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  • MIL-Evening Report: Explainer: what does it actually mean to ‘firm’ renewables?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peta Ashworth, Professor and Director, Curtin Institute for Energy Transition, Curtin University

    Large power grids are among the most complicated machines humans have ever devised. Different generators produce power at various times and at various costs. A generator might fail and another fills the gap. Demand soars in the evenings and on hot days. In Australia, eastern and southern states trade power across borders. Meanwhile, Western Australia has two grids and the Northern Territory has several.

    But these complicated machines are undergoing major change, as we shift from large fossil fuel plants to cleaner forms of power. Wind and sun are now the cheapest way to produce electricity. These renewable sources will soon overtake coal and gas – they’re already averaging 40% of power flowing through the national grid.

    Solar and wind are often called “variable” renewable energy sources. Variable, here, refers to the fact the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. On sunny, windy days we get lots of cheap power. But on still nights, we might get little.

    This is where “firming” comes in. To firm renewables is to convert this cheap but variable source of power into what we really want: a reliable supply of electricity, there when we need it. Big battery projects are one way to do it. But there are others.

    Solar and wind are often called ‘variable’ renewable energy sources.
    Damitha Jayawardena/Shutterstock

    How does firming work?

    Storage is the best known way to firm renewables. As floods of cheap power come in, you can store it for later use.

    Storage can be performed by grid-scale batteries, where the power is stored directly. But it can also be done by pumped hydro, where water is pumped uphill when power is cheap and plentiful and run back downhill, through turbines, when power is harder to source.

    Firming can also be done by virtual power plants – aggregated fleets of smaller batteries in homes and electric vehicles.

    Gas peaking plants are another way of firming renewables. In the future, gas plants will go from being a mainstay to the equivalent of a backup generator, fired up only when needed.

    Generally, energy storage facilities offer either short- or long-term firming. As more renewable power enters Australia’s grids, we will need both. This is because they offer different levels of storage and response times.

    Short term can be as short as seconds to a few hours. Batteries are a common way to provide short-term firming, because they can ramp up very quickly to tackle sudden fluctuations in supply or demand. These fast-response systems help stabilise the grid by smoothing out spikes caused by changing weather.

    Long-term firming can be for hours, days or even weeks. This includes large-scale battery storage or back-up generators such as gas plants. Long-term options are crucial to maintain power supply during extended periods of low renewable generation, such as still, cold days and nights in winter.

    Firming turns cheap solar and wind into reliable, stable power.
    Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock

    How are we tracking with firming renewables?

    In recent years, large-scale battery announcements have ramped up. Almost 8 gigawatts of battery capacity is now in progress or anticipated to start construction shortly. But the pipeline of future projects is much larger: 75 gigawatts of firming will be required.

    While renewable power is cheap, to make it useful and reliable in addition to storage, we need transmission lines to connect large renewable zones to cities and towns. All this adds extra costs.

    As the level of renewables in our power grids inches higher, firming costs increase. This is especially true when a grid goes from 95% to 100% renewables, when there’s a sudden jump in cost.

    This is why experts have argued for keeping a few gas peaking plants. While they are not emission-free, they are flexible and can start up much more rapidly than coal. They will likely play a key role in firming the grid during renewable droughts and extreme demand – an estimated 5% of the year. That sounds small, but they will be essential.

    Eventually, gas peaking plants could switch to hydrogen, if the fuel becomes cost effective. This would cut emissions further.

    Firming – at home?

    Homes with batteries can also help firm the network by joining a virtual power plant. These networks of batteries can be digitally coordinated to function as a single power plant, helping stabilise the grid.

    If a home owner signs up to a virtual power plant program, they hand over some control in return for income. Technologies such as this can support grid stability by charging or discharging in response to supply fluctuations.

    These networks are a flexible energy resource. They can inject power to the grid instantly if there’s a sudden drop in solar or wind generation. They can also soak up surplus energy.

    These aren’t hypothetical. Several are running or in development in Australia, such as the AGL virtual power plant in South Australia, SolarHub in New South Wales and the new ARENA-funded Project Jupiter in Western Australia, which will commence soon.

    Is firming helping?

    Firming technologies are already helping in high-renewable grids overseas. Big batteries now allow California’s grid to absorb more renewables, by soaking up daytime solar and releasing it at evening peak.

    Power from renewables such as solar need to be firmed to maximise use in the grid.
    The Desert Photo/Shutterstock

    We’re seeing the benefits of firming locally, too.

    On January 20 this year, a heatwave in Western Australia triggered a new record for peak electricity demand – 4.4 gigawatts – in the state’s main electricity network, the South West Interconnected System.

    In response, recently built battery storage at Kwinana, Collie, and Cunderdin stored excess power and discharged it at peak times.

    The next day, dense clouds swept in, slashing solar output and reducing peak demand. In response, gas generators increased output to firm the grid.

    Firming technologies are already playing a vital role in keeping our electricity supply stable, reliable and resilient – and it’s just the start.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Explainer: what does it actually mean to ‘firm’ renewables? – https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-does-it-actually-mean-to-firm-renewables-248134

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Parliamentary statement on antisemitism

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    A holy synagogue defiled by a hateful swastika.

    A childcare centre deliberately set on fire. 

    Nazi slogans – copied from the darkest pages of history – spraypainted across Jewish cars and Jewish property.   

    To a person, these have been cowardly acts, conducted under the cover of darkness, designed to bully and intimidate and threaten the Jewish people of our great state.

    But we are here today, as a parliament, as representatives of this open and tolerant state, to say in an unambiguous way that this campaign of hatred will fail.

    It will fail – because the Jewish community is strong.

    It will fail – because our Jewish friends have an entire state behind them – with the laws and the resources and the solidarity needed to destroy the poison of antisemitism wherever it takes root.

    Mr Speaker, the Jewish people of New South Wales are proud, but they are understandably exhausted.

    As one parent told the media earlier this month: “I’m just tired. I want it to stop. I am sick of waking up to find out something else has happened.”

    Some of the stories we are hearing will break your heart.

    Of schoolkids – who are now afraid to wear their uniforms in public as they walk down the street to their local school.

    Or of parents – who have started driving their kids everywhere – so they don’t have to risk a trip on the bus or the train. 

    We will not be a state where someone feels like they have to remove their yarmulke just to walk down the street.

    Where people are made to hide their heritage – because of the ignorance, the bigotry, the racism of other people – people they’ve never met before.

    Mr Speaker, that has never been New South Wales. 

    And today – and in coming sessions of parliament – we will introduce new and stronger laws that target this kind of antisemitism and racial hatred.

    These laws we hope will send the clearest possible message.

    These are serious crimes.

    And if you’re going to commit these acts – if you are thinking about spreading racial hatred on our streets –you will face these full penalties.

    These changes include:

    • A new offence targeting the display of Nazi symbols on or near a synagogue.
    • An act to create an aggravated offence for graffiti on a place of worship.
    • Laws designed to stop people from harassing other people, or intimidating other people from recognising their religion and worshipping at religious buildings.

    We’re also backing these laws in as well, Mr Speaker, with more funding for the Hate Crime Unit in the NSW Police.

    More training and support for local councils. 

    We believe they’re strong laws, that will be a genuine deterrent, and we want to put resources behind them.

    And send a message that if you’re going to get involved in this kind of bastardry: the police will track you down – they will find you – and you will be punished. 

    Mr Speaker, one public act of antisemitism is too many.

    A summer of rolling hatred is obviously intolerable.

    Operation Shelter, stood up by the NSW Police, has arrested 173 people – with over 460 charges.

    Strike Force Pearl is now targeting vandalism and arson, and we’ve doubled the number of detectives on the case.

    But we do recognise that no one in this place will be judged by the laws we pass, or the taskforces that are established.

    We’ll be judged by the crimes that are stopped – and the feeling of safety that can return to our community as a result.

    I know David Ossip is here today as President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. I’d like to acknowledge his guidance and support as well as his personal strength and leadership throughout these very difficult times.  

    Mr Speaker, for as long as modern Australia has existed, Jewish people have made their home in this state.

    In 1788, there were eight Jews on the First Fleet.

    They were victims of poverty in East London, like later Jewish migrants who were fleeing pogroms in Eastern Europe, and those who settled here after the great evil of the Shoah.

    For generations of Jewish people, Australia has offered a promise.

    And that promise has been very simple.

    Despite centuries of horrifying violence – Australia would be different.

    Australia would be safe.

    This would be a country that accepts and celebrates these ancient people – a place where this community could live and prosper in peace.

    In the 1860s, a Rabbi travelled here from Jerusalem, Rabbi Jacob Levi Saphir, and he was amazed at what he found: “The Jews live in safety and take their share in all good things of the country.

    “In this land, they have learnt that the Jews are good people, and hatred towards them has entirely disappeared.”

    This is in 1860, Mr Speaker.

    I think it’s important we observe that the vast, vast majority of Australians of different ethnicities, nationalities, faiths, religions celebrate and love our Jewish friends and fellow citizens.

    We work together – we often send our kids to the same schools – we live side by side.

    In a democratic country like Australia there will be debate about foreign policy issues, wars, conflicts, rights.

    And of course that includes the Middle East.

    I have to say Mr Speaker, I’ve found that most Australians – regardless of their race, religion or perspective – want, would argue for, and indeed many pray for, Israeli and Palestinian children to live in peace in that holy land – and an end to all wars.

    We must, however, make it absolutely clear that nothing that happens overseas, in any context can ever be used as a pretext for hate, antisemitism or division here in Australia.

    People have come from around the world – from different races and religions – because we are a peaceful, tolerant country that has been free of this kind of racial or religious division and ancient hatreds.

    And we can’t bend on this principle. 

    No one is entitled to bring their bigotry to our country – and we won’t tolerate it.

    In New South Wales – we will never harbour the poison of antisemitism.

