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  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of Florida

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie in Perry and Cedar Key to provide updates on recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene impacted Florida’s Big Bend region. As of this afternoon, approximately 828,548 Floridians are without power. The State of Florida has already restored 1,573,907 accounts.

    Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 on September 24, amending EO 24-208 and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties.

    To learn more, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide. For updates on county resources available visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.

    State Preparedness Effort

    • The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 on Tuesday, September 24, and is leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team.
    • The State Emergency Response Team is engaged in over 1,500 missions to assist counties in their preparation efforts. These missions accomplish vital tasks like staging response resources, protecting critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals and utility stations, and coordinating personnel statewide.
    • Seven Urban search and rescue task forces are deployed.
    • The Florida National Guard (FLNG) has mobilized nearly 3,900 Soldiers and Airmen in preparation for Hurricane Helene.
    • The FLNG has rescued 30 residents throughout the impacted area. We have mobilized 15 route clearing teams and have 13 rotary wing aircraft prepared to provide SAR and/or damage assessment support. Mississippi is providing an additional 3 rotary wing aircraft later today.
    • The FLNG is providing logistics support, law enforcement support, route clearance, search and rescue, commodity distribution, flood mitigation, aviation and other support as needed by the state.
    • The Florida State Guard (FSG) is standing by with the following:
      • 250+ Soldiers ready to deploy.
      • 10 shallow water vessel boat teams
      • 7 flat-bottom-flood rescue skiffs
      • 2 amphibious rescue vehicles
      • 2 K-9 search and rescue teams
      • 12 UTV’s
      • 15 Cut and toss crews
      • 7 search and rescue teams
      • 2 UH-60 Blackhawk for daytime aerial assessment and logistics missions
    • The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Mutual Aid team is coordinating law enforcement missions including search and rescue and fuel for first responders.
    • FDLE is conducting status calls with DMS to ensure State SLERS radio communications systems are operative for law enforcement.
    • FDLE’s Aviation Unit conducted an aerial survey of impacted counties in coordination with the Air Operations Branch. FDLE has flown seven missions with five aircraft.
    • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has more than 100 officers and support staff responding to areas of Florida impacted by Hurricane Helene.
    • Two Special Operations Group (SOG) teams, totaling 15 officers, from the NW Region responded to western coastal areas of the impacted area such as Franklin and Gulf counties, assisting residents in need and moved onto harder hit areas once areas were clear.
    • FWC officers are conducting welfare checks and search and rescues in coastal communities in Dixie, Levy and Taylor Counties with shallow draft vessels and specialized high-water vehicles.
    • A team of officers from the Southwest region assisted Pasco County law enforcement with high water evacuations due to storm surge conditions on Thursday night. Approximately seven people were rescued by FWC teams. Additionally, FWC officers rescued eleven people and six pets in Charlotte County due to high water conditions.
    • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has over 2,100 FDOT team members working directly on storm response.
    • Damage assessment teams are active in the field and are surveying impacts.
    • 61 Cut and Toss crews have worked since 3 a.m. and have completely cleared I-10.
    • Cut and Toss Operations
      • 577 crews are active in the field and have already cleared over 8,300 miles of roadway.
      • 129 Bridge Inspectors have inspected 1,200 bridges across the impacted areas.
      • FDOT is directly coordinating Cut & Toss Crews with Utility Response Crews to aid in swift utility restoration.
    • Westbound Gandy Bridge has reopened. One lane of eastbound Gandy Bridge has reopened.
    • Southbound Howard Frankland Bridge has reopened.
    • Sunshine Skyway Bridge is now open in both directions.
    • A 10-mile stretch of State Road 789 in Sarasota County and Manatee County has experienced extreme damage and the roadway is inaccessible. Crews are working to assess the entire corridor and have implemented an emergency contract to quickly perform repairs.
    • State Road 24 heading into Cedar Key was heavily damaged earlier this morning. Crews have completed repairs and reopened the roadway.
    • Crews are working to repair damage from erosion at Courtney Campbell Causeway.
    • Crews are working to clear sand and debris from the roadway on Gulf Blvd in Pinellas County.
    • Crews have reviewed over 7,000 traffic signals statewide. 255 signals across the impacted areas are not operational, however, crews are actively working to restore power to these locations.
    • Debris pick up has begun in South Florida- 42 crew members are FDOT has committed to perform debris pick up within fiscally constrained counties.
    • FDOT Secretary issued FDOT Emergency Order on September 23, 2024.
      • FDOT has lifted weight restrictions and is allowing bypass of weigh stations for emergency response vehicles, including utility vehicles staging for rapid response.
    • FDOT’s Post-Storm Statewide Response Efforts include:
    • Road Ranger service has been expanded to assist motorists along critical roadways.
    • Resources deployed in the field or available as needed:
      • Over 858 generators
      • Nearly 49 pumps
      • Over 70 pieces of heavy equipment and trucks are actively in the field for response efforts
      • 43 Drone team members staged to make assessments where needed
      • 5 ITS trailers
    • FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated.
    • Remember to never drive through flooded areas. The area of the roadway beneath the water may be washed out or may conceal debris or even power lines. Turn Around; Don’t Drown.

    Transportation Modes
    Seaports

    • Port Panama City, Port of Port St. Joe, Port Tampa Bay, SeaPort Manatee, Port St. Pete, Port of Fernandina, and JAXPORT are closed waterside while awaiting Coast Guard Channel survey.

    Airports

    • All airports have reopened.
    • Please check with airlines directly on the specific status of flights.

    Rail

    • Passenger Rail:
      • Amtrak is operating. Please check with Amtrak directly for service impacts.
      • SunRail service has resumed with some service delays due to power outages.
    • Freight Rail:
      • Railroads in the impacted areas are assessing damage and conducting inspections.

    Transit

    • Transit agencies in the impacted areas are assessing conditions and resuming service where possible. Please check directly with local agency providers for service impacts.
    State-Owned Roads Closures (As of 2:30 p.m., 9/27/24) 
    State Road closures listed below. For real-time updates, Check FL511.com. 
    Bridge Closures
    • Closures
      • Northbound Howard Frankland
      • Courtney Campbell Causeway
      • One lane of eastbound Gandy Bridge
    • Alachua County
      • Debris on Roadway on NW 34th Blvd Northbound at NW 24th Ter. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-222 Both Directions from NE 27th Ave to NE 52nd St. All lanes closed.
      • Object on roadway on SR-26 / Newberry Rd East, at NW 66th St. 2 Right lanes blocked.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-121 Northbound at NW 24th Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-26 Both Directions at NE 27th Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on us-441 Northbound at NW 104th Ln. 1 Right Lane closed.
    • Baker County 
      • Debris on Roadway on US-90 Both Directions at Tiger Lake Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-90 Eastbound at Arnold Rhoden Rd. All lanes closed.
    • Charlotte County  
      • Flooding on E Olympia Ave Eastbound at Nesbit St. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on E Marion Ave Westbound at Cooper St. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on US-41 North, before West Marion Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on US-17 East, at Nesbit St. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on US-17 West, at Cooper St. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on McCall Rd Northbound at Myakka River. All lanes closed.
      • High Winds on Tamiami Trl Southbound at Main St. All lanes closed.
      • High Winds on Tamiami Trl Northbound at Harborside Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on SR-776 North, before El Jobean Bridge. All lanes closed.
    • Columbia County 
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at Oyster Shell Lane. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions at US-41. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-441 Both Directions at NE Sunny Brook St. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-441 Both Directions at NW Ernest Greene Gln. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-10A Westbound at US-41. All lanes closed
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at SW Tamarack Loop. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions near CR-240. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions at SW Marvin Burnett Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-441 Both Directions from I-10 Eastbound to Georgia State Line. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-100 Both Directions at SE Douglas Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at SW Norris Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at SW Dairy St. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions at SW Watson Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on S US Highway 441 Northbound at CR-240. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-90 Westbound at SW Koonville Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Object on roadway on US-90 / Lake City East, at Sisters Welcome Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Object on roadway on US-90 / Lake City West, at Sisters Welcome Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Object on roadway on I-75 North, before MM 416. Right shoulder blocked.
      • Debris on Roadway on S US Highway 441 Both Directions at CR-18. All lanes closed.
    • Dixie County 
      • Debris on Roadway on US-19 Southbound at NE 824th St. All lanes closed.
    • Duval County 
      • Debris on Roadway on Emerson St Westbound at Rosemary St. All lanes closed.
    • Gilchrist County 
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-26 Eastbound at TL Johnson Blvd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Northbound at NE 40th Ct Rd. All lanes closed.
    • Hillsborough County 
      • Flooding on SR-618 West, ramp to 22nd St.
      • Flooding on SR-618 East, at 22nd St.
      • Bridge Closed in Hillsborough County on SR-60 West, at Ben T Davis Beach. All lanes closed.
    • Jackson County
      • Flooding on Caverns Rd Both Directions at Russell Rd. All lanes closed.
    • Jefferson County
      • Debris on Roadway on Still Rd Southbound near N Jefferson St.
      • Debris on Roadway on W Washington Hwy Both Directions near Creekside Ct. All lanes closed.
    • Lafayette County 
      • Debris on Roadway on E US 27 Northbound near CR-450. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on S SR-51 Both Directions at SW Van Buren Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Both Directions at CR-536. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Both Directions at NW Griffin Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Eastbound near SW Gary L Thomas Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Northbound at CR-350. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-27 Northbound at SW Truman Ln. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on E Main St Southbound at NE Willis Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-349 Northbound at SR-27. All lanes closed.
        Debris on Roadway on SR-349 Northbound at CR-500. All lanes closed.
    • Lee County  
      • Flooding on US-41 Business North, at Edison Bridge. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on Edison Bridge Northbound 0.48 Miles Beyond 2nd St. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on SR-80 / First St West, before Park Avenue. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding in Lee County on SR-865/ San Carlos Blvd North, at Matanzas Pass Bridge. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding in Lee County on SR-865/ San Carlos Blvd South, at Matanzas Pass Bridge. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on US-41 South, beyond N Key Dr.. All lanes closed.
    • Levy County 
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-345 Both Directions near NW 53rd Ln.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-345 Both Directions at SE 4th St. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on NE Highway 27 Alt Both Directions at CR-339. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-19 Northbound at NW 140th St. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-41 Southbound at NE 75th St. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-121 Northbound at NE 50th St. All lanes closed.
    • Madison County 
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-53 Both Directions near SR-14. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-53 Northbound at SR-10. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-221 Both Directions at I-10 Eastbound. All lanes closed.
    • Manatee County 
      • Flooding in on SR-684 / Cortez Rd W East, at Gulf Dr. N (SR-789).
      • Flooding on SR-684 / Cortez Rd W West, at Gulf Dr N (SR-789). All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on SR-64 / Manatee Ave East, at Gulf Dr.. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on SR-64 / Manatee Ave West, at Gulf Dr.. All lanes closed.
    • Pinellas County 
      • Emergency vehicles on I-275 North, at Roosevelt Blvd. All lanes closed.
      • Emergency vehicles on I-275 North, ramp from EB Ulmerton Rd. On-ramp closed.
      • Emergency vehicles on I-275 North, ramp from NB 4th St N. On-ramp closed.
      • Bridge Closed on SR-60 East, at Dr. Kiran C. Patel Blvd. All lanes blocked.
      • Bridge Closed on SR-600/Gandy Blvd East, beyond MM 3. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on I-275 South, ramp from EB Ulmerton Rd.
      • Flooding on N Pinellas Ave Both Directions at Anclote Rd.
      • Flooding on S Pinellas Ave Southbound at W Lime St.
      • Flooding on S Pinellas Ave Northbound at E MLK Dr.
      • Flooding on Bayshore Blvd Northbound at San Christopher Dr. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on Bayshore Blvd Southbound at Causeway Blvd. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on Pasadena Ave Southbound at Sunset Dr S. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on 75th Ave Northbound near Mangrove Ave. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on Edgewater Dr Southbound from President St to Locklie St. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on S Pinellas Ave Southbound at Meres Blvd. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on I-275 North, beyond 4th St N.
      • Flooding on I-275 South, ramp to 54th Ave S.
      • Flooding on SR-688 East, beyond Roosevelt Blvd N.
      • Flooding on SR-688 West, before Roosevelt Blvd N.
      • Debris on Roadway on Pinellas Bayway Southbound at Palma del Mar Blvd S. All lanes closed.
    • Sarasota County  
      • Flooding on SR-789 North, at Sunset Drive. All lanes closed.
      • Flooding on SR-789 South, at Sunset Drive. All lanes closed.
    • Suwannee County 
      • Debris on Roadway on US-90 Eastbound at 149th Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-90 Both Directions at CR-137. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-90 Westbound at 185th Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-90 Westbound at 63rd Dr. All lanes closed.
    • Taylor County 
      • Debris on Roadway on S Jefferson St Both Directions at S Byron Butler Pkwy. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on SR-51 Both Directions near US-19 Southbound. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-19 Both Directions at Kelly Grade. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-27 Westbound at Granger Rd. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-27 Eastbound at CR-296. All lanes closed.
      • Debris on Roadway on US-98 Westbound at Dice Rd. All lanes closed.
    • The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7/365 for virtual care and tele-emergency care and support to Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care in Florida. 1-877-741-3400. Visit https://department.va.gov/integrated-service-networks/visn-08 for more information.
    • Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City lost power and is currently on generator.
    • Volunteer Florida: Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers: 833-514-2940
    • Samaritan’s Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234 free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work and Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
      • 2-1-1 is open and ready to receive calls. Individuals can call for up-to-the-
      • Red Cross Hotline is open to assist: 1-800-Red Cross
      • Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123. Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work, and muckouts.
      • Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386

