former hospital chief executive officer (CEO) Jeffrey Madison, of Georgetown, Texas, has agreed to pay $5,343,630 to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act involving illegal payments to physicians for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Madison also has agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department’s investigations of, and litigation against, other participants in the alleged schemes.

    “The Justice Department will continue to pursue individuals — including C-suite executives — who commit health care fraud,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Kickbacks to physicians from laboratories or other healthcare providers can undermine healthcare decision-making, subject patients to unnecessary medical services and waste taxpayer funds.”

    The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs. The Anti-Kickback Statute is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.

    The settlement announced today resolves allegations in a lawsuit alleging that Madison, the former CEO of Little River Healthcare (Little River), a critical access hospital in Rockdale, Texas, caused the submission of false claims for laboratory testing to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE from January 2015 to June 2018. Madison allegedly agreed to a kickback scheme in which Little River paid commissions to recruiters who used purported management service organizations (MSOs) to pay kickbacks to doctors to induce their laboratory testing referrals to Little River. The settlement resolves allegations that Madison knowingly signed, and caused others to sign, false certifications in Medicare cost reports regarding Little River’s compliance with the Anti-Kickback Statute, and thereby caused the submission of false claims to federal health care programs.

    In addition, the settlement resolves allegations in the same lawsuit that, after defendant Doyce Cartrett Jr., M.D., of Silsbee, Texas, informed Little River of his potential laboratory testing referral volume, Madison agreed to have Little River pay Cartrett $2,000 per month in kickbacks disguised as purported medical director fees from February 2015 to May 2017, to induce Cartrett to shift his laboratory testing referrals to Little River. Madison allegedly agreed for Little River to pay the monthly fees, even though Little River did not receive any genuine medical director services from Dr. Cartrett.

    Madison did not contest, and accepted responsibility for, the allegations against him in the United States’ amended complaint. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Madison was excluded from participating in federal healthcare programs for 25 years. The lawsuit is captioned United States, et al. ex rel. STF LLC v. True Health Diagnostics LLC et al., No. 4:16-cv-547 (EDTX).

    “Seeing past a corporate entity and holding individuals responsible for making the decisions to engage marketers to pay providers for their laboratory referrals is what justice requires,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “This settlement is a testament to our continued efforts to combat fraud against our federal healthcare programs and to hold accountable all participants who profited from knowingly violating the laws meant to guard against overutilization of medical services and protect the public fisc.”

    “Illegal kickback payments, even when disguised as medical director fees, undermine and corrupt the medical decision-making process,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Both the payer and recipient benefit from these schemes, but it is ultimately the taxpayers who foot the bill. HHS-OIG will continue collaborating with law enforcement and prosecutors to protect the Medicare trust fund that millions of Americans depend on.”

    “Our nation’s uniformed military service members and their families should never have to question the integrity of their healthcare providers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Settle of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southwest Field Office. “Medical decisions influenced by greed destroy the fundamental element of trust in patient care. This settlement reinforces the commitment the DCIS shares with our law enforcement partners and the Justice Department to pursue all available remedies against those who conspire to commit fraud against our Military Health System.”

    The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, with assistance from HHS-OIG and DCIS. The United States has recovered over $52 million relating to conduct involving MSO kickbacks to health care providers, which includes recoveries from 46 physicians.

    Trial Attorneys Christopher Terranova and Gavin Thole of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Betty Young for the Eastern District of Texas handled the case.

    The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    Settlement

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sixty-Eight Defendants Charged in Indictment of Dozens of Members and Associates of California White Supremacist Gang

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Federal and local law enforcement today arrested 42 members and associates of the SFV Peckerwoods, a San Fernando Valley, California-based white supremacist street gang, on a 76-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they engaged in a years-long pattern of racketeering activity that included trafficking of drugs — including fentanyl — illegal firearms possession, and COVID-19 benefits and loan fraud.

    “The Justice Department has dealt a decisive blow to the San Fernando Valley (SFV) Peckerwoods, a violent white supremacist gang that we charge is responsible for trafficking deadly fentanyl and other drugs, committing robberies, and perpetrating financial fraud to fund both their criminal enterprise and that of the Aryan Brotherhood,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “With today’s charges and arrests, the Justice Department, together with our state, local, and federal partners has targeted the heart of this gang’s operations, and we will continue to zero in on the criminal enterprises that endanger our communities.”

