NewzIntel.com

Blog

  • MIL-OSI: Jeffersonville Bancorp and Jeff Bank Announce Resignation of Director Philip Coombe, III

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JEFFERSONVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jeffersonville Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQB – JFBC) today announced that Director Philip Coombe, III, has resigned from the board of directors of Jeffersonville Bancorp and its subsidiary, Jeff Bank, effective immediately.

    Mr. Coombe became a director of Jeffersonville Bancorp in 2012 and has provided beneficial contributions throughout his time to help aid the growth of the Company and Jeff Bank. Mr. Coombe served on every committee of Jeff Bank and was standing Chairman of the Asset and Liability and Compliance Committees. Mr. Coombe is stepping down from the board due to his expanding business and professional obligations.

    “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board and contribute to the Company’s vision and growth over the past 12 years,” stated Mr. Coombe. “It has been a pleasure being involved with the Company and its talented professionals. I am confident the board and management teams will be successful in growing the Company and continuing to deliver shareholder value.”

    “On behalf of Jeffersonville Bancorp, Jeff Bank, and the Board of Directors, I want to thank Phil for his dedication and support over the last 12 years,” stated George W. Kinne, Jr., President and CEO. “It has been a privilege sitting beside Mr. Coombe during his time on the board. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and know that he will continue to be a supporter of Jeff Bank.”

    Jeffersonville Bancorp is a one-bank holding company, which owns all the capital stock of Jeff Bank. Jeff Bank maintains ten full-service branches in Sullivan and Orange County, New York located in Anawana Lake Road/Monticello, Eldred, Callicoon, Jeffersonville, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, Port Jervis, White Lake, and Wurtsboro.

    For More Information, call: 845-482-4000

    Contact: George W. Kinne, Jr., President – CEO

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Harvey Milk Completes First Replenishment-at-Sea with two Japanese Training Ships

    Source: United States Navy

    NORFOLK Va., (Sept. 24, 2024) — Recently, Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARS) aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206) completed their first replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels.

    Apart of a six-month around the world training cruise, that began in May 2024 and included 180 newly commissioned JMSDF officers, JMSDF training vessels JS Kashima (TV-3508) and guided missile destroyer JS Shimakaze (DDG 172, TV 3521), which has now been converted into a training vessel, completed its first RAS event with USNS Harvey Milk in the Virginia Capes’ (VACAPES) operating area in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 24. This bilateral exercise between the United States and Japan helps to improve JMSDF’s tactical capabilities and to build on the interoperability between the JMSDF and the U.S. Navy.

    According to USNS Harvey Milk’s Ship Master Capt. James “Jim” White, this refueling event was a rare opportunity for the Harvey Milk crew to work with the professionals of the JMSDF and a chance to demonstrate the capabilities of the T-AO 205 class oiler. This event marked only the second time that a T-AO 205 class oiler has replenished two ships simultaneously.

    USNS Harvey Milk is the second ship of the T-AO 205 class oiler, operated by MSC. The ship provides diesel fuel, lubricating oil and jet fuel; small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions and dry stores; and potable water to Navy ships at sea. T-AOs add underway replenishment capacity to the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF) and is expected to become the cornerstone of the fuel delivery system.

    USNS Harvey Milk is named after U.S. Navy veteran and LGBT activist Harvey Milk who was one of the first openly gay candidates elected to public office as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978.

    Constructed in the 1990’s, JS Kashima is JMSDF’s flagship training vessel, which helps trainees build relations with other nations and develop seamanship skills and international experience.

    JS Shimakaze is the second of the Hatakaze-class guided missile destroyers built for JMSDF. The vessel was reclassified as a training ship in 2021.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Fleet Readiness Center Southeast inducts first F-35B aircraft and F135 power module for depot-level work

    Source: United States Navy

    Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) achieved two significant milestones in the same week by inducting its first F-35B Lightning II and F135 power module (PM), one of five major modules of the F-35 propulsion system. 

    The F-35B, which came from the Flying Leathernecks of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122), based out of Yuma, Arizona, arrived at FRCSE on Aug. 7 and the F135 PM on Aug. 9.   

    “This is a historic time for FRC Southeast,” said FRCSE’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Al Palmer. “Between welcoming the first F-35 airframe and receiving the first F135 power module, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the Naval Aviation Enterprise. Inducting these products propels FRCSE into a new era of depot-level maintenance and paves the way for current and next-generation products.” 

    The timing of the airframe and engine inductions was purely coincidental. However, the back-to-back arrivals were indicative of the progress and effort the command put into preparing to work on these fifth-generation assets.   

    While the first F135 PM will go through the planned maintenance process, — disassembly, inspection, repair and reassembly — with an expected completion date of May 2025, the F-35 line is a corrosion speed line designed to quickly and efficiently locate corrosion and address any discovered problem areas.  

    “Hitting that 60-day target will allow us to return one aircraft this fiscal year and up to 16 aircraft next fiscal year,” said Savanna Massey, FRCSE’s F-35 production line deputy director. “We’ll eventually get to a cycle where we induct one and return one back to the fleet at the same time. It’s a corrosion speed line, so speed will be the name of the game, but without sacrificing quality.”  

    The F-35 induction is part of a more significant effort to support corrosion mitigation efforts for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) through a process called Production Asset Inspection Requirement (PAIR). FRCSE artisans will conduct these inspections on targeted areas of the aircraft where corrosion may be taking place. 

    “A PAIR-II inspection consists of artisans removing a number of panels from the aircraft and inspecting the substructure,” said Tim Duncan, FRCSE’s F-35 general foreman. “If we find corrosion present, we will remove it, treat the aircraft’s surface and reinstall the panels.” 

    Preparation for the highly technical jet began years ago with the establishment of the F-35 product line in 2022 and the command’s activation as an F135 Department of Defense second depot source of repair (DSOR) in 2020. However, both teams had to undergo extensive training to accommodate the new products.  

    Since the F-35 line was established, the 60 artisans and support staff have not only received extensive education and training on the aircraft’s Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), surface coatings and other areas, but have also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the F-35 community by traveling to various USMC squadrons and Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), which has been the lead Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) site for F-35 organic depot-level maintenance since 2013. 

    “Being part of the team that established the F-35 line here at FRC Southeast gives the artisans a sense of ownership,” said Brandon Smith, an FRCSE F-35 work lead. “This being a new aircraft and corrosion line for the command, there weren’t any examples for us to utilize, so the team was empowered to collect data and implement best practices from other sites.”  

    While the command is excited to receive the fifth-generation aircraft, a shortened timeline meant overcoming hurdles – challenges that the F-35 production line team took in stride.    

    “The F-35, being a fifth-generation aircraft, comes with a whole new set of security requirements, which we typically haven’t had to engage here at FRC Southeast while working on some of the legacy platforms,” said Bruce Crooke, FRCSE’s F-35 Production Line Director. “So, there was a learning curve. There are requirements for controlled entry points at the aircraft and electronic security systems that monitor and measure the vibrations of the fencing. There will be visual barriers to prevent seeing the aircraft when it’s opened and panels removed since there are security concerns there as well.” 

    Simultaneously, the F135 team has had to conduct extensive training and overcame obstacles to get their team ready to work on this complex engine. 

    “Since being named a DSOR, FRCSE F135 artisans successfully executed over 2,600 qualification requirements shared across the Power Module and Mini Modules,” said Aaron Powers, FRCSE’s F135 product line deputy director. “This ensured that FRCSE had a proficient and qualified labor force to execute the newly established workload. The first qualification evolution trained and qualified 23 primary artisans and support group personnel, and this is the team who will execute the initial production workload.” 

    As a result of the hard work and preparation to perform maintenance on next-generation components, the F135 team expects huge milestones in the future. 

    “We expect F135 production to ramp up through 2034 to the max production requirement, or roughly 600 Mini Modules and 120 Power Modules per year, correlating to about 600,000 man-hours,” said Richard Eveson, FRCSE’s F135 product line director. 

    From the moment the Lightning II landed on the flight line at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and taxied toward the ground crew, to the uncrating of the first F135 PM in front of a skilled group of prepared artisans, a surge of tangible excitement has spread through the command. 

    “This milestone belongs to all of us,” said Palmer. “Thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to our mission, which has undoubtedly led us to this historic moment.” 

    As FRCSE looks to the future amid ever-changing fleet requirements, it’s clear that the command will continue to adapt to support military readiness with unwavering dedication and perseverance. 

    About Fleet Readiness Center Southeast   

    Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) is Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, employing approximately 5,000 civilian, military and contract workers. With annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, the organization serves as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers by maintaining the combat airpower for America’s military forces. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Fleet Readiness Center Southeast engineer earns NAWCAD Fellow distinction

    Source: United States Navy

    Ian Hawkins, a Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) materials engineering supervisor, was recently accepted into the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Fellow Program coordinated by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s (NAWCAD) during an award ceremony held at NAVAIR headquarters in Pawtuxet River, Md.

    “This award recognizes the technical accomplishments over my career to improve capability and readiness,” said Hawkins. “The results of my efforts are due to the teams and great teammates I’ve been lucky to work with. I was fortunate to be in positions where I could guide teams on engineering projects and programs to achieve safety and readiness goals for the Navy. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate to work on national efforts with my NAWCAD and FRC counterparts and on international efforts with our ally partners.”

    Introduced in the 1980s, the Fellows Program became a NAVAIR program in the 2000s, and NAWCAD re-established it in 2021 after a three-year pause in inductions. Inductees into the Fellow Program are nominated and selected by a team of peers based on their tenure and technical accomplishments in safety and readiness. The program is unique in that it does not have senior leadership.

    The Fellow Program has three levels of prestige: Associate Fellows, or the first tier, make up the top three percent of scientists and engineers at NAVAIR. Fellows, the second tier, represents the top three-quarters of a percent and is the level Hawkins has achieved. Finally, Esteemed Fellows make up the top one-quarter of a percent. Each level pulls new members from the tier below, and members are inducted by majority vote.

    Hawkins’ primary discipline is nondestructive inspection, or the examination of aircraft and components that does not require taking them apart.

    “It’s a privilege to work for the Navy, and I feel like I need to do more and more every day, and that’s the main reason I’m here,” said Hawkins.

    About Fleet Readiness Center Southeast 

    Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) is Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, employing approximately 5,000 civilian, military and contract workers. With annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, the organization serves as an integral part of the greater US Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers by maintaining the combat airpower for America’s military forces.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Durham, North Carolina, to End Discriminatory Hiring Practices in City’s Fire Department

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with the City of Durham (City), North Carolina, to resolve the department’s claim that the hiring process for firefighters in the Durham Fire Department (DFD) violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, the department alleges that the City’s fire department screens applicants with a written test that discriminates against Black candidates.

    Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin and religion. Title VII prohibits not only intentional discrimination but also employment practices that result in a disparate impact on a protected group, unless such practices are job related and consistent with business necessity.

    The settlement agreement resolves a civil pattern or practice investigation the Civil Rights Division opened in February 2020. As part of the investigation, the division conducted an in-depth review of DFD’s hiring practices, applicant data and other information received from the DFD. The division concluded that the fire department was using a written test that does not meaningfully distinguish between applicants who can and cannot perform the job of a firefighter. The test also disqualified Black applicants from employment at significantly disproportionate rates. The department thus concluded that the test violates Title VII.

    “Discriminatory employment tests do more than cost applicants a fair chance to compete for public service jobs like firefighting; they also prevent communities from being served in these crucial positions by the most qualified candidates for the job,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The under-representation of Black people in the fire department workforce in Durham, and across the country, undermines public safety efforts. This settlement agreement requires the Durham Fire Department to reform its unlawful hiring process and provide monetary and other relief to those already harmed. The Justice Department will continue to work to ensure that all qualified applicants have a fair and equal opportunity to serve their communities.”

    “Employers should identify and eliminate practices that have a disparate impact based on race,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “The Justice Department will continue to work to eliminate discriminatory policies that deprive qualified applicants of a fair chance to compete for employment opportunities.” 

    The complaint, filed yesterday in the Middle District of North Carolina, alleges that the City’s uses of the written test called the Comprehensive Examination Battery (CEB) disproportionately exclude Black candidates from employment as firefighters. The department further alleges that DFD’s uses of the CEB are not job-related and consistent with business necessity, and thus violate Title VII.

    Under the terms of the consent decree also filed yesterday, DFD will:

    • Adopt a written test that does not discriminate in violation of Title VII and provide data to the department on the administration of the new test to ensure compliance;
    • Pay $980,000 in back pay to applicants who were disqualified by DFD’s uses of the challenged test; and
    • Hire up to 16 applicants who were unfairly disqualified by the challenged test and who successfully complete the new firefighter selection process.

    The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. The division has issued a fact sheet on combating hiring discrimination by police and fire departments to help applicants for public safety jobs understand their rights to be free from discriminatory hiring processes. More information about the Civil Rights Division can be found at http://www.justice.gov/crt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Durham, North Carolina, to End Discriminatory Hiring Practices in City’s Fire Department

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with the City of Durham (City), North Carolina, to resolve the department’s claim that the hiring process for firefighters in the Durham Fire Department (DFD) violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, the department alleges that the City’s fire department screens applicants with a written test that discriminates against Black candidates.

    Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin and religion. Title VII prohibits not only intentional discrimination but also employment practices that result in a disparate impact on a protected group, unless such practices are job related and consistent with business necessity.

    The settlement agreement resolves a civil pattern or practice investigation the Civil Rights Division opened in February 2020. As part of the investigation, the division conducted an in-depth review of DFD’s hiring practices, applicant data and other information received from the DFD. The division concluded that the fire department was using a written test that does not meaningfully distinguish between applicants who can and cannot perform the job of a firefighter. The test also disqualified Black applicants from employment at significantly disproportionate rates. The department thus concluded that the test violates Title VII.

    “Discriminatory employment tests do more than cost applicants a fair chance to compete for public service jobs like firefighting; they also prevent communities from being served in these crucial positions by the most qualified candidates for the job,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The under-representation of Black people in the fire department workforce in Durham, and across the country, undermines public safety efforts. This settlement agreement requires the Durham Fire Department to reform its unlawful hiring process and provide monetary and other relief to those already harmed. The Justice Department will continue to work to ensure that all qualified applicants have a fair and equal opportunity to serve their communities.”

    “Employers should identify and eliminate practices that have a disparate impact based on race,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “The Justice Department will continue to work to eliminate discriminatory policies that deprive qualified applicants of a fair chance to compete for employment opportunities.” 

    The complaint, filed yesterday in the Middle District of North Carolina, alleges that the City’s uses of the written test called the Comprehensive Examination Battery (CEB) disproportionately exclude Black candidates from employment as firefighters. The department further alleges that DFD’s uses of the CEB are not job-related and consistent with business necessity, and thus violate Title VII.

    Under the terms of the consent decree also filed yesterday, DFD will:

    • Adopt a written test that does not discriminate in violation of Title VII and provide data to the department on the administration of the new test to ensure compliance;
    • Pay $980,000 in back pay to applicants who were disqualified by DFD’s uses of the challenged test; and
    • Hire up to 16 applicants who were unfairly disqualified by the challenged test and who successfully complete the new firefighter selection process.

    The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. The division has issued a fact sheet on combating hiring discrimination by police and fire departments to help applicants for public safety jobs understand their rights to be free from discriminatory hiring processes. More information about the Civil Rights Division can be found at http://www.justice.gov/crt.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Historic Preservation Council to consider nominations for National Register Oct. 11

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 8, 2024 – The Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places during its quarterly meeting. The meeting begins at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 11, in the Roaring River Conference Rooms at the MoDNR Elm Street Conference Center, located at 1730 E. Elm St., Jefferson City. Remote participation is also available as outlined below:

    stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=m7e25d16fa3f0ca8bcf26e1e2160c5948

    Teleconference Call number: 650-479-3207 
    WebEx meeting number (access code): 2632 514 6991 
    Meeting password: 2pbE59pH22m 
    NOTICE: This public meeting may be subject to audio and video recording

    The following nominations will be considered at the meeting:

    • Mayfair Apartment Hotel, 1224 E. Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, Jackson County
    • Roberts Farmstead, 1120 S. Farm Road 193 (primary); 715 S. Farm Road 193, Springfield (vic.), Greene County
    • Faherty House, 11 S. Spring St., Perryville, Perry County
    • Hermann High School, 808 Washington St., Hermann, Gasconade County
    • Lincoln School, 1400 E. Pony Thomas St., West Plains, Howell County
    • First Christian Church, 116 W. Gracia Ave., Marceline, Linn County
    • Lincoln School, 210 W. Wells, Marceline, Linn County
    • Marceline Mercantile & Supply Company, 125 E, California, Marceline, Linn County
    • Marceline Masonic Lodge No. 481, 201 N. Main St. USA, Marceline, Linn County                             

    The Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is a group of historians, architects, archaeologists and citizens with an interest in historic preservation. The council is appointed by the governor and works with the department’s State Historic Preservation Office, which administers the National Register of Historic Places program for Missouri. The council meets quarterly to review Missouri property nominations to the National Register, the nation’s honor roll of historic properties. Approved nominations are forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register in Washington, D.C., for final approval.

    More information, including draft nominations and meeting agenda, is available online at dnr.mo.gov/commissions-boards-councils/advisory-council-historic-preservation. For more information on Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 57: UK Statement for Oral Update on Ukraine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    UK statement for Interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on the oral update on Ukraine. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    Location:
    Geneva
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Thank you, Mr Vice President and thank you very much, High Commissioner. I do hope that the Russian Ambassador and his film crew were able to capture your stark account of the realities of the human rights atrocities that are being committed by the Russians, and not merely the fantasy fiction of the disinformation that we have been presented with by the Russian Ambassador. 

    The evidence presented in your report presents a stark pattern of the atrocities Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people. Your report describes systematic torture of Ukrainians by Russia – 97% of prisoners of war interviewed since March reported experiencing torture or ill treatment, and 68% said they had experienced sexual violence. Senior Russian officials calling for the execution of Ukrainian POWs. Its large-scale coordinated attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, deliberately targeting power systems which serve civilian populations, and which you rightly conclude is a violation of international humanitarian law

    Just last week, as you noted, we marked two years since Russia’s attempted annexation of four oblasts in eastern Ukraine. Those living under Russian occupation continue to face arbitrary detention, passportisation, and the seizure of land and property.

    Even children, both those living under Russian occupation and those who have been deported to Russia, are facing indoctrination and re-education programmes designed to distort and erase Ukrainian history.

    High Commissioner,

    How can we continue to remind Russia of its obligations under international humanitarian law, international human rights law and the UN Charter?

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delivering better outcomes for our future pensioners

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Minister for Pensions Emma Reynolds addressed an audience at the ABI ‘Pension Investment: Where Next?’ event on Thursday 3 October.

    Location:
    1 America Square London EC3N 2LS to 1 Horse Guards Rd, London SW1A 2HQ
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Thank you for that kind introduction, and good morning everybody.

    I’m delighted to be here today. This is the third time I’ve been to the ABI in the last couple of months to discuss the government’s reform agenda for pensions, and in particular to highlight the work of the pensions Review, I’m very grateful to the ABI.

    Thank you, Yvonne and the team here for inviting me today and for also your ongoing commitment to working with the government to tackle the barriers that pension funds face to invest in growth assets. And I’d also like to give particular thanks to the ABI for your comprehensive response to our recent Call for Evidence, which closed last week.

    I’m delighted to be here today as the first joint DWP and HMT Minister for Pensions, as Yvonne has set out, the government is determined to bring down the silos between departments which too often in the past, have prevented effective Government and effective reform. And as the First Minister to sit between these two great Departments of State, I am excited by the job of work ahead.

    We face many challenges, but also we face many great opportunities to drive significant reform of pensions. As the Pensions Minister, I have two overarching objectives, first to increase pensions, investment in UK productive assets, supporting UK businesses of all sizes to grow and expand across the country. Second, to improve retirement outcomes for future pensioners, which everyone in this room and many millions of savers across the country have a stake in.

    Both of these objectives require more economic growth. The Chancellor reiterated in her commitment to powering growth in every part of Britain in her recent speech [political content redacted], growth is the most important of the government’s five missions to rebuild Britain, and as you will know, reforming pension investments is a crucial part of that.

    Earlier this year, in the King’s Speech, our new government announced a Pension Schemes Bill which includes three key elements. First, the Bill will enable the consolidation of multiple small pots, helping bring individuals eligible pots together in one place. This will support people to keep track of their savings so they can live better and more comfortably in retirement, but it will also mean that consolidators will generate scale at a greater rate, improving opportunity for investment.

    Second, the Bill will introduce a Value for Money Framework for defined contribution schemes, which you’ve already mentioned, to drive consolidation of the sector. We want to see fewer, larger providers who have the scale and expertise to invest in a more diverse portfolio. The Value for Money Framework will also contribute to economic growth, as there will be an increased focus on assets that can deliver long term value.