    Antisemitism is a particularly sinister, shape shifting in form, and the bigotry is widespread. 

    So often – what has begun as hate speech against the Jewish people has led to violence, it has led to persecution, it’s led to murder, and it’s led to genocide.

    That is the reason we’re here today.

    As a state – as a community – as a Parliament – as friends and neighbours – so that we can root out this kind of behaviour – and end this shameful chapter of the history of the state.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Files: Antarctica’s Weddell Seal

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Since 1964, the deep submergence vehicle Alvin has played major roles in sea discovery, from lost hydrogen bombs to hydrothermal vents and the first survey of the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Kaitlyn Beardshear, electrical engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a pilot of Alvin, discuses the submersible’s history, sea exploration and discoveries in the ocean’s depths.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Files: Material That Thinks For Itself

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Material That Thinks for Itself

    When someone taps your shoulder or brushes your arm, the touch receptors in your skin send a message to your brain, which processes the information and directs you to look in the direction of the contact.

    What if you could make a material that is capable of thinking and reacting in a similar manner? We’ll explore as we look into the U.S. National Science Foundation’s “Discovery Files.”

    Theorized in the 1930’s and made practical by computer chips created in the 1960’s, integrated circuits are engineers’ realization of information processing similar to the brain’s role in the human body.

    Integrated circuits run all types of modern electronics, including phones, cars, and robots.

    NSF-supported researchers have created novel, integrated circuit materials made from conductive and non-conductive rubber materials.

    When forces is applied to the engineered material, it digitizes the information to signals that its electrical network can advance and assess, allowing the material to react to how the forces are applied to them.

    Using this soft materials system, nearly any material around us could act like its own integrated circuit: being able to sense, think and act upon mechanical stress without requiring additional circuits to process such signals.

    The soft polymer material has potential applications in autonomous search-and-rescue systems, in infrastructure repairs and even in bio-hybrid materials that could one day be used to identify, isolate and neutralize airborne pathogens.

    To hear more science and engineering news, including the researchers making it, subscribe to “NSF’s Discovery Files” podcast.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Files Podcast: Microplastics Are Everywhere

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Since 1964, the deep submergence vehicle Alvin has played major roles in sea discovery, from lost hydrogen bombs to hydrothermal vents and the first survey of the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Kaitlyn Beardshear, electrical engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a pilot of Alvin, discuses the submersible’s history, sea exploration and discoveries in the ocean’s depths.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: December crime statistics

    Source: South Australia Police

    Almost every category of theft has continued to decline in South Australia, the latest crime statistics have revealed.

    The December rolling year crime statistics reveal further significant reductions in house break-ins, shop theft and car theft – with an encouraging decrease in reported incidents of fuel theft also recorded in the latest period.

    Sustained pressure on recidivist offenders has resulted in a second successive decrease in shop theft with a three per cent drop in reported offences – from 18,124 to 17,583 offences – reported this period. This follows a two per cent decrease in the previous period.

    The number of offences involving the receiving or handling of stolen goods continued to increase as policing initiatives such as Operation Measure target recidivist offenders selling goods on online forums. An increase of 230 offences occurred during the period – from 1,963 offences to 2,193 offences.

    House break-ins declined for the sixth successive period with a six per cent decline reported from 5,960 offences to 5,606 offences. This followed a three per cent drop in the November period, four per cent in the October period and five per cent in the September period.

    Car theft and theft from a vehicle have again recorded significant decreases in the December rolling year period. Car theft declined by 11 per cent – from 3,928 offences to 3,492 offences. This follows a seven per cent decrease in the November period, an eight per cent decline in the October period and a 10 per cent decline in the September period.

    Theft from a vehicle dropped by 19 per cent – from 10,304 offences to 8,397 reported offences. This followed successive decreases of 17 per cent in each of the November, October and September periods.

    Other theft – the category that includes fuel theft – has also declined by five per cent in the December rolling year period. A decrease of 1,139 reported offences was recorded from 23,022 offences in the 2022/23 period to 21,833 reported offences in the 2023/24 period.

    Police intelligence data shows nine of the top 10 locations for fuel theft are in the northern suburbs with the tenth in the southern suburbs. The thefts are concentrated in three of the four major policing districts in the metropolitan area with the Barossa, Hills Fleurieu and Murray Mallee the main country districts in which fuel thefts occur.

    The December rolling year crime statistics also reveal another large decline in robbery and related offences with a 22 per cent decline – 202 offences – reported. This followed a 26 per cent drop in the previous period.

    Aggravated robbery offences declined by 19 per cent or 94 offences – from 503 reported offences to 409 reported offences. Non-aggravated robbery showed a slight increase of four per cent or three offences – from 79 reported offences to 82 reported offences.

    The number of murders committed also continued to decline with a 59 per cent decrease in reported offences – from 22 to nine.

    Serious assaults resulting in injury recorded a three per cent increase in reported offences in the period – from 3,657 reported offences to 3,774 reported offences while common assault rose by 209 offences – a four per cent increase.

    While the number of family and domestic abuse related offences increased by 11 per cent – from 12,098 offences to 13,468 offences, the reporting rate has declined after successive increases.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Equipment upgrade, consumer goods trade-in programs deliver fruitful results

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Customers apply for subsidies under the trade-in program for consumer goods in Hangzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Oct. 31, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs yielded fruitful results last year, driving strong growth in both investment and consumption, official data showed on Monday.

    The programs, which kicked off last March, drove equipment purchases and investment up by 15.7 percent in 2024, contributing 67.6 percent to overall investment growth, and boosted sales of bulk durable consumer goods by over 1.3 trillion yuan (about 181 billion U.S. dollars), according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

    Equipment upgrades and sales of green products have saved energy equivalent to approximately 28 million tonnes of standard coal, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 73 million tonnes, the commission noted.

    In 2024, over 37 million consumers purchased more than 62 million eligible home appliances, with total sales reaching 270 billion yuan. Items at the highest level of energy efficiency accounted for over 90 percent of the total sales revenue.

    In the auto sector, more than 6.8 million vehicles were traded in for new ones, driving sales by 920 billion yuan. Over 60 percent of consumers opted for new energy vehicles.

    To maintain this momentum, China last month announced a raft of measures to expand the scope of its consumer goods trade-in program, including new subsidies for electronic product trade-ins, as well as an increased number of categories on its trade-in list for eligible home appliances.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Europe vows to defend interests amid new US tariff threats

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Flags of the European Union fly outside the Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The European Commission on Monday rejected the rationale for new U.S. tariffs on European exports, vowing to protect businesses, workers, and consumers across the bloc.

    The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, reigniting fears of a transatlantic trade war.

    European Union (EU) leaders swiftly condemned the proposed tariffs, which are expected to be formally announced later on Monday. The Commission said there is “no justification” for the U.S. measures, calling them unlawful and economically harmful, particularly given the deeply integrated EU-U.S. supply and production chains.

    With European leaders signaling their readiness to retaliate, concerns are growing that the looming trade dispute could strain economic ties and disrupt global markets.

    Tariffs could backfire

    The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, strongly criticized the proposed tariffs, warning they would ultimately hurt U.S. businesses and consumers.

    “Tariffs are essentially taxes,” it said in a statement, emphasizing that the move would increase costs for American companies, drive inflation, heighten economic uncertainty, and disrupt global market integration. Given the deep interdependence between European and American industries, the EU warned that such measures would be counterproductive, effectively imposing taxes on U.S. citizens as well.

    European officials fear a repeat of 2018, when Trump’s previous steel and aluminum tariffs triggered swift EU retaliation. At the time, Brussels imposed countermeasures on U.S. goods such as whiskey, motorcycles, and orange juice.

    With the formal announcement of the new U.S. tariffs expected later on Monday, European leaders are bracing for another escalation in trade tensions.

    EU weighs retaliation

    France was among the first to respond to Trump’s tariff threat, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warning on Monday that the EU would retaliate if the proposed tariffs take effect.

    “There is no hesitation when it comes to defending our interests,” Barrot told French television TF1, recalling how the EU countered similar tariffs in 2018 and vowing to take the same approach if necessary.

    Germany, Europe’s largest economy, is also preparing for action. A spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action stated that while the EU and Germany are working to prevent the tariffs, they stand ready to implement countermeasures if needed.

    During a televised debate on Sunday ahead of upcoming elections, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that the EU could “act within an hour” if Trump proceeds with tariffs on European goods.

    Industry leaders are also pushing for a firm response. Gunnar Groebler, president of the German Steel Association, urged the EU to react in a “united, strategic, and swift manner” to counter the tariff threat. “The U.S. is the largest buyer of European steel, importing around 1 million tonnes of mostly special steels from Germany alone each year,” he noted.

    A lose-lose scenario

    French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned that tariffs on EU goods would not be in the interests of the United States.

    “If Washington imposes tariffs across multiple sectors, it will drive up the cost of goods and fuel inflation in the United States,” Macron said, pointing out that European savings play a crucial role in financing the U.S. economy.

    Economic experts share Macron’s concerns. Paul Johnson, director of the London-based Institute for Fiscal Studies, warned that Trump’s planned tariffs could push up interest rates worldwide, having ripple effects on global monetary policy.

    “It is going to create additional inflation, at the very least, in the United States, and that will have knock-on effects globally, particularly on interest rates,” Johnson explained.

    Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, a German automotive expert, argued that Trump is leveraging economic power to siphon off jobs and prosperity from other countries through his tariff policies. “He knows no friends or enemies. Even U.S. car manufacturers GM and Ford would suffer considerably from tariffs on cars from Canada and Mexico,” he said.

    Dudenhoeffer noted that U.S. net vehicle imports totaled 5.6 million units in 2024. “Trump might ask how many jobs could be created if all these vehicles were produced domestically,” he said.

