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  • MIL-OSI Security: DTRA Trains Indonesian Military on Epidemiology and Health Security

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SURABAYA, Indonesia  –  

    The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) conducted an Intermediate Epidemiology Health Security Training for Indonesian Armed Forces Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) clinical and laboratory professionals from September 17th to 19th 2024. The event was held at RSAL Dr. Ramelan Navy Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia, and provided 30 Indonesian personnel an expanded understanding of epidemiology principles and best practices, including skills that can be immediately applied at individual TNI military medical facilities. The training event incorporated lectures, interactive sessions, breakout group exercises, epidemiological analysis mentorship sessions and was part of a series of events which established an in-house cadre of trainers that will increase TNI training capacity and sustainability.

    For DTRA BTRP, Navy LCDR Brittany Harris provided remarks commenting on the training and how it will improve specific aspects of health security such as helping laboratory technicians grasp how their work fits into the broader TNI health landscape and understanding the impact of their efforts on disease control and prevention.

    Harris also commented on the significance of the training in Indonesia, stating, “This week represents an important milestone within our Health Security Training series and will further develop the initial Java-based cohort, enhancing proficiency and capabilities as health security resources and future TNI trainers.”

    This week’s event marked the culmination of a whole year of training events aimed at reestablishing an in-house training cadre for TNI. Additionally, this event fulfilled the fourth and final 2024 bilateral training commitment made between TNI and BTRP in December 2023 at the annual U.S.-Indonesia Bilateral Defense Dialogue.

    For more information on this facility and other DTRA programs, visit http://www.dtra.mil

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Issues Warning to Company Facilitating Illegal Robocalls

    Source: US State of California

    Continues work to protect consumers from annoying — and deceitful — robocalls

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a coalition of 51 bipartisan attorneys general in issuing a warning letter to a telecom company responsible for transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic, including robocalls that impersonated government officials and imitated a hotline used by the Illinois Attorney General’s office. 

    In the warning letter, Attorney General Bonta and the attorneys general on the nationwide Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force warn iDentidad Advertising Development LLC dba iDentidad Telecom (iDentidad) that they need to cease transmitting any unlawful call traffic immediately. Originating and transmitting illegal robocalls violates the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Truth in Caller ID Act, and other state consumer protection laws.

    “Consumers deserve to know that the voice on the other end of the line is precisely who they claim to be. Robocalls aren’t just frustrating, they can result in serious financial harm and the impersonation of government officials,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I am proud to join in this national, bipartisan effort to protect consumers from unwanted robocalls and warn companies to stop illegal conduct immediately.”

    The Task Force notes that iDentidad is a gateway provider responsible for funneling high-volume robocall campaigns from outside the country into the U.S., including a large number of illegal or suspicious calls involving IRS/Social Security Administration government imposters, utility scams, and financial scams. The letter warns iDentidad that if they don’t stop routing suspicious or illegal robocall traffic, the attorneys general may take legal action including seeking damages, civil penalties, and injunctions. In addition to the warning letter, the FCC also sent a cease-and-desist to iDentidad today, demanding that it immediately stop supporting illegal robocall traffic on its network.

    The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force of 51 bipartisan attorneys general investigates and takes legal action against those responsible for routing significant volumes of illegal robocall traffic into and across the United States.

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to enforcing consumer protections in the state of California and speaking out for consumer protections nationwide, including working to put a stop to illegal robocalls. In February, Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition of 51 bipartisan attorneys general in issuing a warning letter to a company that allegedly sent New Hampshire residents scam election robocalls during the New Hampshire primary election. In January, Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition of 26 attorneys general in filing a comment letter responding to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) notice of inquiry related to the potential impact of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology on efforts to protect consumers from illegal robocalls or robotexts. In May 2023, Attorney General Bonta, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 49 attorneys general, announced a lawsuit against Avid Telecom for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of unlawful robocalls that included Social Security Administration scams, Medicare scams, and employment scams. 

    A copy of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 🔧 Machinists on the Hill: Harris-Walz mobilization — Third destroyer push — Charlotte GOTV boost

    Source: US GOIAM Union

















    October 18, 2024

    Click Here to view this edition of Machinists on the Hill.

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Judge: Owner of repeat scammer Labor Law Poster Service broke the law nearly 600,000 times

    Source: Washington State News

    Michigan defendants targeted Washington businesses

    SEATTLE — A King County Superior Court judge agreed with Attorney General Bob Ferguson and ruled that the Michigan-based owner of Labor Law Poster Service broke the law nearly 600,000 times sending scam solicitations targeting Washington businesses. 

    The company has illegally targeted thousands of Washington small businesses by mass mailing deceptive solicitations to dupe business owners into purchasing workplace posters they are not obligated to buy. The letters are designed to imitate legitimate government communications.

    King County Superior Court Judge Sandra Widlan granted Ferguson’s request for summary judgment against one of the owners, deciding the merits of the case without a trial. The judge found the mailers were deceptive, in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, and that owner Joseph Fata violated the law 594,788 times. The case is still pending against the co-owners. Penalties will be decided at a later date.

    Ferguson’s lawsuit seeks full restitution, plus interest, to all Washingtonians harmed by this deceptive conduct. It also seeks civil penalties for every deceptive letter sent and civil penalties for each of the violations of the previous court orders.

    “Small business owners work hard to follow the law,” Ferguson said. “This judgment shows the incredible scale of this scam operation. We will be asking the court to order them to return every penny to the thousands of Washington businesses they harmed, plus significant penalties. We will not stop fighting to protect Washington business owners from harmful scammers.”

    Ferguson previously won a court order barring the company from sending mailers to Washington businesses while the case continued.

    According to Ferguson’s lawsuit, Labor Law Poster Service and its owners — brothers Joseph Fata, Thomas Fata and Steven Fata, and later Joseph’s son, Justin Fata — violated the state Consumer Protection Act hundreds of thousands of times over the course of at least eight years. It also asserts their conduct violated a 2016 permanent injunction and a 2008 resolution with the Attorney General’s Office, both of which prohibited the company from sending deceptive mailers.

    For years, the Fatas have treated all adverse legal actions as the cost of doing business, even after paying more than $1.2 million in civil penalties, restitution and attorneys’ fees from just one judgment. 

    Assistant Attorneys General Zorba Leslie Kelsey Burazin and Michael Bradley, Investigator Scott Henderson, Paralegal Mary Barber and Legal Assistant Ashley Totten are handling the case for Washington.

    Ferguson’s lawsuit is part of the Small Business Protection Initiative, which has won tens of millions of dollars for Washington businesses that have been targeted by scams.

    If you suspect you have been targeted by this or other scams, please contact the Attorney General’s Office. You can file a complaint online at atg.wa.gov/file-complaint or call the office toll-free at 1-800-551-4636.

    Background on workplace requirements and posters scheme

    Businesses with employees are legally required to display certain workplace posters about a variety of workers’ rights and entitlements, such as workplace safety requirements or the right to access disability leave.

    Employers can download digital copies of these posters for free from many regulators and state agencies, such as the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, Washington Employment Security Department and the U.S. Department of Labor. Workplace posters are not required for businesses with no employees.

    Labor Law Poster Service’s business model is to exploit these requirements — and business owners’ desire to comply with the law — for profit. They send deceptive letters that look like bills or invoices from a government agency. They mail the letters in envelopes with threatening language about legal consequences for not immediately purchasing the advertised product — a “Complete State & Federal Posting Requirement Set” — at a cost of $79.50 or more. These solicitations target small business owners, often newly registered small businesses, who may lack time and resources to thoroughly vet the legitimacy of the letters.

    Together, these deceptive tactics leave business owners with the impression that buying and displaying Labor Law Poster Service’s product is required by law and they ultimately pay the fee to avoid any risk of legal ramifications.

    Details of prior violations by Labor Law Poster Service owners

    In 2008, the Attorney General’s Office investigated similar consumer protection violations by Labor Law Poster Service, formerly known as Mandatory Poster Agency. Mandatory Poster Agency, which was also run by the Fata brothers, entered into a legally enforceable agreement that it would provide full refunds to Washington businesses and stop any future unlawful conduct to avoid a penalty.

    Mandatory Poster Agency did not stop. Between 2012 and 2013, the company sent envelopes marked “Important: Annual Minutes Requirement Statement” to roughly 80,000 Washington businesses. In a 2014 lawsuit, Ferguson asserted that more than 2,900 small businesses paid $125 each to prepare documents that looked like they came from the government. In March 2016, a King County judge ruled that Mandatory Poster Agency violated the Consumer Protection Act 79,354 times and ordered civil penalties and restitution of $1.15 million. The judgment included $793,540 in civil penalties and up to $362,625 in restitution for businesses harmed by the deceptive scheme. The company also paid the Attorney General’s Office $377,164 for attorneys’ fees.