     

    Health and Human Services

    • The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) has shifted to recovery efforts and has begun post storm calls and wellness checks with clients, providers, partners, and staff in affected areas verifying status and ask about immediate needs caused by the storm and develop plans to resolve.
    • APD operated facilities in Marianna and Chattahoochee maintained power through the storm, while the Gainesville facility is without power and operating on generators. All residents, clients, and staff have reported they are safe.
    • 14 evacuated APD licensed Group Homes have also reported they are safe, and APD will continue to work with providers to see about storm damage and potential needs.
    • APD is mapping Group Homes, clients in Supported Living Facilities, and clients living in family homes in affected areas for priority follow up and wellness checks by APD teams and provider staff.
    • APD is working with partners and the State Emergency Response Team to ensure the functional and access needs of disaster survivors are met.
    • APD Hope Florida Navigators and APD emergency recovery teams standby ready for deployment to affected areas to serve disaster distribution centers as needed.
    • The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) is deploying over 470 emergency response vehicles. Staging is currently in Leon, Liberty, Osceola, Pinellas, and Polk counties.
    • At this time, one Boil Water Notice has been reported for Marion County as a result of Hurricane Helene.
    • DOH has Special Needs Shelters available in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. A press release has been sent statewide for additional information on special needs shelters. To find a shelter near you, please visit the county emergency management page here.
    • DOH and the Agency for Health Care Administration initiated Patient Movement Mission to support medical transport and evacuations of health care facilities.
    • The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-002, which:
      • Waives competitive procurement requirements in order to procure commodities, goods, and services expeditiously in response to the emergency.
      • Permits emergency medical transportation services to operate across county lines.
      • Permits Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Medical Directors, as defined by Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or districts to practice in Florida in response to the emergency without penalty.
      • Authorizes a reporting extension for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
      • Authorizes an extension of the upcoming licensure renewal deadlines for Nursing Home Administrators, Radiological Personnel, and Athletic Trainers until October 31, 2024.
    • DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-209. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers.
    • The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has activated reporting in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS) and has requested that all health care providers report their census, available beds, evacuation status, and generator status information. This information allows AHCA to assist health care providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that health care providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
    • AHCA has made 40 phone calls to health care facilities in the impacted area, to check their status.
    • As of 3 p.m., 92 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This includes:
      • 46 assisted living facilities
      • 29 nursing homes
      • 6 hospitals
      • 1 hospital emergency department
      • 5 residential treatment facilities
      • 2 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
      • 2 adult family care home, and 2 intermediate care facility for developmentally disabled
    • 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
    • As 3 p.m., there are 158 health care facilities on generator power across the state. This includes:
      • 3 hospitals
      • 77 assisted living facilities
      • 43 nursing homes.
      • 5 adult family care home
      • 2 hospices
      • 5 hospital emergency department
      • 5 intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled
      • 10 residential treatment facilities
      • 1 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
      • 7 crisis stabilization and short-term rtf
    • The Agency has waived all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services until further notice.
    • AHCA has conducted 39 onsite post-incident assessment visits.

    Infrastructure, Roads and State Closures

    • The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) cut teams and FDOT road clearing teams are providing aid to areas impacted by the storm.
    • FHP continues to mobilize drone assets to help assess post-storm damage and assist with rescue and recovery efforts in areas impacted by the storm.
    • FHP Troopers are assisting with escorting critical restoration and recovery vehicles from around the state to areas impacted by the storm.
    • FHP is mobilizing Quick Response Force team members to deploy to affected areas of Florida to assist with recovery efforts.
    • FHP and FDOT cut teams cleared all trees and debris from Interstate 10 and Interstate 75 and traffic flow has been restored.
    • FHP drone assets and fixed-wing aircraft are actively assisting with search and rescue efforts and storm damage assessment.
    • FHP mobilized high-water vehicles to areas affected by the storm to assist with search and rescue efforts.
    • FHP is providing security at storm response fuel sites.
    • FLHSMV has 3 Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobiles on standby to provide mobile credentialing services in impacted areas and to those affected by the storm.
    • Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued Emergency Order 24-05, in support of Executive Order 24-209 which: waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief; and waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.
    • The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has contacted over 2,000 families and group homes to ensure all children and families served are safe and to determine needs.
    • The HOPE LINE has been activated at 8 a.m. today to assist those in need of resources or other assistance after the storm. It is now available 24/7 for the next two-plus weeks at 833-GET-HOPE.
    • Activate Hope has been deployed to help connect Floridians impacted by the storm with needed resources like food, supplies, home repairs, and more. Serving as the emergency response component of the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope connects the private sector, nonprofits, and government to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here to get help.
    • DCF has contacted over 5,500 licensed providers in impacted areas to check for needs after the storm.
    • The State Mental Health Treatment Facilities are fully operational.
    • Through ESF 6, DCF provided staffing and emergency supplies to 32 shelters and meals to 1,000 first responders.
    • The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) continues to contact all Area Agencies on Aging partners to receive updates. Post storm call downs to clients are ongoing and there are currently no unmet needs.
    • The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has been contacting school districts and state colleges following Hurricane Helene and is addressing needs to reopen as quickly as possible. Districts, colleges, and universities are conducting damage assessments following the storm. Currently, 48 school districts, 19 state colleges, and 8 universities remain closed as of Friday, September 27, 2024.
    • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is actively working to provide assistance to drinking water, wastewater and hazardous waste facilities. Outreach to these facilities to determine operational status is ongoing.
    • DEP’s online portal WaterTracker is now live for drinking and wastewater facilities to report their operational status.
    • DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
    • DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association and other response agencies to dispatch generators, fuel and pump trucks and other resources to assist drinking and wastewater facilities.
    • DEP and response agencies are working 1-on-1 with partially- and non-operational drinking and wastewater facilities to get them back to operational status as quickly as possible to meet the immediate service needs of the communities they serve. Areas under boil water advisories can be found at https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/boil-water-notices/index.html.
    • DEP is working in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard to identify oil spills and hazardous material releases in coastal and inland waterways.
    • 94 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been authorized to operate for Hurricane Helene. These sites are a critical component of expediting clean-up and reducing environmental and public health impacts post-storm and meeting federal reimbursement requirements.
    • 12 Florida State Parks strike teams have been assembled to assist with assessment and recovery efforts at impacted parks.
    • More than 60 state parks have reopened following Hurricane Helene. DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.

    Resources for Employees, Businesses and Consumers

    • The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has partnered with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to encourage more than 71,000 Florida-licensed lodging establishments to relax pet policies and waive pet fees for evacuees.
    • DBPR has proactively communicated with more than 137,000 restaurant and lodging licensees to provide storm preparation and food safety resources.
    • DBPR has proactively contacted more than 2,300 prescription wholesale stakeholders to provide information on emergency provisions under Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 24-211 that will help mitigate supply chain difficulties with prescription drugs and medical gas.
    • The Florida Disaster Contractors Network has been activated to connect homeowners with licensed contractors and suppliers to perform emergency repairs.
    • DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who provide post-storm construction-related services to register with its Florida Disaster Contractors Network at DCNOnline.org.
    • DBPR has distributed FloridaCommerce’s Business Damage Assessment Survey to nearly 1,000,000 licensees in impacted counties and encouraged them to report damages using the survey.
    • DBPR’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants has begun disaster assessments in impacted areas. Emergency Response Teams across the state are completing outreach to impacted businesses to reinforce food safety protocols after the storm.
    • FloridaCommerce activated the private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
    • Updates on business closures and business resources are updated at FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.
    • FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu.
    • FloridaCommerce is working with the Florida Chamber, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and other private sector partners to consistently update business open/close status on FloridaDisaster.biz. FloridaCommerce staff have made more than 300 calls to rural and small businesses to help with this effort.
    • Walmart has donated $500 gift cards to shelters in Hamilton, Madison and Suwannee Counties for the purchase of pet food.
    • Lowes has deployed their Tool Rental Truck to assist in recovery efforts providing a rental option for power tools from chainsaws and pressure washers, to fence post augers and compressors. The truck is also staffed with small engine mechanics to support local communities with power.
    • VISIT FLORIDA Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia, Priceline and Booking.com will remain available to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors.
    • Visit website for CareerSource openings: careersourceflorida.com
    • Comcast has opened more than 52,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Florida. The free and public hotspots are open for all, including non-Xfinity customers. For more information, click here.
    • CVS Health created pop-up pharmacies in impacted areas.
    • The Florida Department of State, Division of Elections, has contacted the United States Postal Service (USPS) about election information and vote-by-mail ballots. The Division of Elections recommended that Supervisors of Elections t contact their local district USPS to discuss a mitigation plan for ballot mailing, delivery, and return.
    • The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) worked with Florida’s ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available, and with Florida’s agricultural partners so producers have adequate resources. The Florida Forest Service staged equipment, like high-water vehicles.
    • The Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, has approved an Emergency Order temporarily suspending the intrastate movement requirements for animal transportation. In addition, the following states have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets, horses, and livestock leaving the state: Alabama, Georgia (does not include livestock), Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
    • Commissioner Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency rule authorizing out-of-state licensed security guards to protect people and property in Florida and has approved an emergency rule to aid the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas to disaster response and recovery operations.
    • Fuel inspectors are responding to impacted areas to ensure retail fuel dispensers are working properly and testing the quality of fuel.
    • Floridians are encouraged to visit complaints.fdacs.gov or call 1-800-HELP-FLA to report water-contaminated fuel issues to the department.
    • Food safety inspectors are responding to impacted areas to conduct damage assessments and ensure the safe operation of over 12,000 potentially impacted food establishments.
    • Agricultural partners can request critical assistance for  livestock and animals in critical need, please complete this form then send it to DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov, or call 863-993-5460.
    • UF/IFAS is studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Helene. Producers can share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation here.
    • Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program for Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – or to remove vegetative debris.
    • FDACS is securing and providing critical resources to our agricultural producers, such as generators, fencing, feed/water, and veterinary supplies.
    • The Department of Revenue (FDOR) has issued Emergency Order 24-001: Taxing Authority Millage and Budget Hearings to assist local taxing authorities with altering their plans for annual budget hearings because of Helene. Department of Revenue bulletin PTO 20-07 provides further instructions for local taxing authorities during declared emergencies.
    • The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is posting updates publicly and in real-time at FDC.myflorida.com/weather-updates.
    • The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) have finalized storm preparations to ensure the safety and security of staff and youth in our care. This includes fueling all vehicles, moving vehicles in low-lying and flood-prone areas to higher ground, testing and ensuring adequate fuel supplies for generators in the event of loss of power, and ensuring food, medicine, and emergency supplies are stocked and ready.

      For previous updates see below:
      9/24/2024
      9/25/2024
      9/26/2024

      Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Hurricane Helene.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Arnoldo André Tinoco, Foreign Minister of Costa Rica (scroll down for Spanish)

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Arnoldo André Tinoco, Foreign Minister of Costa Rica. The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister discussed regional issues, including the current regional migration flows and the impact of organized crime. They also discussed the situation in Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The Secretary-General thanked Costa Rica for its support to multilateralism, solidarity with migrants and asylum seekers and for its leadership on climate action, including the preparations for the upcoming 2025 UN Ocean Conference.