    The indictment unsealed today charges a total of 68 defendants with a score of federal crimes: conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices.

    The defendants arrested today are expected to be arraigned this afternoon in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

    During the investigation, law enforcement seized large quantities of illegal firearms, and dozens of pounds of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, according to the indictment.

    “The Peckerwoods’ violent white-supremacist ideology and wide-ranging criminal activity pose a grave menace to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “By allegedly engaging in everything from drug-trafficking to firearms offenses to identity theft to COVID fraud, and through their alliance with a neo-Nazi prison gang, the Peckerwoods are a destructive force. In prosecuting the members of the Peckerwoods criminal organization, our office is carrying out its mission to protect the public from the most dangerous threats.”

    “This operation, led by our Joint Terrorism Task Force, disrupted a racially motivated violent extremist group who engaged in a wide range of criminal activity,” said Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “This case strikes at the heart of our collective mission to rid our communities of the corrosive elements that fuel violence and extremism that greatly impact our way of life. The FBI, along with our federal, state, and local partners, remains strongly committed to working every day to make sure the people of the Southland remain safe.”

    “The San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, the Aryan Brotherhood, and their associates are fused by one thing: hatred,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Allen of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division. “It appears, however, that the business of hate was not enough for them. Driven by greed, they engaged in other crimes, including drug distribution, pushing out deadly fentanyl onto our streets. Operating from corners of the San Fernando Valley, they conducted their crimes within and beyond the 8-1-8 community. Today’s large-scale indictments and arrests reflect our relentless commitment to dismantling criminal organizations that continue to harm our communities.”

    According to the indictment that a grand jury returned on Sept. 26, the Peckerwoods is a street gang based in communities in the San Fernando Valley whose members engage in a wide variety of criminal activity, including drug trafficking, violent crime, and fraud. As a white supremacist gang, the Peckerwoods at times takes orders from the Aryan Brotherhood, California’s dominant prison-based white supremacist gang, and maintains an alliance with the Mexican Mafia prison gang, which controls most Latino street gangs in California. The Peckerwoods use Nazi tattoos, graffiti, and iconography to indicate their violent white supremacy extremist ideology. These tattoos and iconography include swastikas, the symbol “88”, used by violent white supremacy extremists as code for “Heil Hitler”, and images of Nazi aircraft.

    Members and associates of the gang used social media to share information with each other about their criminal activities and gang rules, to identify gang members in good standing, and to target people who broke the gang’s rules. The social media use included a members-only Facebook group and private, direct messages between the gang’s members and associates.

    From at least December 2016 to September, Peckerwoods members conducted and participated in the affairs of their criminal enterprise by engaging in violence and threats of violence to preserve and expand the gang’s criminal operations, which promoted a climate of fear. Members and associates of the gang illegally maintained firearms and ammunition in furtherance of these aims.

    To generate revenue for the gang, its members trafficked narcotics, including fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. Specifically, lead defendant Claire Patricia Haviland, 62, of Chatsworth, California, and co-defendants Brian Glenn Ekelund, 53, of Chatsworth, and Brianne Brewer, 38, of North Hollywood, California, maintained and oversaw drug stash houses where large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs were stored prior to distribution. Haviland and Ekelund allegedly mailed illegal drugs to customers and used applications such as Zelle and CashApp to receive money from drug buyers and send money to their drug sources.

    They also generated revenue via robberies and financial fraud and participated in identity theft schemes. For example, from at least March 2021 to July 2023, defendants Sean Craig Gluckman, 35, of Encino, California; Maria Anna James, 30, of Canyon Country, California; and others submitted false and fraudulent applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was designed to aid businesses harmed by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants – posing as sole proprietors – signed fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of individuals incarcerated in California state prisons and collected a portion of the fraudulently obtained proceeds from co-conspirators as payment for their assistance.

    In April 2021, Gluckman submitted an application that falsely stated he was a self-employed “artist/writer” with a gross income of nearly $250,000. Later that month, he obtained a PPP loan in the amount of $20,833. In a separate scheme, Gluckman submitted fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) applications in the names of other people to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to fraudulently obtain jobless benefits.