    In all, Mandatory Poster Agency and the Fata brothers paid more than $1.2 million as a result of that judgment.

    Lawsuit asserts Fatas’ violations continue under new name

    Once more, the Fatas did not stop their illegal activity. Under a new name, Labor Law Poster Service, they violated both the 2016 court order and the earlier resolution by engaging in the same deceptive practices.

    Ferguson’s latest lawsuit asserts that Labor Law Poster Service mailed at least  594,788 deceptive letters to small businesses between 2016 and 2024, including 60,000 to 70,000 new solicitations each year. The lawsuit alleges the company made at least 4,955 sales to Washington businesses since 2016, totaling at least $558,052 in sales.

    Labor Law Poster Service renewed its Washington business registration in October 2023, and continued mailing illegal solicitations to businesses who previously purchased their posters until ordered to stop by the court in April 2024.

    Other enforcement actions against Labor Law Poster Service

    Other states have filed lawsuits against Labor Law Poster Service for engaging in similar deceptive conduct across the country.

    A lawsuit brought by the Tennessee attorney general is pending, and in 2017 Arizona won a $626,000 judgment against the company when it operated as Mandatory Poster Agency. In 2016, Labor Law Poster Service agreed to pay nearly $400,000 in penalties after violating a cease and desist order with the Delaware attorney general. In 2013, the Fata brothers, then operating as Mandatory Poster Agency, entered into a consent judgment with the State of Wisconsin after sending more than 72,000 deceptive mailers that required them to pay $340,000 in restitution and civil forfeitures.   

    Combined, these recycled deceptive tactics can amount to millions of dollars in profit for these repeat offenders.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit http://www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; Brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov

    General contacts: Click here

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Out: The 2024 Out100: Sen. Laphonza Butler

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for California – Laphonza Butler
    By Bernardo Sim
    “My work requires that I first and foremost represent all of California,” says U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, the first Black lesbian to serve in the chamber. “Which means that I am listening to lots of constituents, policy experts, and advocates to deeply understand issues of importance.”
    A longtime Golden State ally of Kamala Harris, Butler served as president of EMILY’s List and California’s Service Employees International Union State Council prior to filling the late Dianne Feinstein’s seat, a 2023 appointment by Gov. Gavin Newson.
    Butler labels “the doubt that creeps” as her most persistent obstacle this year. She’s also been busy getting work done, such as “bringing resources back to California” and being able to “engage young California leaders” in the political process.
    “My message to the LGBTQ+ community would be, ‘Take a bow!’” she declares. “We’ve faced challenges, hate, and discrimination…and because we’ve stood with other communities — our allies, families, and neighbors — we have accomplished so much. While there is still much to do, every time we choose to do it together, we make progress.”
    Read the article HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Cree Nation Government and Parks Canada successfully complete Feasibility Assessment and announce an agreement to formally work toward establishing an offshore Indigenous Protected Area and national marine conservation area in the Eeyou Marine Region

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The proposed national marine conservation area spans more than 26,000 km2 and is home to the Crees and to abundant wildlife.

    The proposed national marine conservation area spans more than 26,000 km2 and is home to the Crees and to abundant wildlife

    October 18, 2024                        Beaupré, Quebec                      Parks Canada

    Today, the Cree Nation Government and Parks Canada announced the successful completion of the Feasibility Assessment and signed an agreement to formally work toward establishing a proposed Indigenous Protected Area and national marine conservation area in the offshore waters of the Eeyou Marine Region. This is a major step toward achieving official protection for this rich marine environment.

    The announcement was made in Beaupré, Quebec, by Grand Chief and Chairperson Mandy Gull-Masty of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Nation Government, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

    The proposed Wiinipaakw (James Bay) Protected Area would receive protection as an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) through mechanisms determined by the Crees and would be established as a national marine conservation (NMCA) area under the Canada National Marine Conservation Area Act and in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement. A proposed IPA – NMCA in the Eeyou Marine Region would be adjacent to but not in Quebec and would not include any portion under the administration of the Government of Nunavut.

    The Eeyou Marine Region is rich in biodiversity and history. It is essential to Cree culture and Eeyou pimaatisiiwin (the Cree way of life). Many rivers flow out into Wiinipaakw (James Bay) bringing large amounts of freshwater to the Bay. This creates a unique marine environment with a salt concentration much lower than that of Chiwiinipaakw (Hudson Bay) and of oceans.

    As a part of the larger Chiwiinipaakw (Hudson Bay) inland sea, Wiinipaakw (James Bay) is also a hub for migrating geese, ducks, shore birds, and marine mammals. The Wiinipaakw Indigenous Protected Area and national marine conservation area will contribute to the protection of offshore water ecosystems and help mitigate climate change. Large scale conservation aligns with the treaties and rights of the Eeyouch (Crees) of Eeyou Istchee and their determination to maintain their culture, pimaastisiiwin (way of life), and support food security. The Eeyouch have been stewards to these lands, waters, and ice since time immemorial.  

    Engagement and consultation will continue with Indigenous and local communities, other relevant jurisdictions and federal departments, stakeholders, and the public during the next stages toward establishment. Once protected, the new national marine conservation area will also contribute 0.45 per cent to the Government of Canada’s target of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030.

                                                                                                           -30-

    • The Eeyou Marine Region is rich in biodiversity, history and is essential to Cree culture and Eeyou pimaatisiiwin (the Cree way of life). The Eeyouch have been stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial. 

    • In 2010, following the signing of the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement, the Cree Nation Government approached Parks Canada with the suggestion of collaborating on an Indigenous-led project. This built upon years of work (the Tawich Marine Protected Area project) already completed by the Cree Nation of Wemindji and researchers to extend the terrestrial protected areas network into the offshore.

    • In May 2019, the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Nation Government formalized this collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Parks Canada. The MOU initiated a feasibility assessment to explore the establishment of a national marine conservation area, defining the terms and conditions under which it could be established. It also created a Steering Committee, comprising two representatives from the Cree Nation Government and two from Parks Canada, tasked with guiding the feasibility assessment process and with preparing a feasibility assessment report.

    • The Steering Committee compiled and summarized existing ecological and environmental data to highlight areas of rich biodiversity within the Study Area defined in the 2019 MOU. The Committee conducted engagement activities with the five coastal Cree First Nations (Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, Chisasibi, and Whapmagoostui), with Cree entities, and with stakeholders. Through these sessions, the Committee gathered insights on Cree interests, concerns, and ideas about potential opportunities associated with a national marine conservation area.

    • The Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, collaboration, and partnership.

    Hermine Landry
    Press Secretary     
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    873-455-3714
    hermine.landry@ec.gc.ca

    Kristen Moar
    Political Attachée – Office of the Grand Chief / Attachée politique – Bureau de la Grande Cheffe
    Cree Nation Government / Gouvernement de la Nation Crie
    819-895-4451
    kristen.moar@cngov.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NEWS FEATURE: Maritime navigation’s new look

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    10/18/2024 03:52 PM EDT

    The safety of all mariners is a top priority for the Coast Guard. As technology continues to advance, the service strives to utilize these advancements to improve their aids to navigation data management and dissemination capabilities. One of the many ways the Coast Guard aspires to accomplish this is through the modernization of Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists.

    For more information follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Inauguration of ‘Aviation Park’ Showcasing India’s Aviation Heritage

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 5:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Under the leadership of Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation unveiled the Aviation Park within the premises of the Ministry. Situated amidst a serene waterbody, the park showcases a stunning display of aircraft models, depicting the evolution of planes and the growth of India’s Civil Aviation sector. The displays symbolize the ministry’s journey towards progress and innovation in the aviation field.

    A backdrop of free-standing architectural columns, representing various regions of India, celebrates the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the country. A dedicated path in the park highlights significant milestones in India’s civil aviation history, from early flight/aircrafts developments to modern advancements, creating an educational experience for the visitors.

     

     

    The park has been thoughtfully developed with sustainability in mind. Bamboo has been utilized for shaded seating areas, promoting eco-friendly construction practices. The park promises to be a landmark destination, blending India’s aviation achievements with its architectural and cultural legacy, inspiring future generations of aviation enthusiasts.

     

    Shri Ram Mohan Naidu praised the collaborative efforts of all involved, emphasizing that the Aviation Park stands as a testament to India’s rising influence in global aviation.

    *****

    PSF/DK

    (Release ID: 2066139) Visitor Counter : 74

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: HAPPY BIRTHDAY U.S. NAVY

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) Galley hosted a 249th U.S. Navy Birthday meal, Oct. 10.

    Even though the Navy’s birthday is October 13, the NMCP Galley celebrated early with a meal featuring BBQ chicken, grilled ribeye steaks, rice pilaf, dinner rolls, and assorted desserts featuring a ceremonial cake.