    Third, the Bill will introduce a requirement for pension schemes to offer retirement products, including a default retirement solution. It is crucial that we improve the options for people when they reach retirement age, and many have said to me that people feel as if they’re left on their own at that crucial time that they retire. But we need to go further, and in July, the Chancellor asked me to lead the first phase of the Pensions Review. I would like to thank all of you in this room who contributed to our Call for Evidence, especially given the short timeframe of our consultation.

    The consultation closed last week and asked questions relating to; DC and LGPS funds, driving further investment in the UK economy, scale and consolidation and driving a shift to value. We were delighted to receive over 100 responses, and it will come as no surprise that many of the themes that you’ll be discussing today have come through in those responses.

    We are putting together our proposals, taking into consideration the consultation responses and the stakeholder engagement we have been doing over the last few months, and we will publish an interim report in the autumn with the full recommendations from phase one to be published next year.

    It is essential to overcome the barriers to increasing pension fund investment in UK productive assets to support our capital markets, which in turn will drive growth in our economy and improve the retirement outcomes for future pensioners. I welcome the discussion on pension fund investments in infrastructure and illiquid assets that you will be having today, and the work that the ABI and its members are doing on this subject. Understanding the barriers that prevent DC schemes from investing more in these assets is crucial to the government’s reform agenda.

    I would also like to thank the PPI for publishing their report today ‘Pension Scheme assets a deep dive into infrastructure’. I was very pleased to read in the report that investment in infrastructure has been developing over the last five years. However, the proportion of infrastructure assets held by pension schemes is still a small minority, and DC schemes need to achieve greater scale and management capabilities to ensure infrastructure assets are a cost-effective component to their investment strategies. The PPI analysis underlines that we can collectively do more to drive this trend further, and I’m grateful for them, once again, for producing analysis and building our evidence base to support change.

    The Review is also exploring ways to drive greater scale and consolidation and working closely with employers, advisors, Trustees and pension providers on ways we can incentivise much greater competition on the basis of Pension returns, rather than purely cost in the DC market. On LGPS, I want to deliver a strong and sustainable scheme by tackling fragmentation and inefficiency. This will ensure that the LGPS serves the interests of members, employers and local communities, and supports growth across the economy.

    As part of the review, I also want to look at the way the current pension system operates. I want to ensure the market is well equipped to deal with the challenges of the future. So your discussion today around the Value for Money and other regulatory apparatus is a key enabler for getting this right. We want to shift the focus from price to value as a crucial part of delivering better retirement outcomes over the long term.

    Separate to phase one, will be a wider phase two, which will look more widely at further long-term steps we can take to improve pension outcomes, including assessing the level of savings people need to achieve the retirement that they want. There is no accident in the sequencing here. Growth is the government’s first priority, so we are prioritizing measures on pensions which can expedite growth and improve returns.

    The ABI is playing a crucial role in delivering this agenda, in particular, in monitoring the investments of some of the UK’s largest DC schemes, it is clear that rate of change and progress is required to reach the Mansion House complex commitment by 2030 the ABI has reported that schemes are taking enabling steps, by, for example, starting to recruit more resorts, engaging with clients as support and producing research to better understand the barriers.

    The ABI is instrumental in measuring developments going forward, and I hope that we will see a significant increase of pension fund investments into growth assets across the UK. The themes of today’s conference are fundamental to the pensions review, which I am leading. So, in conclusion, before you ask me some difficult questions, I want to challenge you as a collective group to continue to make changes, to drive further change. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: FDIC Announces Extension of Comment Period for Proposed Changes to its Brokered Deposit Regulations

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    CategoriesBusiness, Commerce, MIL-OSI, United States Federal Government, United States Government, United States of America, US Commerce, US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC, US Federal Government, US Insurance Sector, USA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Roman Space Telescope’s ‘Exoskeleton’ Whirls Through Major Test

    Source: NASA

    A major component of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope just took a spin on the centrifuge at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Called the Outer Barrel Assembly, this piece of the observatory is designed to keep the telescope at a stable temperature and shield it from stray light.

    The two-part spin test took place in a large, round test chamber. Stretching across the room, a 600,000-pound (272,000-kilogram) steel arm extends from a giant rotating bearing in the center of the floor.
    The test itself is like a sophisticated version of a popular carnival attraction, designed to apply centrifugal force to the rider — in this case, the outer covering for Roman’s telescope. It spun up to 18.4 rotations per minute. That may not sound like much, but it generated force equivalent to just over seven times Earth’s gravity, or 7 g, and sent the assembly whipping around at 80 miles per hour.
    “We couldn’t test the entire Outer Barrel Assembly in the centrifuge in one piece because it’s too large to fit in the room,” said Jay Parker, product design lead for the assembly at Goddard. The structure stands about 17 feet (5 meters) tall and is about 13.5 feet (4 meters) wide. “It’s designed a bit like a house on stilts, so we tested the ‘house’ and ‘stilts’ separately.”
    The “stilts” went first. Technically referred to as the elephant stand because of its similarity to structures used in circuses, this part of the assembly is designed to surround Roman’s Wide Field Instrument and Coronagraph Instrument like scaffolding. It connects the upper portion of the Outer Barrel Assembly to the spacecraft bus, which will maneuver the observatory to its place in space and support it while there. The elephant stand was tested with weights attached to it to simulate the rest of the assembly’s mass.

    Next, the team tested the “house” — the shell and a connecting ring that surround the telescope. These parts of the assembly will ultimately be fitted with heaters to help ensure the telescope’s mirrors won’t experience wide temperature swings, which make materials expand and contract.
    To further protect against temperature fluctuations, the Outer Barrel Assembly is mainly made of two types of carbon fibers mixed with reinforced plastic and connected with titanium end fittings. These materials are both stiff (so they won’t warp or flex during temperature swings) and lightweight (reducing launch demands).
    If you could peel back the side of the upper portion –– the house’s “siding” –– you’d see another weight-reducing measure. Between inner and outer panels, the material is structured like honeycomb. This pattern is very strong and lowers weight by hollowing out portions of the interior.
    Designed at Goddard and built by Applied Composites in Los Alamitos, California, Roman’s Outer Barrel Assembly was delivered in pieces and then put together in a series of crane lifts in Goddard’s largest clean room. It was partially disassembled for centrifuge testing, but will now be put back together and integrated with Roman’s solar panels and Deployable Aperture Cover at the end of the year.
    In 2025, these freshly integrated components will go through thermal vacuum testing together to ensure they will withstand the temperature and pressure environment of space. Then they’ll move to a shake test to make sure they will hold up against the vibrations they’ll experience during launch. Toward the end of next year, they will be integrated with rest of the observatory.
    To virtually tour an interactive version of the telescope, visit:
    https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/interactive
    The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is managed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, with participation by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech/IPAC in Southern California, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and a science team comprising scientists from various research institutions. The primary industrial partners are BAE Systems, Inc in Boulder, Colorado; L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York; and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging in Thousand Oaks, California.
    By Ashley BalzerNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    ​​Media Contact:Claire AndreoliNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center301-286-1940

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Book of Xi’s discourses on water management published

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 8 — A compilation of excerpts from discourses on China’s water management by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has been published by the Central Party Literature Press.

    Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has made coordinated progress in water-related disaster control, water resource conservation, protection and restoration of water ecosystem, and water environment management, significantly improving water security.

    Xi’s discourses in this regard are important for ensuring greater water security in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects.

    The book, featuring six themes, brings together 297 pieces of discourse extracted from over 130 important speeches and written works by Xi between December 2012 and August 2024. Some of these passages are made public for the first time.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese high-speed trains roll with innovation progress

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 8 — During the week-long National Day holiday ending on Monday, China’s high-speed railway stations were often bustling with crowds. Some passengers could be seen lined up in an orderly fashion as they prepared to board, while others could be spotted browsing their smartphones or using laptops when waiting for their boarding calls.

    The country’s railway sector experienced a surge in passenger traffic on Monday as travelers returned home from their holiday destinations.

    A total of 13,103 trains were in operation on Monday, including 1,705 additional trains scheduled to meet the significant demand. This marked a historic high for a single day’s operational capacity, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

    China has built the world’s largest high-speed railway network to address the people’s growing demand for convenient and comfortable travel.

    The total operational length of China’s high-speed railway network has exceeded 45,000 kilometers, with Fuxing high-speed trains operating across 31 provincial-level regions nationwide.

    This growing volume of railway transportation is supported by innovations and high-quality development concerning China’s rail transit equipment. Notably, the Fuxing high-speed train project received the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award in June 2024.

    CHINESE RAILWAY INNOVATION

    Once upon a time, the slow train with its signature green color dominated the travel memories of many Chinese people.

    Since the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, with a design speed of 350 km per hour, entered operation in 2008, a fast-expanding modern high-speed railway network has been operating efficiently in the world’s second-largest economy.

    Now it takes just over eight hours to travel from Hong Kong in south China to Beijing in the north by high-speed rail, a Canadian passenger with the Xiaohongshu username Lao Han, shared on his social media platform this April, while adding that he enjoyed the different views from south to north during the journey.

    Previously, a train connecting the two cities took more than 24 hours to complete a one-way trip.

    Such a rail experience is not confined to the Hong Kong-Beijing trip, with many bullet trains running across the country, reaching a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour. CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province, one of China’s major rail transit equipment enterprises, has long been contributing to the speeding up of the country’s railway travel options.

    Since the 1990s, China’s railway running speed has been repeatedly and significantly increased, with CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles introducing a number of upgraded and innovative products to provide equipment support for these accelerations.

    Notably, this company produced China’s first subway train and first group of high-speed trains. The country’s first aluminum alloy subway train, stainless steel subway train, monorail train, low-floor light rail vehicle, linear electric locomotive and automatic subway train were also manufactured in the factories of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles.

    In July 2024, the company introduced a high-speed built-in bogie that can meet the needs of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains at a speed of 400 km per hour.

    The high-speed built-in bogie serves as the running system and one of the core components of rail vehicles. “It acts as the legs of an EMU train,” explained Zhou Dianmai, a senior engineer of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles. Equipped with such a bogie, a train can run faster and more steadily, while also generating less noise.

    Compared with traditional external bogies, the built-in bogie reduces the weight of the train by 20 percent — which can cut energy consumption by 15 percent during the vehicle’s operation, lower wheel-rail wear by about 30 percent, and reduce wheel-rail noise by around two decibels. In addition, maintenance cost during the whole life cycle is slashed by approximately 15 percent. This product is expected to facilitate the green and energy-saving transformation of EMU trains.

    At the EMU bogie production line of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, a big data analysis platform features key information, such as management costs and resource consumption. Through the processing of real-time data, this platform can generate product design and management suggestions.