    Despite the growing alarm, some analysts hold that the impact of Trump’s tariffs may be limited. Christian Helmenstein, chief economist of the Federation of Austrian Industries, described Trump’s plan as an “unfriendly pinprick” but not a severe blow.

    He told the Austrian newspaper Kurier that the U.S. imports about a quarter of its steel needs, with much of it coming from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea rather than Europe.

    But Harald Oberhofer, an economist at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, described Trump’s tariff plans as “an economically high-risk game.”

    He pointed out that the United States was Austria’s largest export growth market last year amid weak overall exports and a trade war could further weaken Austria’s already fragile economy, which is projected to grow by just 0.6 percent this year.

    As Trump moves closer to making his tariff announcement official, European leaders are making their stance clear: if the U.S. imposes new trade barriers, the EU stands ready to defend its economic interests with countermeasures.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Trump’s Latest Steel & Aluminum Tariffs: “He Wants to Double Down on Raising Costs for Americans Even More”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    02.10.25

    Cantwell Statement on Trump’s Latest Steel & Aluminum Tariffs: “He Wants to Double Down on Raising Costs for Americans Even More”

    In 2024, state imported $1.2B worth of steel & aluminum for aerospace, shipbuilding, electronics & more; Last week, Cantwell delivered a speech on Senate floor calling for increasing exports & voted against advancing Trump’s trade nominee

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.

    “Many of Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum have been in place since 2018. Nothing was resolved and they added costs to cars, building materials, and energy projects. Now in 2025, he wants to double down raising costs for Americans even more,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. Combined, the state imported $1.21 billion worth of steel and aluminum last year – and the major industries and employers in Washington that rely on steel and aluminum include aerospace, shipbuilding, utilities, and electronics. When President Trump imposed steel tariffs in 2018, our trading partners immediately responded by imposing tariffs of their own on Washington products, especially agriculture, including cherries, apples, pears, and potatoes. Nationally, across all industries, the steel and aluminum tariffs resulted in a decrease in production worth about $3.4 billion per year, according to an ITC report.  The United States imports $58.81 billion in steel and aluminum every year.

    Last week, Sen. Cantwell also delivered a major speech on the Senate floor last week, arguing that the president’s arbitrary tariffs would threaten domestic job creation and economic growth in an Information Age. She outlined a strategy focused on building coalitions, growing exports, and establishing principles to support innovation in the Information Age.

    Sen. Cantwell also voted against advancing the nomination of Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s choice to be Secretary of the Department of Commerce, citing concerns with Lutnick’s support for Trump’s proposed tariffs. More information on how President Trump’s proposed tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China would affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be found HERE.

    Sen. Cantwell has remained a steadfast supporter of free trade to grow the economy in the State of Washington and nationwide. Sen. Cantwell was the leading voice in negotiations to end India’s 20 percent retaliatory tariff on American apples, which was imposed in response to tariffs on steel and aluminum and devastated Washington state’s apple exports. India had once been the second-largest export market for American apples, but after then-President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum in his first term, India imposed retaliatory tariffs in response and U.S. apple exports plummeted. The impact on Washington apple growers was severe:  apple exports from the state dropped from $120 million in 2017 to less than $1 million by 2023.  In September 2023, following several years of Sen. Cantwell’s advocacy, India ended its retaliatory tariffs on apples and pulse crops which was welcome news to the state’s more than 1,400 apple growers and the 68,000-plus workers they support.

    In May 2023, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to help U.S. potato growers finally get approval to sell fresh potatoes in Japan. In June 2023, Sen. Cantwell hosted U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), then-chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, in Washington state for a forum with 30 local agricultural leaders in Wenatchee to discuss the Farm Bill.

    In 2022, Sen. Cantwell spearheaded passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law to crack down on skyrocketing international ocean shipping costs and ease supply chain backlogs that raise prices for consumers and make it harder for U.S. farmers and exporters to get their goods to the global market.

    In August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to then-Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue requesting aid funds be distributed to wheat growers. In December 2018, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the passage of the Farm Bill, which included $500 million of assistance for farmers, including those who grow wheat.

    In 2019, Sen. Cantwell helped secure a provision in the $16 billion USDA relief package, ensuring sweet cherry growers could access emergency funding to offset the impacts of tariffs and other market disruptions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Address to Public Service Leaders

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Good afternoon everyone and thank you all for making the time to be here.
    I wanted to speak to you early in my tenure as your new Minister for the Public Service because I have a message for you: I’m here to support you in your efforts to deliver the best service possible for the employer we have in common. The taxpayer.
    I’m very happy to have the public service portfolio and I want to acknowledge your hard work and commitment during what has been a challenging past year for many, as ministries and departments have been right-sizing.
    We know it is the right thing to do, to run a ruler over everything we do to make sure we are delivering our best, but it’s never easy telling someone a programme they’ve worked on for several years won’t be proceeding, or that their role no longer exists. I know.  I have had to do it. 
    It’s not something the government has done lightly but it is something that absolutely needed to be done.
    In the six years from 2017 to 2023, the number of people employed in the core public service* grew 34 percent, to 63,117 full-time equivalent employees. Total salary costs for this core public service workforce grew a staggering 72 percent, to about $6.1 billion a year, over the same period.
    We simply do not have sufficient taxpayers to support that kind of growth. We do not have sufficient economic growth to support that level of public spending. 
    And, as I said before, taxpayers pay our wages, and it is the New Zealand taxpayers that we serve. They want to know we are spending their money in ways that are timely and cost-effective.
    New challenges, new solutions
    We live in a fast-changing world that constantly throws up new challenges. Governments and the public service are always under pressure to find new solutions and new ways of working.
    I don’t need to tell you the business of government is complex and challenging and, at times, messy. 
    And when you are knee-deep trying to deliver priorities and the myriad daily challenges that come with the job, it’s not easy looking ahead.
    I know you’ve heard all this before. But my point is this: the more complex and challenging it gets, the more simple we need to keep it.
    Serving the public must always be our top priority, regardless of how tough the operating environment is.  We should never lose sight of this simple objective.
    Setting the highest standards
    It almost goes without saying that the public service must set the highest standards.
    For me, that means doing the basics well and sticking to core business. It means being competent at what you do, upholding political neutrality and delivering free and frank advice, being efficient with taxpayers’ money, being corruption-free and – above all – delivering results for the people we serve.
    Keeping it simple is also being efficient and respectful with the use of taxpayers’ money. Taxpayers trust us to use their resources wisely, and we can not, in the fog of daily pressures and challenges, lose sight of that. 
    Here’s a simple question I would urge you and your staff to ask themselves: if this was my money, would I spend it this way? This is the simple question that I ask myself when I am making funding decisions.  It’s what I need you to do and to enforce. 
    Think of the sharemilker up at the crack of dawn every day whatever the weather. Think of the aged care worker doing their best to give our elderly the care and respect they deserve in their twilight years. Think of the bus driver. The taxi driver. The truck driver.
    All these people want – and deserve – to know that their money is being spent in a way that delivers the services they need in the best way possible. They want results.  They don’t want flow charts, frameworks,  roadmaps, or bubble diagrams.
    They are inherently practical people who want to know that you are helping make their country wealthier, and safer. They want you to treat their taxpayers’ dollars as though it came out of your bank account. 
    Not doing so can harm the reputation of the government, an agency and the public service.  Building trust and confidence, as you know, is a slow and laborious task over many years. But it can be destroyed with one seemingly innocuous act.
    Free and frank
    To that end, I cannot state clearly enough how important it is that you provide free and frank advice.
    Public servants who speak truth to power by telling Ministers their pet policy ideas are crazy and unworkable don’t get far. But neither do public servants who nod along and promise to deliver the undeliverable. That is a betrayal of the responsibilities of a public servant and it results in policy disaster. 
    Ministers do want free and frank advice. Tell us how we can implement our priorities and policies. Tell us how we can improve our policies. Tell us how we can improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Tell us when intervention is necessary. And tell us when to stop or change a policy.
    And remember that Ministers, just like senior public servants, have a way of coming back!
    The best public servants know how to use analysis to persuade. They know how to reconcile the vision with realism. And they know how to square the hole. I’ve worked with some fine public servants … some of you here. 
    Public Service Act
    One area of opportunity I want to touch on is the Public Service Act. I think it’s too prescriptive. It’s not allowing the public service to be as innovative as it could be. 
    I intend to look at tightening what the Act says around chief executive responsibilities. The way I see it is that your responsibilities have become too diffuse and roles have become confused.  Instead of telling you that you have to comply with certain named laws brought in by a previous government, why not just require you to implement the law. Laws change.  Standards should not. 
    Coming back into government, it seems to me that you are getting weighed down with things that don’t have much to do with your core responsibilities and where everything becomes a priority. 
    Your core role is to serve the government of the day and focus on the basics, and the Act should reflect this.
    I’d like to hear your thoughts on this. What changes can we make to the Act that will help you do your job better? What are the barriers to you doing your job? What can we change that will allow you to drive innovation and improve service delivery. You are better placed than me and other ministers, so I look forward to any suggestions you have.
    I know the Prime Minister and Minister Willis have asked you to be bold and take a few risks. I’d like to reinforce that. Freedom to fail (hopefully in a small way) can give us freedom to succeed. 
    Innovation isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a must. We are facing complex challenges that require immediate action. It’s not just being open to new ways of doing things, we need to be doing it. As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘well done is better than well said.’ That’s the culture I’d like to see in the public service.
    Open to new ideas
    I can assure you the Government is open to new ideas. My only condition is that it leads to better outcomes for the public. That’s tangible results. 
    And the language you use needs to be fit for the person who is your customer. As a lawyer in private practice, I learned to explain legal terminology in everyday language.
    If I talked to customers about the ‘mens rea’ and the ‘actus reus’ required for an offence to have been committed, I would have shown them I know some  ‘legal’ Latin, and they might have been impressed. But really, I would just be showing them that I did not understand the first rule of communication -which is to be understood. 
    You and your staff need to think about your customers.  When you are talking to or writing to your customers, think how it sounds to them. 
    Is it gobbledygook? 
    Is it a word salad? 
    Is it arrogant and lacking in empathy?
    Is it inherently distancing you from the people who are paying your salary? 
    My suggestion is to leave the acronyms at the door. 
    Keep your superior language skills for those who will appreciate them. 
    Be appropriate. And remember… it’s no use if you can understand you, but your audience can not. Speak to people as you would like to be spoken to and show respect. And, no matter what, be genuine. 
    Digitising government
    As you know, I am also the Minister for Digitising Government. It’s a portfolio that goes hand in glove with the public service.
    The use of data and Artificial Intelligence is the big opportunity of our time. We stand at the cusp of a digital revolution that has the power to transform the way our government serves New Zealanders.
    If done right, the digitisation of our public service will be game changing, and I am committed to ensuring this happens.
    Online portals, mobile applications and AI-enabled interfaces will ensure people and businesses can access important government services and information, anytime and from anywhere.
    Data-driven AI technologies will allow government agencies to tailor services to meet the specific needs of individuals, communities and businesses.
    New Zealanders already interact with AI-powered services daily. They expect government agencies will be analysing data to gain insights into customer behaviour, preferences and needs.
    I’d like to see the public service embrace the potential of AI. 
    I look forward to seeing a centralised, AI-powered data platform that enables real-time sharing of insights and collaboration between agencies like health, education and housing. It will be able to identify connections that may not be immediately obvious.
    Data dashboards and predictive analytics will provide the insight and evidence Ministers need to make better decisions and timely interventions to improve outcomes. 
    In modernising our public service for the benefit of New Zealanders, think about how we can, in digital procurement, help Kiwi businesses deliver.  Other countries are looking to how they can use procurement as a way to deliver better and more cost effective results by emphasising their own industrial or technology base.  When it makes sense, we should too. 
    Say Yes
    The work you do is vital. New Zealanders depend on it, and on our ability to drive the change required. 
    We have to deliver results. There simply is no other option. New Zealanders need us and expect us to get on with the job now, and I back you to support the government to do what is required.
    As the Prime Minister has made clear, a culture of saying No is not acceptable.  Your challenge is to inspire your staff, your team, to say “Yes”.
    Yes to the licence.
    Yes to the permit.
    Yes to considering trialling AI tutors for kids.
    Yes to delivering a government app that provides the sort of service that the commercial world delivers.
    And Yes to treating our customers like customers.
    New Zealanders should be treated as though they are valued customers with options. That’s what we need to deliver. Treat the taxpayer with dignity and the level of respect that you like to receive. 
    I know you are up for the challenge. But performance is non-negotiable. 
    I know how hard you work. And you are doing some great work. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take opportunities to reset and ensure our focus is on what matters most – delivering better, more timely results for New Zealanders. 
    I’m excited to be your Minister, and I’m excited at the prospect of what we can achieve together. And I have full confidence in each of you as leaders of our public service. 
    As we move forward together, let’s remember who we serve and how our work impacts the lives of New Zealanders. 
    With hard work, innovation, courage and a shared sense of purpose, we have the power to create a public service that is not only effective, but transformative. 
    I look forward to working with Sir Brian and you to drive the change that is required.
    Thank you.
     