    On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy British sea control and supply ships to the British Army in America. The Navy celebrates its birthday to honor the service, sacrifice, and devotion of its Sailors.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S-MODE, ASIA-AQ, and the Role of ESPO in Complex Airborne Campaigns

    Source: NASA

    ESPO solves problems before you know you have them. If you are missing a canister of liquid nitrogen, got locked out of your rental car, or need clearance for a South Korean military base, you want ESPO in your corner.

    While the Earth Science Project Office (ESPO) does many things, one of the team’s primary responsibilities is providing project management for many of the largest and most complex airborne campaigns across NASA’s Earth Science Division.
    Some of these missions are domestic, such as the Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE). S-MODE deployed three separate field campaigns from 2021-2023, using planes, drones, marine robotics, and research vessels to study ocean eddies and sub-surface dynamics. NASA Ames Research Center, located in Northern California, served as S-MODE’s control center and the base for two of the three deployed aircraft.

    ESPO also provides project management for many international missions, such as the Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ), which deployed in January, 2024 out of South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. The campaign used satellites, aircraft, and ground-based sensors to study air quality across Asia, as part of a global effort to better understand the factors that contribute to air quality.
    Despite the critical nature of ESPO’s work, they’ll be the first to tell you that their goal is to remain behind the scenes. “Our mission statement is essentially to let the scientists concentrate on science,” said Erin Czech, Assistant Branch Chief of ESPO. “Our team’s job is to stay in the background. We don’t really advertise all the things we do, the pieces we put together, the crises we solve, because we don’t want folks to have to be in the weeds with us. We’ll take care of it.”

    Before a deployment:
    Project management for major airborne campaigns begins long before a deployment. The team begins by helping establish a mission framework, such as getting a budget in place, settling grants and funding with partner universities and agencies, and performing site visits.
    “We are not scientists,” Czech said, “it’s the job of the Principal Investigator to mission plan. Our job is to evaluate risk, set up contingency plans, and help make sure all the different groups are talking to each other. We work with world-class scientists, who are going to come up with an awesome plan; we just want to do whatever we need to in order to support them.”

    Erin Czech
    ESPO Assistant Branch Chief

    As the deployment date draws closer, the team nails down logistics: deciding how and where to ship equipment, reserving hotel blocks for researchers, acquiring diplomatic clearances, running planning meetings between agencies, and so much more.
    This process is particularly complicated for multi-site, international missions like ASIA-AQ, which required multiple visits to each country before the actual deployment. “We looked at many locations in each country on the first scouting trip, to help figure out deployment sites,” said Jhony Zavaleta, Deputy Director for ESPO and Project Manager for ASIA-AQ. “The second scouting trip was to evaluate modifications promised during the first trip, such as upgrades to infrastructure, and to figure out hotels, transit options, specific facilities for mission operations, that sort of thing.”
    According to Zavaleta, another purpose of these advance trips was to put pieces in place with partner organizations  – such as civilian aviation authorities, foreign science ministries, or military operations – so that when NASA officially requested diplomatic clearance to run the airborne campaigns, the groundwork had already been laid.
    Then it’s go time. 
    During the deployment:
    As the deployment gets underway, ESPO keeps the flurry of activity running as smoothly as possible.
    “During a deployment, you’re working all day every day,” said Czech, who is also the Project Manager for S-MODE. “But really that’s the whole mission team. When you’re on a NASA project, the whole team is incredibly dedicated and working like crazy, because everybody’s on the same page to make the most out of this investment, and take advantage of any kind of science opportunity that presents itself day to day.”
    For Zavaleta, day-to-day operations meant escorting personnel onto military bases, tracking down liquid nitrogen, coordinating media days with local news outlets, setting up satellite communications, arranging transportation between sites, and preparing the next location. “I was on the ESPO advance team, which would set up one location, overlap with the ESPO site management team for about a week, then head to the next,” Zavaleta recalled. “Our teams would leapfrog; we were always managing site logistics, but also always preparing and setting up for the next spot.”

    Beyond the day-to-day operations, ESPO also steps in when major issues arise. According to Czech, they can usually expect one or two big wrenches to come up for any major mission.
    For S-MODE, the first wrench came in the form of a global pandemic. “The original deployment was set for April, 2020,” Czech said. “Everything was shutting down, and we had just set everything up: ship, aircraft, everything. In fact, we set everything up two more times before we ultimately got to do our first deployment, in October of 2021.”
    The second major wrench happened when four months before the actual launch, the research vessel the mission was planned around backed out. From there, Czech said it was a mad scramble to find a suitable replacement vessel that was already on the West Coast, and to build out the on-board infrastructure to meet the mission requirements.

    “The key is just to always be on the lookout for issues, keep agile, and don’t get too frustrated if things don’t go your way,” Czech said. “It is what it is. Some major issue comes up on every big mission: you’ve just got to figure out how to deal with it, then move on.”
    After the deployment:
    After a field deployment is finished, there are still years of work to do – for the scientists and for ESPO.
    The final S-MODE field deployment concluded in Spring of 2023. While the science team has been processing data and analyzing results, ESPO’s role has been to organize annual science team meetings, track publications tied to the mission, and help compile a final report to be presented in Washington DC when the mission officially wraps in May of 2025.

    For ASIA-AQ, whose deployment wrapped up in March of 2024, ESPO’s first task was getting all equipment and personnel back to their respective home bases. Next up, Zavaleta and his team are coordinating a science team meeting in Malaysia in January of 2025, and supporting the scientists as they put together a preliminary research report for later that spring.

    While logistical skills and communication brokering are important pieces of ESPO’s role, knowledge may be the group’s most important asset. “In many ways, our value to NASA lies in the fact that we’ve been doing this a long time,” Czech said. “Our first mission was in 1987, and we’ve run over 60 campaigns since then; we have a lot of institutional knowledge that gets passed down, and a lot of experience between our team members. That expertise is a large part of our value to the agency.”
    To access the data from S-MODE, visit the Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connolly to Host 16th Annual Open Season Workshop

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

    Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) will hold his 16th annual Open Season Workshop on November 16, 2024 to assist federal employees, retirees, servicemembers, and veterans in navigating changes to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans (FEHBP) and dental and vision insurance programs. The program will feature a panel of experts, including representatives from the various health care plans, to answer questions and provide information.

    This year, Open Season will be from November 11 to December 9, 2024.

    WHAT: Congressman Connolly’s Annual Open Season Workshop
    WHEN: November 16, 2024 from 10am to 1pm
    WHERE: Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035.
    WHO: Mr. Walt Francis, Federal Employees Health Benefits expert; Mr. Ed DeHarde, Assistant Director of OPM who manages all Federal Employee Insurance Operations; Luis Vasquez, a Senior Advisor in Healthcare and Insurance.

    Federal employees seeking further information about Federal Employee Health Benefits plans can visit OPM’s website. Information on dental and vision plans can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza: Catastrophic levels of hunger expected to double – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference by Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

    —————————————————-

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, told journalists in New York that “the number of people at catastrophic levels of hunger is expected to double in the coming months and the risk of famine persists across the whole of Gaza,” and added that “this crisis is principally the consequences of decisions made by the Israeli authorities.”

    Following the presentation of his annual report to the General Assembly, Türk said, “starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited under international humanitarian law. It constitutes a war crime. As the occupying power, Israel has the specific obligations an international humanitarian law to bring into Gaza the necessary foodstuffs, medical supplies and other articles, and to facilitate humanitarian relief by all means at its disposal.”

    He said, “there are reports that Israeli forces are preventing humanitarian aid from accessing the north, exacerbating the already desperate humanitarian and medical needs,” adding that Israel’s evacuation orders “appear designed to cut off north Gaza completely from the rest of the territory, as bombing and other attacks continue.”

    Turning to Lebanon, the High Commissioner said Israeli “daily strikes on residential buildings in urban areas are taking an appalling toll on civilians with significant numbers of casualties, destruction and displacement,” while “Hizbullah also continues to fire rockets into Israel, where many thousands are displaced from their homes.”

    He stressed that the risk of a full-fledged regional conflict “remains very high, one that could engulf the lives and the human rights of millions of people,” and added that the “illogic of escalation, must end.”

    On the Ukraine war, Türk said, “nearly 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion, we continue to see terrible devastation characterised by recurring human rights violations and war crimes,” and noted that July 2024 was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since October 2022

    He said, “with the ongoing attacks on crucial energy infrastructure, I fear for Ukrainians this coming winter.”

    On the situation in Sudan, the High Commissioner said, “the warring parties, affiliated groups and regional actors continue to compete for influence and power, forcing a staggering 10 million people to flee their homes and leaving more than 25 million people facing acute hunger.”

    He said, “the situation is desperate, and there is evidence of the commission of war crimes and other atrocity crimes.”

    Türk said, “when my office rings warning bells, as we have over many years for all the situations that I referred to above, the international community needs to listen and act to avert catastrophe.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxEyT7UFV9k

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Solidarity message to the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon – UN Chief | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Video solidarity message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL).