    “The proliferation of gang related organized crime deteriorates the core of our society,” said Chief Dominic Choi of the Los Angeles Police Department. “Taking guns out of the hands of gang members and drugs from our streets is just one more step towards reducing this deterioration. Today is yet another example of how local, regional, and federal law enforcement, with a matched dedication, are working together to investigate, apprehend and prosecute criminals.”          

    “When criminal organizations cross jurisdictional lines, it makes conducting investigations and subsequent prosecutions much more difficult,” said Sheriff Jim Fryhoff of the Ventura County, California, Sheriff’s Office. “Having our federal law enforcement partners involvement in such cases greatly enhances our ability to protect not only the citizens of our county, but also those of our region of the state.”

    If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

    The FBI, DEA, Los Angeles Police Department, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. The Simi Valley Police Department; California Highway Patrol; Glendale Police Department; Burbank Police Department; Redondo Beach Police Department; Beverly Hills Police Department; Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Department of Veterans Affairs Police; Department of Labor; Federal Bureau of Prisons; Los Angeles County Probation Department; Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services; Pasadena Fire Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and IRS Criminal Investigation provided assistance in the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reema M. El-Amamy, Jeremiah M. Levine, and Alexander Su for the Central District of California are prosecuting this case.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit http://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    On Sept. 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Central and Eastern Districts of California to jointly head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Justice Department established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. The Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors, as well as those who committed multiple instances of pandemic relief fraud. The Strike Force uses prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. Additional information regarding the Strike Force may be found at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-covid-19-fraud-strike-force-teams.

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS’ 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment Indicates the Threat of Domestic and Foreign Terrorism in the Homeland Remains High

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS’ 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment Indicates the Threat of Domestic and Foreign Terrorism in the Homeland Remains High

    “The Homeland Security Assessment provides an important overview of the dynamic and evolving threat landscape, illustrating just how varied and challenging the threats we confront are,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “It is because of the remarkable DHS workforce, and our close collaboration with our federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners, that we are able to meet the challenges and keep the American people safe and secure.” 

    Assessments from the 2025 HTA

    • Public Safety and Security: The terrorism threat environment in the Homeland is expected to remain high over the coming year. This is due to a confluence of factors, including potential violent extremist responses to domestic sociopolitical developments — particularly the 2024 election cycle — and international events like the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Lone offenders and small groups continue to pose the greatest threat. Meanwhile, foreign terrorist organizations, including ISIS and al Qa’ida maintain their enduring intent to conduct or inspire attacks in the Homeland. 
    • Illegal Drugs: Illegal drugs smuggled into and sold in the United States by transnational and domestic criminal actors continue to pose a lethal threat to communities in the United States. DHS has surged resources to address this threat, seized more fentanyl in the last two fiscal years than in the prior five years combined, and is investing in new technology to increase detection capabilities. Thanks to these and other efforts, the number of overdose deaths have declined by more than 10 percent in the 12 months leading up to April 2024 – the largest drop in overdose deaths in recorded history. That said, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids remain the most lethal of drugs trafficked into the country and continue to pose a national security threat. Adulterated cocaine and methamphetamine also pose a threat. 
    • Influence Operations and Transnational Repression: We expect the Homeland will face threats to public safety from state actors using subversive tactics in an effort to stroke discord and undermine confidence in U.S. domestic institutions. Malign foreign actors seek to target ethnic and religious minorities, political dissidents, and journalists in the United States to silence and harass its critics abroad. 
    • Border and Immigration Security: Migrant encounters at our border have steadily declined since the beginning of 2024 and have declined even further since the issuance of the Presidential Proclamation and complementary Interim Final Rule (IFR) were announced on June 4 – decreasing more than 55% in the past four months. We nonetheless expect some individuals with criminal connections to seek to continue to exploit migrants. DHS remains acutely focused on identifying those who may present a threat to public safety or national security and stopping them from entering the United States. 
    • Critical Infrastructure Security: Domestic and foreign adversaries are expected to continue to target our critical infrastructure via prepositioning, cyber, and physical attacks. The People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, and Iran are expected to remain the most pressing foreign threats to our critical infrastructure.  Nation-states, criminal hacktivists, and financially motivated criminals will likely hone their techniques to disrupt U.S. services or to conduct espionage focused on gaining access to U.S. networks and critical infrastructure entities. We assess that domestic and foreign violent extremists will continue to call for physical attacks on critical infrastructure in furtherance of their ideological goals and, in response to international conflicts and crises. 
    • Economic Security: Our adversaries – including the PRC – will continue non-market policies and practices, economic espionage and coercive economic tools, and illicit acquisition of technologies and intellectual property to undercut U.S. and partner competitiveness. 