    “The big data analysis platform improved the equipment utilization rate by 10 percent and decreased operation and management costs by 10 percent,” said Zhu Yan, deputy chief designer of the Fuxing bullet train at CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles. Total average annual costs were reduced by more than 5 million yuan (about 700,830 U.S. dollars).

    Through learning from overseas advanced experience and customizing according to China’s unique conditions, the company has achieved both key technologies concerning rail transit equipment and capability in terms of R&D and manufacturing of full-range EMU trains.

    On March 21, 2024, the world’s first city train powered by hydrogen, independently developed by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, conducted its maiden speed test run. Previously, such a combination of hydrogen energy and rail transit equipment had not been achieved.

    Running at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour at full load, the train consumed only five KWh energy per kilometer, while the data measuring each system confirmed stability during the test.

    So far, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles has managed to build nine product platforms with advanced EMU, subway trains and maglev trains, covering R&D capabilities in terms of full-type and full-variety rail transit products.

    WELCOME ABOARD CHINESE TRAINS

    China’s high-speed trains, a successful example of independent innovation, are now regarded as a Chinese “calling card” and are welcomed globally.

    Indonesia’s Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway (HSR) noted in July 2024 that it had carried 4 million passengers since it began commercial operations on Oct. 17, 2023. Indonesian drivers have successfully operated the trains serving the HSR at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

    This is the first overseas high-speed railway project fully utilizing Chinese railway systems, technology and industrial components.

    The China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS) has undertaken supervision and consultation concerning this high-speed railway, and has provided support in fields such as on-site quality control, drawing reviews and technical research.

    The 142.3-km high-speed railway has shortened the journey between Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, and Bandung, a famous tourist city, to only 40 minutes.

    Meanwhile, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, namely the China-Laos Railway, began operations in December 2021.

    “Before the China-Laos Railway opened, it took me two days to travel from Vientiane to Mongla by car,” said a Lao passenger. “Now, it takes me about five hours by train, which is very fast and convenient.”

    Another Chinese-built project, the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway, has transported nearly 8.8 million people between Serbia’s two largest cities since starting operation in 2022.

    At the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October 2023, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles signed a purchase contract with Serbia to introduce China’s bullet trains to this country in Eastern Europe.

    Based on a mature and reliable technical platform, both design and production of trains are tailored according to local railway conditions and technical specifications.

    In recent years, the products of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles have been exported to 23 countries and regions. The company’s export business model currently covers the full life cycle service of vehicles, and it has set up 11 branches and subsidiaries worldwide.

    “China’s high-speed trains feature high levels of science and technology, strong brand influence and thriving innovation,” said Tao Guidong, a scientist of CRRC.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nicholas Westcott, Professor of Practice in Diplomacy, Dept of Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London

    The United Kingdom is resetting its relations with Africa and other countries in the global south after more than a decade of neglect. At the United Nations in September, British prime minister Keir Starmer promised his government was

    returning the UK to responsible global leadership.

    This should include reconnecting with the countries of the global south which feel they have been neglected and among whom Britain’s voice is now at a discount.

    The new Labour government’s recently launched reviews of Britain’s global impact and its international economic and development policies provide an opportunity to reevaluate and relaunch these relations. The opportunity must be seized for the sake of global stability.

    The post-cold war order is fraying. America is increasingly reluctant to act as a global guarantor for a multilateral system governed by international rules and respecting human rights and freedoms. China, Russia and emerging middle powers such as Iran, Turkey and the Gulf States seem happier with a multipolar system based on the exercise of military and economic power. Meanwhile, the accelerating impact of climate change adds to the challenges to regional stability in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

    I have followed these questions for nearly 50 years, as an academic and diplomat. Much has changed in those years, but recent British governments have been slow to adapt to these changes. To reconnect with countries in Africa and the global south, Britain needs a new attitude as well as new policies; and, paradoxically perhaps, the Commonwealth can play a constructive role in achieving this.

    Britain’s problem

    Distracted by its domestic political and economic difficulties since Brexit, recent British governments have neglected both Africa and the Commonwealth.

    • Aid has been cut, and policy incoherence exacerbated by the merger between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.

    • An investment conference with Africa due earlier in 2024 was scrapped at short notice.

    • Successive prime ministers gave little time to meeting African and other leaders from the global south. They had no answer to the questions being asked about Britain’s relationship with the south.

    Yet Britain’s links to these countries remain strong. Not least through the growing diaspora communities in the UK that are now an integral part of Britain’s social and political fabric. With 5.5 million people of Asian heritage and 2.5 million of African or mixed heritage in the UK in 2021, these bonds need to be politically recognised.

    Read more: How Commonwealth countries have forged a new way to appoint judges

    Most of those Britons come from Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth as an organisation is no substitute for closer engagement with individual countries. But it provides a forum where connections can be made and a new, more equal relationship built.

    Though British governments have neglected it, King Charles, the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, has not, as his visit to Kenya in 2023 showed. And other countries are still seeking to join, as Gabon and Togo did last year.

    Commonwealth heads of government meeting

    From 21-26 October Samoa will host the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), which will choose a new secretary-general – this time from Africa. The summit brings together representatives from every continent: from G7 members to least developed countries, from the most populous country (India at 1.45 billion people) to the smallest (Tuvalu with under 10,000), from major greenhouse gas emitters to small islands at risk of disappearing beneath the sea.

    Despite its imperial origins, the Commonwealth is an international network that cuts across the multi-polarity that risks dividing the world. It includes countries from the global south, the global north and the global east. The diversity makes it an ideal forum for honest conversations on difficult issues like climate change and multilateral institutional reform.

    Unlike the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) in Beijing, the Commonwealth is an organisation run by its members. They share common values and interests as well as a common language. They come together to exchange ideas, not pledges of investment or aid. Its traditions of democracy and equality between members make it unique and valuable. It provides, for example, a ready-made network of global influence for any member state. For small island states, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific, it is one forum where their voices can be amplified.

    This is important. With the community of nations struggling to address global challenges of the scale of climate change and pandemics, or to resolve regional conflicts, opportunities to build consensus are needed more than ever. The wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa are a portent of things to come if we fail to sustain a global structure that can resolve rather than exacerbate such conflicts. UN peacemaking efforts might then be crowned with success rather than with futility and frustration.

    What Britain needs to do

    Britain is only one among many voices, so it needs a persuasive narrative that will help preserve a world order that can tackle humanity’s challenges, rather than one that simply fights over what is left. The Commonwealth, like the UN, is a place where the UK can start building support for a more equal and more effective global system.

    A new narrative, and a new relationship with Africa and the global south, should be based on four elements.

    Firstly, repentance for sins past. Britain’s empire played a central role in making the modern world, for better and worse. While the better is often taken for granted, the sins of empire still rankle, and – like a stone in the shoe – will distract relations. Best therefore to acknowledge them, and move forward.

    Secondly, the new relationship must be based on mutual respect and partnership. In particular, the age of traditional development programmes with their paternalistic tendencies is past. What countries in the global south are seeking, as many feel they do get from China, is a genuine partnership of equals that recognises the relationship as a whole and focuses on the political as well as economic sources of growth.

    Thirdly, Britain needs to work with African and other southern governments to amplify their voice in multilateral institutions such as the UN and international financial institutions, so that those institutions genuinely protect their interests and those countries defend the institutions.

    Finally, Britain needs to engage with the public as much as with governments in these countries. The BBC World Service, the British Council and Britain’s education sector are becoming more important in challenging disinformation as the battle of narratives hots up. Now is the time to reinforce them, not let them fade away.

    A new narrative along these lines at Chogm, and incorporated into the government’s reviews, could be the start of a genuine reset in Britain’s relationship with the global south, to the benefit of all.

    – Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations
    – https://theconversation.com/britain-has-neglected-africa-and-the-commonwealth-for-over-a-decade-4-ways-it-can-reset-relations-239852

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Eshoo Statement on One-Year Anniversary of October 7th Attack

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16) today released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas-led attack on Israel:

    “One year ago today, Hamas terrorists perpetrated the deadliest assault on Israeli civilians in the country’s history, with the scale and barbarity of the attack shocking the conscience of the world. On this somber anniversary, I reiterate my call for a negotiated ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and an end to the escalatory violence that has brought the Middle East to the brink of regional war. Far too much blood has been spilled, and the time for reconciliation is now.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Eshoo and Supervisor Mueller Applaud California Attorney General for Holding Seton Coastside Owner Accountable

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA)

    Palo Alto, CA – Representative Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16) and San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller applauded the California Attorney General’s decision to file a lawsuit against Seton Coastside owner AHMC Healthcare, Inc. The enforcement action filed in San Mateo County court compels AHMC Healthcare, Inc., to reopen Seton Coastside with all the services it agreed to provide as part oftheJuly 27, 2020 contract of sale outlining conditions of Seton Coastside’s sale to AHMC Healthcare, Inc. This includes the provision of emergency services.

    “I am highly pleased that the Attorney General of California has responded forcefully to my call to hold AHMC accountable for its flagrant violations of the law and their Contract of Sale violations. The action today reinforces an important message: irresponsible actors will not be allowed to gamble with the wellbeing of patients,” Rep. Eshoo said.

    “The closure of Seton Coastside by AHMC was more than a breach of contract—it was a violation of the trust our community placed in them. I want to thank California Attorney General Bonta for responding to the calls for justice from Congresswoman Eshoo and my office. Together we are making it clear that such actions will have consequences. AHMC will face accountability for their failure to uphold legally binding agreements meant to protect healthcare access on the Coastside. Separately, the action by the Attorney’s General lays a foundation for a claim by the County that AHMC has violated the terms of a multi-million dollar loan the County of San Mateo provided them. This is not just about righting a wrong—it’s about sending a message. No corporation can put profits over people without facing the full weight of the law. We are committed to restoring healthcare access and safeguarding our community’s future. Above all our community deserves the heathcare they were promised,” Supervisor Mueller said.

    Rep. Eshoo has pressed for action to hold AHMC Healthcare, Inc., accountable since it closed the Seton Coastside facility in April 2024. She sent a letter to the Attorney General in July specifically listing AHMC’s violations in their contract of sale. Before that, she sent two letters to the California Department of Public Health.

    You can read the full letter to the Attorney General here.

    You can read the second letter to CDPH here.

    You can read the first letter to CDPH here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada to re-open 10-year green bond

    Source: Government of Canada News

    This re-opening follows the successful issuance of a 10-year, $4 billion green bond in February 2024, which saw robust investor demand as demonstrated by a final order book of $7.4 billion. The February issuance is the government’s second green bond, following the successful issuance of Canada’s first 7.5-year, $5 billion green bond in March 2022.