    “Dear colleagues of UNIFIL,

    Earlier this week, I had the privilege of speaking with representatives of your countries here in New York.

    Today I want to speak to you directly.

    I want to say to you what I said to them:

    I am full of admiration and gratitude to the men and women of UNIFIL.

    I am so proud of you — and I know your countries are proud of you, too.

    You should know that here in New York, we are all very aware of your bravery during some of the most challenging moments in the history of UNIFIL.

    I have been crystal clear: the safety of United Nations personnel is our highest priority.

    And all parties have an obligation to ensure the safety of our personnel.

    The inviolability of UN premises must be respected, at all times.

    Attacks against UN peacekeepers are completely unacceptable.

    They are in breach of international law, against international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.

    Despite all the challenges, UNIFIL remains in its positions.

    Every day you keep the blue flag flying — and ensure the primacy of international law.

    I am in constant contact with General Lázaro – assessing the latest developments.

    Our path forward is clear.

    We need an immediate ceasefire and the full implementation of resolution 1701.

    The men and women of UNIFIL are tirelessly working to give our diplomatic efforts a fighting chance.

    You are not just on the Blue Line in Lebanon, you are literally on the front line of peace.

    Thank you for your service”.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK-QNNUkKnA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: World Social Report 2024: A Call for Global Action – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) on the launch of the World Social Report 2024 – Social Development in Times of Converging Crises: A Call for Global Action, by Mr. Shantanu Mukherjee, Director, Economic Analysis and Policy Division, UN DESA, and Ms. Wenyan Yang, Chief, Global Dialogue for Social Development Branch (GDSDB), Division for Inclusive Social Development, UN DESA.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TngdNd2vGY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Katie Hobbs Announces Independent, Bipartisan Recorders Overseeing Audit of MVD Procedures

    Source: US State of Arizona

    Phoenix – Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced that Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen and Former Yuma County Recorder Robyn Stallworth-Pouquette will lead the independent, bipartisan audit of MVD policies and procedures that was announced on September 17.

    The bipartisan election officials will oversee a thorough examination of policies and procedures impacting MVD data relied on for voter registration to ensure election officials have what they need from MVD to meet Arizona’s voter registration requirements. The independent audit will begin immediately, and produce a report with findings and suggested improvements by January 31, 2025.

    “As soon as I became aware of the long-standing data incompatibility issue, I directed MVD to work swiftly in coordination with election officials to correct the issue,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “And now, out of an abundance of caution, it’s important that we have a thorough audit of all MVD policies and procedures related to voter registration to ensure MVD is doing everything they can to support our election officials. I’m thankful to Recorders Hansen and Stallworth-Pouquette for bringing bipartisan leadership to this independent audit and I look forward to reviewing their findings.”

    “I applaud Governor Hobbs for proactively working to bring bipartisan and independent oversight to ensure MVD data can be accurately used for voter registration purposes,” said Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen. “This audit of MVD procedures and requirements will help election officials improve the voter registration system going forward and I’m honored to work with Robyn to provide our elections expertise and oversight.”

    “Ensuring election officials have the information needed from the MVD to successfully carry out voter registration is vital to the integrity of our election system,” said former Yuma County Recorder Robyn Stallworth-Poquette. “I look forward to working with Recorder Hansen on this bipartisan, independent effort to improve and strengthen procedures and to provide Arizonans confidence in the process.”

    “ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division has a long history of working collaboratively with elections officials,” said ADOT Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen. “We look forward to working with this bipartisan review, sharing information on MVD processes and the suitability of our data for voter registration purposes. We will continue making improvements to assist elections officials in the voter registration process in Arizona.”

    BACKGROUND ON THE DATA INCOMPATIBILITY:

    Beginning December 8, 2004, Arizona law requires registrants to provide documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to register as “full-ballot voters,” eligible to vote in federal, state, and local races. Those who do not provide DPOC may only be registered as “federal-only voters,” eligible to vote in only federal races. The law also specifies a driver’s license issued after 10/1/1996 can be valid DPOC. When a county enters a voter’s registration application into the statewide voter registration database (AVID), AVID is programmed to query and pull driver’s license records from the MVD database as DPOC for voter registration processing. The query returns data on, among other things, the license issuance date and alerts the county when the license is issued on or before 10/1/1996. 

    If an applicant was issued a license on or before 10/1/1996 but got a license duplicate, renewal or replacement after 10/1/1996, the operative issuance date in that person’s MVD record is updated to the date the new license was issued. The AVID system was programmed to query the duplicate issuance date and would not alert the county that the license was originally issued before 10/1/1996.

    As soon as the data incompatibility  was brought to Governor Hobbs’ attention on September 7, she ordered MVD to work with the Secretary of State’s office to address the AVID interface’s programming issue. The resolution has since been developed and deployed by MVD in coordination with the Secretary of State’s office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Preserving the road: Paving project at 54th Avenue East over I-5 in Fife complete

    Source: Washington State News 2

    FIFE – Travelers who use the Interstate 5/54th Avenue East interchange in Fife now have a smoother ride.

    Early in the morning of Friday, Oct. 4, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation applied the final lane markings to wrap up a paving project at the interchange. After only one weekend closure of the roadway and four nights of lane and ramp closures, the project is now complete.

    Years of wear and tear erased from the roadway in one weekend

    The overpass and ramps were showing their age with cracks, wheel ruts and potholes.

    During the weekend-long overpass closure in September, the contractor dug out the roadway and replaced it with fresh asphalt. The new asphalt eliminated the cracking and ruts where water often collected. This work helps extend the lifespan of the roadway and reduces the frequency of emergency repairs.

    WSDOT thanks travelers for their patience during this important preservation work.

    The project is one of 11 highway preservation projects included in the 2024 supplemental transportation budget passed by the Legislature earlier this year.

    Sign up for email updates about construction on state highways in Pierce County. Real-time travel information is available on the WSDOT app and statewide travel map.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah will pay homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at National Police Memorial in New Delhi on Monday, 21st October 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah will pay homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at National Police Memorial in New Delhi on Monday, 21st October 2024

    On October 21, 1959, ten valiant Policemen laid down their lives in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh

    October 21 is observed in commemoration of these martyrs and of all other martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty

    In recognition of the sacrifices made by Police personnel and their paramount role in preserving national security and integrity, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated National Police Memorial to the nation on Police Commemoration Day-2018

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah will pay homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at National Police Memorial in New Delhi on Monday, 21st October 2024.

    On October 21, 1959, ten valiant Policemen laid down their lives in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh. October 21 is observed in commemoration of these martyrs and of all other martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. In recognition of the sacrifices made by Police personnel and their paramount role in preserving national security and integrity, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated National Police Memorial (NPM), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi to the nation on Police Commemoration Day-2018.

    The Memorial gives Police Forces a sense of national identity, pride, unity of purpose, common history and destiny, besides reinforcing their commitment to protect the nation even at the cost of their lives. The Memorial comprises a Central Sculpture, the ‘Wall of Valour’ and a Museum. The Central Sculpture, which is a 30 feet high granite monolith cenotaph, stands for strength, resilience and selfless service of Police personnel. The Wall of Valour on which the names of martyrs are engraved stands as a steadfast acknowledgement of the bravery and sacrifice of Police personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty since Independence. The museum is conceptualized as a historical and evolving exhibition on policing in India. The Memorial is a site of pilgrimage, a place of reverence for Police personnel and citizen alike.  The NPM is open to public on all days except Mondays. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) organise band display, parade and retreat ceremony at the NPM on every Saturday and Sunday in the evening, starting one hour prior to sunset.

    Police Commemoration Day i.e., October 21 is observed across the country and homage is paid to police martyrs with the main function organised at National Police Memorial which is customarily presided over by the Union Home Minister. A joint parade of CAPFs along with Delhi Police is held. Union Home Minister, MoS, MPs, Heads of CAPFs/CPOs etc pay homage to the martyrs by laying wreaths. Thereafter, Union Home Minister addresses the assembly remembering the martyrs and outlines the challenges of Policing. Retired DGs, officers from Police fraternity and other dignitaries also attend. The programme concludes with Union Home Minister laying wreath at the altar dedicated to the martyrs of Hot Springs.

    Subsequently, CAPFs/CPOs organise various Commemorative Events at NPM from October 22 to 30, including visits of family members of martyrs, Police Band Display, motorcycle rallies, run for martyrs, blood donation camp, essay/painting competitions, display of video films showcasing sacrifice, valour and service of Police personnel. Similar programmes are organised across the country by all Police Forces during the period.