    Operational components and offices across the Department are involved in combatting threats and working alongside our federal, state, and local partners. Some examples of these efforts include:  

    • DHS conducts screening and vetting of individuals encountered at the border to identify national security or public safety threats and refers any individuals who are identified as posing a threat to public safety or national security to the appropriate law enforcement authority for detention, removal, and potential prosecution. DHS continually monitors available sources of intelligence and law enforcement information to identify new threats and public safety risks. If and when any new information emerges, DHS, including ICE and CBP, works closely with the FBI and other partners to take appropriate action. 
    • In addition to biometric and biographic screening and vetting of every individual encountered, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has expanded information sharing agreements with international partners to enhance their ability to prevent, detect, and investigate trafficking and other crimes. CBP’s National Targeting Center continuously works to detect individuals and travelers that threaten our country’s security, while also building a network of partner nations committed to fighting global threats. 
    • DHS, through CBP and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), has stopped more illicit fentanyl and 
      arrested more individuals for fentanyl-related crimes in the last two fiscal years than in the previous five 
      years combined. 
    • DHS is leading the federal effort to combat fentanyl internationally, through information-sharing, 
      multinational enforcement operations, and global cooperation with federal, state, and local 
      partners and stakeholder to disrupt fentanyl networks within our communities. 
    • DHS has arrested over 3,600 subjects connected to fentanyl-seizure events, which directly 
      degrades the organized criminal networks responsible for bringing fentanyl into our communities, seized over 2,200 pill presses, and seized over 27,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl to stop it at our 
      borders and in our communities before it can hurt the American public. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: As State, Federal Response Efforts Continue, Biden-Harris Administration Provides Over $10 Million to Hurricane Helene Survivors

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: As State, Federal Response Efforts Continue, Biden-Harris Administration Provides Over $10 Million to Hurricane Helene Survivors

    As State, Federal Response Efforts Continue, Biden-Harris Administration Provides Over $10 Million to Hurricane Helene Survivors

    WASHINGTON — As search and rescue, power restoration and communications capability remain top priorities throughout the Southeast, FEMA has already helped thousands of Hurricane Helene survivors jumpstart their recoveries with more than $10 million in flexible, upfront funding. 

    More than 4,800 personnel from across the federal workforce are deployed and more than 1,000 are from FEMA. To date, FEMA has shipped over 8.8 million meals, more than 7.4 million liters of water, 150 generators and more than 225,000 tarps to the region.

    Today, President Biden will be in North Carolina and Vice President Harris will be in Georgia meeting with community leaders and first responders. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will remain in North Carolina to oversee response efforts and ensure the federal government provides urgent and extensive support to Asheville and surrounding areas.

    President Biden has approved a Major Disaster declaration for 24 counties and cities in Virginia. This declaration comes in addition to areas of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Disaster survivors in these areas can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA.

    People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in the designated counties should apply for assistance, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. 

    There are three ways apply for FEMA assistance: 

    Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Hurricane Helene.  

    Voluntary organizations are also providing personnel and resources to the hardest hit areas. The American Red Cross has more than 850 trained disaster workers providing comfort and operating shelters. They are also helping find loved ones through their helpline 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting the Red Cross Hurricane Helene Reunification page, where you can enter pertinent information about the person you’re looking for. If someone is missing a child related to this disaster or any other incident, they need to call 9-1-1 and then 1-800-THE-LOST to receive assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

    People can receive free services like cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs and mold mitigation with the help of Crisis Cleanup by calling 844-965-1386. The hotline is open through October 11 and can connect people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and the faith-based community who may be able to assist. 

    North Carolina 

    President Biden will visit today to survey damage and meet with community leaders and first responders. So far, FEMA has received over 30,000 applications and provided more than $2.6 million to survivors. 