    ** The core Public Service are departments and departmental agencies only. It excludes the wider public sector, such as defence personnel, police, teachers and public healthcare workers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: State Highway 1 maintenance steps up a gear in Wellington

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    The State Highway Summer Maintenance programme remains in full swing with State Highway 1 between Newlands and Tawa the next in line for attention over the next month.

    Mark Owen, Regional Manager Wellington / Top of the South for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says to date it has been a big maintenance season for the Wellington region, and there is still a lot of work to do.

    “State Highway 1 into Wellington is a critical link, and it needs regular maintenance. So, for the second half of February our road crews will be hard at work resurfacing the highway’s northbound lanes between Johnsonville and Glenside.

    “These are heavily used routes – for State Highway 1, on an average day, more than  30,000 vehicles use the northbound lanes. That is a lot of wear and tear, which is why this resurfacing is necessary. It is all about ensuring the highway remains safe and reliable,” Mr Owen says.

    From Sunday, 16 February until Thursday, 20 February – 9 pm to 4:30 am the highway’s northbound lanes will be closed for resurfacing between the Helston Road overbridge and the Grenada/Glenside offramp. A local road detour will be available via Johnsonville and Middleton Road. People who live in Johnsonville who need to travel north will need to use the Glenside northbound onramp. The highway’s southbound lanes will be open at all times.

    The week following, contractors will resurface the Takapu Road roundabout at Tawa/Grenada North interchange. We will provide a further update once these details have been confirmed.

    “We are doing these works at night when there is less traffic on the road. Closing the road lets us get the job done quicker and reduces traffic management costs. It is also safer for road workers and the public,” Mr Owen says.

    Works Schedule and Detour Route

    • Sunday, 16 February to Thursday, 20 February. 9 pm – 4:30 am
      • SH1 CLOSED to northbound traffic between Johnsonville northbound offramp and Glenside northbound onramp. Local road detour available via Johnsonville and Middleton Road.
      • SH1 southbound lanes will remain OPEN at all times
      • Johnsonville residents will need to access SH1 northbound at Glenside

    More Information

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three People Charged in Commercial Bribery Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Edward Joseph Chmiel, 49, Henry Lozano, 43, and Sabino Loera, 51, have been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering arising out of a scheme to submit fraudulent invoices to a contractor providing services for a Colorado electrical utility.

    Loera and Lozano made their initial appearances in federal court on February 10. Chmiel is expected to have his initial appearance later this month.  According to the criminal information, Chmiel and Loera worked for a company providing electrical contracting services to a utility company in Colorado. Lozano owned a company providing trucking and hauling services. In August 2018, the three agreed that Lozano’s company would provide those services in exchange for kickback payments to Chmiel and Loera.  To generate the money that would pay the kickbacks, the three schemed to submit false invoices from Lozano’s company to Chmiel and Loera’s. Once Lozano was paid for those invoices, Loera would direct Lozano to issue checks to a network of 15 other people. Those people cashed the checks and then gave the cash to Chmiel and Loera.  Between August 2018 and June 2020, the false invoices generated approximately $1,495,781.51 in kickback proceeds.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the FBI Denver Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sonia Dave and Bryan Fields.

    Case Number: 25-cr-00024-RMR             

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Road safety works get underway across northern Tasmania

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Upgrades are starting this week at the Frankford Road and Chapel Road junction in Harford, to improve safety and reduce the risk of crashes.

    The improvements are part of the latest $27.5 million investment by both the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the national Road Safety Program, and are set to be completed by late May 2025.

    The existing junction will be changed to a standard T-junction with widening provided for road users to pass a vehicle turning right from Chapel Road onto Frankford Road.

    Under the same program, safety upgrades will also be made to the junction of Pipers River Road and Waddles Road in Karoola, and are expected to start in early March 2025. 

    Road users can expect some temporary traffic changes during the Harford junction upgrade including reduced speed limits and occasional lane closures during the 7:00 am to 6:00 pm working hours.

    Road users are asked to allow 15 minutes extra travel time and to follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs. More information about the project and the wider Road Safety Program can be found here.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm:

    “Nothing is more important than ensuring people who travel on Australia’s regional road network get home safely each time they travel. 

    “That’s why we’re backing this $27.5 million investment to make the Frankford Road and Chapel Road junction safer for locals and visitors to this part of Tassie. 

    “Through projects such as this one, we’re working with the Tasmanian Government to help keep everyone safe on the state’s roads.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania, Anne Urquhart:

    “The Australian Government is committed to improving road safety and significantly reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”

    “While our government continues to prioritise road safety, I encourage all drivers to do their bit by driving to the conditions, slowing down, putting on a seatbelt, taking a break when you’re tired, and avoiding distractions.”

    Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent:

    “The upcoming junction upgrades demonstrate our commitment to improving safety for road users and reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. 

    “We also look forward to starting work on the remaining junction upgrades included under the program, such as the Pipers River Road and Waddles Road junction in Karoola, which we expect to start in March this year.  

    “Feedback from local communities and other key stakeholders has been a key focus in identifying the improvements for each junction, and we’ve balanced that with ensuring the best road safety outcomes are achieved.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitehorse — RCMP investigate Whistle Bend incidents

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Whitehorse RCMP are investigating a number of reported thefts from vehicles in the Whistle Bend subdivision area overnight.

    During the early morning hours of February 9, a thief (or thieves) committed a spree of criminal acts in the Whistle Bend area of Whitehorse. Police have received several reports of vehicles being rifled through and items being taken.

    If you are a witness to a crime or have been a victim of theft, or attempted theft over the weekend, please call 867-667-555 and report it to the police.

    Police are also asking residents in the area to review any security camera footage for suspicious activity between the hours of 1 am and 5 am and to contact police should they locate some evidence on their footage.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s equipment upgrade, consumer goods trade-in programs deliver fruitful results in 2024

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

    China’s equipment upgrade, consumer goods trade-in programs deliver fruitful results in 2024

    BEIJING, Feb. 10 — China’s large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs yielded fruitful results last year, driving strong growth in both investment and consumption, official data showed on Monday.

    The programs, which kicked off last March, drove equipment purchases and investment up by 15.7 percent in 2024, contributing 67.6 percent to overall investment growth, and boosted sales of bulk durable consumer goods by over 1.3 trillion yuan (about 181 billion U.S. dollars), according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

    Equipment upgrades and sales of green products have saved energy equivalent to approximately 28 million tonnes of standard coal, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 73 million tonnes, the commission noted.