    National Police Memorial

    Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

    *****

    RK/VV/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2066144) Visitor Counter : 47

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: R.I. Board of Elections Releases Guidance Regarding Poll Checkers, Runners and Watchers for November 5th General Election

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    CRANSTON, R.I. � Ahead of the November 5th General Election, the Rhode Island Board of Elections has released a detailed memo regarding the presence and allowed activities of poll checkers, runners, and watchers at the polls on election day.

    “Rhode Island law allows political parties to appoint poll checkers, runners, and watchers to play specific roles monitoring polling locations on election day,” said Board of Elections Executive Director Miguel Nunez. “This memo is designed to clearly explain the process of appointing poll checkers, runners, watchers, as well as access by public observers, and their permitted activities at the polls. Our goal is also to remind all candidates, voters, and the public that no one may willfully hinder the orderly conduct of an election.”

    Anyone with questions regarding this memo and the appointment and roles of poll checkers, runners, and watchers should contact the Board of Election at 401-222-2345 / boe.elections@elections.ri.gov.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon/UNIFIL, Somalia, Cameroon & other topics-Daily Press Briefing (18 Oct 2024) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    -Secretary-General travels
    -African Union – United Nations
    -Lebanon/UNIFIL
    -Secretary-General/UNIFIL
    -Lebanon/Humanitarian
    -Secretary-General/Gaza
    -Occupied Palestinian territory
    -Dag Hammarskjöld
    -Somalia
    -Cameroon
    -Democratic Republic of the Congo
    -Briefings

    SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELS
    On Sunday, 20 October, the Secretary-General will arrive in Addis Ababa, to take part in the 8th African Union–United Nations annual conference.
    The high-level discussions, to be held on Monday, 21 October, will be co-chaired by Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, along with Mr. Guterres. The meeting will focus on progress in the implementation of cooperation frameworks between the two organizations, but also on the joint action and challenges linked to peace, security, development, human rights and the impact of climate change on the African continent.
    Discussions this year will also include the implementation of the Pact for the Future, as well as the operationalization of Security Council resolution 2719 (2023), which, as you will recall, establishes the framework for financing of African Union-led peace support operations through United Nations assessed contributions – something the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission had long advocated for.
    The annual conference will conclude with a joint press conference by the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. It will be available on UN WebTV shortly after.
    Later in the day, the Secretary-General will go to the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, where he will take part in the re-inauguration ceremony of Africa Hall, which is reopening after extensive renovations to transform it into a modern conference centre. We expect the ceremony to be webcast live on UN WebTV.
    While in Addis Ababa, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to hold meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

    AFRICAN UNION – UNITED NATIONS
    Speaking of UN-African Union relations, I’d like to note that on 15 October, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission convened their 7th Annual Consultative Meeting at the ECOSOC Chamber here at UN Headquarters.
    The meeting highlighted the collaborative peacebuilding efforts of the AU Peace and Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission for peacebuilding and sustaining peace in Africa, as well as the comprehensive review and progress of the status of implementation of outcomes of the 6th Informal Meeting in November 2023. They also noted that more work still needs to be done in supporting peacebuilding efforts. We have a note with more details on that meeting.

    LEBANON/UNIFIL
    Firing continued across parts of Lebanon and northern Israel today, with Israeli strikes in Saida, Nabatieh, Jezzine, Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon as well as the UNIFIL area of operations, while strikes by Hizbullah into northern Israel, including towards Haifa, and the Israeli-occupied Golan, also continued.
    Our colleagues in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) report that the high levels of fire across the Blue Line have persisted, with UNIFIL detecting 966 projectiles over the past 24 hours. The vast majority of these projectiles originated from south of the Blue Line, primarily striking Ayta ash Sha’b in Sector West and Al Wazzani and Mays al-Jabal in Sector East, while 68 projectiles were recorded originating from north of the Blue Line. The Mission also noted 70 air violations by the IDF into Lebanese air space, breaking the previous day’s record for daily violations since October 2023. Furthermore, clashes on the ground between Hizbullah and the Israel Defense Forces within the UNIFIL area of operations continue, with fatalities reported on each side.
    Additionally, this morning, peacekeepers reported that one of UNIFIL’s patrols that was resupplying a UN position in Sector East observed an impact less than 50 metres from its location. The patrol returned safely to its location of origin, and no injuries were reported. UNIFIL continues to reiterate the importance of ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers and reminds all actors of their obligations in that regard.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=18%20October%202024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc1hJ2Eo9Ik

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Travel Advisory: I-95 Weekend Lane Closures for Elmwood Avenue Bridge Replacement in Providence Resume November 1

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    On the weekends of November 1-4 and November 8-11, Rhode Island Department Transportation (RIDOT) will conduct its fifth rapid bridge installation since this summer with the replacement of the I-95 northbound bridge over Elmwood Avenue in Providence. The bridge will be completely replaced over these two weekends.

    The closures start each weekend at 8 p.m. on Fridays with all lanes open by 5 a.m. Monday morning. Additionally, the high-speed lane on I-95 North will be closed during the first weekend of closures.

    The Elmwood Avenue Bridge is the first bridge to be repaired or replaced as part of the new I-95 15 Bridges project, which will remove 15 bridges from the state’s backlog of poor and fair-to-poor condition bridges along I-95 and Route 10 between Providence and Warwick. RIDOT this summer received the state’s largest-ever federal grant of $251 million to help fund this project.

    During each weekend, RIDOT will close two lanes on I-95 North just after the Route 10 (Exit 33) interchange. RIDOT strongly suggests that travelers use alternate routes such as Route 10 and I-295 on both weekends and plan additional time for travel.

    In preparation for this work, RIDOT will install a lane split on I-95 North at the bridge with two lanes on either side of the work zone. The split will be in place through November 1 and for the week of November 4-8, with two lanes on either side of the work zone Drivers should not stop or suddenly change lanes at the split. This unsafe behavior will cause traffic delays and could lead to a crash. All lanes go through.

    For each weekend on I-95 North, the lane closures will allow RIDOT to demolish and replace different parts of this structurally deficient bridge. The closures start each weekend at 8 p.m. on Fridays with all lanes open by 5 a.m. Monday morning. Additionally, the on-ramps from Route 10 North and South to I-95 North will be closed on select nights and during the second weekend of demolition.

    Starting Wednesday morning, October 30 and for the week of November 4-8, there will be a lane split on I-95 North at the bridge with two lanes on either side of the work zone. Drivers should not stop or suddenly change lanes at the split. This unsafe behavior will cause traffic delays and could lead to a crash. All lanes go through.

    The bridge replacement work also requires the full closure of Elmwood Avenue at the I-95 overpass. During the closure, drivers can follow a signed detour using Reservoir Avenue (Route 2) and getting on Route 10 to reach Elmwood Avenue. Local traffic north of the bridge can also use Roger Williams Avenue to reach the detour route. There will be no changes for traffic on Elmwood Avenue northbound or I-95 North to Exit 33B trying to reach Roger Williams Park. Anyone heading to the park on I-95 South or Elmwood Avenue southbound will follow the detour route.

    The schedule for the bridge replacement and traffic impacts is as follows:

    October 29-30: On these nights, the on-ramps from Route 10 North or South to I-95 North will be temporary closed, reopening by the morning commute the following day. Motorists can use the ramp to I-95 South and reverse direction at the Jefferson Boulevard exit.

    October 30: By the morning rush hour, there will be a lane split on I-95 North just after the Route 10 (Exit 33) interchange with two lanes on either side of the split. All lanes go through. It also will be in effect on November 4-8.

    November 1-4: The two left lanes on I-95 North and the left lane on I-95 South will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Friday night, November 1. Also, Elmwood Avenue will be closed at the bridge. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, November 4.

    November 4-8: There will be a lane split on I-95 North beginning just after the Route 10 (Exit 33) interchange with two lanes on either side of the split. All lanes go through.

    November 8-11: The two right lanes on I-95 North will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Friday night, November 8. Also, Elmwood Avenue will be closed at the bridge. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, November 11. Also during this weekend, the on-ramps from Route 10 North or South to I-95 North will be temporary closed. Motorists can use the ramp to I-95 South and reverse direction at the Jefferson Boulevard exit.

    This rapid approach to bridge replacement saves motorists more than two years of lane closures, shifts and splits. In September, RIDOT replaced the I-95 southbound bridge over Elmwood Avenue over two consecutive weekends.

    The I-95 15 Bridges project takes a holistic approach to addressing these bridges to ensure the safe movement of over 185,000 vehicles, including about 9,000 trucks and heavy freight vehicles. Nine of the 15 bridges are structurally deficient. Three are rated among the top five most traveled structurally deficient bridges in Rhode Island. A total of 11 bridges will be repaired and four will be eliminated. RIDOT also will rebuild Route 10 from Elmwood Avenue to Park Avenue � transforming it into a boulevard with a shared use path to provide better connectivity for all users.

    RIDOT will coordinate with its neighboring states to inform motorists of anticipated construction delays in the Providence area during these weekends.