    October 8, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

    The Government of Canada is announcing its plan to re-open its second Canadian-dollar-denominated green bond this week, subject to market conditions.

    This re-opening follows the successful issuance of a 10-year, $4 billion green bond in February 2024, which saw robust investor demand as demonstrated by a final order book of $7.4 billion. The February issuance was the government’s second green bond, following the successful issuance of Canada’s first 7.5-year, $5 billion green bond in March 2022.

    The government’s intent is to proceed with two transactions in fiscal year 2024-25—today’s re-opening and a separate offering at a later date—to meet the planned green bond issuance target outlined in Budget 2024.

    This offering will be the second under Canada’s updated Green Bond Framework, released on November 21, 2023. Canada is the first sovereign borrower to include certain nuclear expenditures in a green bond, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to being a global leader in clean nuclear power.

    Canada’s green bond program is supporting the growth of the sustainable finance market in Canada, and around the world, and advancing Canada’s investments in clean growth, renewable energy, climate action, and environmental protection. Green bonds unlock private financing to speed up projects such as green infrastructure and nature conservation.

    The Government of Canada’s green bonds will meet demand from investors seeking green investment opportunities backed by Canada’s AAA credit rating, while contributing to the development of a stronger sustainable finance market in Canada.

    • To support the growth of the sustainable finance market in Canada, in March 2022 the government launched the federal green bond program. Mobilizing capital through green bonds is an important element of Canada both meeting its 2030 emissions reduction targets and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Green bond projects will grow Canada’s economy and create more good-paying jobs across the country.

    • In March 2023, the government published its inaugural allocation report on the distribution of green bond proceeds, and an allocation and impact report in 2024. 

    • In November 2023, the Government of Canada updated its Green Bond Framework to make certain nuclear expenditures eligible, in line with the government’s position that nuclear power is vital, clean technology for Canada’s path to net-zero emissions by 2030, as well as updated taxonomies, international best practices, and evolving investor preferences.

    • Canada’s Green Bond Framework is aligned with the green bond frameworks of other sovereign issuers that have been widely accepted by green bond investors and market indices. Other sovereign green bond issuers include France, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

    • Green bonds issued under the initial Framework continue under its parameters, and no proceeds from the first green bond issued in March 2022 will be allocated to nuclear related expenditures by the Government of Canada.

    • Sustainalytics, an independent environmental, social and governance (ESG) research group, concluded that Canada’s Green Bond Framework is a credible and transparent plan to deliver positive environmental benefits.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Release of The State of Canada’s Birds 2024 report

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Backgrounder

    Developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada, The State of Canada’s Birds 2024 report provides accessible, scientific insight into the population status of 463 bird species that occur regularly in Canada.

    Population changes in Canada’s bird species since 1970

    • 168 species (36 percent) have decreased in population
    • 143 species (31 percent) have increased in population
    • 98 species (21 percent) have experienced little change in population
    • 54 species (12 percent) are data deficient (not enough information to determine a trend)
    Long Description

    A spaghetti chart showing the population change in Canada’s birds from 1970 to 2020. The graph shows Waterfowl increase by 46%, Birds of Prey increase by 35%, Wetland Birds increase by 21%, Marine Birds increase by 0%, Forest Birds decrease by 1%, Arctic Birds decrease by 28%, Long-Distance Migrants decrease by 29%, Shorebirds decrease by 42%, Aerial Insectivores decrease by 43%, and Grassland Birds decrease by 67%.

    Key findings from the report

    • Three bird groups have increased in population since 1970: waterfowl (46 percent), birds of prey (35 percent), and wetland birds (21 percent). From banning DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) to save the Peregrine Falcon campaign to conserving wetlands for birds like the Least Bittern, conservation action is having positive impacts on bird populations.
    • A crisis is unfolding in the Prairies. Grassland birds have declined by 67 percent since 1970, with no sign of levelling off. The destruction and degradation of native grasslands is the single greatest threat to this group of birds and biodiversity in general. Without urgent action to conserve their habitat, species like the Chestnut-collared Longspur and the Burrowing Owl may be lost from Canada, along with the ecosystem services that healthy habitats provide.
    • Shorebirds are continuing to decline, with a drop of 42 percent since 1970. The populations of some species, like the Hudsonian Godwit, have fallen by over 90 percent. Shorebirds face many threats, as many make perilous, long-distance migrations and breed in vulnerable habitats, like the Arctic and the Prairies.
    • Aerial insectivores—birds that hunt for insects in flight—have declined by 43 percent since 1970. Although the decline has subsided recently, populations are far lower than they were in the 1970s. Declines in insect populations have likely been one of the major causes, and reversing these declines could help save threatened birds like the Bank Swallow and the Chimney Swift.

    The threats birds face in Canada

    • Habitat loss threatens birds across Canada and affects migratory birds throughout their annual journeys. The destruction and degradation of habitats is driven by agricultural practices, urban development, natural resource extraction, and infrastructure.
    • Climate change is a significant and growing threat to birds in Canada. Northern birds are likely to be most affected, as the changing climate alters the timing of events like insect and plant emergence. An increase in extreme weather events like storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires also puts birds at risk.
    • Outdoor and feral cats kill more than 100 million birds in Canada annually.
    • Collisions with windows are estimated to kill more than 25 million birds in Canada every year, especially when migration brings many species into urban and suburban areas. Millions of birds are also killed annually through collisions with vehicles and power lines.
    • Contaminants and waste affect birds in all environments. Pesticides and other contaminants from agriculture and industry threaten both birds and their habitats. Ingestion of plastics also causes mortality, especially in marine birds.

    How Canadians can help protect birds

    • Create and protect habitats for birds. Plant native plants, reduce pesticide use, and make windows safer for birds.
    • Keep cats indoors or provide outside time with a leash or catio. Leash dogs in sensitive natural areas.
    • Help fight climate change. Use less fossil fuel, waste less food, use less energy at home, and eat less meat.
    • Volunteer for conservation. Take part in citizen science and support local, regional, and national organizations that work to conserve birds and their habitats. Participate in tree plantings, invasive species control, habitat creation, and restoration projects.
    • Choose bird-friendly products. If you are able, choose organic produce, bird-friendly coffee, certified paper products, sustainable seafood, and grass-fed beef.
    • Buy less and produce less waste. Use fewer single-use plastics, dispose of garbage and recycling properly, and help with clean-ups.
    • Learn more about birds, contribute to an inclusive and accessible birding community, and advocate for bird-friendly initiatives, policies, and conservation action.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Message from the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health – Mental Illness Awareness Week

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Statement

    October 8, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

    This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight that everyone’s experience with mental illness is unique. Almost all of us have been affected by mental illness, either directly or through the experiences of our family, friends or colleagues. This year’s theme, “Access For All: Time for Action, Time for Change,” is a reminder that we must all work together to promote access to mental health care for everyone.

    Mental illness, including mood disorders, can affect how someone thinks, feels, and behaves, and can significantly impact a person’s day to day. Improving our knowledge and understanding of mental illness helps reduce barriers to care, like stigma. The Government of Canada is working to improve access to mental healthcare by challenging stigma, improving mental health literacy, funding culturally relevant and tailored resources and normalizing conversations to increase awareness and understanding of mental illness.

    Getting help for a mental illness can significantly improve your quality of life. Learning about mental illness and knowing when to reach out for help is an important part of self-care. Through the recently announced Youth Mental Health Fund, the government of Canada has committed to helping young Canadians access the mental health care they need by reducing wait times and providing more care options.

    If you or a loved one are struggling with lasting negative emotions or have concerns about mental health, visit Canada.ca/mental-health for free mental health resources.

    For those living with mental illness, support is available. Speak to a health care professional or someone you trust. You can also connect with Kids Help Phone which provides confidential mental health resources 24/7 for kids, teens and young adults, or the Hope for Wellness Helpline which provides Indigenous Peoples with immediate emotional support and crisis intervention with experienced and culturally sensitive helpline counsellors.

    If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline at any time, from anywhere in Canada to access bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support.

    Mental Illness is as real as any physical illness, and no one should have to face it alone. We are working with all levels of government so that everyone in Canada has the mental health care support they need, when or where they need it.

    The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, P.C., M.P.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First-ever Women in Bus and Coach plaque unveiled in Winchester

    Source: City of Winchester

    A plaque honouring Mary Curry, one of the first two women to qualify as a professional bus driver for Hants & Dorset in 1973, has been unveiled at Winchester Bus Station by Mary herself, joined by the Mayor of Winchester Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith.

    This is the very first Women in Bus and Coach plaque in the country. Its unveiling took place at Winchester Bus Station in partnership with Stagecoach and the event paid tribute to Mary’s remarkable contribution to breaking gender barriers in the industry and her lasting impact on generations of women drivers.

    Mary with the Mayor 

    The Mayor said: “I am very proud to unveil this plaque honouring Mary – who lives in Meonstoke – and her wonderful achievements over her long career; she has so many wonderful stories to tell about her time on the buses including the day that a squealing baby was left at the Broadway!

    “We are deeply honoured that our district is the first place to have a Women in Bus and Coach plaque; it’s a wonderful ‘first’ for Winchester and it’s really excellent that the scheme will then roll out all over the country.”

    This national initiative by Women in Bus and Coach recognises trailblazing women across all roles in the bus, coach and community transport industry.

    Louise Cheeseman, Women in Bus and Coach chair, said: “Mary Curry is a true pioneer, and we are honoured to have celebrated her achievement at Winchester Bus Station where she started her journey. This plaque is a testament to her trailblazing spirit and the progress we continue to make in promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace and we look forward to unveiling many more across the country in the months to come.”

    Marc Reddy, Managing Director for Stagecoach South, said: “Mary Curry’s story is one of perseverance, courage, and breaking boundaries. By recognising her, we hope to continue inspiring more women to consider careers in bus and coach driving. Her legacy lives on in every woman who has taken the driver’s seat and continues to challenge outdated norms in the industry.”

    https://womeninbusandcoach.org.uk/

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford gains £2.7 million to support residents this winter

    Source: City of Salford

    Salford City Council have today (8 October) announced plans for the allocation of the Government’s extension of the Household Support Fund (HSF).

    Since HSF’s introduction in October 2021, Salford City Council has received over 50,000 applications for support, and in the last round of funding alone, covering the period April 2024 to September 2024, Salford received 5,500 applications for help with energy, food and other essential items and supported the families of over 15,000 children with holiday food vouchers during the school holidays.

    Round six of HSF will cover the period of Tuesday 1 October 2024 to Monday 31 March 2025.

    The latest round will support households struggling with the cost-of-living to cover food, energy and fuel costs. Residents who need support can apply directly for funding online or call Salford’s HSF helpline.