    In 2024, over 37 million consumers purchased more than 62 million eligible home appliances, with total sales reaching 270 billion yuan. Items at the highest level of energy efficiency accounted for over 90 percent of the total sales revenue.

    In the auto sector, more than 6.8 million vehicles were traded in for new ones, driving sales by 920 billion yuan. Over 60 percent of consumers opted for new energy vehicles.

    To maintain this momentum, China last month announced a raft of measures to expand the scope of its consumer goods trade-in program, including new subsidies for electronic product trade-ins, as well as an increased number of categories on its trade-in list for eligible home appliances.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Homestead Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Machinegun, Trafficking Drugs, and Other Offenses While on Federal Supervised Release for Prior Conviction; Plea Agreement Calls for Sentence of 35 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws and agreed that later this year he will be sentenced to 35 years in prison, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Erik Addison, 28, pleaded guilty to four counts before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan, including possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl, possession of a machinegun, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on May 8, 2023, law enforcement in Pittsburgh attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Addison when he fled police and then abandoned and ran from the vehicle. Addison was pursued, detained, and arrested, with a police video camera recording the defendant in possession of a firearm later determined to be a Glock 19 9mm pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a Glock switch, intended to convert a weapon into a fully automatic machinegun. Investigators also recovered from Addison two cell phones, more than $3,200 in cash, and car keys.

    A search of the vehicle registered to Addison revealed a black bag containing 28 bricks of fentanyl, a 31 round 9mm Glock magazine, and Addison’s state ID card. The suspected fentanyl was confirmed, by laboratory testing, to consist of fentanyl as well as a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Addison’s cell phone contained extensive evidence of Addison’s drug trafficking and knowledge of Glock switches, including entries in which he described having such firearms. At the time of the offenses to which Addison pleaded guilty, he was serving a term of supervised release following his conviction for a prior federal firearms offense in 2021. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

    In addition to the federal charges, Addison is also facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas stemming from his conduct on May 8, 2023. On October 2, 2023, while detained at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial on his state and federal charges, Addison was found in possession of ABD-Butanica, a synthetic cannabinoid and Schedule I controlled substance.

    “Erik Addison’s blatant disregard for the law by possessing a dangerous firearm in connection with illegal fentanyl trafficking while on federal supervised release for a prior conviction and then, possessing another controlled substance while incarcerated on those charges, demonstrates the need to have dangerous criminals like him off of our streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rivetti. “Today’s plea is a testament to the good work of our law enforcement partners in helping to bring violent traffickers such as Addison to justice.”

    “Armed with fentanyl, heroin, and a pistol converted into a dangerous machinegun via an illegal ‘switch,’ this defendant was a deadly threat to his neighborhood,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Stopping criminals from endangering our communities with illegal firearms is a top ATF priority. We thank our local partners for their diligence and courage in this apprehension, as well as the United States Attorney’s Office’s support as we work to make our communities safer.”

    “We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in moving this case to a resolution,” said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns. “These violent incidents leave a lasting impact throughout our community, and only strengthen our commitment to work with our local and federal partners to keep dangerous, illegal weapons off our streets.”

    Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2025. As to the most serious offense, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of imprisonment with a maximum possible sentence of life, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and Brendan T. Conway are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The investigation and prosecution of Addison was the result of a collaborative effort between the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Police Department, and Edgewood Borough Police Department.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Connecticut Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Ammunition

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tip from homeowner led officers to hypothermic Yardley Davis one day after he attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the woods

    BANGOR, Maine: A Connecticut man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

    According to court records, in December 2021, a Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office deputy on routine patrol in Greenbush noted that the license plates on a car pulled over on the side of the road did not match the vehicle. The deputy pulled the vehicle over as it started to move. The vehicle’s operator, who was arrested for operating after license suspension, stated that a passenger they identified as Yardley Davis, 39, had fled when the vehicle was pulled over. The driver further stated that Davis had two guns in his possession and before fleeing had said if he was caught with them he would go to jail.

    The following morning, law enforcement received a report from a nearby homeowner that they had found gloves, a black ski mask and a rope next to a barbed wire fence on their property. Davis was found in the woods following a search and flown to the hospital for treatment for hypothermia. A further search of the woods by a K9 unit led to the recovery of two 9mm handguns and 45 rounds of ammunition. A forensic analysis of the firearms by the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory revealed the presence of Davis’s DNA on both firearms. Davis is precluded from possessing firearms or ammunition due to a 2005 conviction in Connecticut Superior Court for robbery in the first degree. 

    Davis faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 to be followed by up to three years of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth interview on 4BC Breakfast with Peter Fegan

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    Topics: Antisemitism; US tariffs on aluminium and steel; US-Australia trade relationship; NDIS; Foundational supports; Australian federal election.

    PETER FEGAN, HOST: Someone that had a front row seat to the action, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth. She joins me on the line. Minister, it’s great to have your company this morning.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Good morning. Great to be with you.

    PETER FEGAN: Antisemitism is a very touchy subject. Now, the Attorney-General has accused the Coalition of politicising antisemitism. But look, I think the sad reality is, Minister, it is a political issue, but I think it was a little childish of the Coalition yesterday to try and attempt to silence the Attorney-General because Mark Dreyfus is Jewish.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: It was a pretty unusual circumstance. We had Mark Dreyfus getting up and talking very personally about the impact that antisemitism has had on him and his family. In fact, he has direct family members that died in the Holocaust. So, it was a really moving comment. And he was making the point how dangerous it can be to politicise. Now, to shut down the Attorney-General by moving a motion that he no longer be heard was ironic. I mean, that was pretty ironic and pretty concerning, especially when the Parliament should be about free speech and canvassing these types of issues.

    PETER FEGAN: Yeah, look, I thought the move was very strange considering that, yes, he is Jewish and he had personal experiences. I thought it would have been more touching to allow Mark Dreyfus to talk. But look, it is politics. I want to move on, Minister, if I can, to President Trump’s threat to impose these 25 per cent tariffs on Australia’s aluminium industry. It is a really scary prospect. But, you know, particularly given the cost to Rio Tinto and, you know, and big companies like that BlueScope as well. But look, we don’t export a lot of those materials to America. But I think more broadly there’s an issue here, and it’s the relationship between the US and it hangs in the balance here. Do you think that the comments made by Anthony Albanese and Kevin Rudd may come back to bite us on the backside here?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Look, I think that the Prime Minister in particular has demonstrated already he is able to build strong relationships with world leaders. If you have a look at it, before President Trump even took office, our Prime Minister had had a conversation with him. Very few countries got an invite to the inauguration. Penny Wong was there, and we have Richard Marles meeting his Defence Minister counterpart just over the weekend. So, the relationship is strong. We will be working in our national interest. Our Prime Minister always does that. Obviously, President Trump has made comments that he will impose these across every country, but we will be working very closely in our national interest. I think the relationship is very strong. We’ve been working on it, and we’ll keep working on it in our national interest.

    PETER FEGAN: Let’s move on to your brief. The NDIS, it is as a ‘you know what’ sandwich. It’s been handed to you by Bill Shorten. The first question I want to ask you, Minister, and I hope you don’t deny this, have you been handed, have you been left a mess by Bill Shorten? Because the opinion of Australia is the NDIS couldn’t be in worse shape.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, firstly, I would say that the problems in the NDIS are not new. The reason why many of Australians understand some of the challenges in the NDIS is because Minister Shorten actually raised them. Just a couple of things…

    PETER FEGAN: He raised them, but he didn’t fix them, though, Minister. I mean, come on, let’s call it what it is. He never fixed the issues in the NDIS. He may have raised them, but under his watch you had NDIS carers taking patients or taking their clients to strip clubs, cash buying vehicles, going on holidays. It was an absolute mess, and it all happened under Bill’s watch.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: No, no, that is just not true. Some of these things had happened for a long time. What we did, and what Minister Shorten did, was have a list of what things could be funded and what couldn’t. Before that, there hadn’t been a list of what could be and couldn’t be funded. Firstly, I would make the point that the NDIS does provide lifechanging supports for many Australians with disability. What I’m hearing, though, of course, and this is the work that Minister Shorten started and I will continue, is firstly, bring integrity back to the system and making sure that people are spending the money and getting support for the things that make a difference in their lives. Secondly, I would say that I hear a lot about making sure that there is fairness and consistency in decision making at the same time as making sure that individuals have an individualised plan. But the crackdown on some of the misuse of NDIS money was only brought to the fore because Bill Shorten decided to set up a fraud task force and actually have a look at this. Some of the practices previously, were invoices weren’t even being checked, they were just being paid.

    PETER FEGAN: But how do we get to that stage? How do we get to that stage where invoices aren’t even checked? I mean, the captain goes down with the ship, unfortunately, Minister.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: No, no, they are now. We’ve got to bring integrity [to the system] and that’s what Minister Shorten started. It’s a long process because quite frankly, the previous government just did not pay attention to the work that needed to be done in the NDIS. So, we need to get it back to its original intent and that was providing reasonable and necessary support so that individuals with disability can achieve their goals and aspirations. And I think that is where we need to get back to and that’s what I’m absolutely committed to doing.

    PETER FEGAN: My guest this morning is the Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth. One of the things I will agree with, which I think is a good move by the Albanese Government, is people with milder disabilities will be on a different system. It’s an all new system. And I think that’s what part of the NDIS may have been – the determination between people with milder disabilities, with more severe disabilities. But the only problem is the states aren’t getting on board. What’s the update? Because I know that you’ve been working behind the scenes on this, you want to try and get this rolled out by about July 1. Are the states playing ball?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: This is a joint effort between states and territories and just last week, First Ministers agreed to continue work on what are called foundational supports. And I have to be really clear, these supports will be critical for people. We also need to make sure the evidence is there behind these supports as well. So, we’re working very closely with the states and territories, and we will continue to do so. We are still expecting that foundational supports will start to be rolled out in the second half of this year. Although just to be clear, it was never expected the whole system would be set up in the second half of this year. As the NDIS Review pointed out, there was a long term process. But look, I’m working with absolute good faith with the states and territories. Look, there’s different views and we’ll keep working with them, but I know they are keen as well to make sure that children particularly with disability, get the best evidence-based support they can that actually make a difference and actually change the trajectory of their lives. And that’s what I’m focused on.