    +++++++++

    El Secretario General se reunió con el Excelentísimo Sr. Arnoldo André Tinoco, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Costa Rica. El Secretario General y el Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores discutieron temas regionales, incluidos los actuales flujos migratorios regionales y el impacto del crimen organizado. También discutieron la situación en Haití, Nicaragua y Venezuela. El Secretario General agradeció a Costa Rica por su apoyo al multilateralismo, su solidaridad con los migrantes y solicitantes de asilo y su liderazgo en la acción climática, incluyendo los preparativos para la próxima Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Océanos en el 2025.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Two more service stations open in Shanghai airports

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

    Maria Costa Sanchez from Spain is served by staff members of the one-stop service station opened at Terminal 1 of Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on Friday. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn

    Two more one-stop service stations opened on Friday to serve international travelers at Shanghai’s two airports, marking the availability of arrival service at both the city’s two aviation hubs.

    The two service stations coming into operation are situated at Terminal 1 of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Terminal 1 of the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, respectively. They will work together with the existing one at Terminal 2 of the Pudong International Airport, which was in trial operation since June 29, to provide inbound travelers with comprehensive, considerate, and efficient services upon their arrival in the city.

    Tailored for the specific requirements of inbound travelers, the three one-stop service stations are tasked to effectively improve the convenience and satisfaction of expatriates traveling working and living in Shanghai.

    A view of the one-stop service station opened at Terminal 1 of Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on Friday. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

    Under a screen displaying “International Services Shanghai”, staff members work at four counters set up at each of the three stations, ready to offer services including communication, payment, tourism and transportation.

    Crucial services including purchasing local SIM cards, cash exchange and withdrawal, portable Wi-Fi equipment, mobile payment consultation and transportation pass sale are available at the stations sitting directly outside the terminals’ international arrival exit points.

    A view of the one-stop service station opened at Terminal 1 of Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai on Friday. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

    Jorge Cinco from Mexico, who just arrived at Terminal 1 of the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, said the services he needed most were payment consultation as well as telecommunications.

    “They are very friendly and helpful,” he said of the staff members who helped him purchase a local SIM card at the counter.

    Maria Costa Sanchez, who travelled from Spain to Shanghai to visit her daughter and three granddaughters, showed the same appreciation toward the service stations. Aided by a translation machine, she managed to exchange cash and acquire a local SIM card at Terminal 1 of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

    So far, the one-stop service station at Terminal 2 of the Pudong International Airport has offered inquiries and services to more than 44,000 passenger trips, and received more than 3,600 pieces of positive feedback from international travelers from countries including Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the Philippines.

    A view of the one-stop service station opened at Terminal 1 of Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai on Friday. International travellers are served by staff members of the one-stop service station opened at Terminal 1 of Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The three one-stop service stations at Shanghai’s two airports would also respond to the upcoming seventh China International Import Expo by providing thoughtful services for exhibitors and participants of the event from all over the world.

    Shanghai’s airports received 8.07 million passenger trips in the first half, soaring 173 percent from the same period of last year.

    The stations are the result of collaboration between the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Shanghai Head Office of the People’s Bank of China, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Transport, Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai Communications Administration, Shanghai Airport (Group) Co Ltd and Shanghai Foreign Service (Group) Co Ltd affiliated to Donghao Lansheng (Group) Co Ltd.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China holds reception for foreign experts in various fields

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

    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China held for foreign experts in various fields at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — A reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China was held for foreign experts in various fields on Friday evening at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

    Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the reception and, on behalf of the Chinese government and President Xi Jinping, conveyed thanks and regards to foreign experts and China’s international friends for their support of China’s reform, opening-up and modernization drive.

    Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China’s progress over the past 75 years has been a result of the unremitting efforts of Chinese people of all ethnic groups and the hard work of foreign experts in various fields.

    “Over the past 75 years, groups of foreign experts have made indelible contributions to the construction of China’s socialist modernization, which the Chinese people will always remember,” Ding said.

    He noted that the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic arrangements for the deepening of reform on all fronts, and for the promotion of Chinese modernization.

    China adheres to a more active, open and effective talent policy, which will provide greater convenience, improved services and a better environment for foreign experts living and working in China, he said.

    It is hoped that the vast number of foreign experts in China will continue to care for and support China’s development, and be good builders of Chinese modernization, good bridges for exchange and cooperation between China and foreign countries, and good non-governmental ambassadors to enhance friendship, Ding said. China also hopes that foreign experts in the country will make new, greater contributions to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 09/27/2024 Blackburn Statement on Flash Flooding Emergency in Tennessee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement on the impact of flash flooding and severe weather caused by Hurricane Helene in Tennessee:
    “All Tennesseans impacted by flash flooding and severe weather should follow local guidance and evacuation protocols carefully. We are working with local officials to ensure public safety, and I encourage every Tennessean to avoid dangerous areas and heed the direction of emergency personnel if traveling. We stand ready to assist and help secure any federal assistance that may be necessary,” said Senator Blackburn. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Senior doctors support Buller march to fix health system

    Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

    West Coast patients deserves more than ‘on call’ health services via a telephone line, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton says.
    Her words come after West Coast Health revealed Buller’s urgent care GP clinics will end and be replaced with a telehealth service.
    “The proposal to cut after hours clinical care has been incredibly rushed and lacks consultation, risk mitigation and proper management,” Dalton says.
    “It is the responsibility of West Coast Health as the primary health organisation to ensure there is sufficient community-based, after-hours care for a community. This is especially important in a community like the West Coast which lacks paramedic services and only has one ambulance.”
    The people of Buller will march in silence from Victoria Square to Westport Clock Tower on October 28 from midday to demonstrate their concern over the dire state of healthcare in the region.
    “We share the concerns of the people of Buller and ask West Coast Health to walk back their decision to cut services and find a solution that benefits the community’s health needs,” Dalton says.
    “What is happening in Buller is happening across the country and communities need to stand together to ensure they get safe, equitable and fit-for-purpose health care not delivered through a telephone line.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – GPs frustrated by funding model which restricts patient access, increases deaths from lung cancer – GenPro

    Source: GenPro

    An urgent need to increase patients’ access to general practice is the clear message from new research on New Zealand’s single biggest cause of cancer deaths, lung cancer.

    A study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal found that surviving lung cancer in New Zealand could depend on access to a GP. (ref. https://nzmj.org.nz/media/pages/journal/vol-137-no-1603/4e8103db3e-1727209620/nzmjv137i1603_27sep2024.pdf )

    “The research clearly shows that patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer after a GP referral tend to have better outcomes than those diagnosed after visiting emergency departments, by which time it’s often too late,” said Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of the General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (GenPro).

    “The study shows that there is health inequity in New Zealand – those who can access and afford to visit a GP are advantaged over those who cannot, which is wrong. We need to ensure everyone can access a GP for an earlier diagnosis which could save lives,” Dr Chambers said.

    While an emergency department is an important part of the healthcare system, especially for red-flag symptoms, visiting a GP when symptoms are less severe can lead to an earlier diagnosis and therefore better treatment options.

    “That patients are choosing not to go to their GP because they cannot get an appointment, cannot enrol in a local GP, or cannot afford to pay for a visit, means they put up with less serious symptoms. But eventually the symptoms get so bad they go to an emergency department. By this time it is often too late.”

    GPs are at the coalface of early detection of highly fatal diseases like lung cancer, and are frustrated by an outdated funding system which is not helping patients access GPs for early diagnosis and optimal outcomes.

    “A recent GenPro survey showed general practices are in crisis, squeezed by rising costs, high patient demand and staff shortages. The key reason is that government funding has not kept pace with the cost of running a general practice,” Dr Chambers said.

    This is a result of Ministers, the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora refusing to invest in general practice despite overwhelming evidence of the health benefits to New Zealanders.

    “The government must as a matter of urgency increase its support of primary healthcare, overhaul the current out-of-date funding model, and help increase the supply of medical professionals into primary healthcare.”
     
    GenPro, which represents more than half of all general practices in Aotearoa, is ready to work with the Minister of Health and the Health NZ Commissioner to develop the solutions needed.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US-led coalition mission in Iraq drawing to end by September 2025

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The U.S.-led international mission formed a decade ago to combat the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq will cease to exist by September 2025, said a joint statement issued Friday by the U.S. and Iraqi governments.

    There will be, however, a “transitioning to bilateral security partnerships in a manner that supports Iraqi forces and maintains pressure on ISIS,” said the statement, which on the U.S. part was carried by the State Department’s website, using the abbreviation of an alternative name of the Islamic State known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

    The coalition’s military mission in neighboring Syria, where the Islamic State also operates, “will continue until September 2026,” the statement said.

    The statement provided few details as to what, if any, number of U.S. troops will leave Iraq as a result of the end of the mission.

    “I just want to foot stomp the fact that this is not a withdrawal. This is a transition. It’s a transition from a coalition military mission to an expanded U.S.-Iraqi bilateral security relationship,” a senior U.S. official told reporters during a briefing Friday.

    The United States has some 2,500 military personnel in Iraq and roughly 900 troops in Syria, tasked with the mission of fighting Islamic State militants while also serving as trainers and advisors to local security forces. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN releases 10 mln USD emergency humanitarian funds for Lebanon aid

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The acting UN relief chief on Friday allocated 10 million U.S. dollars in emergency funding for the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, which the local UN coordinator described as catastrophic.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Israeli air strikes continued to affect civilians and civilian infrastructure on the fifth consecutive day of the large-scale military escalation.

    The world body’s humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, called the destruction nothing short of catastrophic, with the surge in violence extending to previously unaffected areas, causing widespread destruction.

    “We are witnessing the deadliest period in Lebanon in a generation, and many express their fear that this is just the beginning,” Riza said.

    He said that in less than a week, at least 700 lives have been lost, thousands have been injured, and nearly 120,000 people have been displaced, with the numbers continuing to rise. Since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, more than 1,500 civilians have been killed, and over 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.

    “The United Nations and partners are closely coordinating with the Lebanese Government to support the response efforts,” OCHA said. “We are delivering food, mattresses, hygiene kits, and emergency medical supplies.”

    Riza said that critical funding gaps persist in the areas of shelter repair, food, fuel and coordination, among others. Humanitarian organizations are assessing the amount of funding required to address the increasing number of displaced people and the rising humanitarian needs.

    UN Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya allocated the 10 million U.S. dollars from the world body’s Central Emergency Response Fund.

    The office said the funds are in addition to the 10 million dollars released from the Lebanon Humanitarian fund earlier in the week.

    In Gaza, OCHA warned that displaced people live in abysmal conditions, which could further deteriorate in the upcoming cold and rainy winter weather.

    The United Nations and humanitarian partners recently conducted assessments — Sept. 19 and 22 — in two collective shelters in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis.

    “At both sites, displaced communities live in overcrowded shelters and lack cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, sanitary pads and diapers, as well as clothes and infant formula for babies,” OCHA said.

    The office said the first site was a school turned into a shelter by the UN relief agency known as UNRWA in the Al Bureij refugee camp in Deir al Balah. It was hosting more than 3,500 Gazans.

    “Our teams found people were crammed into classrooms and worn-out tents, with an average of 80 to 100 people per classroom and 40 people per tent,” OCHA said. “Access to clean water and health care is extremely limited. Most residents are eating only one meal per day, with some people going the entire day without eating.”

    The office said the second site was a makeshift camp in Abasan in eastern Khan Younis, hosting 2,500 people, including nearly 1,000 school-aged children.

    “The site is in a flood-prone area, adjacent to a site where garbage is being dumped,” OCHA said. “There are no medical facilities and there is no food support at this site, except for occasional hot meals provided by a charity organization.”

    The office said humanitarian aid movements in Gaza face significant access constraints.

    “Nearly 90 percent of coordinated humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza so far in September have been either denied or impeded,” OCHA said.

    In the West Bank, the office said the number of internal movement obstacles deployed by Israeli forces increased by more than 20 percent since June 2023.

    Since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, OCHA said Israeli authorities in the West Bank also imposed movement restrictions, marked by the deployment or maintenance of hundreds of movement obstacles and a general closure that affects Palestinian permit-holders and bars them from accessing East Jerusalem and Israel.

    “The cumulative impact of movement obstacles has been devastating, further entrenching the fragmentation of the West Bank, disrupting access to livelihoods and services for thousands of Palestinians and aggravating the already difficult living conditions there,” the office said.

    OCHA said that health facilities in the West Bank also suffered in the conflict.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that from the Oct. 7 to July 30, there were 527 attacks on health care in the region, including obstruction of access, use of force, detention and militarized searches.

    WHO said the attacks affected 54 health facilities, including 20 mobile clinics and 365 ambulances.