    The money will be distributed by Salford City Council’s Salford Assist team. The funding will be awarded by a grant payment to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Salford residents do not need to be in receipt of benefits to apply for the Household Support Fund and can apply for the scheme if they are also in receipt of other benefits and pension credits, all applications will be considered. 

    The funding will also be used to fund holiday food vouchers for children eligible for Free School Meals; Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) partners to deliver food banks, food clubs and food schemes; and other areas of the council such as housing, adult social care, and welfare rights and debt advice.

    Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council said: “The Household Support Fund has provided vital support to our most vulnerable residents across the city. As the winter period approaches, this much-needed support to heat homes and put food on the table will be crucial for many families across our city.

    “In Salford, we work hard to make sure vulnerable residents are supported in the best way possible. This funding will enable us to continue providing that assistance and our commitment to building a fairer, more equal society for everyone.”

    Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The Household Support Fund has been an essential support system, offering our residents much-needed help with food and heating, and ensuring that children on free school meals do not go hungry during school holidays.

    “This funding will help the most vulnerable in our communities and I’d urge anyone who is struggling financially to get in touch and see if you can benefit. The Household Support Fund is in place to support you.”

    This support forms part of Salford’s wider Tackling Poverty strategy which aims to make Salford a fairer and more inclusive place where everyone can live prosperous and fulfilling lives free from poverty and inequality. The funding has come from the Department for Work and Pensions.

    Learn more about the Household Support Fund and how to apply.

    Share this

    Date published
    Tuesday 8 October 2024

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: #FreeTheFive Blog: Pensador

    Source: Amnesty International –

    16 September marked  one year since Pensador has been arbitrarily detained. We met with his fiancé, Lemba Cahungo, who describes what an entire year, without her partner has been like.

    Activist Abraão Pedro Santos, AKA Pensador (37) had everything ready and organized for his wedding ceremony in October 2023. Still, he ended up being arrested, tried and sentenced to two years and five months in prison before he could fulfill his dream, simply for joining a planned protest on 16 September 2023, in Luanda, the capital of Angola.

    Pensador was not the only one to be sentenced for participating in the planned demonstration, he is part of the AGPT, the group of four activists sentenced on 19 September 2023.

    Pensador’s fiancée, Lemba, received us with a smile on her face, opened the door of her home and her heart to talk about her fiancé’s arrest and the impact it had on her life. She shared what it means to dream of building a family and suddenly see everything falling apart for no reason.

    Lemba begins by describing how she met Pensador in 2017, at church, but it wasn’t until three years ago that they formalized their relationship and had already set a wedding date. “My fiancé’s dream is to get married and to start a family. He always said he couldn’t wait to get home and be welcomed by his children.”

    “Abraão(as she calls him) had started a law degree but was unable to continue his studies. He is very intelligent. Likes reading books and loves Pepetela (an Angolan writer). He grew up inspired by his father, who also has several books. He loves watching entertainment programs and eating, usually pasta with fish. He’s also a big fan of Azagaia (a Mozambican artist)… This is what I knew about Abraão. He never revealed to me he was an activist”.

    “At the beginning of our relationship, I thought it was strange the way he dressed. He had long hair, wore military-type clothes, grew beards and wore boots. I could tell he was someone with his own ideas, but I didn’t think he was an activist. Eventually I found out a few years ago and told him that if he wanted to pursue activism, he should forget about me. He pretended to listen and even walked away from activism for a while, at least that’s what I thought”.

    Pensador has been an activist since 2011, when several young people took to the streets to demand an end to the rule of former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who at the time had been in power for 32 years.

    “Those who get involved in activism in Angola risk their lives. This fear hangs over us. There was a time when the authorities were looking for activist Gangasta, it became terror. I wouldn’t want something similar to happen to someone close to me. I think activism is essential. I can’t keep quiet in situations of injustice, even in my job I often demand better working conditions. I know it’s necessary. Activists want the best for the country, but unfortunately the police always act in bad faith and the consequence is that activists are often beaten, arrested or shot”.

    If Pensador was hiding about his activism, what did he say before he left the house on the morning of 16 September ? We asked.

    “Abraaosaid he was going to the church to fix some speakers. Of course, he couldn’t tell the truth because I wouldn’t agree. Around 4pm, one of his friends called me to ask about Pensador(Abraao), and I said he was at the church. The friend then revealed that Pensador  was arrested, and that the information was already circulating on Facebook. When I saw the news, I started shaking from head to toe. I cried bitterly, but I thought it was just a few hours’ detention and that maybe he would be released the same day, but he wasn’t.”

    A group of activists had called for a demonstration on 16 September 2023, in solidarity with motorcycle taxi drivers who were being restricted from carrying out their activities on some areas of the city. For the organizers, the restrictions were unfair, and several young people could be at risk of becoming unemployed and that would contribute to the already high levels of poverty in Angola.

    The demonstration had been duly communicated, but as usual, the police arrived moments before the demonstration began, and without any warrant, arrested the activists.

    On 19 September 2023, Pensador  and other three other activists were summarily tried,  convicted and sentenced. The public prosecutor initially accused them of “outrage and injury to the President of the Republic” because  one of them was holding a placard with words saying “President Joao Lourenço is incompetent”. Amid various inconsistencies and lack of evidence, the charge was changed to ‘disobedience and resisting orders.’ Witness reports and videos circulated showed that at the time of their arrest, the activists were lying on the ground, not resisting.

    Without any evidence, the court sentenced AGPT to two years and fivemonths in prison and fined them 80,000.00 Kwanzas (approximately USD100 ) each. Their lawyers submitted both an appeal and complaint against the decision, but both were rejected by the court.

    A curious fact, as described by the lawyer in the case, Dr. Zola Bambi, was that while still in the courtroom when the judge read out the sentence, there were only three names (Adolfo Campos, Tanaice Neutro and Gildo). Moments later, when the clerk returned to the courtroom to read the minutes of the trial, Pensador’s (Abraao Pedro dos Santos)’ name was now on the list of those convicted, and it was at that moment that Pensador discovered that he had also been convicted.

     How was it like to visit Abraão for the first time in prison and how he’s doing?

    “When I saw him for the first time in the prison, I started crying and he cried too as we hugged. That was the last time I touched Abraão. When I go to visit him, there’s a barrier that separates us, we stand in different places. I can’t even see his full body. The bars are so thin that your fingers can’t get through”.“We spend hours talking while standing until we run out of things to talk about. When I go to see him, I always try to bring him positive things. I tell him about the nieces he likes and that

    calms him down”.

    “I miss Abraão so much. He’s very intelligent, a little special box of surprises. He always has good ideas to offer, and sometimes I get lost on my own. I need him. I need to talk to him. He loves going after his dreams. All I want is for my fiancé to be released. He didn’t commit any crime. The criminals are the ones who should be locked up.”

    The rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly  are constantly being violated in Angola. Like Pensador every year there are several documented cases of injustice committed against people who decide to take to the streets and protest for their rights or those of their communities. Stand up for Pensador  and three other activists who are arbitrarily detained simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.  Sign this petition and share it on your networks using the hashtag #Freethefive #FreeAGPT.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: 2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report by Block Advisors Reveals Resilience Despite Persistent Support Barriers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Over 6,000 applicants of the Fund Her Future small business grant program show high confidence yet cite major barriers for women looking to start a business

    KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Block Advisors by H&R Block unveiled its 2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report, which reveals that women entrepreneurs continue to face significant funding and support gaps, with these challenges being even more severe for BIPOC women. These systemic obstacles contribute to a personal confidence gap among owners themselves. Despite these barriers, many current business owners feel the outlook for their businesses’ future is positive.

    While nearly all applicants (94%) express feeling ‘somewhat’ to ‘very’ positive about 2025, respondents also express being cautious with finances given the state of today’s economy. Over half of respondents (56%) claim inflation has affected their prices this year; and over the next six months to a year, some respondents believe they may be forced to cut expenses (44%) and raise prices again due to inflation (39%). Despite cautious optimism, the report highlights significant challenges in women’s entrepreneurial journeys. The challenges experienced are even more pronounced for respondents who are racially diverse.

    “Starting a business has its fair share of struggles – sustaining it brings additional challenges,” said Jamil Khan, Chief Small Business Officer at H&R Block. “This report sheds light on the ongoing obstacles, helping us better understand the resources, guidance, and tools to which women entrepreneurs of all backgrounds need access. It’s commonly known that 50% of businesses close within five years of opening – this report helps us understand how we can work with women founders to beat those odds.”

    The 2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report by Block Advisors offers insights from 6,333 Fund Her Future grant applicants. The analysis underscores the profile, attitudes, and behaviors of these applicants, specifically in terms of the motivations, challenges, and needs of today’s women entrepreneurs. Block Advisors’ review of survey responses shows women founders’ future confidence is fueled by a spirit of perseverance. The majority of respondents cited facing substantial funding and support gaps when starting their business. These barriers may play into the confidence gap that was noted in over half of respondents.

    Block Advisors believes these findings reinforce the need for programs like the Fund Her Future grant. “It is clear that women entrepreneurs are determined to find success on their business journey. For these underserved business owners, the right support and guidance in those critical early years can make all the difference in navigating the challenging road ahead,” said Khan.

    Women Applicants Skew Younger, Diverse, and Seek Autonomy

    The grant applicant pool reveals that today’s woman entrepreneur in search of funding is a younger, educated, and racially diverse owner just starting their small business journey. Specifically, approximately half of respondents to the Fund Her Future grant survey were women who were Black (50%), college-educated or higher (63%), millennial (53%), and with two years or less of owning a business (49%).

    Responses indicated that these female founders deeply value being engaged leaders. Improving communities and the overall need for autonomy were among the top motivators for starting their businesses. Almost all (98%) of respondents mentioned improving a community as a motivator. This is supported by the industries represented by applicants: nearly one in four (23%) women own a business in counseling, education, tutoring, or business consulting.

    A preference for business autonomy and work flexibility were also leading catalysts toward business formation: 92% of those surveyed cited wanting to be their own boss and 89% cited wanting to set their own schedule. One in five (21%) women shared that they were starting a business to escape the traditional 9-to-5 work environment so that they could tap into the childcare flexibility of staying home with their kids. Not all aspiring entrepreneurs leave traditional workplaces right away, however. Exactly half of all respondents started their business as a side gig. A slower transition may allow for greater stability during the often-tenuous early years of a business startup, while still lending the founder more feelings of autonomy and self-directed purpose.