    PETER FEGAN: Minister, before I let you go, I’ve just had a message here from the Prime Minister’s office that says Pete, you can ask the Minister, we’re giving her permission to let us know when the election is. You’re right to go.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Unfortunately that’s above my pay grade.

    PETER FEGAN: I’d say April 12. You’ll be busy. I’d say April 12. Minister, thanks for having for jumping on this morning. Nice to have your time.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: No worries, have a good one.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Signs Executive Order 25-17 in Preparation of Forecasted Hazardous Winter Weather

    Source: US State of Missouri

    FEBRUARY 10, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-17 as a precautionary measure to prepare for hazardous winter weather expected to impact the State of Missouri starting tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11. The Order waives certain hours of service requirements for commercial vehicles transporting residential heating fuel and activates the Missouri National Guard for state and local response efforts, if needed.

    “With hazardous winter weather forecasted for this week across much of the state, we want to be as prepared as possible,” Governor Kehoe said. “We ask that all Missourians be proactive, stay aware, and use extreme caution during these potentially dangerous winter weather events. This Order helps ensure homes in Missouri can stay warm and that state government and our National Guard members stand ready to assist.”

    Executive Order 25-17 suspends hours of service regulations for motor carriers transporting residential heating fuels, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil. The Order also gives the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri the authority to call and order into active service such portions of the organized militia as he deems necessary to aid Missourians.

    After a round of light snow primarily across the Ozarks Monday night into Tuesday, the National Weather Service forecasts a more significant winter storm to impact the state beginning overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected to lead to widespread travel impacts. Mainly snow is expected north of the I-44 corridor with a chance of at least four inches across northern Missouri, and a wintery mix is expected along and south of the I-44 corridor.

    Motorists are encouraged to postpone travel if possible. If you must travel, use extreme caution and check road conditions before driving to help determine if your trip can be completed safely. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) Traveler Information Map app can be accessed on desktop and mobile devices here.

    Executive Order 25-17 will expire on March 10, 2025. To view the Order, please click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Fitness – Postie Bike Challenge – from delivering mail to delivering a vital message for kiwi males – Prostate Foundation

    Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation

    It takes a special kind of human to load up a small motorbike, with a top speed of 80 km/hr, and head off from one end of the country to the other. But that’s exactly what an intrepid group of self-described “Mild Hogs” all on the wrong side of 50, are doing to make a difference to those affected by the most commonly diagnosed cancer in kiwi men – prostate cancer.
    The Mild Hogs Charity Motorcycle Ride aka the ‘Postie Bike Challenge’ will see the six hogs (Brian, Murray, Martin, Ian, Julian and Scott) embark on a 12-day 2,500 km odyssey on 109cc motorbikes designed for delivering mail – the trusty Honda NBC110 – without a support vehicle or backup.
    “It could be a long journey, but we all felt the need for a good adventure and it’s all in aid of a good cause,” said Hog spokesperson Ian Pringle.
    Behind this two-wheeled adventure a serious issue – 1 in 8 kiwis will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, it is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country and the second leading cause of cancer death in NZ men.
    “This is why the Postie Bike Challenge is so important and why we are very proud and grateful to the Mild Hogs for raising awareness of the disease and vital funds for those affected by it” said Peter Dickens, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ.
    In a valiant display of spirit (or perhaps a touch of madness?) these daring souls will stamp their mark on men’s health, avoiding motorways, salads and late nights. From the majestic Cape Reinga (16 th February) they will traverse the heart of the North Island, the charming North Canterbury, onward to the breathtaking Central Otago via the rugged West Coast, to arrive at Bluff – culminating at Bluff on 27 th February -signed, sealed, and delivered.
    “I have very fond memories of waiting for important news to arrive in the letterbox delivered by my friendly postie on their trusty bike, little did I know that years later six intrepid men would be making such an amazing effort on these same machines, in support of all those affected by prostate cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand”, says Peter Dickens.
    Through their efforts, the Mild Hogs will be making a real difference to those diagnosed, and their families, helping to provide vital support and raising awareness of the disease as they traverse the country. We’re very grateful and humbled by their efforts and will be cheering them on in every town they visit along the way.
    It will be amazing if our fellow kiwis can do the same and also take a moment to visit their GiveALittle page to show these mad buggers some support by making a donation. Hyperlink: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/postie-bike-challenge

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: One Month Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: One Month Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

    One Month Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

    LOS ANGELES – Homeowners and renters who have incurred damage or losses from the Los Angeles County wildfires that began Jan. 7 have until Monday,March 10,  2025, to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. The program provides financial and other assistance to eligible individuals and households to help meet their basic needs and supplement their wildfire recovery efforts. FEMA may reimburse eligible applicants for temporary housing, home repairs to their primary home, personal property losses, medical and dental expenses related to the disaster, childcare and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.Residents who have insurance need to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before applying. FEMA assistance is not taxed and will not affect Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance:Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (fastest option).On the FEMA App (available at the Apple App Store or Google Play).By phone on the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, give FEMA your number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages: press 2 for Spanish or press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7 days a week. Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To locate a DRC near you, visit the DRC Locator.For an American Sign Language video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance. After You ApplyIf you had damage and applied for FEMA assistance, you can expect a call, text or email from FEMA to schedule a home inspection to assess disaster damage. Please note phone calls from FEMA may come from an unfamiliar number. Inspectors will try to reach you multiple times but eventually will stop calling if you do not respond. You will learn FEMA’s decision on what benefits you may receive in a Determination Letter sent by email or U.S. Mail.FEMA may refer you to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a SBA low-interest disaster loan to help offset damage and losses caused by the wildfires. Disaster loans are available to renters, homeowners and businesses and are the largest source of federal disaster funding for people impacted by disasters. The deadline to apply with the SBA is also March 10, 2025. Do not wait for your FEMA Determination Letter to apply for a SBA loan. To apply visit sba.gov/disaster; call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov for more information or to have a loan application mailed to you. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services. You may also apply with the help of a SBA representative or submit your loan application at a Business Recovery Center. To find one, go to Appointment.sba.gov. Completed paper loan applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 
    barbara.murien…
    Mon, 02/10/2025 – 17:44

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two convicted in Eastern District of Texas COVID fraud scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SHERMAN, Texas – A Collin County man and a Floridian have been convicted of federal violations related to a COVID fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Cord Dean Newman, 47, of Homosassa, Florida, and Eric “Phoenix” Marascio, 53, of Allen, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on February 6, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, Newman, a Hollywood stuntman, and Marascio, an author and baker, were convicted for their involvement in a multimillion-dollar loan fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The evidence at trial showed they were involved in a scheme to defraud lenders and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by applying for and obtaining fraudulent PPP loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Once Newman and Marascio obtained the loans, they used the funds in a manner inconsistent with the program, including to invest in foreign exchange currency markets, to purchase vehicles, and for various other non-business-related expenditures.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was a federal law enacted in March 2020 and designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program was an SBA program that provided low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. 

    The defendants each face up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

    This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Eastern District of Texas.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor McKee Updates Rhode Islanders on State’s Readiness for Upcoming Winter Storm

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Published on Saturday, February 08, 2025

    PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, Governor McKee shared an overview of the State’s preparations for the upcoming winter storm expected to begin tonight.

    “Rhode Island is fully prepared to respond to the upcoming storm and keep residents safe. We have all necessary resources in place and remain in contact with local communities,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I urge all Rhode Islanders to prepare now and use extreme caution during the snowfall.”

    McKee Administration Preparations:

    • The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will have their crews report for duty well ahead of the storm. RIDOT has 200 state trucks and more than 250 vendor trucks ready for the storm. RIDOT also has 50,000 tons of salt available for the roads which have already been pre-treated.
    • The Office of Energy Resources is in close contact with Rhode Island Energy (RIE) and the state’s delivered fuel terminals to closely monitor the incoming storm system and its impact on power and fuel supplies across the state. RIE will have additional utility crews standing by.
    • The following emergency winter hubs, activated through the Department of Housing’s Municipal Homelessness Support Initiative, will provide additional, overnight capacity to help keep Rhode Islanders safe on a drop-in basis, meaning no referral is needed to enter the hubs:
      • West Warwick: West Warwick Convention Center, 100 Factory Street –Opening Saturday, February 8 at 4:30 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11
      • Westerly: WARM Center, 56 Spruce Street – Open 24 hours for the winter months
      • Woonsocket: 356 Clinton Street – Open 24 hours for the winter months
      • In addition to these emergency hubs, the following existing overnight shelter locations are expanding on a drop-in basis for those in need:
        • Crossroads Rhode Island: 162 Broad Street, Providence
        • Emmanuel House: 239 Public St, Providence – Open 24 hours
        • Welcome House of South County: 8 North Road, Peace Dale (South Kingstown) – Open 24 hours
        • OpenDoors: 1139 Main Street, Pawtucket – Open 24 hours 
    • Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency will monitor storm activities throughout the weekend with their state and local partners. They remain in close communication with local emergency management departments to ensure communities have the necessary supports in place. Find a list of local warming centers here: riema.ri.gov/planning-mitigation/resources-businesses/warming-centers.
    • Rhode Island State Police has called in extra troopers who will be monitoring the highways and assisting motorists if needed.
    • The Rhode Island Department of Health recommends to following tips for Rhode Islanders to stay safe:
      • Consider checking in with older family, friends, and neighbors. Older adults are more at risk for negative health impacts from significant weather events.
      • Shovel safely. Do not overexert yourself while shoveling snow. If you have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to shovel snow. Drink plenty of water, dress warmly, and warm up the muscles in your arms and legs before you start shoveling. Don’t pick up too much snow at once. Instead of throwing the snow, try to push it in the direction you want. This helps protect your back. Listen to your body—if you feel tired or feel tightness in your chest, stop shoveling.
      • Prevent slips and falls. De-ice the sidewalk, driveway, and any well-traveled areas outside your home.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Keshena Resident Receives 115-Month Prison Sentence for Serious Domestic Violence Offense on Menominee Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on February 6, 2025, John V. Miller, Jr. (age: 43), an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and former resident of Keshena, received a 115-month prison sentence following convictions for strangulation and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

    The sentence, imposed by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of guilty pleas entered by the defendant on September 27, 2024. Miller will also face three years of supervised release once he completes his sentence.