    As of today, more than 62% of originally reported power outages have been restored. Nearly 8,000 crews continue to assist with remaining power restoration efforts. 

    Cellular restoration continues to improve, with less than 50% of cellular sites down as of today. Ten counties, down from 17, have 50% or more cell sites down. Two Federal Communications Commission surveillance teams are conducting inspection operations on equipment in targeted counties. 

    To date, FEMA has helped provide 67 total Starlink to the state, including 3 Starlinks for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation and 4 Starlinks for critical lifeline locations as determined by the state. 

    As of today, search and rescue teams have conducted nearly 1,500 structural evaluations and over 1,660 human and animal interactions including rescues, evacuations and other assistance. Additional federal search and rescue teams are enroute to support the mission.

    Voluntary organizations are supporting mass feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft delivery.

    Four additional shelters opened yesterday, totaling 29 shelters with over 1,000 occupants. 

    The Salvation Army has provided over 1,000 meals, 1,900 snacks and 1,900 beverages to survivors. Mobile feeding operations continue to help survivors in heavily impacted areas.

    The North Carolina National Guard has delivered 12 aircraft pallets, totaling more than 100,000lbs of food and over 38,000lbs of water to Asheville. 

    Information for Residents: 

    • Residents should not travel to western North Carolina to keep the roadways clear for search and rescue teams and utility crews. 
    • Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts. 

    Florida

    Today, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. 

    In Florida, FEMA has received over 85,000 applications for assistance and has provided more than $4.8 million to survivors. 

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting either debris assessments or water/wastewater assessments across seven counties. 

    The American Red Cross is conducting direct emergency feeding and working with feeding partners to provide distribution in support of partner production. Sixteen shelters remain open with over 500 occupants. 

    The Salvation Army has 29 active mobile feeding units serving meals and distributing supplies in nine counties. 

    Residents in need of information or resources should call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-342-3557. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions. 

    Georgia

    Vice President Harris will visit Richmond County today to survey damage and meet with the community. As of today, more than 60% of originally reported power outages have been restored.

    In Georgia, FEMA has received over 60,000 applications for assistance. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. 

    The Salvation Army has 26 active mobile feeding units providing meals and support to 10 counties in the affected areas. 

    The American Red Cross is conducting direct emergency feeding and working with feeding partners to provide distribution in support of partner production. One new shelter opened yesterday, totaling 8 shelters with over 500 occupants. 

    Team Rubicon continues route clearance operations in Ray City. 

    Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene.

    South Carolina

    Today, Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will begin canvassing impacted communities across the state, meeting survivors where they are, to register for FEMA assistance. 

    As of today, more than half of originally reported power outages have been restored, including all Trauma 1-level hospitals. 

    In South Carolina, FEMA has received over 70,000 applications and distributed more than $4.4 million to survivors. 

    The state has established a Mass Feeding Task Force to include multiple voluntary agencies. FEMA is supporting the state’s feeding mission with Meals Ready to Eat and drinking water. 

    Information for Residents: 

    • Residents with questions on Hurricane Helene can call the state’s toll-free hotline, open 24 hours a day, at 1-866-246-0133.
    • Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state’s Department of Public Health Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information.

    Virginia 

    Last night, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the commonwealth. 

    Residents in Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties and the independent city of Galax can begin applying for assistance today. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

    Damage assessments are continuing in other areas and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

    Tennessee

    In Tennessee, shelter and mass feeding operations are ongoing. The Salvation Army has provided over 250 meals, 60 snacks and more than 180 beverages to survivors. 

    Eight shelters remain open with decreasing populations, as people are able to safely return home. 

    Power and cellular restoration continues to improve. Now less than 0.2% of customers are without power and less than 15% of cellular sites are down. As of today, there are no counties with 50% or more cell sites out.

    Information for Residents

    • Residents can call 1-800-824-3463 to report a missing person. Callers should be prepared to relay as much information as possible including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification and last known whereabouts. 
    • Counties have started establishing donation centers. For the evolving list, visit TEMA’s website.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins’ Bipartisan SIREN Reauthorization Act Signed into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, announced that her bipartisan Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Reauthorization Act, which she co-authored with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), has been signed into law. The legislation will extend funding for five additional years for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies nationwide. This funding from the the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment, including naloxone to address the opioid overdose epidemic.