    All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

    The replacement of the Elmwood Avenue Bridge is made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at http://www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 26th Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) Meeting Discusses Accelerating Industry-Academia Partnership for Research and Innovation in India

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 6:49PM by PIB Delhi

    The 26th Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) meeting was chaired by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood today (October 18, 2024) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe in New Delhi.

    Along with the PM-STIAC members, the meeting brought together leaders from the government officials, academic institutions and industry bodies to discuss and gain a deeper understanding of the current state-of-play, plausible partnership models, their local contextualisation and effective implementation modalities.

    The meeting was joined by key government officials including by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member S&T, NITI Aayog, Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Mrs Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; Dr. S. Somnath, Secretary, Department of Space; Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, and Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO; Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy; Mr. S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; and Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe.

    Leaders from academic institutions included Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc Bengaluru; Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay; Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani Campuses; and Prof. Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar.

    Industry bodies including NASSCOM (Ms. Debjani Ghosh, President, and Mr. Rajesh Nambiar, President-designate); Biocon (Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson and Founder), Invest India (Ms. Nivruti Rai, CEO & MD), FICCI (Mrs. Anandi Iyer, Co Chair, FICCI Innovation Committee), Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (Mr. Ashish Dhawan, Founder) and Centre for Technology, Innovation and Economic Research (Mr. Janak Nabar, CEO) shared their insights on the topic.

    Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, former Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Dr Naushad Forbes, former Chairman, CII, sent their insights which were circulated and duly discussed.

    In his opening address, Prof. Sood highlighted the need for strengthening industry-academia partnerships for advancing research and innovation (R&I) in general, and through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in particular. For this goal, he emphasized that the stakeholders – industry, academia and government – have to play a complementary role to get increased socio-economic benefits from the efforts made in the country for R&I activities.

    Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member S&T, NITI Aayog, called for identifying priority areas where industry and academia can collaborate to accelerate research and innovation in the country. He advocated for prioritizing design and advancing academic research to make India a product-driven nation. He stressed on building expertise in frontier technologies, fostering collaboration between academia and industry, building trust in indigenous R&D and increasing exposure in academia to the industry as vital steps to enhance the R&D ecosystem in the country.

    Presentations were made by the experts to highlight the triple helix model of industry-academia partnerships for research and innovation, facilitated by the government. The discussions centred on sector-specific models, challenges and recommendations for enabling and leveraging such partnerships in various domains like ICT, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, space and electronics. They aligned on identifying certain mission-critical priority areas where industry-academia partnerships can drive significant multiplier effects in the country’s growth. The importance of goal alignment between government, industry and academia to deliver impactful outcomes was also discussed.

    After the presentations, the Chair invited interventions from special invitees and PM-STIAC members. They discussed expanding the triple-helix model to also include startups, accelerators and venture capital funds to drive industry-academia partnerships. They highlighted the government’s role as both a customer and facilitator, advocating for multidisciplinary approaches and increased mobility between academic research and industry. They suggested policies that support seamless movement between academia and industry, including research translation offices, and highlighted the significance of long-term government investment in both basic research and cutting-edge technologies.

    In his concluding remarks, Prof. Sood emphasized the importance of aligning incentives across stakeholders to bring R&D capabilities to the forefront. He echoed the recommendations made by earlier speakers on the need to bridge the gap between existing resources and future demands, ensuring that research and innovation address the critical needs of the nation.

    ***

    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2066178) Visitor Counter : 7

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 86th Meeting of Medical Benefit Council held at ESIC Headquarters Today

    Source: Government of India (2)

    86th Meeting of Medical Benefit Council held at ESIC Headquarters Today

    Implementation of the Common Support Mission (CSM) for states

    Convergence of ESIC with AB-PMJAY to enhance healthcare accessibility

    Launch of Annual Preventive Health Check-ups & Awareness Camps for beneficiaries.

    Service Level Benchmark Implementation to drive quality improvements in ESIC healthcare facilities

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 6:16PM by PIB Delhi

    Sh. Ashok Kumar Singh, Director General (DG), ESIC chaired the 86th meeting of the Medical Benefit Council in New Delhi today. In the meeting, DG has taken several key decisions for quality improvements in ESIC healthcare facilities.

    Implementation of the Common Support Mission (CSM) for states

    Medical Benefit Council has approved the implementation of the Common Support Mission (CSM) for states. The Common Support Mission (CSM) is envisaged with the aim of improving and strengthening ESI’s medical service delivery system in the States with focus on the IP centric approach.

    Convergence of ESIC with AB-PMJAY to enhance healthcare accessibility

    Medical Benefit Council has approved the Convergence of ESIC with AB-PMJAY to enhance healthcare accessibility to ESIC IPs/Beneficiaries.

    Launch of Annual Preventive Health Check-ups & Awareness Camps for beneficiaries

    Launch of Annual Preventive Health Check-ups & Awareness Camps for beneficiaries has been approved in the meeting for regularly conduct health check-up of targeted IPs/IWs at ESIC/ESIS hospitals with focus on the following: –

    1. Early diagnosis of lifestyle disorders.
    2. Identification of pre-cancerous lessions, and
    3. Detection of nutritional deficiencies among the Insured Persons / Women / Transgenders.

    Service Level Benchmark Implementation to drive quality improvements in ESIC healthcare facilities

    Medical Benefit Council has approved the Service Level Benchmarks to ensuring high standard of patient care, safety and service delivery.

    The 86th meeting of Medical Benefit Council was attended by Ms. T. L. Yaden, Financial Commissioner, Dr. Deepika Govil, Medical Commissioner, ESIC and other senior officers of ESIC. Members of the state Governments, Central Governments & others were also present during the meeting.

    ********

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2066150) Visitor Counter : 25

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Michoud Gets a Rare Visitor

    Source: NASA

    Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) passes over NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans in this Oct. 13, 2024, image. This comet comes from the Oort Cloud, far beyond Pluto and the most distant edges of the Kuiper Belt. Though Comet C/2023 A3 will be visible through early November, the best time to observe is between now and Oct. 24.
    Image credit: NASA/Eric Bordelon

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Now Open in Liberty, Toombs Counties

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Now Open in Liberty, Toombs Counties

    Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Now Open in Liberty, Toombs Counties

    ATLANTA — FEMA opened two additional Disaster Recovery Centers in Liberty and Toombs counties to provide one-on-one help for Georgians affected by Hurricane Helene. The centers are open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. 

    Center locations:

    Liberty County
    Miller Park/HQ Fire Station 
    6944 E. Oglethorpe Highway
    Midway, GA 31320

    Toombs County
    Georgia Department of Human Services
    162 Oxley Drive 
    Lyons, GA 30436

    Additional centers are open in Coffee, Lowndes, Richmond and Washington Counties: 

    Coffee County

    The Atrium

    114 N. Peterson Ave. Douglas, GA 31533

    Lowndes County

    City of Valdosta

    4434 North Forrest Street Extension Valdosta, GA 31605

    Richmond County

    Hub for Community Innovation

    631 Chafee Ave. Augusta, GA 30904

    Washington County

    Sandersville School Building Authority

    514 North Harris St. Sandersville, GA 31082

    To find center locations in the state, visit FEMA’s Hurricane Helene Georgia Page, FEMA’s DRC Locator or text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. 

    Homeowners and renters in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wheeler counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the State of Georgia and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.

    If you are in an affected county, you are encouraged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The quickest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages.

    Disaster Assistance Teams are also on the ground in affected counties going door-to-door to help survivors register for assistance.

    For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4830. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

    ###

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.

    larissa.hale

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Five Country Ministerial 2024 – Declaration Bridging Government Efforts and Elevating Survivors’ Voices

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Five Country Ministerial 2024 – Declaration Bridging Government Efforts and Elevating Survivors’ Voices

    We want to acknowledge the important work and advocacy of survivors’ coalitions, such as the Phoenix 11, a consortium of brave victims and survivors from the United States and Canada who have engaged with the Five Countries. Other victims and survivors coalitions are supported by non-governmental organizations. All of these brave victims and survivors continue to engage and call on government, lawmakers and industry to champion the rights of children to be safe online. 

    We acknowledge that more work needs to be done to ensure all levers are used to combat this crime, and to that end, the expertise of victims and survivors is key to enabling meaningful, trauma-informed change.  

    Commitment 

    We, the Ministers of the Five Countries, commit to work more proactively and collaboratively with victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse and the organisations working to support them, to ensure Five Country efforts to combat this crime type are informed by their lived experiences and expertise. 