    According to publicly filed court documents, Miller severely injured his ex-wife during an assault in a wooded area outside Keshena, which is a community on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Miller kicked, struck, and punched the victim, who suffered a facial fracture and severe bruising and swelling. Miller also strangled the victim to the point of unconsciousness before leaving her in the woods. The victim awoke and found her way to a nearby mobile home, where the resident there called for help.

    In sentencing the defendant, Judge Griesbach noted the seriousness of the crime the defendant committed and remarked upon the need to punish the defendant for his “brutal” and “horrendous” acts. The court discussed the seriousness of the offense from the perspective of the effect it had on the victim and the children she shares with the defendant. The defendant’s documented history of violence against this victim and a total of 20 prior convictions also factored in the court reaching its sentence. Judge Griesbach also observed the need to incarcerate the defendant for a lengthy period to protect the victim and public.

    The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.

    # #  #

    For further information contact: 
    Public Information Officer 
    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov
    (414) 297-1700
    Follow us on Twitter  
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chair issues call for meaningful progress in agriculture talks by MC14

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Chair issues call for meaningful progress in agriculture talks by MC14

    In his final report reflecting on the extensive work done over the past two years, Ambassador Acarsoy expressed regret over the absence of an outcome on agriculture at MC13 in 2024, despite having come very close to a result. He told WTO members that their position today is very similar to where they stood before MC13, and he urged them to consider “what steps can be taken to break free from a recurring ‘Groundhog Day’ scenario and drive meaningful progress forward.”
    “Rebuilding trust and setting credible targets are paramount to progressively restoring an effective negotiating process and achieving an agricultural outcome in March 2026 in Yaoundé,” the Chair told the meeting. He called on members to engage in “evidence-based discussions” and “text-based negotiations”.
    DG Okonjo-Iweala thanked Ambassador Acarsoy for his leadership and expressed hope that his efforts would inspire a “genuine desire” among members to break the deadlock.
    At MC14, agriculture should be “the centre of attention”, the Director-General said. She urged WTO members to try to mobilize the political will and flexibility that will be needed to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations.
    She also assured members that the General Council Chair is actively working to identify a successor to Ambassador Acarsoy, to ensure a smooth transition.
    The Director-General welcomed ongoing initiatives, such as the joint work of the African Group and the Cairns Group of agricultural exporting countries, and she called for further research into the evolving agricultural landscape to provide fact-based insights that could help inform the negotiations.
    The African Group and the Cairns Group provided an update on their joint work, reaffirming their commitment to levelling the playing field in agriculture and making the global trading system fairer and more predictable. The groups reiterated their plan to submit a “modalities” package — setting out formulas and figures for commitments to reduce trade-distorting domestic support — for the consideration of members before MC14.
    Both groups acknowledged the “great efforts” invested in the process, which allows ideas to be tested without commitment until an overall agreement is reached. While recognizing that “the work has not always been easy,” the two groups emphasized that the process has been “consultative and constructive” and serves as “an example of what can be done”. They pledged to continue to engage with members and groups to advance discussions and build momentum for MC14.
    Members applauded the Chair’s leadership and contributions. Many members emphasized the urgency of appointing a successor as soon as possible. There was broad agreement that MC14 must deliver on agriculture, given its crucial importance for the African continent. Some members suggested that outcomes should focus on addressing the specific needs of least-developed countries (LDCs) and on delivering for Africa.
    Members exchanged views on negotiation priorities and the process for moving talks forward. Several members supported the Chair’s call for the swift resumption of substantive negotiations. Many said that future work should go beyond entrenched positions and take a more creative and innovative approach. While some insisted on the importance of sticking to formal negotiation forums, others saw value in advancing discussions through both formal and informal tracks, citing the constructive ongoing dialogue between the African Group and the Cairns Group as an example.
    Some members also suggested incorporating new knowledge into the negotiations, including by organizing technical workshops and by expanding discussions to address emerging challenges, such as the need to ensure the sustainability of the sector.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Woman charged in relation to fatal vehicle incident in Napier

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attribute to Detective Sergeant Stacey Bailey-Tran:

    Police have arrested and charged a 23-year-old woman in relation to a fatal vehicle incident on Nuffield Avenue, Marewa on 27 December 2024.

    The woman was arrested in Hastings yesterday afternoon.

    She is due to appear in the Napier District Court on 20 February, charged with excess breath alcohol and reckless driving causing death.

    Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MacPhersons Mills — Pictou County District RCMP charge New Brunswick man with attempted murder

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Pictou County District RCMP has charged a Miramichi, New Brunswick, man with a number of offences, including attempted murder.

    On February 4, at approximately 12:50 p.m., RCMP officers received information from a caller in New Brunswick that a person was struck by a vehicle, believed to be a stolen GMC Sierra from New Brunswick, in the Thorburn area. Officers immediately patrolled the community but didn’t locate a victim or a GMC.

    About an hour later, at approximately 2 p.m., Pictou County District RCMP received a call that a man had been hit by a vehicle somewhere in MacPhersons Mills, on an unknown dead-end road. Officers quickly searched dead-end roads in MacPhersons Mills and located an abandoned stolen GMC and an injured man on the roadway.

    After speaking to the man, who had suffered non-life-threatening injuries, investigators learned that he had observed someone taking his Chevrolet Silverado from his driveway. When he went outside to follow the truck’s tire tracks in the snow, he was struck twice by his stolen Silverado before the driver fled.

    Information gathered during the investigation indicated that the Chevrolet was heading towards Miramichi, New Brunswick.

    On February 5, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Miramichi Police Force located the truck and arrested the driver, 35-year-old Colin Joseph Williams. He’s been charged with:

    • Attempted Murder
    • Aggravated Assault
    • Break and Enter
    • Theft of a Motor Vehicle
    • Possession of Stolen Property
    • Driving while Prohibited
    • Failure to Comply with Court Order

    Williams was returned to Nova Scotia and has been remanded into custody. He’s due to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on February 10.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury convicts 2 defendants who were charged with 23 other Ohioans in narcotics distribution ring

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    One defendant also convicted of sex-trafficking victims through use of drug withdrawals, violence

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted two local men for their roles in a narcotics distribution ring involving bulk amounts of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine & other narcotics. As part of this case, the government has seized more than $1.7 million, 50 firearms, and nine vehicles, including a motorcycle. One of the defendants convicted at trial also sex-trafficked at least three adult victims.

    The jury found David Price, 56, of Columbus, guilty on all counts, and Tavaryyuan Johnson, 25, of Columbus, guilty on drug trafficking counts.

    The verdict was announced on Feb. 5 following a trial that began on January 13, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

    A multi-agency law enforcement task force initially announced the case in July 2022 after a federal grand jury initially indicted 11 defendants for distributing bulk amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in central Ohio within 1,000 feet of a Columbus elementary school.

    A superseding indictment returned in October 2022 charged additional co-conspirators with distributing those same drugs in addition to methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax and Oxycodone.

    Price, who is also known as “DP,” was charged in a third superseding indictment in December 2024 with 11 drug, firearm and sex trafficking crimes. He faces a minimum of 25 years and up to life in prison.

    Johnson is also known as “Gucci” and “TJ,” and was also charged in a third superseding indictment in December 2024. He was convicted of four drug offenses, including using a family residence in Columbus as his stash house for bulk amounts of narcotics. Johnson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

    According to court documents and trial testimony, the two men were part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 280 grams or more of “crack” cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, as well as marijuana, oxycodone and alprazolam. The drug trafficking organization operated from January 2008 until it was dismantled by law enforcement in 2022.

    Drug offenses took place at residences on Burgess and Harris avenues, which are within 1,000 feet of Burroughs Elementary School.

    In July 2021, Price distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine that resulted in the overdose death of an adult female.  The testimony at trial indicated he purposefully killed her to get rid of her as she was talking to the police about his drug business.

    The government also proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that Price conspired to commit sex trafficking. From 2016 until 2022, Price and other members of the conspiracy would force and/or coerce adult female drug addicts into performing commercial sex acts by providing, withholding, or threatening to withhold controlled substances and lodging. Law enforcement’s investigation showed that various women engaged in a “rinse and repeat” cycle where they would be allowed to stay at a drug residence associated with Price, receive a front of drugs so they were not in active drug withdrawal, go to Sullivant Avenue, have sex for money, pay the debt from the front drugs, and then be allowed to remain at the house.

    Price was also found guilty of three counts of sex trafficking related to his violence and coercion towards three adult females.  The testimony at trial indicated that he would lock the females inside his residence for days or weeks at a time and refuse to let them leave, forcing them to engage in sex acts.  One victim was locked in a dog cage, shot and stabbed by Price. Another was restrained.  A third was beaten and choked and left with a black eye. Price would refuse to provide them drugs unless or until they engaged in the sex acts, forcing them into withdrawal if they did not comply.