    “It is vital that Americans who live in rural parts of Maine and across the country have access to lifesaving emergency medical services, which is why I have long advocated for funding to support access to quality rural health care,” said Senator Collins. “I thank my colleagues for supporting this critical bipartisan legislation that will help to alleviate staffing shortages, upgrade training and equipment, and ultimately boost response times when seconds count. This program will continue to make a real difference for recruiting and retaining EMS personnel in Maine’s rural communities.”

    The bipartisan SIREN Act was initially signed into law in 2018 as part of the Farm Bill. Since then, Senators Collins and Durbin have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $11.5 million this year, resulting in a total of $40 million in grants nationwide to 42 states. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS/fire agencies in Maine, most recently for the Brooks Ambulance Service, MaineHealth, the Northern Oxford Regional Ambulance Service, and the United Ambulance Service.

    A decline in primary care and hospital service availability, workforce shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, great distances between health care facilities, and low insurance reimbursement for transport and emergency treatment have all strained rural EMS agencies. At the same time, EMS agencies today are tasked with ever-greater responsibilities— preparing for natural and manmade disasters and bioterror threats, supporting the chronic and emergency care needs of an aging population, and responding on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.  These first responders are often the only health care providers in their area and face difficulty in personnel recruitment and retention, and securing expensive equipment.

    The SIREN Reauthorization Act is endorsed by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Rural Health Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, and National Fire Protection Association.

    The complete text of the legislation can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins’ Two Bills to Combat Alzheimer’s Signed into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, announced that two bipartisan bills she authored—the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (AAIA)—have been signed into law. These bills will cement and build on the important progress that has been made to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease.

    We have made tremendous progress in recent years to boost funding for Alzheimer’s research, which holds great promise to end this disease that has had a devastating effect on millions of Americans and their families,” said Senator Collins, a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. “These two bills will maintain our momentum and make sure that we do not take our foot off the pedal just as our investments in basic research are beginning to translate into potential new treatments. We must not let Alzheimer’s to be one of the defining diseases of our children’s generation as it has ours.”

    “The bipartisan NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act being signed into law today represents a major step forward in the fight against this devastating disease,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “On behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association, thank you to Sen. Collins for your continued, outstanding leadership in advancing these critical bills through the legislative process and getting them signed into law today. Together they will build on the progress made in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia for years to come.”

    “With the bipartisan NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act being signed into law, our nation has renewed its commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia,” said Drew Wyman, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter. “Thank you to Sen. Collins for your leadership in introducing and advancing these pivotal bills, and for your longstanding dedication to the Alzheimer’s community in Maine and across the nation.”

    “These two bills are incredibly important to the work we are doing to end the scourge of Alzheimer’s,” said George Vradenburg, chair and co-founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “By reinforcing our national commitment to fighting this crisis and requiring accountability for every federal dollar spent, these bills help ensure that our country will keep its foot on the gas to stop this disease. We look forward to working with Health and Human Services on establishing new national goals for 2035 and engaging the business community in those conversations so we can address the enormous economic impact of Alzheimer’s. We’re also grateful for the leadership of Senators Collins, Markey, Warner, and Capito and for every member of the Senate who joined them in getting these bills across the finish line.”

    More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s costs our nation an astonishing $360 billion per year, including $231 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. If we continue along this trajectory, Alzheimer’s is projected to claim the minds of 13.8 million seniors by 2060 and nearly surpass $1 trillion in annual costs by 2050. In 2022, family caregivers provided 18 billion hours of unpaid care for loved ones with dementia.

    In 2011, Senator Susan Collins authored the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) with then-Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN).  NAPA convened a panel of experts, who created a coordinated strategic national plan to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. The law was set to expire and needed to be reauthorized to ensure that research investments remain coordinated, and their impact maximized.

    The NAPA Reauthorization Act will:

    • Reauthorize NAPA through 2035 and modernize the legislation to reflect strides that have been made to understand the disease, such as including a new focus on promoting healthy aging and reducing risk factors.
    • Update language in recognition of the need to include underserved populations, including individuals with Down syndrome, who are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s as they age.