    “These incidents not only hinder access to health care, but also jeopardize the safety of medical personnel and patients,” OCHA said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expects rational perception from Washington about bilateral ties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, Sept. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

    Instead of having it both ways by seeking containment on one hand and requesting cooperation on the other, the United States should derive its China policy from a rational perception about China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York on Friday.

    “The United States should not always approach China with two faces: On the one hand encircling and suppressing China brazenly, and on the other hand, having dialogue and cooperation with China as if nothing is wrong,” said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

    “Since the United States has expressed multiple times that it has no intention to have conflict with China, then fundamentally, it needs to establish a rational perception of China, and find the right way to get along with it,” said the veteran Chinese diplomat.

    “The United States needs to carry out dialogue with respect, advance cooperation in the spirit of reciprocity, and address differences with great prudence, rather than act willfully as it sees fit from a position of strength or use previous mistakes as excuses to make more mistakes,” Wang said on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    On the Taiwan question, Wang said that “if the United States truly hopes to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, it should abide by the one-China principle, implement the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués, stop arming Taiwan, publicly oppose ‘Taiwan independence,’ and support the peaceful reunification of China.”

    Wang went on to say that China “is firmly opposed to U.S. suppression in trade and technology,” and that China “will never accept finger-pointing by human rights preachers, still less interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.”

    Highlighting the importance of people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, Wang urged the U.S. side to “remove obstacles with real actions.”

    Wang articulated China’s firm position on the South China Sea issue. He said that China remains committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned.

    The United States should not stir up trouble in the South China Sea, or undermine regional countries’ efforts to safeguard peace and stability there, Wang added.

    On the Ukraine issue, Wang said China’s position is aboveboard. China has been committed to promoting talks for peace and has been making its efforts toward peaceful settlement.

    The United States should stop smearing, scapegoating and arbitrarily imposing sanctions on China, and stop using this issue to create antagonism and incite camp-based confrontation, Wang said.

    The two sides agreed that the meeting was candid and substantive, and that China and the United States need to find a way to live alongside one another in peace in the indefinite future.

    The two sides will continue to implement the important common understandings of the two presidents in San Francisco in last November, engage in dialogue and cooperation, and properly manage differences to work toward stable, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

    The two sides agreed to maintain communication on international and regional hotspot issues, and hold a new round of consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs in due course. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Bolster & Keep Resources in Rural Hospitals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and 15 Senate Democrats today introduced the Keep Obstetrics Local Act, legislation to address a rising trend of rural hospitals and hospitals in underserved areas closing their labor and delivery units with significant consequences for expectant parents, families, and their local communities.

    “Every new and expectant mom in rural Nevada should have access to high-quality maternity care,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Our legislation will help hospitals in remote and underserved communities provide essential services to moms and their babies. I’ll continue working to ensure Nevada families can count on the care they need to stay healthy.”

    In Nevada, more than half of the counties do not have a birthing hospital. Only four out of 14 rural hospitals offer routine labor and delivery statewide. In Nye County, the largest geographic county in Nevada, there isn’t a single hospital that offers obstetric care or OB-GYNs. In Elko County, there are more than 53,000 Nevadans, but only 5 practicing OB-GYNs in 2022. Between 2012 and 2022, approximately one-quarter of all rural hospitals stopped providing obstetrics services, impacting 267 communities. This trend of closures is caused by several overlapping challenges, including the high fixed operating costs of these units, low volumes of births, and difficulties in attracting and retaining OB-trained clinical staff, all of which are made worse by inadequate reimbursement for labor and delivery services.

    The Keep Obstetrics Local Act (KOLA) would increase Medicaid payment rates for labor and delivery services for eligible rural and high-need urban hospitals, provide “standby” payments to cover the costs of staffing and maintaining an obstetrics unit at low-volume hospitals, create low-volume payment adjustments for labor and delivery services at hospitals with low birth volumes and require all states to provide postpartum coverage for women in Medicaid for 12 months, among other steps. This bill also makes sure that hospitals are required to use these additional resources to invest in the maternal healthcare needs of the local communities they serve.

    Joining Sens. Cortez Masto, Wyden and Hassan to introduce the legislation are Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Michael Bennet, (D-Colo.), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), George Helmy (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Corey Booker (D-N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore).

    A summary and section by section of the bill can be found here. The bill text is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China aims for smooth travel during National Day holiday

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — China is making multipronged efforts to ensure safe and smooth trips for passengers during the upcoming National Day holiday, the Ministry of Transport said on Friday.

    In the country, the annual National Day holiday is marked by mass family reunions and a surge in travel. This year, the country’s transport sector is expected to handle over 1.9 billion passenger trips nationwide during the week-long holiday starting on Oct. 1, said Vice Minister Li Yang during a press conference.

    This translates to a daily average of 277 million passenger trips during the holiday, a 19.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019, according to Li.

    Specifically, Li noted that over 80 percent of these trips are expected to be made by private vehicles, while also anticipating a rising demand for mid- and long-distance travel.

    Since 2012, China has waived tolls for passenger cars during major holidays, including the Spring Festival, the Tomb-Sweeping Day, the Labor Day and the National Day. The policy has significantly stimulated demand for holiday road trips.

    This policy will remain effective during this year’s National Day holiday to enhance passengers’ travel experience, Li said, adding that efforts will also be made to improve facilities and services at highway rest areas.

    For instance, transport authorities nationwide are accelerating the installation of charging facilities to accommodate the country’s growing number of new-energy vehicles.

    A case in point is the southwest province of Sichuan, where 98.3 percent of highway rest areas had been equipped with charging poles as of August 2024, providing an overall capacity of 190,000 kilowatts.

    Given the length of the holiday, cross-regional travel is expected to be prevalent during the period, with popular destinations including Beijing, Shanxi, Sichuan and Xinjiang, Li said.

    Fueled by the recent blockbuster video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” north China’s Shanxi has seen a phenomenal travel boom as it is home to many of the stunning locations featured in the game. Highway travel routes encompassing many of these locations, including ancient temples, towers and pagodas, have gone viral online.

    To ensure safe and smooth road transport, the local transport department has overhauled roads and transport facilities around popular tourist spots to eliminate safety risks. It has also worked with traffic bureaus to create contingency plans in case of congestion.

    At the national level, Li said that the transport ministry has provided targeted instructions for local departments nationwide on developing strategies to maximize transport capacity ahead of the tourist influx.

    In terms of public transport, efforts are underway to further streamline the ticket purchasing process, especially for the elderly and foreign passengers, Li added.

    China’s passenger transport has been robust since the beginning of this year, with nearly 44 billion passenger trips recorded during the first eight months. The figure marked a 6.1 percent increase from the same period last year, according to data from the transport ministry.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China holds reception for foreign experts

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China was held for foreign experts in various fields on Friday evening at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
    Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the reception and, on behalf of the Chinese government and President Xi Jinping, conveyed thanks and regards to foreign experts and China’s international friends for their support of China’s reform, opening-up and modernization drive.
    Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China’s progress over the past 75 years has been a result of the unremitting efforts of Chinese people of all ethnic groups and the hard work of foreign experts in various fields.
    “Over the past 75 years, groups of foreign experts have made indelible contributions to the construction of China’s socialist modernization, which the Chinese people will always remember,” Ding said.
    He noted that the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic arrangements for the deepening of reform on all fronts, and for the promotion of Chinese modernization.
    China adheres to a more active, open and effective talent policy, which will provide greater convenience, improved services and a better environment for foreign experts living and working in China, he said.
    It is hoped that the vast number of foreign experts in China will continue to care for and support China’s development, and be good builders of Chinese modernization, good bridges for exchange and cooperation between China and foreign countries, and good non-governmental ambassadors to enhance friendship, Ding said. China also hopes that foreign experts in the country will make new, greater contributions to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 600-year-old Kunqu Opera revives in modern life

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    In Kunshan City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, the melodies of Kunqu Opera, one of China’s most ancient and treasured art forms, are not confined to the stages of grand theaters, but ring out in unexpected scenes – school bells, fitness routines and even bus stop illustrations where lively cartoon figures greet passersby every day.

    Kunshan is the birthplace of Kunqu, which blends poetry, music, intricate costumes and graceful performances. The 600-year-old Chinese tradition earned its place on UNESCO’s list of World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001.

    But Kunqu is far from a relic. In the bustling streets of Kunshan, this ancient art form continues to find new life, delicately balancing between preserving its timeless beauty and embracing the demands of modernity.

    For performers like You Tengteng, an actress at the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater, the act is both a challenge and a passion. After a long day of rehearsal, You and her colleagues discussed their latest performance strategies, not in a traditional theater but on Douyin, a Chinese video-sharing platform.

    In partnership with the platform, You and seven other performers livestream their Kunqu shows for at least 20 hours each month. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to reach a new generation of audiences who might hesitate to sit through two or three hours-long performance in an opera house.

    One of the challenges for them is interpretation – not from language to language, but from centuries-old art to the flickering screens of smartphones.

    To draw audiences in the digital age, the performers have condensed the intricate art form into digestible one-hour segments, inviting viewers to experience Kunqu in more relaxed settings, whether over tea at a café or within the walls of a museum.

    The strategy seems to be working, particularly among Chinese youth. After performances, it is not uncommon to see young fans eagerly lining up for selfies and autographs with the performers, their newfound enthusiasm for this ancient art is a testament to its evolving relevance.

    You was not so surprised to see the heartening trend. “The aesthetics of Chinese culture, ancient and modern, are continuous,” she said. “What we strive to inherit is not just the technique, but the pursuit of beauty that has always existed.”

    “And Kunqu is a reflection of societal values, many of which were born in the feudal era. This tension between the past and present is where we find space for innovation, reimagining the stories of old to resonate with modern audiences,” she added.

    One such innovation was seen in the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater’s production of The Story of Washing Gauze, a play originally written in the 16th century. The story centers on Xi Shi, a legendary beauty from ancient China, who sacrifices her personal happiness to serve her country.

    In the original ending, after years of separation and war, Xi Shi reunites with her lover and they live happily ever after. However, the modern production altered the ending, leaving it open and tinged with sorrow. The reimagining struck a chord with audiences, many of whom praised the new ending for its emotional depth and realism, noting that it made Xi Shi’s character more relatable to modern viewers.

    Kunshan’s commitment to preserving and promoting Kunqu goes beyond the stage. Over the last few years, the Kunshan Kunqu theater has held more than 2,500 performances and tours, drawing over 20 million visitors from China and abroad.

    In addition, the local government has invested 177 million yuan (about 25.2 million U.S. dollars) to fund new productions, support rehearsal spaces, and subsidize performances since 2018.

    Kunshan’s commitment extends to preserving not only Kunqu but the diverse operatic traditions of China. Since 2018, the annual Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) has been hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and provincial government. The gala showcases 348 traditional operas, including puppetry and shadow plays, bringing these art forms – many of which are endangered – into the spotlight and providing a platform for artistic exchange.

    Wang Wei, an actor of Liuzi Opera from Shandong Province, performed the role of General Zhang Fei to the gala, who is a famous character from the classic Chinese novel “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

    To play the role more impressively, Wang often learns from other versions of this character to enrich his performance and finally he creates a brave and lovable General Zhang Fei. “This gala is such a good opportunity to learn from each other, I am very glad to stand on this stage to let more people know our Liuzi Opera,” Wang said.

    In addition to performances, the gala includes training workshops for performers of minor or endangered operatic forms. Xu Min, a composer and performer of tea-picking opera from Jiangxi Province, has attended these workshops for years.

    “If you focus only on your own art, you become isolated,” she said. “But here, I’m exposed to so many different plays, rhythms, and techniques. I feel like a sponge, absorbing everything.”

    Kunshan’s role as the birthplace of Kunqu Opera has positioned the city as a guardian of traditional Chinese opera, said Zhou Wei, Party chief of Kunshan. Through the construction of a museum dedicated to local operas and the host of annual national event, Kunshan endeavors to offer a space for art exchange and growth.

    “We want to create a broad stage for different operas to flourish and to integrate traditional culture with the modern world,” Zhou said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commissioner of Police leads JPC members to witness Force mascots launching into space with satellite

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The six-day Beijing-Jiuquan Exchange Tour held by the Junior Police Call (JPC) concluded its main itinerary today (September 28). Eighteen JPC members started their journey on September 24. In addition to visiting a number of historical and cultural sites in Beijing, the members also visited the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province. This not only enhanced participants’ understanding of our nation’s history and popular science knowledge, it also provided opportunities for them to have a closer understanding of our country’s latest technological developments and achievements.
     