    U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker commended the investigation coordinated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission task force, which includes Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Andrew Lawton, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other agencies that have assisted the task force with the investigation include the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, HIDTA Task Force, IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Pickerington Police Department, New Albany Police Department, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Prichard and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney

    For a long time, it seemed refugee law had little relevance to people fleeing the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    Nearly 30 years ago, the High Court of Australia, for instance, remarked that people fleeing a “natural disaster” or “natural catastrophes” could not be refugees.

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Canada had said “victims of natural disasters” couldn’t be refugees “even when the home state is unable to provide assistance”.

    It was back in 2007 that I first started considering whether international refugee law could apply to people escaping the impacts of drought, floods or sea-level rise. At the time, I also thought refugee law had limited application. For a start, most people seeking to escape natural hazards move within their own country and don’t cross an international border. That fact alone makes refugee law inapplicable.

    Refugee law defines a refugee as someone with a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.

    So one challenge was in classifying supposedly “natural” events as “persecution”, which requires an identifiable human actor.

    It was also widely thought such events were indiscriminate and couldn’t target people on account of their race, religion or one of the other five grounds. This is partly why some advocates called for an overhaul of the Refugee Convention to protect so-called “climate refugees”.

    However, we have learned a lot in the intervening years.

    A new approach

    It’s become clear the impacts of climate change and disasters interact with other social, economic and political drivers of displacement to create risks for people.

    This is what some legal experts have called the “hazard-scape”.

    And the impacts of climate change and disasters are not indiscriminate – they affect people in different ways. Factors such as age, gender, disability and health can intersect to create particular risk of persecution for particular individuals or communities.

    For example, a person who is a member of a minority may find their government is withholding disaster relief from them. Or, climate or disaster impacts may end up exacerbating inter-communal conflicts, putting certain people at heightened risk of persecution.

    Now, we have a much more nuanced understanding of things. Refugee law (and complementary protection under human rights law) do have a role to play in assessing the claims of people affected by climate change.

    No such thing as a ‘climate refugee’ under the law

    There isn’t a legal category of “climate refugee” – a popular label that has caused confusion. However, there are certainly people facing heightened risks because of the impacts of climate change or disasters. These impacts can generate or exacerbate a risk of persecution or other serious harm.

    This means that when it comes to the law, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

    Instead, by applying existing legal principles and approaches, it’s clear some people impacted by climate change already qualify for refugee status or complementary protection (under human rights law).

    One instructive case, heard in New Zealand, involved a deaf and mute man from Tuvalu who was seeking to avoid deportation on humanitarian grounds. He was found to be at heightened risk if a disaster struck because he could not hear evacuation or other warnings. He also didn’t have anyone who could sign for him or ensure his safety.

    In another case, an older couple from Eritrea were found to be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of “their elderly status and lack of family support”, in circumstances where they would be exposed to “conditions of abject poverty, underdevelopment and likely displacement”. This, in addition to other conditions in Eritrea, meant that there was “a real chance they would suffer cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by way of starvation and destitution”. They were granted complementary protection.

    A practical way forward

    New Zealand has led the way on showing how existing international refugee and human rights law can provide protection in the context of climate change and disasters. It’s time for the rest of the world to catch up.

    With colleagues from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, I’ve helped create a practical toolkit on international protection for people displaced across borders in the context of climate change and disasters.

    This is a detailed resource for legal practitioners and decision-makers tasked with assessing international protection claims involving the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    It shows when, why and how existing law can apply to claims where climate change or disasters play a role.

    Inaccurate but popular labels aren’t helpful

    Inaccurate but popular labels – such as “climate refugee” – have caused confusion and arguably hampered a consistent, principled approach.

    Some judges and decision-makers assessing refugee claims may be spooked by “climate change”. They may think they need specialist scientific expertise to grapple with it.

    The new toolkit shows why international protection claims arising in the context of climate change and disasters should be assessed in the same way as all other international protection claims. That is, by applying conventional legal principles and considering the facts of each case.

    The toolkit stresses that it’s important to assess the impacts of climate change and disasters within a broader social context.

    That includes examining underlying systemic issues of discrimination or inequity that may impact on how particular people experience harm.

    The toolkit also shows why a cumulative assessment of risk is necessary, especially since risks may emerge over time, rather than as the result of a single, extreme event.

    And it emphasises the need to look at the “hazard-scape” as a whole in assessing the future risk of harm to a person.

    We hope the toolkit helps to debunk some common misunderstandings and charts a clear way forward. Our ultimate ambition is that people seeking international protection in the context of climate change and disasters will have their claims assessed in a consistent, fair and principled way.

    Jane McAdam receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a member of the expert sub-committee of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration. She thanks the Open Society Foundations (OSF) for its generous support of this project and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its endorsement.

    – ref. Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims? – https://theconversation.com/climate-impacts-are-forcing-people-from-their-homes-when-how-and-why-do-they-have-valid-refugee-claims-248865

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Where should we look for new metals that are critical for green energy technology? Volcanoes may point the way

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brenainn Simpson, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland

    Florian Nimsdorf / Shutterstock

    About 400 kilometres northwest of Sydney, just south of Dubbo, lies a large and interesting body of rock formed around 215 million years ago by erupting volcanoes.

    Known as the Toongi deposit, this site is rich in so-called rare earths: a collection of 16 metallic elements essential for modern technologies from electric cars to solar panels and mobile phones.

    Efforts are under way to mine this deposit, but the demand for rare earths in the coming decades is likely to be enormous.

    To find more, we need to understand how and why these deposits form. Our latest research on Australian volcanoes, published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment, shows how tiny crystals formed inside volcanoes offer clues about the formation of rare earth deposits – and how we can find more of them.

    Rare earths and the melting mantle

    The formation of rare earth element deposits begins with partial melting of Earth’s mantle which lies deep below the crust.

    Earth’s mantle is dominated by minerals that are rich in iron and magnesium. These minerals also contain small amounts of other elements, including the rare earth elements.

    When the mantle melts to form magma, the rare earth elements move easily into the magma. If the amount of melting is small, the magma has a higher proportion of rare earth elements than if the amount of melting is large – for example, at a mid-ocean ridge where vast amounts of magma rush to the surface and form new oceanic crust.

    As this magma migrates towards Earth’s surface, it cools down and new minerals begin to form. These minerals are mostly composed of oxygen, silicon, calcium, aluminium, magnesium and iron.

    This means the leftover magma contains a higher concentration of rare earth elements. This residual liquid will continue to ascend through the crust until it solidifies or erupts at the surface.

    From Greenland to central New South Wales

    If the magma cools and crystallises in the crust, it can form rocks containing high levels of critical metals. One place where this has happened is the Gardar Igneous Complex in Southern Greenland, which contains several rare earth element deposits.

    In central New South Wales in Australia, magmas enriched in rare earth elements erupted at the surface. They are collectively given the geological name Benolong Volcanic Suite.

    The Toongi deposit was formed hundreds of millions of years ago.
    ASM

    Within this suite is the Toongi deposit – a part of the ancient volcanic plumbing system. This is an “intrusion” of congealed magma containing very high levels of critical metals.

    Magmas enriched in rare earth elements are uncommon, and those that are enriched enough to be productively mined are rarer still, with only a few known examples worldwide. Even with all we know about how magmas form, there is much more work to be done to better understand and predict where magmas enriched in critical metals can be found.

    Crystals record volcanic history

    You may have wondered how scientists know so much about what happens kilometres (sometimes tens of kilometres) below our feet. We learn a lot about the interior of the Earth from studying rocks which make their way to the surface.

    The processes that occur in a magma as it rises from Earth’s interior leave clues in the chemical composition of minerals which crystallise along the way. One mineral in particular – clinopyroxene – is particularly effective at preserving these clues, like a tiny crystal ball.

    Fortunately, there are crystals of clinopyroxene within many of the rocks in the Benolong Volcanic Suite. This allowed us to examine the history of the non-mineralised rocks and compare it with the mineralised Toongi intrusion.

    What’s different about the rocks at Toongi

    We found that the Toongi rocks have two important differences.

    First, the clinopyroxenes in the non-mineralised volcanic suite contain a lot of rare earth elements. This tells us that for most rocks in the volcanic suite, critical metals were “locked up” within clinopyroxene, rather than remaining in the residual melt.

    In contrast, clinopyroxene crystals from Toongi show low levels of rare earth elements. Here, these elements are contained in a different mineral, eudialyte, which can be mined for rare earth elements.

    The ‘hourglass’ shape of clinopyroxene crystals from Toongi, viewed with electron microscopy and laser mapping.
    Simpson, Ubide & Spandler / Nature Communications Earth & Environment, CC BY

    Second, and most interesting, the clinopyroxenes from Toongi have an internal crystal structure that resembles an hourglass shape. This is caused by different elements residing in some parts of the crystal. It’s an exciting observation because it suggests rapid crystallisation occurred due the release of gas while the crystals were forming.

    In contrast, we found no evidence of rapid crystallisation in the rocks without high levels of rare earths.

    Our work means we can now track the composition and zoning of clinopyroxene in other extinct volcanoes in Australia and beyond to find out which ones may accumulate relevant rare earth element deposits.

    This study adds another piece of the puzzle for understanding how critical metals accumulate, and how we can find them to power green, renewable energy sources for a sustainable future.

    Brenainn Simpson works for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Geological Survey of New South Wales and publishes with the permission of the Chief Geoscientist and Head of the Geological Survey of New South Wales.

    Carl Spandler receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Teresa Ubide works for The University of Queensland. She receives research funding from the Australian Research Council, and infrastructure funding from NCRIS AuScope.

    – ref. Where should we look for new metals that are critical for green energy technology? Volcanoes may point the way – https://theconversation.com/where-should-we-look-for-new-metals-that-are-critical-for-green-energy-technology-volcanoes-may-point-the-way-248659

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