    The Five Countries will continue to adopt, both individually and collectively, an approach to policy and engagement that is victim-centric and trauma-informed . Our commitment to victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse rests on the understanding that respect, care and protection, ongoing dialogue, and empowerment are central to this process and will enable victims and survivors to report their abuse and access the support they need to heal from their experiences 

    Next Step 

    The Five Country Ministerial Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Working Group will engage organizations and advocates in their respective regions in late 2024 to determine the best path forward and identify concrete actions to undertake. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: UPSC Decides to Open New Application Window From 18th October to 22nd November 2024 for ESE 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    UPSC Decides to Open New Application Window From 18th October to 22nd November 2024 for ESE 2025

    UPSC Postpones the ESE (Preliminary) and ESE (Main) Exam, 2025 to 8th June 2025 and 10th August 2025 Respectively to give Sufficient Time to the Aspirants to Prepare for the Exams

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 6:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Keeping in view of the decision of the Government for inclusion of Indian Railway Management Service IRMS in Engineering Services Examination (ESE, 2025), the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided to open new Application Window from 18th October 2024 to 22nd November 2024 for new applicants. The old applicants (who have applied during the original Application Window of 18th September to 8th October 2024) will also be able to make changes w.r.t. Addendum. A correction / edit window of 7 days will be provided from 23rd November, 2024 to 29th November 2024 to all the applicants during which they will be able to modify/edit their particulars. The candidates, who have already applied during the application window during 18th September, 2024 to 8th October 2024, need not apply again. They may however update their particulars during the new Application Window and correction / edit window, if required.

    In order to give sufficient time to the aspirants of ESE 2025 to prepare for the examination, the Commission has also decided to postpone the ESE (Preliminary) and ESE (Main) Exam, 2025. The ESE (Preliminary) 2025 and ESE (Main) 2025 will now be held on 8th June 2025 and 10th August 2025 respectively.

    As per Union Public Service Commission’s Annual Programme of Examination, 2025, notification for Engineering Services Examination, 2025 (ESE, 2025) was issued on 18th September 2024 with last date of receipt of applications as 8th October 2024. Meanwhile, the Government has decided that the recruitment to the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) will be made both through the Civil Services Examinations (for Traffic, Accounts and Personnel Sub-cadres) and ESE (for Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Signal & Telecommunication and Stores Sub-cadres). The Ministry of Railways has also notified Indian Railway Management Service (Amendment) Rules, 2024 on 9th October 2024.

    Addendum to the Rules and Notice for ESE 2025 has been issued on 18th October 2024. Aspirants for the ESE 2025 are advised to go through the same before applying for the examination.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Five Country Ministerial 2024 – Joint statement on Irregular Migration

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Five Country Ministerial 2024 – Joint statement on Irregular Migration

    Globally, irregular migration and forced displacement have increased in scale. This presents complex challenges that need to be addressed through a well-managed, coordinated, flexible and whole-of-route strategy. We recognise the value of a comprehensive approach which takes into account the diverse and multi-dimensional drivers of irregular movement and forced displacement. These drivers can include conflict and violence, poverty, political instability, crime and corruption, environmental degradation and climate change, or the seeking of family reunification or economic opportunities. 

    The Five Countries aim to work together to identify and implement consistent, equitable, and mutually beneficial partnerships that develop and stabilise source countries, improve the capacity of transit countries, and deter individuals from embarking on dangerous or irregular journeys or attempting to misuse our migration systems. 

    Further, the Five Countries remain committed to disrupting the activities of bad actors, and taking swift action against those who exploit the vulnerable and who violate, or facilitate the violation of, our respective immigration laws. This includes working to combat attempts to misuse our migration systems, including through visa fraud. We will endeavour to prevent and disrupt people smuggling activities and prosecute the people smuggling groups and facilitators responsible. We will also seek to return, in a fair, safe and orderly manner, those individuals who have no legal basis to remain in our countries, consistent with our domestic and international obligations. 

    As partners, the Five Countries acknowledge the existing international migration and protection frameworks and value the activities and partnerships with international organisations across the migration space, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL). We will continue to collaborate with these institutions and leverage existing national, regional and international frameworks to bolster our responses through strengthened institutions, systems and processes. 

    The Five Countries encourage pragmatic approaches to establishing migration policies and managing their sovereign borders in defence of national security, and in accordance with our obligations under national and international law. To this end, we affirm our collective responsibility to identify and better understand the evolving challenges of irregular migration. We commit to working together, learning from best practice based on robust evidence and analysis to identify and implement effective and sustainable solutions. Our efforts will include taking bold, flexible approaches and action, where needed. 

    The Five Countries agree that it is through committed and focused partnerships that we will deliver results on providing protection to the most vulnerable whilst protecting our borders and maintaining public confidence in our migration and protection systems, in line with our international obligations and commitments. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Fifth Review of the Extended Fund Facility Arrangement for Ukraine

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 18, 2024

    • The IMF Board today completed the Fifth Review of the extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ukraine, enabling a disbursement of about US$1.1 billion (SDR 834.9 million) to Ukraine, which will be channeled for budget support.
    • Ukraine’s economy remains resilient, and performance remains strong under the EFF despite challenging conditions. The authorities met all end-June quantitative performance criteria and completed four structural benchmarks.
    • Sustained reform momentum, domestic revenue mobilization, and timely disbursement of external support are necessary to safeguard macroeconomic stability, restore fiscal and debt sustainability, and enhance institutional reforms.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the Fifth Review of the EFF arrangement for Ukraine, enabling the authorities to draw US$1.1 billion (SDR 834.9), which will be channeled for budget support. This will bring the total disbursements under the IMF-supported program to US$8.7 billion.

    Ukraine’s 48-month EFF arrangement, with access of SDR 11.6 billion (equivalent to US$15.5 billion, or about 577 percent of quota), was approved on March 31, 2023, and forms part of a US$151.4 billion support package for Ukraine. The authorities’ IMF-supported program helps anchor policies that sustain fiscal, external, and macro-financial stability at a time of exceptionally high uncertainty. The EFF aims to support the economic recovery, enhance governance, and strengthen institutions with the aim of promoting long-term growth in the context of reconstruction and Ukraine’s path to EU accession.

    All end-June and continuous quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets were met. The authorities have implemented prior action for the review, and completed structural benchmarks relating to tax privileges, public companies affected by the war, customs reform and public investment management, underscoring their continuing commitment to an ambitious reform agenda. Two structural benchmarks have been reset to allow more time for completion of the reform.

    The economy was more resilient than expected in the first half of 2024, with continued growth, moderate inflation, and adequate reserves bolstered by continued sizeable external support. Nevertheless, the outlook for the remainder of the year and 2025 has worsened since the Fourth Review, largely due to sustained Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and uncertainty about the war; overall, the outlook remains subject to exceptionally high uncertainty.

    Following the Executive Board discussion on Ukraine, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, issued the following statement[1]:

    1. Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to bring a devastating social and economic toll on Ukraine. Despite the war, macroeconomic and financial stability is being preserved through skillful policymaking by the Ukrainian authorities as well as substantial external support. The economy has remained resilient, despite significant damage to the energy infrastructure, reflecting the continued adaptability of households and firms.
    2. Ukraine’s performance and commitment under the program continues to be strong. All quantitative performance criteria for end-June were met, and those for end-September are expected to have been met. All but one structural benchmark through end-September were completed, while the missed structural benchmark has been reset to accommodate delays in the appointment process partly beyond the control of the authorities. Moreover, two structural benchmarks due later in the year and the prior action for the review was also implemented. The program remains fully financed with a cumulative external financing envelope of US$151 billion in the baseline and US$187 billion in the downside over the 4-year program period, including with new commitments from the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine (ERA) initiative.
    3. Looking ahead, the recovery is expected to slow amid headwinds from the impact of the attacks on energy infrastructure and the continuing war, while risks to the outlook remain exceptionally high. Preparedness is necessary to enable appropriate policy action should risks materialize.
    4. Ukraine’s financing needs remain large, driven by the continuing war. Timely and predictable external support—on terms consistent with debt sustainability—is essential to closing financing gaps and safeguarding stability. At the same time, decisive domestic revenue mobilization is critical for Ukraine to meet elevated spending needs, respond to shocks, and restore fiscal sustainability, which will require further tax policy measures as well as efforts to improve compliance and combat evasion, as envisioned under the National Revenue Strategy.

    Further strengthening medium-term budgeting, fiscal risk frameworks and transparency, and public investment management should advance in support of these goals.

    1. The Eurobond exchange in August was an important milestone in the authorities’ strategy to restore debt sustainability. Efforts to conclude the remaining steps in line with the authorities’ strategy and the program’s debt sustainability objectives should continue.
    2. Continued exchange rate flexibility under the managed exchange rate regime will help strengthen the resilience of the economy to external shocks. The recent uptick in inflation suggests limited room for further easing in the near term, though inflation remains well-anchored, and the FX cash market continues to show stability. A state-dependent and gradual approach to the easing of FX controls remains essential to safeguard FX reserves. The authorities’ efforts to avoid monetary financing should continue.
    3. The financial sector remains stable. Efforts should continue to strengthen bank resolution and supervision, governance, and contingency planning in view of risks to the outlook.
    4. Continuing the reform momentum in anticorruption and governance, including ensuring the effectiveness of anticorruption institutions and strengthening governance in the energy sector, remain essential to help contain fiscal risks, secure donor confidence and enhance growth, which would also support Ukraine’s path to EU accession.