         The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre is an important stop of the tour. On September 27, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, led the delegation to witness the historic moment when the mascots of the Force and the JPC were launched into space together with a satellite.
     
         The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre is the birthplace of China’s aerospace industry. The whole nation rejoiced after China’s first satellite “Dongfanghong 1” was launched into space from the centre on April 24, 1970. Since its establishment in 1958, the centre has carried out numerous historic launch missions, witnessing the glorious history of China’s aerospace development.
     
         The satellite launched today is named “Shijian Satellite 19”. Accompanying the satellite into space were the Police’s anti-scam mascot “Little Grape” and JPC mascot “Mini Bean”. The cute “Little Grape” promotes anti-scam messages, while the amicable “Mini Bean” symbolises the self-discipline and bravery of JPC members.
     
         This was the first time for JPC members to witness a satellite launch. The space flight of “Mini Bean” symbolises the infinite possibilities of the younger generation and inspires JPC members to bravely pursue their dreams and explore the unknown.
     
         In addition to witnessing the satellite launch, the Commissioner also led the JPC members to visit the launch site of the LandSpace liquid oxygen-methane carrier rocket, launch tower of the Shenzhou manned spaceships, and astronaut dormitory “Wen Tiange” to learn about the daily lives and training of astronauts.
     
         The delegation will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (September 29).
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Requests a Major Disaster Declaration to Expedite Federal Aid for Tropical Storm Helene Recovery

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Cooper Requests a Major Disaster Declaration to Expedite Federal Aid for Tropical Storm Helene Recovery

    Governor Cooper Requests a Major Disaster Declaration to Expedite Federal Aid for Tropical Storm Helene Recovery
    mseets

    Governor Roy Cooper has requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government for North Carolina for 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for federal Public Assistance and Individual Assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. Public Assistance reimburses government entities and some non-profit organizations for emergency protective measures and debris removal, while Individual Assistance can provide direct financial support to impacted residents.

    The declaration will start the process for providing critical financial assistance to people and communities hit hard by the storm. On Wednesday, President Biden approved Governor Cooper’s request for a Federal Emergency Declaration which provided federal financial reimbursement for response actions by government entities and some non-profits.   

    “Helene brought pain and destruction to our state and we’re working to get help to people quickly,” Governor Cooper said. “As waters recede and winds die down, families and communities will need assistance to clean up and recover and this request can help speed up the process.”

    After making landfall Thursday night in Florida, Helene traveled north bringing record rainfall to the mountain and foothill regions of North Carolina. Landslides and major flooding are still occurring in many western counties and more than 900,000 households statewide are without power. Two people in North Carolina have lost their lives to the storm so far and first responders continue with emergency response and rescue efforts. Central and eastern parts of the state have also seen impacts also with multiple tornados reported and many counties still under flood warnings as rivers continue to rise.

    Travel remains extremely dangerous in the foothills and mountains where officials are urging people to shelter in place and avoid driving except in emergency situations. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has warned people to consider all roads in western North Carolina closed unless you are seeking higher ground. Motorists should not attempt to drive through standing water or around barricades. 

    All available state resources have been mobilized since Governor Cooper declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday. The State Emergency Response Team continues to support impacted communities with equipment, personnel and resources, including the North Carolina Swift Water Rescue Teams and Urban Search and Rescue Teams, and more than 378 North Carolina National Guard soldiers. Utility crews from other states and Canada have also been recruited to assist with post-storm debris removal and restoration of power in areas experiencing outages. 

    North Carolina residents throughout storm-impacted areas are urged to monitor news reports and follow guidance from local officials. For information about traffic, power outages, shelters and more, visit ReadyNC.gov.

    ###

    Sep 27, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Unveils Samsung Health Research Stack

    Source: Samsung

    As the digital health and wearable devices industries grow, precise data measurement and analysis are becoming increasingly important. On September 27, Samsung Electronics released Samsung Health Research Stack to strengthen data-based digital health research.
     
    Samsung Health Research Stack is Samsung Electronics’ open-source project that supports digital health researches using mobile and wearable devices in Android and Wear OS environments. The platform provides IT developers and medical researchers with a software environment to conveniently and safely plan services using relevant data.
     
    Because clinical research requires apps and services that continuously measure, share and analyze health-related data from users’ daily lives, Samsung Health Research Stack aims to help researchers implement the features they want.
     
    Following the launch of Samsung Health Stack Alpha in 2022 and Samsung Health Stack 1.0 in 2023, Samsung has announced the latest version with Samsung Health Research Stack 2.0 Beta. The open-source project has rebranded to Samsung Health Research Stack, emphasizing support for the research ecosystem as part of the newly launched Samsung Health SDK Suite — a comprehensive package of software development tools for healthcare solutions.
     

     
     
    New Features Help Researchers With Their Studies
    Samsung Health Research Stack promotes more efficient digital health research. Features include an app SDK for easy application creation, a back-end service that manages data collected by the app and a web portal to assist with research design and data analysis. In response to feedback from researchers, the latest version includes more convenient features.
     
    The app SDK is a development tool that reduces the cost and time required to develop applications for digital health — and now supports the development of both mobile apps for research and smartwatch apps that utilize wearable sensor data. Notably, enhanced support for the Sensor SDK allows researchers to create watch apps that measure and utilize electrocardiogram, blood oxygen level and body composition data from the innovative Galaxy Watch1 sensors. The new Data SDK integration helps researchers create applications that use sleep data from the Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring.
     
    Moreover, performance and usability improvements have been made to the back-end service and web portal. The back-end architecture has been reinforced to handle data from large clinical trials with added features to manage studies. The web portal helps with the research process from patient recruitment and surveys to progress management and data analysis.
     
     
    Driving Results Around the World With Introduction at SDC24
    Samsung Health Research Stack is open to any company or medical institution in the digital healthcare space developing solutions that utilize wearable devices and biomarkers.
     
    Samsung Health Research Stack will be showcased at the Samsung Developer Conference 2024 (SDC24) on October 3 in San Jose, California. Developers can join a Code Lab session during the event to experience the latest features firsthand.
     
    “Samsung Health Research Stack is already being used in multiple domestic and international clinical studies that utilize Galaxy Watch,” said Yunsu Lee, Head of the Data Intelligence Team, Samsung Research. “With our innovative wearable technology, we aim to contribute to expanding the digital health ecosystem and serve as a valuable partner to IT and medical professionals in achieving research breakthroughs.”
     
    The latest version of Samsung Health Research Stack is available on the Samsung Developer website and GitHub.
     
     
    1 Available on Galaxy Watch 4 or later models equipped with Wear OS. Data supported may vary depending on sensor type and model.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Blasts Vice President Harris’ Last-Ditch, Election-Year Border Stunt

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’ trip to Douglas, Arizona, her first visit to the border in more than three years despite record-breaking illegal immigration caused by the Biden-Harris administration’s policies:
    “It is downright hypocritical that almost four years into the Biden-Harris administration and weeks before the election, ‘Border Czar’ Kamala Harris now decides to visit the border for only the second time to claim she cares when it’s her own policies that have done so much damage to these communities and our nation.”
    “Millions of migrants have streamed across the border illegally, including more than 500,000 unaccompanied children, many of whom were placed with sponsors and then lost by this administration. Dangerous drugs have continued to flow into the country as a result of our uncontrolled border, and drugs like fentanyl have killed more than 100,000 of our fellow Americans in just one year alone.”
    “This border trip is four years too late, and the American people can see right through Harris’ attempt to fool them and escape culpability for her historic border crisis.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New tech at digital trade expo signals China’s foreign trade momentum

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

    HANGZHOU, Sept. 28 — The third Global Digital Trade Expo, currently unfolding in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province, is offering a glimpse into avant-garde technologies that are unlocking the country’s burgeoning potential in foreign trade.

    Over the span of five days, the exhibition is featuring 446 new products and technologies, ranging from robots performing remarkable tasks like opening bottles and sorting waste to AI-driven digital humans engaging in debate competitions.

    “I was impressed most by medical AI displayed at the exhibition, such as robotic surgical arms and screening clinics,” said Kgaladi Melia Thema, a consultant for innovation and technology of Small Enterprise Development Agency, South Africa.

    “Nurses can use chronic disease management screening products for patients, which can be applied both at home and in clinics. This reduces costs and enables remote patient monitoring, offering great potential,” she added.

    Digital technologies such as big data, cloud computing and blockchain are taking center stage at the expo, underscoring how China is harnessing these innovations to propel its foreign trade.

    At the booth of iFLYTEK Co., Ltd., a front-runner in China’s AI and speech technology industry, several African visitors were immersed in real-time conversations with staff through a state-of-the-art multilingual AI-powered translation screen. Despite the bustling environment, the screen, equipped with advanced voice recognition technologies, accurately captured and responded to human voices.

    “Overseas business is poised to become a significant growth engine for us in the coming years. Our aspiration is for it to constitute one-third of our business segments in the future,” said Liu Qingfeng, chairman of iFLYTEK.

    Chinese cultural exports are also stealing the show at the exhibition. In the digital entertainment zone, innovative exhibits such as an AI-powered representation of Su Dongpo, a celebrated poet from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), a virtual museum of traditional Chinese music, as well as a 3D display of the four bronze animal heads from the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), are offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the richness of Chinese culture.

    “The fusion of digital technology with the splendor of traditional Chinese culture has not only expanded our export opportunities, but also invigorated the growth of China’s culture industry,” said Wu Shuang, a staff member of Zhejiang Kayou Animation Co., Ltd., a domestic card game creator.

    Visitors are also being treated to futuristic transportation solutions, including autonomous boat taxis and the electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles, all being showcased for the first time at this year’s expo.

    “China is rightly regarded as a global leader in digital technologies and innovations,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, adding that China’s advancement in digital trade is not only creating new avenues for cooperation, but also enhancing global trade infrastructure, fostering sustainable development worldwide.

    “Chinese technologies and innovations are enhancing supply chains, making them faster and more efficient, while also improving access to goods and services,” Madiyev noted.

    According to the Global Digital Trade Development Report 2024 released during the event, global digital trade soared to around 7.13 trillion U.S. dollars (about 1.02 trillion yuan) in 2023, up from 6.02 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021, marking an average annual growth rate of 8.8 percent.

    The report also highlighted that the import and export scale of China’s cross-border e-commerce reached 2.37 trillion yuan last year, up 15.3 percent year on year.

    Mercado Libre, a leading Latin American e-commerce platform, witnessed a 70-percent increase in online Chinese sellers and a 75-percent surge in their sales on its platform in 2023.

    The company has opened its cross-border e-commerce services to Chinese sellers in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Colombia, according to its representative at the expo, who also emphasized the escalating significance of the Chinese market.

    As China’s sole national-level event focusing on the theme of digital trade, the expo has drawn over 1,500 enterprises, including more than 300 international companies, and over 30,000 purchasers this year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: S for S reviews Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect Rally (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    S for S reviews Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect Rally (with photos)
    S for S reviews Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect Rally (with photos)
    ****************************************************************************

         The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, reviewed the Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect (FAST Connect) Rally in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China held by the Fire Services Department (FSD) at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (September 28). About 250 members of FAST Connect participated in the Rally.     During the Rally, FAST Connect members demonstrated their team spirit through singing of the national anthem, and performing the Chinese-style foot drill. Guards of Honour of FAST Connect and that of the FSD also jointly conducted a flag raising ceremony. The event aimed at strengthening members’ sense of identity with, belonging to, and pride towards the country.     Addressing the Rally, Mr Tang stated that the Security Bureau and its disciplined forces attach great importance to fostering youngsters’ positive thinking, law-abiding awareness and team spirit to train up future leaders for the country and also for Hong Kong. Since the establishment of FAST Connect in 2021 by the FSD, its members have participated in a variety of exchange activities to better grasp the country’s latest developments and deepen their national identity. FAST Connect has been growing and is now expanding to 18 districts throughout the territory. The number of members has increased from just over 100 to nearly 1 000. The Rally is a showcase of the fruitful training results of the members.      Mr Tang expressed his hope that the members should keep in mind the FSD’s mission of “Serving with courage, passion and commitment”, as well as upholding the spirit of dedication, resilience and determination. He also encouraged the members to diligently equip themselves to become participants in Hong Kong’s advancement from stability to prosperity. At the same time, they should foster a strong sense of patriotism, contribute to the “one country, two systems” principle and national rejuvenation, and be good storytellers of China who also understand global trends well.     Representatives of offices of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung; Commissioners of FAST Connect; Chairpersons of the 18 District Fire Safety Committees; Chairpersons of the Fire Safety Ambassador Honorary Presidents’ Association; and representatives from various disciplined services youth corps, etc, were also in attendance to join the celebration.     The FSD has long been committed to promoting youth development. Upon the establishment of FAST Connect, various activities have been arranged for its members, including exchange trips to the Mainland, community services and career orientation activities. These activities help members to better understand themselves, cultivate positive thinking, and guide them in exploring future career paths.