    This bill is endorsed by the National Down Syndrome Society, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and LuMind IDSC Foundation.

    The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act will:

    • Continue through 2035 a requirement that the Director of the National Institutes of Health submit an annual budget to Congress estimating the funding necessary to fully implement NAPA’s research goals.
      • Only two other areas of biomedical research – cancer and HIV/AIDS – have been the subject of special budget development aimed at speeding discovery.

    Senator Collins authored the NAPA Reauthorization Act with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). Both bills are cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

    The NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act are endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

    The complete text of the NAPA Reauthorization Act can be read here.

    The complete text of the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Meets Employees at CF Industries and Essential Federal Credit Union

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    BATON ROUGE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) visited CF Industries’ ammonia production facility in Donaldsonville, and later the Essential Federal Credit Union in Baton Rouge. During both visits, he learned how Louisianans are supporting small businesses and both the local and global economies.

    At CF’s Donaldsonville Complex, Cassidy learned about its capability of producing nearly 8 million tons of nitrogen products for agricultural and industrial use. CF uses the facility’s access to the Mississippi River and other modes of transportation to ship its products to major crop-producing states in the interior of America. They also utilize ocean-going vessels to Europe, South America, and Asia. 
    CF is also working to produce green ammonia and sequester carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as it produces its products. Thanks to their efforts, they will capture and sequester up to 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from its Donaldsonville Complex by 2025. This is in line with Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provided $5.1 billion to invest in carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology.
    “CF Industries and its employees have done more than anyone else in the world to make clean products,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Efforts like this help put the United States at a competitive advantage. We need to do more of this to create more jobs and make a competitive economy.”

    CF’s Donaldsonville Complex supports 566 permanent employees and 640 contractors, generates $16.8 million in annual state and parish sales taxes, and provided $430 million to local suppliers last year. Cassidy was welcomed there by Mr. Morris Johnson, General Manager for the facility.
    “At CF Industries, our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably,” said Mr. Johnson. “To achieve this mission, we are investing in the decarbonization of our network with significant projects underway right here in Ascension Parish at our Donaldsonville Complex, located in the heart of this community we’ve called home for nearly 60 years. We thank Senator Cassidy for his visit to our site and his work on behalf of Donaldsonville and Louisiana through forward-leading competitiveness, energy and trade policies.”

    Later, Cassidy visited the Essential Federal Credit Union, which was chartered in 1972 by a group of Dow Chemical employees and now has more than 46,000 members and $378 million in assets. Cassidy met with Essential’s employees, and also with executives from other local credit unions who discussed how they’re serving their members. He discussed his efforts to preserve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, make flood insurance rates affordable, and invest in high-speed broadband and water and sewer projects for Louisiana’s rural communities.
    “Our credit unions always know how their communities are doing, since people go to them to finance a house or a small business,” said Dr. Cassidy. “By making flood insurance affordable and investing in rural broadband, we can help more families buy a home or grow their business, which makes our credit unions stronger.”

    Cassidy participated in a roundtable with credit union directors from across Louisiana. He was welcomed by Mr. Anthony Ware, II, Director of Legislative Advocacy for the Louisiana Credit Union Association, of which the Essential Federal Credit Union is a member.
    “Thank you, Senator Cassidy, for taking the time to meet with the Louisiana Credit Union Association powered by Luminate, and visiting Essential Federal Credit Union today,” said Mr. Ware. “We truly appreciate you taking the time to hear from credit unions on the issues that are important to us and vital to helping Louisiana residents. We value your continued support of credit unions as we serve our members and strengthen our communities.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sarbanes Statement on Iran’s Attack on Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Sarbanes (3rd District of Maryland)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-03) released the following statement today regarding Iran’s recent attack on Israel:

    “I am grateful that Israel’s defenses succeeded in thwarting yesterday’s missile attack by Iran. This reinforces the critical importance of ongoing U.S. support for Israel’s security apparatus as well as careful coordination among Israel’s allies. I join President Biden and Vice President Harris in expressing solidarity with the Israeli people and commend the Administration for its continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate conflict in the region, avert civilian casualties and reestablish a framework for achieving peace and stability.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News