    Funding & Support Gaps Remain Big Barriers to Business Formation

    The report found four of the top five barriers to starting a business all dealt with funding and support gaps, further confirming the need to close these gaps through programs like Block Advisors by H&R Block’s Fund Her Future grant. In fact, a ‘lack of start-up capital’ (80%), ‘needing steady, reliable income’ (76%), and ‘needing a solid business plan’ (56%) round out the top three barriers, with ‘needing help getting started’ (50%) placing fifth. 

    Interestingly, 54% of respondents cited ‘fear of failure,’ making it the fourth most common barrier. This spotlights a little-talked-about confidence gap for over half of women entrepreneurs. One respondent stated, “Starting a new business can be daunting, especially as a first-time entrepreneur. The fear of failure, coupled with the challenges of securing funding, can be overwhelming.”​

    Digging deeper into the support gap, a lack of overall mentorship was a common theme. This points to a major barrier that keeps women from taking the leap to start their business. Additionally, one in four (27%) women business owners said they hesitated to start a business due to the lack of mentorship during the process.

    Funding gaps and struggles sourcing capital continue to be prevalent: one in three respondents applied for a bank loan, but 42% of those who applied were never approved. When looked at through an ethnicity lens, the picture becomes more concerning for BIPOC and Black women. Among those who applied for a bank loan, 45% of BIPOC applicants were never approved, compared to 36% of their white peers. Black women applicants seeking a bank loan reported being denied bank loans most frequently. 47% of Black women founders who applied for loans were ultimately denied and unable to access this type of funding.  

    What Women Entrepreneurs Need: Money, Marketing Support, and More Help with Tax Prep

    When asked what tops their wish list for achieving business success, women entrepreneurs confirmed their business would thrive if they had start-up capital (66%) and marketing and advertising support (45%).

    Furthermore, while starting a business can seem exciting and glamorous, respondents express owning a business comes with unexpected responsibilities. While they may have started their business to follow their passion, there are many administrative aspects that comprise the less appealing side of their business to-do lists. Overall, tax preparation (53%) and bookkeeping (40%) rank as the least favorite tasks for applicants, followed by website development and social media management (25%), and marketing & advertising (22%).

    On a similar note, amongst a list of eight business tasks, applicants are least confident in their ability to find all available tax credits and deductions: more than two-thirds of women claim they are only ‘somewhat confident’ to ‘very unconfident.’ Because of this – and coupled with the fact that tax preparation and bookkeeping rank as the two least favorite tasks – today’s woman small business owner may be at risk of leaving tax deductions on the table.

    “For the upcoming generation of women entrepreneurs, building a supportive network of trusted experts and advisors will be crucial in overcoming these challenges and achieving long-term success. Block Advisors takes pride in helping its small business customers offload the business tasks—such as tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, business formation, and beneficial owner reporting—to pursue their passions,” said Khan.

    Download the 2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report by Block Advisors.

    To learn more about Block Advisors and the Fund Her Future grant, visit http://www.BlockAdvisors.com and http://www.BlockAdvisors.com/FundHerFutureGrant.

    About H&R Block 
    H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Middle Hainesville — Missing 60-year-old man

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Keswick RCMP is asking for the public’s help to locate a missing 60-year-old man from Middle Hainesville, N.B.

    Glendon Smith was last seen on October 4, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., on Highway 104, near Middle Hainesville. He was reported missing to police on October 7. Police have followed up on several leads to try and locate him, but have so far been unsuccessful. Police and his family are concerned for his wellbeing.

    Glendon Smith is described as being approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 centimetres) tall, and weighing approximately 152 pounds (69 kilograms). He has blue eyes, and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a dark hoodie, blue jeans, blue and white sneakers and a red hat with a brown trim.

    Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Keswick RCMP at 506-357-4300.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Empowering Women Farmers in Central Asia: A New Era for Sustainable Agribusiness

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

    Headline: Empowering Women Farmers in Central Asia: A New Era for Sustainable Agribusiness

    The Central Asian Forum of Women Farmers, held on 8 October 2024 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, emphasized the significant achievements of women in local agribusiness.   At the same time, it highlighted the challenges they encounter in this key sector of the nation’s economy.
    The Forum brought together officials from national authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, women entrepreneurs from Central Asia and Azerbaijan’s business communities, international agribusiness experts, as well as representatives from foreign companies and international organizations.
    Mrs. Gulnora Makhmudova, Chairperson of the International Business Women’s Association of Uzbekistan “TADBIRKOR AYOL” (IBWA), opened the event by emphasizing the importance of knowledge exchange across the region. In her speech, she also provided a detailed overview of women’s involvement in Uzbekistan’s agribusiness sector.
    The forum encouraged lively discussions, offering valuable perspectives on effective strategies to enhance gender balance in Central Asia’s agribusiness sector. Attendees actively networked and exchanged their in-depth knowledge and visions for further development and income generating activities.
    “As we come together at this forum, we have the unique opportunity to create a platform for discussing innovative technologies in women’s agribusiness. By sharing our experiences and best practices, we can increase the interest of rural women in starting their own businesses and promote the development of women-led farms in Uzbekistan,” said Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. “Together, we can develop proposals aimed at expanding foreign trade and promoting the products of Central Asian women farmers to new markets. By creating conditions for reaching concrete agreements among participants, we can implement inclusive business projects in promising areas of rural development,” he added.
    The regional event, which concluded with a set of recommendations, was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in collaboration with the IBWA and international donor organizations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Cloudera Unveils AI Inference Service with Embedded NVIDIA NIM Microservices to Accelerate GenAI Development and Deployment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Cloudera’s AI Inference service boosts LLM performance speeds by 36x using NVIDIA accelerated computing and NVIDIA NIM microservices, providing enhanced performance, robust security, and scalable flexibility for enterprises

    Combined capability brings together companies’ differentiators in a single offering: Cloudera’s trusted data as the foundation for trusted AI with NVIDIA accelerated computing and the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform to deploy secure and performant AI applications privately on Cloudera

    SANTA CLARA, Calif and NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, today launched Cloudera AI Inference powered by NVIDIA NIM microservices, part of the NVIDIA AI Enterprise platform. As one of the industry’s first AI inference services to provide embedded NIM microservice capability, Cloudera AI Inference uniquely streamlines the deployment and management of large-scale AI models, allowing enterprises to harness their data’s true potential to advance GenAI from pilot phases to full production.

    Recent data from Deloitte reveals the biggest barriers to GenAI adoption for enterprises are compliance risks and governance concerns, yet adoption of GenAI is progressing at a rapid pace, with over two-thirds of organizations increasing their GenAI budgets in Q3 this year. To mitigate these concerns, businesses must turn to running AI models and applications privately – whether on premises or in public clouds. This shift requires secure and scalable solutions that avoid complex, do-it-yourself approaches.

    Cloudera AI Inference protects sensitive data from leaking to non-private, vendor-hosted AI model services by providing secure development and deployment within enterprise control. Powered by NVIDIA technology, the service helps to build trusted data for trusted AI with high-performance speeds, enabling the efficient development of AI-driven chatbots, virtual assistants, and agentic applications impacting both productivity and new business growth.

    The launch of Cloudera AI Inference comes on the heels of the company’s collaboration with NVIDIA, reinforcing Cloudera’s commitment to driving enterprise AI innovation at a critical moment, as industries navigate the complexities of digital transformation and AI integration.

    Developers can build, customize, and deploy enterprise-grade LLMs with up to 36x faster performance using NVIDIA Tensor Core GPUs and nearly 4x throughput compared with CPUs. The seamless user experience integrates UI and APIs directly with NVIDIA NIM microservice containers, eliminating the need for command-line interfaces (CLI) and separate monitoring systems. The service integration with Cloudera’s AI Model Registry also enhances security and governance by managing access controls for both model endpoints and operations. Users benefit from a unified platform where all models—whether LLM deployments or traditional models—are seamlessly managed under a single service.

    Additional key features of Cloudera AI Inference include:

    • Advanced AI Capabilities: Utilize NVIDIA NIM microservices to optimize open-source LLMs, including LLama and Mistral, for cutting-edge advancements in natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and other AI domains.
    • Hybrid Cloud & Privacy: Run workloads on prem or in the cloud, with VPC deployments for enhanced security and regulatory compliance.
    • Scalability & Monitoring: Rely on auto-scaling, high availability (HA), and real-time performance tracking to detect and correct issues, and deliver efficient resource management.
    • Open APIs & CI/CD Integration: Access standards-compliant APIs for model deployment, management, and monitoring for seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines and MLOps workflows.
    • Enterprise Security: Enforce model access with Service Accounts, Access Control, Lineage, and Auditing features.
    • Risk-Managed Deployment: Conduct A/B testing and canary rollouts for controlled model updates.

    “Enterprises are eager to invest in GenAI, but it requires not only scalable data but also secure, compliant, and well-governed data,” said industry analyst, Sanjeev Mohan. “Productionizing AI at scale privately introduces complexity that DIY approaches struggle to address. Cloudera AI Inference bridges this gap by integrating advanced data management with NVIDIA’s AI expertise, unlocking data’s full potential while safeguarding it. With enterprise-grade security features like service accounts, access control, and audit, organizations can confidently protect their data and run workloads on prem or in the cloud, deploying AI models efficiently with the necessary flexibility and governance.”

    “We are excited to collaborate with NVIDIA to bring Cloudera AI Inference to market, providing a single AI/ML platform that supports nearly all models and use cases so enterprises can both create powerful AI apps with our software and then run those performant AI apps in Cloudera as well,” said Dipto Chakravarty, Chief Product Officer at Cloudera. “With the integration of NVIDIA AI, which facilitates smarter decision-making through advanced performance, Cloudera is innovating on behalf of its customers by building trusted AI apps with trusted data at scale.”

    “Enterprises today need to seamlessly integrate generative AI with their existing data infrastructure to drive business outcomes,” said Kari Briski, vice president of AI software, models and services at NVIDIA. “By incorporating NVIDIA NIM microservices into Cloudera’s AI Inference platform, we’re empowering developers to easily create trustworthy generative AI applications while fostering a self-sustaining AI data flywheel.”

    These new capabilities will be unveiled at Cloudera’s premier AI and data conference, Cloudera EVOLVE NY, taking place Oct. 10. Click here to learn more about how these latest updates deepen Cloudera’s commitment, elevating enterprise data from pilot to production with GenAI.

    About Cloudera
    Cloudera is the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world’s largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what seemed impossible—today and in the future.