     
    Ends/Saturday, September 28, 2024Issued at HKT 13:14

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing woman in Tsuen Wan (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appeal for information on missing woman in Tsuen Wan (with photo)
    Appeal for information on missing woman in Tsuen Wan (with photo)
    *****************************************************************

         Police today (September 28) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tsuen Wan.     Wong Shun-fun, aged 73, went missing after she left her residence in Fuk Loi Estate yesterday (September 27) afternoon. Her family made a report to Police today.     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 54 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black and white straight hair. She was last seen wearing a pink T-shirt, black pants, light-coloured sandals, and carrying a black waist bag.      Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or 5217 5562 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

     
    Ends/Saturday, September 28, 2024Issued at HKT 13:08

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE visits Sha Tin District to gather public views on Policy Address

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CE visits Sha Tin District to gather public views on Policy Address
    CE visits Sha Tin District to gather public views on Policy Address
    *******************************************************************

         The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited Sha Tin District today (September 28) and met with local residents. He visited a community rehabilitation day centre, where he interacted with service users to listen to their views on the upcoming Policy Address. He also inspected a refurbished public rental housing (PRH) flat in the district to understand the Housing Department’s efforts in combating tenancy abuse of PRH flats.     The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; and the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, also joined relevant parts of the visit.     Accompanied by the District Officer (Sha Tin), Mr Frederick Yu, Mr Lee and the officials visited the family home of a person with disabilities and her carer in Wo Che Estate to learn more about their daily lives and caring issues.     Afterwards, Mr Lee visited the SAHK New Territories East Community Rehabilitation Day Centre to understand its rehabilitation training services provided to individuals with physical and cognitive impairments and support for carers. There, he interacted with service users.     Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has implemented a series of measures to strengthen support for persons with disabilities and their carers, including increasing the number of district support centres for persons with disabilities and quotas for various rehabilitation services. A pilot project was launched in the third quarter of last year by establishing two integrated community rehabilitation centres to provide more flexible and appropriate support for persons with severe disabilities. Operated by a charitable organisation commissioned by the Social Welfare Department, the Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183 commenced operation in September last year. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance relevant work to build a caring and inclusive community, he added.     Mr Lee and the officials then inspected a PRH flat in Sha Kok Estate that was recovered and refurbished by the Housing Department as part of its efforts in combating tenancy abuse of PRH flats. At the PRH flat, Mr Lee and the officials learned more about its facilities and the department’s relevant work.     Mr Lee noted that the Housing Department has been taking multipronged measures to combat tenancy abuse through preventive detection, investigations, publicity and education, and enhancement of the “Well-off Tenants Policies” and the “Addition Policy”, in order to safeguard the proper use of valuable PRH resources. The Housing Department is currently reviewing the workflow and standards of refurbishment works for vacant flats to expedite the work progress, with a view to allocating the flats to PRH applicants as soon as possible.     Mr Lee and the officials then visited a market and a cooked food stall in Sha Kok Estate to interact with vendors and residents to listen to their opinions on the Government’s policies.     “I attach importance to policy areas closely related to people’s livelihood, such as the support for persons with disabilities and supply of public housing. Through interactions with members of the public, I could feel their love for Hong Kong and their aspirations for life. My team and I will continue to listen to the views of various sectors of society, with a view to building a vibrant economy for a caring community,” Mr Lee said.     The public consultation exercise for the 2024 Policy Address was launched in mid-July. Mr Lee appealed to members of the public to actively give their views on issues of their interests to the Government.

     
    Ends/Saturday, September 28, 2024Issued at HKT 13:53

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 75th National Day Farm and Gourmet Festival opens today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    75th National Day Farm and Gourmet Festival opens today (with photos)
    75th National Day Farm and Gourmet Festival opens today (with photos)
    *********************************************************************

         The 75th National Day Farm and Gourmet Festival runs for four consecutive days between today (September 28) and October 1 at Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok to showcase a variety of local agricultural and fisheries products, offer authentic Hong Kong style cuisine and share the joy of National Day with members of the public.           Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. By co-organising the Festival, the departments bring together local agricultural, fisheries, and catering industries to promote local agricultural and fisheries products and authentic cuisine. Members of the public can share the joy by indulging in this sumptuous feast for the eyes, ears and palate at the Festival.           The Festival is co-organised by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD); the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD); the Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO); and the Fish Marketing Organization (FMO). Themed “Celebrating National Day Together, Vibrant Farm and Gourmet Exhibition, Intangible Cultural Heritage Adds Charm, Celebrities Perform for All”, a total of 60 agricultural and fisheries stalls will be on-site offering an array of agricultural and fisheries products for sale, including premium agricultural products (such as eggplants, mushrooms, dragon fruits, corn, sweet potatoes and various hydroponic vegetables) produced by local organic, accredited and hydroponic farms. Fresh fisheries products (such as spiny lobsters, pompanos, grey mullets, jade perches and speckled blue grouper) cultured and produced by local accredited fish farms, as well as premium local dried fisheries products, are also on offer.     ???The FMO and the VMO have also set up stalls to sell premium local agricultural and fisheries products, along with several newly launched signature products (including cherry wood smoked cobia fillet, four different flavors of collagen jelly and Shanghai smoked fish) for members of the public to choose from. In addition, there are 26 gourmet stalls on-site offering a variety of delicate dim sum, desserts and street food, as well as authentic cuisine made from local agricultural and fisheries products for members of the public to enjoy.           Meanwhile, with a view to allowing members of the public to learn more about the latest developments in local agricultural and fisheries industries, the Hong Kong agricultural and fisheries technology exhibition has been set up at the Festival. The exhibition area demonstrates how the industry boosts productivity, enhances the quality of local produce and promotes the sustainable development of the industries with the use of technology. The exhibition area provides an opportunity for members of the public to experience controlled environment hydroponic technology, farm mechanisation, smart greenhouse technology and a modern mariculture demonstration farm through virtual reality. Additionally, the exhibition area showcases a recirculating aquaculture system featuring newly cultivated local fisheries species. Visitors can also participate in agriculture and fisheries workshops to experience organic seedling planting and Gyotaku printing, as well as acquiring agricultural and fisheries knowledge and winning prizes by participating in booth games. Furthermore, a photo-taking spot displaying seasonal local crops and mascots of the Agriculture Hall and the Fisheries Hall is set up in the exhibition area for the public to take photos.           The FEHD will also set up a food and environmental hygiene exhibition area at the venue to introduce various livelihood-related services provided by the Department, including public cleansing services, and information relating to food business licenses. The Centre for Food Safety of the FEHD will also disseminate food safety information and introduce its collaboration with the food trade in safeguarding food safety. Apart from watching videos, members of the public may also participate in quiz games on interactive electronic devices in the exhibition area. The FEHD’s publicity vehicle, the Mobile Education Centre, will also be parked at the venue to allow members of the public to learn about food, personal and environmental hygiene in a fun and educational way. In addition, a photo-taking spot featuring Keep Clean Ambassador Ah Tak will be set up in the exhibition area to publicise the message of “Keep Hong Kong clean, we can do it”.           The Festival features an array of exhibitions related to intangible cultural heritage of the Mainland and Hong Kong. These exhibitions highlight the inheritance and transformation of Chinese culture for family enjoyment. The Festival also offers a variety of entertaining performances, including singing and cultural performances, as well as cooking demonstrations. Moreover, souvenirs will be given out while stocks last to visitors who answer simple questions related to the 75th National Day and the Festival.           Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony include Legislative Council Members Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Yang Wing-kit; the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Miss Vivian Lau; the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Ms Irene Young; and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai.           The Festival is open from 10am to 8pm, with a free shuttle bus service provided by the organisers available to and from Shek Kip Mei MTR Station Exit C. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome. Details of the event can be found at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/The75thNationalDayFarmandGourmetFestival/Main.html and on the Festival’s social media pages.           The Farm and Gourmet Festival is one of the highlight events in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. For the latest information regarding other events, please visit the dedicated website (www.nationalday75.gov.hk/en).

     
    Ends/Saturday, September 28, 2024Issued at HKT 15:38

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Gold Coast to benefit from multi-million dollar enforcement action following Albert River sewage spill

    Source: Government of Queensland

    Issued: 27 Sep 2024

    Gold Coast residents are set to benefit from more than $2.1 million in direct environmental improvements, including better water quality and a significant upgrade to the city’s sewerage network.

    The improvements come after the state’s environmental regulator secured a significant enforcement decision following its investigation into the impact of the Albert River sewage spill.

    The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) and the City of Gold Coast Council have today agreed to an enforceable undertaking.

    An enforceable undertaking is an enforcement tool under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 that sets out actions that must be carried out to remedy any environmental harm, prevent further occurrences and address non-compliance issues to ensure compliance with the Act and enhance the protection of the environment.

    The enforceable undertaking requires Council to carry out environmental restoration works across the Albert and Logan River estuaries, as well as vital improvements to its aging sewerage infrastructure including enhanced leak detection systems and monitoring of the network.

    This enforceable undertaking is one of the largest environmental enforcement decisions ever handed down in Queensland.

    DESI launched an investigation into the cause and extent of environmental harm after more than 450 million litres of sewage spilled into the Albert River between January and April this year following the failure of a council pipe in Yatala.

    The department’s investigation determined Council had caused significant environmental impact by unlawfully releasing contaminates to waters.

    When considering appropriate enforcement action, DESI determined the community would be best served by ensuring ratepayer monies remained in the local community rather than Council bearing the costs of a prosecution and ultimately any penalty imposed.

    Key requirements of the enforceable undertaking include:

    • A $1.1M project to remove weeds and plant native vegetation at August Burrow Park, Alberton that will improve the condition of the wetlands, improve water quality, provide better habitat connectivity and improve the biodiversity and resilience of the ecosystem
    • A $120,000 project to remove weeds and plant native vegetation at Halls Road Nature Reserve, Luscombe
    • A more than $1M project to design and implement an enhanced sewer network monitoring project that will significantly reduce the risk of future sewage spills
    • The provision of high value scientific data to DESI and industry
    • Substantial improvements to infrastructure management systems and processes including condition assessments of all high-risk infrastructure.

    Following the spill, the department has been satisfied with Council’s response to the incident, cooperation in our investigation, and its commitment to fully implement the recommendations from its own independent investigation into the cause of the spill.

    Quotes attributable to Brad Wirth, Executive Director, Industry Development and South East Compliance, DESI:

    “We are committed to the protection of Queensland’s environment and will take strong action to protect our natural assets.

    “When considering our enforcement options, the decision to accept an enforceable undertaking rather than a lengthy prosecution means the Gold Coast community will directly benefit from the enforcement action.

    “This is a great outcome for the people of the Gold Coast as it means the money will be invested locally, will result in the enhancement of their natural environment, and will build the resilience of Council’s essential sewerage infrastructure.

    “We will be closely monitoring Council’s compliance. There are strong penalties that can apply if Council fails to comply with the requirements of the enforceable undertaking.”

    More information on the department’s response, investigation and enforceable undertaking can be found at: Albert River sewage spill investigation.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Candidate for 13th Congressional District of Florida Charged for Election-Related Threat to Former Primary Candidate and Private Citizen

    Source: US State of California

    An indictment was unsealed yesterday charging a Florida man with threatening to kill his primary opponent in the 2021 election for the 13th Congressional District of Florida and a private citizen and acquaintance of his opponent.

    According to the indictment, William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, and Victim 1 were candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Victim 2 was a private citizen and acquaintance of Victim 1. On June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Victim 1 and Victim 2 during a telephone call with Victim 2. Specifically, Braddock threatened, in part, to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and make Victim 1 disappear. After making the threats, Braddock left the United States and was later found to be residing in the Philippines. Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance yesterday in Los Angeles.

    Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. If convicted, Braddock faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.

    The FBI Tampa Field Office is investigating the case with support from the St. Petersburg Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, FBI’s Office of the Legal Attaché in Manila, and U.S. Marshals Service provided substantial assistance. The investigation also benefited from foreign law enforcement cooperation provided by the Philippine Department of Justice and Philippine Bureau of Immigration.

    Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton Gammons for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

    Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

    To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

    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: Justice Department Sues Alabama for Violating Federal Law’s Prohibition on Systematic Efforts to Remove Voters Within 90 Days of an Election

    Source: US State of California

    The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and the Alabama Secretary of State to challenge a systematic State program aimed at removing voters from its election rolls too close to the Nov. 5 general election, in violation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).

    “The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As Election Day approaches, it is critical that Alabama redress voter confusion resulting from its list maintenance mailings sent in violation of federal law. Officials across the country should take heed of the National Voter Registration Act’s clear and unequivocal restrictions on systematic list maintenance efforts that fall within 90 days of an election. The Quiet Period Provision of federal law exists to prevent eligible voters from being removed from the rolls as a result of last-minute, error-prone efforts. The Justice Department will continue to use all the tools it has available to ensure that the voting rights of every eligible voter are protected.”

    Section 8(c)(2) of the NVRA, also known as the Quiet Period Provision, requires states to complete systematic programs aimed at removing the names of ineligible voters from voter registration lists by no later than 90 days before federal elections. The Quiet Period Provision applies to certain systematic programs carried out by states that are aimed at striking names from voter registration lists based on a perceived failure to meet initial eligibility requirements — including citizenship — at the time of registration. The Quiet Period is an important protection for voters, because systematic removal programs may be error-ridden, cause voter confusion and remove eligible voters days or weeks before Election Day who may be unable to correct the state’s errors in time to vote or may be dissuaded from voting at all. States may remove names from official lists of voters in various ways and for various reasons, but they may not carry-on this kind of systematic removal program so close to a federal election.

    On Aug. 13, the Secretary of State announced the launch of a “process to remove noncitizens registered to vote in Alabama.” This was 84 days before the Nov. 5 general election. The Justice Department’s review found that both native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens have received letters stating that their voter record has been made inactive and that they have been placed on a path for removal from Alabama’s statewide voter registration list. The letter directs recipients who are in fact U.S. citizens and eligible to vote to complete and submit an attached State of Alabama Voter Registration Form. In turn, that form instructs that people may not register to vote in the 14 days before an election. This systematic voter removal program, which the State is conducting within 90 days of the upcoming federal election, violates the Quiet Period Provision.

    The Justice Department seeks injunctive relief that would restore the ability of impacted eligible voters to vote unimpeded on Election Day and would prohibit future Quiet Period violations. The department also seeks remedial mailings to educate eligible voters concerning the restoration of their rights and adequate training of local officials and poll workers to address confusion and distrust among eligible voters accused of being noncitizens.

    More information about voting and elections is available at www.justice.gov/voting. More information about the NVRA and other federal voting laws is available at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. The department recently announced a new guidance document addressing limits on when and how jurisdictions may remove voters from their voter lists. Complaints about discriminatory voting practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section through the internet reporting portal at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Marshals Arrest Over 3,400 fugitives in Operation North Star

    Source: US State of California

    The Justice Department today announced that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested 3,421 violent fugitives, including 216 for homicide, 803 for assault, and 482 for weapons offenses, during the latest phase of its high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative called Operation North Star FY 2024 (ONS FY24).

    ONS FY24 enforcement activities covered 74 operational days, from May 10 to Sept. 13, and targeted fugitives and violent offenders in 10 metropolitan areas, prioritizing those who used firearms in the commission of crimes or signaled high risk factors for violence. ONS FY24 targeted violent offenders wanted on warrants for homicide, sexual offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, and firearms violations. During the operation, investigators also seized 534 firearms, more than $508,000 in U.S. currency, and 456 kilograms in illegal narcotics, including 138 pounds and over 550,000 pills of deadly fentanyl.

    The 10 metropolitan areas selected for ONS FY24 were identified using data from the National Crime Information Center and the FBI Uniform Crime Report, and included Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Charleston and North Charleston, South Carolina; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Phoenix; St. Louis (to include East St. Louis, Illinois); Birmingham, Alabama; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; and San Antonio.

    “We first launched Operation North Star in 2022 to identify and apprehend the most dangerous fugitives and violent offenders,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “From May to September of this year, the U.S. Marshals Service worked with state and local law enforcement partners in 10 metropolitan areas to arrest more than 3,400 fugitives and violent offenders and seize large quantities of firearms and fentanyl. I am deeply grateful to every Deputy U.S. Marshal, Task Force Officer, investigator, and police officer who carried out these arrests, and who did so at great risk to themselves.”

    “Over the past year, the Marshals Service conducted Operation North Star in 10 cities across the country experiencing high levels of gun violence,” said USMS Director Ronald L. Davis. “Over 3,000 dangerous fugitives, including over 200 homicide suspects, were apprehended and removed from neighborhoods. The success of this operation is the result of the outstanding combined efforts of our Deputies and Task Force Officers, along with strong collaboration with the community and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.”

    Since July 2022, in a total of 30 locations, USMS Operation North Star initiatives have resulted in the apprehension of more than 10,200 wanted fugitives, including 1,153 charged with homicide, in addition to the removal of more than 1,425 weapons associated with violent crime. The agency utilized a data-driven, evidence-based approach to remove the dangerous criminals who are the drivers of violence in those communities. The concept behind interagency law enforcement operations such as ONS evolved largely from regional and district fugitive task forces. Since the 1980s, the USMS has combined its resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies to find and apprehend dangerous fugitives.

    Significant arrests:

    Aaron Michael Jones was arrested on May 20, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by members of the Middle Louisiana Task Force. He was wanted by the Baton Rouge Police Department for home invasion, domestic abuse battery, and child endangerment.

    Hayden Bates-Vellmure, Jordan Elijah Jackson, Allan Gilbert, and Patrick Biscoe were arrested on May 22, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas, by members of the North Texas Fugitive Task Force. The four were wanted on charges relating to a drive-by shooting, which injured multiple children. The arrest team recovered nine handguns and one shotgun.

    Garron Stevenson was arrested on May 21, in St. Louis, by USMS personnel from the Eastern District of Missouri. He was wanted for the unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree murder after opening fire at a street racing event, striking seven people and killing a 14-year-old. An AR-15 style rifle and a revolver were recovered during the arrest.

    Michael Muldovan was arrested on Aug. 15, in Sterling, Virginia, by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was wanted in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for first degree statutory rape and indecent liberties with a child.

    View ONS FY24 operational photographs here.

    View the ONS FY24 B-Roll video here.

    For more information on ONS FY24 visit USMarshals.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Three IRGC Cyber Actors Indicted for ‘Hack-and-Leak’ Operation Designed to Influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

    Source: US State of California

    Indictment Alleges the Activity Was a More Recent Phase of a Wide-Ranging Hacking Conspiracy in Support of IRGC Targeting of Current and Former U.S. Officials

    Note: View the indictment here and the FBI Wanted Poster here.

    The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Iranian nationals, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) employees, Masoud Jalili, 36,  also known as, مسعود جلیلی, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, 34, also known as, سید علی آقامیری, and Yaser Balaghi, 37, also known as, یاسر بلاغی (the Conspirators), with a conspiracy with others known and unknown to hack into accounts of current and former U.S. officials, members of the media, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals associated with U.S. political campaigns. The activity was part of Iran’s continuing efforts to stoke discord, erode confidence in the U.S. electoral process, and unlawfully acquire information relating to current and former U.S. officials that could be used to advance the malign activities of the IRGC, including ongoing efforts to avenge the death of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC – Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

    As alleged, in or around May, after several years of focusing on compromising the accounts of former U.S. government officials, the conspirators used some of the same hacking infrastructure from earlier in the conspiracy to begin targeting and successfully gaining unauthorized access to personal accounts belonging to persons associated with an identified U.S. Presidential campaign (U.S. Presidential Campaign 1), including campaign officials. The conspirators used their access to those accounts to steal, among other information, non-public campaign documents and emails (campaign material). The activity broadened in late June, when the conspirators engaged in a “hack-and-leak” operation, in which they sought to weaponize campaign material stolen from U.S. Presidential Campaign 1 by leaking such materials to members of the media and individuals associated with what was then another identified U.S. Presidential campaign (U.S. Presidential Campaign 2), in a deliberate effort to, as reflected in the conspirators’ own words and actions, undermine U.S. Presidential Campaign 1 in advance of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

    “The Justice Department is working relentlessly to uncover and counter Iran’s cyberattacks aimed at stoking discord, undermining confidence in our democratic institutions, and influencing our elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The American people – not Iran, or any other foreign power – will decide the outcome of our country’s elections.”

    “Today’s charges represent the culmination of a thorough and long-running FBI investigation that has resulted in the indictment of three Iranian nationals for their roles in a wide-ranging hacking campaign sponsored by the Government of Iran,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The conduct laid out in the indictment is just the latest example of Iran’s brazen behavior. So today the FBI would like to send a message to the Government of Iran – you and your hackers can’t hide behind your keyboards.”

    “These hack-and-leak efforts by Iran are a direct assault on the integrity of our democratic processes,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Iranian government actors have long sought to use cyber-enabled means to harm U.S. interests. This case demonstrates our commitment to expose attempts by the Iranian regime or any other foreign actor to interfere with our free and open society.”

    “This indictment alleges a serious and sustained effort by a state-sponsored terrorist organization to gather intelligence through hacking personal accounts so they can use the hacked materials to harm Americans and corruptly influence our election,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. “The detailed allegations in the indictment should make clear to anyone who might attempt to do the same that the Justice Department has the ability to gather evidence of such crimes from around the globe, will charge those who commit such crimes, and will do whatever we can to bring those charged to justice.”

    As alleged in the indictment, beginning in or around January 2020, Jalili, Aghamiri, and Balaghi, working on behalf of the IRGC, commenced a wide-ranging hacking campaign that used spearphishing and social engineering techniques to target and compromise victims computers and accounts. Among the conspirators’ techniques were: using virtual private networks and virtual private servers to obscure their true location; creating fraudulent email accounts in the names of prominent U.S. persons and international institutions; creating spoofed login pages to harvest account credentials; sending spearphishing emails using compromised victim accounts; and using social engineering to obtain victims’ login information and multi-factor recovery/authentication codes. Some of the conspirators’ efforts were successful, while others were not.

    In April 2019, the Department of State designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. Among the purposes of the conspiracy were for the conspirators to: (i) steal victims’ data, such as information related to U.S. government and foreign policy information concerning the Middle East; (ii) steal information relating to current and former U.S. officials that could be used to advance the IRGC’s malign activities; (iii) disrupt U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East; (iv) stoke discord and erode confidence in the U.S. electoral process; (v) steal personal and private information from persons who had access to information relating to U.S. Presidential Campaign 1, including non-public campaign material and information; and (vi) undermine U.S. Presidential Campaign 1 in advance of the 2024 U.S. presidential election by leaking stolen campaign material and information.

    As reflected in the Sept. 18 joint statement released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, FBI, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: “Iranian malicious cyber actors in late June and early July sent unsolicited emails to individuals then associated with President Biden’s campaign that contained an excerpt taken from stolen, non-public material from former Trump’s campaign as text in the emails. There is currently no information indicating those recipients replied. Furthermore, Iranian malicious cyber actors have continued their efforts since June to send stolen, non-public material associated with former President Trump’s campaign to U.S. media organizations.”

    As alleged in further detail in the indictment, the conspirators’ hack-and-leak efforts involved the conspirators emailing stolen campaign material to individuals that the conspirators believed were associated with what was then U.S. Presidential Campaign 2 and members of the media.

    First, between on or about June 27 and July 3, the conspirators sent or forwarded an unsolicited email message to personal accounts of three persons that the conspirators believed were associated with U.S. Presidential Campaign 2. The June 27 email was sent to two recipients, and then forwarded the same day to another account for one of those recipients (due to the earlier email being sent to an invalid account for that recipient). This email chain contained campaign material stolen from an official for U.S. Presidential Campaign 1 (U.S. Victim 11). Neither of the recipients replied to the conspirators’ email. In addition, the conspirators sent a follow up email on July 3rd to a third recipient’s account, and the recipient similarly did not reply to the Conspirators.

    Second, between on or about July 22 and on or about Aug. 31, the conspirators distributed other campaign material stolen from U.S. Victim 11 regarding U.S. Presidential Campaign 1’s potential vice-presidential candidates to multiple members of the news media, in an attempt to induce the news media to publish the material. In one instance, for example, the conspirators’ message stated “I think this information is worth a good [U.S. news publication] piece with your narration. Let me know your thoughts.”