    Table 1. Ukraine: Selected Economic and Social Indicators, 2021–33

     

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

     

     

     

    Act.

    Act.

    Act.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

     

     

    Real economy (percent change, unless otherwise indicated)

    Nominal GDP (billions of Ukrainian hryvnias) 1/

    5,451

    5,239

    6,538

    7,542

    8,542

    9,715

    10,761

    Real GDP 1/

    3.4

    -28.8

    5.3

    3.0

    2.5-3.5

    5.3

    4.5

    Contributions:

    Domestic demand

    12.9

    -22.9

    13.9

    6.3

    5.1

    4.6

    4.3

    Private consumption

    4.7

    -16.8

    5.5

    3.1

    3.2

    3.8

    3.5

    Public consumption

    0.1

    12.5

    2.6

    -0.1

    -1.0

    -2.5

    -2.0

    Investment

    8.1

    -18.6

    5.8

    3.3

    2.9

    3.3

    2.7

    Net exports

    -9.5

    -5.9

    -8.6

    -3.3

    -2.6

    0.7

    0.2

    GDP deflator

    24.8

    34.9

    18.5

    12.0

    10.5

    8.0

    6.0

    Unemployment rate (ILO definition; period average, percent)

    9.8

    24.5

    19.1

    14.2

    12.7

    10.4

    9.4

    Consumer prices (period average)

    9.4

    20.2

    12.9

    5.8

    9.0

    7.7

    5.0

    Consumer prices (end of period)

    10.0

    26.6

    5.1

    9.0

    7.5

    6.6

    5.0

    Nominal wages (average)

    20.8

    1.0

    20.1

    16.6

    17.1

    14.1

    10.6

    Real wages (average)

    10.5

    -16.0

    6.4

    10.2

    7.5

    6.0

    5.3

    Savings (percent of GDP)

    12.5

    17.1

    9.7

    9.2

    5.2

    10.5

    16.4

    Private

    12.7

    30.2

    24.6

    25.5

    20.2

    15.7

    14.0

    Public

    -0.2

    -13.1

    -14.8

    -16.3

    -15.0

    -5.1

    2.5

    Investment (percent of GDP)

    14.5

    12.1

    15.1

    17.3

    19.5

    21.0

    22.3

    Private

    10.7

    9.6

    10.4

    14.8

    15.4

    16.6

    17.2

    Public

    3.8

    2.5

    4.8

    2.4

    4.1

    4.4

    5.1

    General Government (percent of GDP)

    Fiscal balance 2/

    -4.0

    -15.6

    -19.6

    -18.7

    -19.2

    -9.5

    -2.7

    Fiscal balance, excl. grants 2/

    -4.0

    -24.8

    -26.1

    -24.5

    -20.0

    -9.8

    -3.8

    External financing (net)

    2.4

    10.8

    16.5

    15.2

    18.2

    8.8

    3.3

    Domestic financing (net), of which:

    1.6

    5.0

    3.1

    3.5

    1.0

    0.8

    -0.6

    NBU

    -0.3

    7.3

    -0.2

    -0.2

    -0.2

    -0.1

    -0.1

    Commercial banks

    1.5

    -1.5

    2.5

    3.5

    1.0

    0.8

    -0.6

    Public and publicly-guaranteed debt

    50.5

    77.7

    82.3

    95.6

    106.6

    107.6

    102.6

    Money and credit (end of period, percent change)

    Base money

    11.2

    19.6

    23.3

    16.7

    13.2

    12.7

    12.4

    Broad money

    12.0

    20.8

    23.0

    15.4

    13.3

    11.9

    10.1

    Credit to nongovernment

    8.4

    -3.1

    -0.5

    9.0

    12.9

    21.5

    18.7

    Balance of payments (percent of GDP)

    Current account balance

    -1.9

    5.0

    -5.4

    -8.1

    -14.3

    -10.5

    -5.9

    Foreign direct investment

    3.8

    0.1

    2.6

    2.0

    2.1

    4.3

    4.9

    Gross reserves (end of period, billions of U.S. dollars)

    30.9

    28.5

    40.5

    42.6

    44.9

    49.1

    52.4

    Months of next year’s imports of goods and services

    4.5

    3.8

    5.1

    5.1

    5.4

    5.7

    6.0

    Percent of short-term debt (remaining maturity)

    67.5

    64.3

    89.5

    106.2

    106.3

    118.3

    124.5

    Percent of the IMF composite metric (float)

    104.4

    103.6

    124.3

    113.5

    104.7

    104.0

    106.9

    Goods exports (annual volume change in percent)

    35.1

    -43.7

    -15.4

    15.7

    6.2

    14.0

    6.3

    Goods imports (annual volume change in percent)

    17.0

    -24.1

    21.5

    14.1

    7.0

    8.8

    9.5

    Goods terms of trade (percent change)

    -8.4

    -11.6

    3.6

    0.3

    -1.8

    1.2

    1.4

    Exchange rate

    Hryvnia per U.S. dollar (end of period)

    27.3

    36.6

    38.0

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Hryvnia per U.S. dollar (period average)

    27.3

    32.3

    36.6

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Real effective rate (deflator-based, percent change)

    10.2

    27.5

    -1.5

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Memorandum items:

    Per capita GDP / Population (2017): US$2,640 / 44.8 million

    Literacy / Poverty rate (2022 est 3/): 100 percent / 25 percent

    Sources: Ukrainian authorities; World Bank, World Development Indicators; and IMF staff estimates.

    1/ GDP is compiled as per SNA 2008 and excludes territories that are or were in direct combat zones and temporarily occupied by Russia (consistent with the TMU).

    2/ The general government includes the central and local governments and the social funds.

    3/ Based on World Bank estimates.

    [1] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Camila Perez

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/18/pr24381-ukraine-imf-executive-board-completes-fifth-rev-eff-arrangement

    MIL OSI

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to organise National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 6:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare is organising a one day National Conference on Agriculture for the Rabi Campaign, scheduled tomorrow i.e. 19th October 2024. The event will take place at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, PUSA, New Delhi, under the esteemed chairmanship of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Ram Nath Thakur will also be present in the event.

    This important conference will bring together officers from various Ministries, States, Union Territories, and organizations to discuss key initiatives and strategies for the upcoming Rabi season. Notable speakers will include the Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR), Secretary (Fertilizer) and Secretary (Agriculture & Farmers Welfare), who will provide valuable insights during the event.

    The conference will adopt a participative format, featuring breakout sessions on the following topics:

    • Session 1: NFSM – Focus on Oilseeds & Pulses
    • Session 2: Focus on Clean Plant Programme
    • Session 3: NPSS & IPMS
    • Session 4: Digital Agriculture
    • Session 5: Seeds – Focus on SAATHI Portal and Seeds Disbursement

    Following these sessions, there will be an interactive discussion with the Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MoS Shri Ram Nath Thakur, addressing specific issues pertinent to their respective States.

    This conference aims to foster collaboration and innovation in agricultural practices, ensuring a successful Rabi campaign for all stakeholders involved.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Reforms in MoSPI to increase efficiency in Decision-Making

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 6:23PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has been making efforts to reform in order to increase the efficiency and decision making following the agenda of “Reform and Perform” with the objective of improving the National Statistical System. MoSPI has taken two major steps in this direction.

    1. Delegation of Financial Powers to HODs in the Divisions/ Units including Field Offices of MoSPI:

    Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in an important administrative reform re-visited its decade old delegations of Financial Powers and revised & updated its Delegation of Financial Powers on 06.09.2024 in accordance with the DFPR, 2024, delegated financial powers to 71 Heads of Department (HOD) as against 07 HoD at present in the Zonal Offices/Regional Offices of MOSPI. These delegations have been framed to empower and allow greater autonomy to all the authorities at Zonal & Regional Offices and reduce bottlenecks. These delegations are likely to facilitate ease of doing business and timely disposal of financial matters.

    2. Creation of two survey wise verticals / divisions in National Sample Survey (NSS) in the MoSPI:

    In order to functionally re-organise National Sample Survey (NSS) from process-based to product-based ecosystem with the objective to ensure that survey methodologies are strengthened and NSS is able to release qualitative results/ reports in shortest possible time, MoSPI has created two survey wise verticals/ divisions in NSS by reorganizing/ reforming Survey Design and Research Division (SDRD) as Household Survey Division (HSD) and Data Processing Division (DPD) and Industrial Statistics (IS) Wing together as Enterprise Survey Division (EnSD) to provide turnkey services with respect to a particular product/ survey.

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