    As alleged, these defendants also sought to promote the IRGC’s goals and mission by compromising and maintaining unauthorized access to the email accounts of a number of former government officials, including U.S. Victim 1, who had served in a position with responsibility over U.S. Middle East policy at the time of Qasam Soleimani’s death. Using this access, the defendants obtained information to assist the IRGC’s efforts to target U.S. Victim 1 and others, including their means of identification, correspondence, travel information, lodging information and other information regarding their whereabouts and policy positions.   

    Jalili, Aghamiri, and Balaghi are charged with: conspiracy to commit identity theft, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud, unauthorized access to computers to obtain information from a protected computer, unauthorized access to computers to defraud and obtain a thing of value, and wire fraud, all while knowingly falsely registering domain names, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison; conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; eight counts of wire fraud while falsely registering domain names, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 27 years in prison; and eight counts of aggravated identity theft, each of which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Concurrent with today’s announcement, the Department of State, through the Rewards for Justice Program, issued a reward of up to $10 million for information on Jalili, Aghamiri, and Balaghi, the IRGC’s interference in U.S. elections, or associated individuals and entities. Also, concurrent with today’s announcement, the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13848 designated Jalili for being responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, a cyber-enabled activity originating from, or directed by persons located, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States that is reasonably likely to result in, or has materially contributed to, a significant threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States and that has the purpose or effect of causing a significant misappropriation of funds or economic resources, trade secrets, personal identifiers, or financial information for commercial or competitive advantage or private financial gain.

    The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating this case. The FBI Cyber Division and Springfield and Minneapolis Field Offices provided substantial assistance in this matter. For more information on threat activity as well as mitigation guidance, the FBI has released a Joint Cyber Security Advisory titled “Iranian Cyber Actors Targeting Personal Accounts to Support Operations.”

    The Justice Department would like to thank the following private sector partners for their assistance with this case: Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Meta.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal Chawla and Christopher Tortorice for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Greg Nicosia of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from Paralegal Specialists Mariela Andrade and Kate Abrey. Joshua Champagne of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section also provided valuable assistance.

    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: Former FAA Contractor Indicted for Illegally Acting as an Agent of the Iranian Government

    Source: US State of California

    Note: View the indictment here. 

    Former Federal Aviation Administration contractor, Abouzar Rahmati, 42, a naturalized U.S. citizen and resident of Great Falls, Virginia, was indicted for acting and conspiring to act as an agent of the Iranian government in the United States without prior notice to the Attorney General. He made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia today this afternoon.

    According to the indictment, from at least December 2017 through June 2024, Rahmati conspired with Iranian government officials and intelligence operatives to act on their behalf in the United States, including by meeting with Iranian intelligence officers in Iran, communicating with coconspirators using a cover story to hide his conduct, obtaining employment with an FAA contractor with access to sensitive non-public information, and obtaining open-source and non-public materials about the U.S. solar energy industry and providing it to Iranian intelligence.  

    “As alleged, the defendant conspired with Iranian officials and intelligence operatives, even lying to obtain employment as a U.S. government contractor only to then share sensitive government materials with Iran,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “When undisclosed agents of Iran or any other foreign government seek to infiltrate American companies or government agencies, the Justice Department will use every available tool to identify them and bring them to justice.”  

    “This defendant is charged with infiltrating a U.S. agency with the intent of providing Iran with sensitive information vital to our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Thanks to the great work of the FBI and the FAA’s investigators, this defendant was stopped in his tracks and a known adversary’s plot was exposed.”

    “This indictment describes the reprehensible actions of an individual who allegedly betrayed his country by transferring sensitive U.S. information to a foreign power. This alleged betrayal not only undermines our national security but also puts U.S. jobs and livelihoods at risk,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “We will not tolerate any actions that compromise U.S.-based sensitive information and are committed to ensuring that justice is served swiftly and decisively.”

    According to the indictment, from June 2009 to May 2010, Rahmati served as a First Lieutenant in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — an Iranian military and counterintelligence organization under the authority of the Supreme Leader of Iran. After being discharged from the IRGC, Rahmati lied to the United States government regarding his military service with the IRGC in order to, among other things, gain employment as a U.S. government contractor.

    In August 2017, Rahmati offered his services to the Iranian government through a senior Iranian government official who previously worked in Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and with whom Rahmati had previously attended university. Four months later, in December 2017, Rahmati traveled to Iran, where he met with Iranian intelligence operatives and government officials and agreed to obtain information about the U.S. solar energy industry, to provide that information to Iranian officials, and to conduct future communications under a cover story based on purported discussions about research with fellow academics.

    After Rahmati returned to the United States in December 2017, he obtained various non-public and open-source materials related to the U.S. solar energy industry and provided them to an Iranian government official. Rahmati also applied for multiple positions with private companies and U.S. government entities that would provide him with access to sensitive information, eventually obtaining a position with U.S. Company 1 supporting the FAA on a contract related to the power and electrical architecture of the FAA’s National Airspace System (NAS). After Rahmati obtained the position, he informed an Iranian intelligence officer that he was “in the process of moving to and joining a new company” and that they could “work more effectively if it is finalized.”

    In response to tasking from Iranian officials, and in furtherance of his agency relationship with the Government of Iran, Rahmati exploited his employment with U.S. Company 1 by downloading sensitive non-public U.S. Company 1 documents related to the FAA, storing them on removable media, and taking them to Iran, where he provided the documents to the Government of Iran in April 2022. These included documents related to the NAS that would give a person unfamiliar with NAS facility engineering a reasonable understanding of how the NAS power and electrical architecture is configured.

    After he returned to the United States in April 2022, in response to tasking from Iranian government officials, Rahmati sent additional information relating to solar energy, solar panels, the FAA, U.S. airports, and U.S. air traffic control towers to his brother, a co-conspirator, so that he would provide those files to Iranian intelligence on behalf of Rahmati.

    The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case. FAA’s Office of Counterintelligence and Technical Operations provided significant assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Tortorice and Kimberly Paschall for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Beau Barnes and Alexander Wharton of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia provided significant assistance. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Departments of Justice and Interior Roundtable on Media Coverage of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human Trafficking

    Source: US State of California

    Senior officials from the Justice Department and Department of the Interior yesterday convened a roundtable discussion with Tribal leaders, advocates, members of the media, and federal officials to discuss how media coverage can be channeled to help address the crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking (HT).

    The virtual roundtable was organized as part of the federal  response to the recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC) — a federal advisory committee established in November 2023 under the Not Invisible Act of 2019 to recommend strategies for combating violent crime on Indian lands and against American Indian and Alaska Native people. During seven field hearings across the country as well as a virtual national hearing that informed the Commission’s recommendations, people affected by the crisis of MMIP and HT shared their concerns about lack of media coverage and whether that may contribute to cases being ignored or going unsolved. The Commission in turn recommended the Justice Department and Department of the Interior hold a roundtable discussion as a step toward developing a set of best practices.

    Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and delivered video remarks.

    “Public communication, news stories, and social media can be crucial in finding and investigating cases of missing or murdered Indigenous persons,” said Attorney General Garland. “That is why, on the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendation, we convened this roundtable to develop best practices and guidelines to aid law enforcement, families, advocates, and journalists when a member of a Native community is reported missing. It is our hope that this convening will strengthen those partnerships, which are essential to advancing our shared goal of ending this crisis.”

    “Since day one, the Biden-Harris administration has been committed to fulfilling our promises to Indian Country,” said Secretary Haaland, who authored the Not Invisible Act while in Congress. “This roundtable is part of that promise as we act on one of the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations because a crisis that exists in silence will never be solved. Today is one step of many to ensure our missing relatives’ stories are told.”

    Attorney General Garland also announced that this month, the Justice Department will award more than $210 million to American Indian and Alaska Native communities through three separate programs to support a wide range of public safety challenges. These funds will go directly to efforts to support Tribal safety. They include programs dedicated to reducing domestic violence and sexual violence, supporting victims of crime, and providing resources to law enforcement, Tribal youth programs, and treatment programs.

    Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer delivered opening remarks at the roundtable, saying “it is critical now, more than ever,” to work together to draw attention to the MMIP and HT crises. “The potential for immediate, real-time alerts makes media, particularly social media, a powerful tool to get the word out fast when emergencies happen. And the widespread use of media facilitates information sharing and collaboration that can help resolve missing persons cases.”

    Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland opened the roundtable and said, “The overarching principle that guides our work is to make life better for people in Tribal communities and making sure that Indian people have the opportunity to live safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives in their tribal communities. Public safety is a big part of this, and addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis and human trafficking are at the forefront of our public safety work.”

    In August, Attorney General Garland and Secretary Haaland visited New Mexico to discuss efforts to confront the MMIP crisis and human trafficking with federal and Tribal leaders. Under Attorney General Garland and Secretary Haaland’s leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to address the high rates of violent crime in Indian Country.  Read more about these efforts.

    The Departments plan to publish best practices stemming from this discussion by the end of the year. To submit recommendations, email newsmedia@bia.gov no later than Friday, Oct. 4.

    Additional Background on the Departments of Justice and Interior’s commitment to addressing MMIP and HT

    Law Enforcement Collaboration: At the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and FBI announced an agreement to provide for the effective and efficient administration of criminal investigations in Indian Country. The agreement specified that BIA’s Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) and the FBI would cooperate on investigations and share information and investigative reports as well as establish written guidelines outlining jurisdiction and investigative roles and responsibilities. The agreement also requires that all BIA, FBI and Tribal law enforcement officers receive training regarding trauma-informed, culturally responsive investigative approaches.

    Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU): As one of her first acts as Secretary, Secretary Haaland created a new MMU within BIA-OJS to pursue justice for missing or murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU, headquartered in Albuquerque, provides leadership and direction for cross-Departmental and interagency work involving missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU has enabled the Interior Department to expand its collaborative efforts with other agencies, such as working to enhance the Justice Department’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and working through strategic partnerships with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Units (BAUs), the FBI Forensic Laboratory, the USMS’ Missing Child Unit (MCU) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

    MMIP Regional Outreach Program: Since the start of this Administration, the Justice Department has made strides in implementing systems aimed at preventing new instances of MMIP, locating individuals who are reported missing, and, where a crime has occurred, investigating and prosecuting those responsible. In Summer 2023, the Department launched an MMIP Regional Outreach Program. This program places attorneys and coordinators at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people.

    Not Invisible Act Commission: The Departments worked collaboratively to stand up the Not Invisible Act Commission, which was created by legislation the Secretary led in Congress, to develop recommendations on how the federal government can combat crimes against American Indian and Alaska Native people. The Commission included federal, state, and Tribal law enforcement, Tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors. In 2023, the Commission held seven field hearings across the country as well as a virtual national hearing to hear directly from individuals affected by the MMIP crisis. In March, the Departments released their response to the Commission’s recommendations, which they are in the process of implementing in collaboration with Congress.

    Operation Not Forgotten: The FBI established this operation to focus resources on seeking justice for Tribal community members who have been victims of unresolved crimes. Operation Not Forgotten first surged resources to Tribal communities in 2023 with the mission of examining cases that have gone unresolved. The goal was to move those cases closer to resolution, provide services for victims, and to bring offenders to justice, who had so far escaped it. Due to the success of the 2023 operation, the FBI is currently partnering with the BIA-MMU to surge resources in 2024. BIA-MMU is providing significant intelligence and investigative support for the duration of the operation. Over 45 special agents and five intelligence personnel have deployed in support of the 2024 operation.

    White House Council on Native American Affairs: At the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Biden signed Executive Order 14053 on Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People directing the Departments of Justice, the Interior, and Health and Human Services to work with Tribal Nations and partners to build safe and healthy Tribal communities and to support comprehensive law enforcement, prevention, intervention and support services. President Biden signed the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 into law, which built on advancements from previous reauthorizations and included new provisions to address the crisis of MMIP across the country and re-enforced Tribal sovereignty by providing means for Tribes to address the epidemic of violence within their lands and communities. The White House Council on Native American Affairs is continuing to implement this work through its Public Safety and Justice committee, which is co-chaired by the Departments of Justice and the Interior, as part of an all of government approach to address public safety and the MMIP crisis.

    International Collaboration: The United States is also working with its international counterparts from Canada and Mexico to address public safety issues on a larger scale. In September 2023, Canada chaired the Fifth Convening of the Trilateral Working Group on Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and government officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico and global subject-matter experts. Discussions at this year’s convening focused on human trafficking and access to justice. Officials from the three countries agreed to continue to protect and uphold the rights of Indigenous women, learn from and implement Indigenous-led approaches, provide accessible and culturally safe services, and support the preservation of Indigenous cultures and languages. A sixth gathering is expected later this year.

    MIL OSI USA News –