    To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact

    Jess Hohn-Cabana
    cloudera@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Celona and HCLTech Announce Strategic Global Partnership to Deliver Advanced Private 5G Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CUPERTNO, Calif., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Celona, a pioneer in private 5G networks, and HCLTech, a leading global technology company, announced a strategic partnership to jointly deliver advanced private 5G network solutions to enterprises worldwide. This collaboration leverages Celona’s innovative private 5G LAN offering and HCLTech’s extensive experience in digital transformation to accelerate Industry 4.0 initiatives across industries. The joint offering is designed to drive digital innovation and operational efficiencies across multiple sectors.

    This partnership will focus on providing a comprehensive private network solution that combines Celona’s cutting-edge private 5G technology with HCLTech’s extensive digital portfolio which helps enterprises unlock the power of data and AI to build a digital culture and modernize all aspects of the business. HCLTech was among the first global system integrators to recognize that successful digital transformation programs need to be built on a foundation of robust and secure wireless connectivity, and have partnered with Celona to provide turnkey private 5G solutions.

    “We are thrilled to partner with HCLTech to accelerate the deployment of private 5G networks across the industries that need it most,” said Sanjeet Pandit, Vice President of Global Sales, Celona. “This collaboration will enable us to offer tailored solutions that meet the unique connectivity needs for each target industry, driving innovation through automation and enhancing productivity on a global scale.”

    “We look forward to offering best-in-class private network solutions together with Celona,” said Gurpreet Singh Kohli, Senior Vice President, HCLTech. “This partnership aligns with our commitment to delivering next-generation digital transformation solutions to our clients. By combining our expertise with Celona’s advanced private 5G technology, we are poised to redefine connectivity and drive significant value for businesses worldwide.”

    The partnership between HCLTech and Celona marks a significant milestone in the advancement of private 5G, promising to revolutionize how industries leverage the latest in wireless connectivity to achieve their Industry 4.0 goals.

    About HCLTech 
    HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 219,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering, cloud and AI, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology and Services, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending June 2024 totaled $13.4 billion. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.

    About Celona
    Based in Silicon Valley, Celona is a pioneer and leading innovator of enterprise private wireless solutions. The company developed the industry’s first 5G LAN system, a turnkey private 5G solution that enables enterprises to address their growing needs for secure and reliable wireless connectivity for critical business applications. Celona 5G LAN has been deployed by a wide range of global customers across industries. To date, the company has raised over $135 million in venture funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, NTT Ventures, Cervin Ventures, DigitalBridge and Qualcomm Ventures. For more information, please visit celona.io.

    Media contact:
    Janet Brumfield
    Mindshare PR for Celona
    janet@mindsharepr.com
    614-582-9636

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ibex Expands Call Center Operations in Honduras, Creating 250 New Jobs in the Region

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ibex (NASDAQ: IBEX), a leading global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) and customer engagement technology solutions, today announced a significant expansion of its operations in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. This expansion underscores ibex’s commitment to growth in the region and strengthens its nearshore strategy.

    ibex has officially added almost 10,000 square feet of space to its real estate footprint in Honduras. The expanded facility now includes more than 180 additional production seats, representing a 35% increase in operational capacity. The space also features additional recreational areas, offices and training spaces, demonstrating ibex’s dedication to creating a supportive and productive work environment for its employees.

    ibex’s expanded operations in Honduras are expected to create approximately 250 new job opportunities, further contributing to the local economy. The new space became operational in mid-September, with the frontline team successfully handling its first calls. ibex anticipates full utilization of the upgraded space in the coming month.

    “Our continued investment in Honduras reflects ibex’s unwavering commitment to the country and reinforces our successful nearshore strategy. I want to extend my gratitude to all team members who contributed their time and effort in bringing this project to fruition,” said Bob Dechant, CEO of ibex. “Our increased presence in Honduras is not only creating valuable employment opportunities, but also strengthening our ability to deliver high-quality services to our global clients. This expansion is also a testament to the skilled workforce in Honduras and our confidence in the country as a key hub for our operations.”

    The expansion comes on the heels of an impressive year of growth for ibex Honduras. In fiscal year 2024, the office saw a remarkable 249% increase in headcount, reflecting the rapid scaling of operations in the country. This growth has been driven by the introduction of new lines of business and clients within the Fintech vertical, as well as an expansion into HR support services.

    Employee development and internal advancement in Honduras are key to ibex’s success, as evidenced by the promotion of 156 team members during fiscal year 2024. With the current expansion, ibex anticipates even more promotional opportunities in Honduras, further strengthening the company’s position as an employer of choice in the region.

    ibex has been recognized for its outstanding culture, employee experience, development opportunities, and service, including Best Place to Work for Women in Central America and the Caribbean by Great Place to Work, Nearshore Company of the Year by Nearshore Americas, and Central America and Caribbean Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan.

    About ibex

    ibex delivers innovative business process outsourcing (BPO), smart digital marketing, online acquisition technology, and end-to-end customer engagement solutions to help companies acquire, engage and retain valuable customers. Today, ibex operates a global CX delivery center model consisting of approximately 30 operations facilities around the world, while deploying next generation technology to drive superior customer experiences for many of the world’s leading companies across retail, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech, utilities and logistics.

    ibex leverages its diverse global team of over 30,000 employees together with industry-leading technology, including the AI-powered ibex Wave iX solutions suite, to manage nearly 175 million critical customer interactions, adding over $2.2B in lifetime customer revenue each year and driving a truly differentiated customer experience. To learn more, visit our website at ibex.co and connect with us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Dan Burris
    ibex
    Daniel.Burris@ibex.co

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/877c79ca-4329-4c48-b613-1c7f982f52c9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: New Navy Medicine command to enhance expeditionary medical training, readiness

    Source: United States Navy

    CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Navy Medicine celebrated a pivotal moment in its expeditionary mission with the official establishment of a new command and renamed Naval Expeditionary Medical Training Institute (NEMTI) to the Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center (NEMWDC) during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 4.

    The command establishment signified a strategic shift in Navy Medicine’s approach to combat trauma readiness and operational medical support.

    “This transformation represents more than a change in name; it marks the continued evolution of Navy Medicine’s mission to support the warfighter, strengthen our operational capabilities, and provide unmatched medical expertise both in garrison and in forward-deployed locations,” said Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) commander.

    The ceremony also marked NEMWDC’s organizational realignment from Navy Medicine Operational Training Command (NMOTC) to NMFP as an echelon 4 command, gaining more resources, capacity, and a broader and more dynamic role in bolstering Navy Medicine’s ability to support the warfighters.

    NEMWDC will serve as a center of excellence for unit level training for medical capabilities, enhancing combat trauma skills and certifying expeditionary medical platforms for future operations. This new command aligns with Navy Medicine’s “North Star,” ensuring that by 2027, the force will deliver trained and certified medical units capable of supporting the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in any environment.

    “The impact of this change will resonate across Navy Medicine and serve to amplify our role in ensuring that medical forces are ready and fully equipped to support any mission, anytime, anywhere,” Valdes said.

    Capt. Kevin Bailey, the first commanding officer of NEMWDC, reflected on the journey that led to the establishment of the new command, noting that the foundation laid by NEMTI will guide NEMWDC’s efforts as it prepares expeditionary medical teams for future fight.

    “NEMWDC is truly a unique gem in Navy Medicine,” Bailey said. “This command is at the focal point for unit-level training leading to basic phase certification of Expeditionary Medicine (EXMED).”

    Capt. Bailey also shared his vision for integrating innovative technologies like health informatics and virtual reality into the training pipeline, ensuring that NEMWDC remains at the forefront of medical readiness.

    As NEMWDC evolves, it will focus on training medical personnel to deliver seamless care from Role 1 to Role 3 medical units, ensuring lifesaving support from the frontlines to more advanced medical facilities. This strategic realignment is expected to amplify Navy Medicine’s role in supporting warfighters in the most challenging environments.

    For Cmdr. Damian Storz, who transitioned from officer in charge of NEMTI to NEMWDC’s executive officer, the day marked the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration.

    “Our team’s dedication and our collaboration with leadership were key to overcoming challenges and setting the stage for this transition,” Storz said, noting that NEMWDC is well positioned to ensure medical units are ready for deployment.

    The ceremony also honored the long history of NEMTI, which has been at the forefront of expeditionary medical training since its establishment.

    “NEMTI’s impact has reached far and wide, ensuring operational success, whether it’s preparing medical teams for the frontlines or equipping them with the skills to operate in humanitarian or disaster scenarios,” Valdes said.

    The event concluded with a message of gratitude to the NEMWDC staff for their tireless dedication.

    “To the Sailors of the newly designated Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center, I look forward to serving you as your commanding officer,” Bailey said.

    Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) provides oversight for 11 Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Commands (NMRTC), on the West Coast and Pacific Rim that train, man, and equip medical forces, primarily in military treatment facilities. Globally, NMFP oversees eight research laboratories that deliver research expertise in support of warfighter health and readiness. Additionally, NMFP manages the Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center (NEMWDC), which plays a critical role in preparing medical teams for expeditionary and operational environments.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Indiana Police Lieutenant Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Violation and Obstruction of Justice

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A federal jury convicted a former New Castle, Indiana, police lieutenant last Friday on multiple counts of using excessive force against people in custody and one count of obstruction of justice by witness tampering.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Aaron Jason Strong, 47, while a lieutenant at the New Castle Police Department, physically abused a suspect and two pretrial detainees and made false statements to an Indiana State Police detective who had been assigned to investigate an allegation against him.

    “Aaron Strong is a repeat offender who defied his oath and abused his law enforcement authority to violently and unlawfully assault multiple individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant put his fellow officers in danger and grievously injured people in his custody, whose wellbeing and rights he had a legal and moral duty to protect. Strong betrayed the law enforcement profession when he told lie after lie in an effort to cover up his crimes and derail an independent investigation. This unanimous jury verdict makes clear a core principle in our country – law enforcement officers are not above the law and will be held accountable for their crimes.”

    “Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to serve our communities. Their jobs are difficult, dangerous and noble,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Aaron Strong is not noble. He repeatedly and unlawfully abused his position of authority to inflict violence, injury and pain — with no lawful justification. He then lied to cover it up. Our community deserves better. Together with our partners at the Justice Department, the FBI and Indiana State Police, our federal prosecutors will continue to seek accountability for police who illegally assault those they are sworn to protect.”

    Evidence showed that, in August 2019, then-Lieutenant Strong responded to another officer’s report of a foot chase. As Strong arrived, the suspect stopped running, put his hands up, said “I’m done” and lowered himself to the ground. As another officer approached to take the suspect into custody, Strong ran up and struck the suspect at least 12 times with a metal police baton, nearly striking a fellow officer. The incident was promptly reported by other involved officers, and the Indiana State Police were called in to conduct an independent criminal investigation. During a meeting with the State Police investigator, Strong gave a false account of the incident in which he minimized his own use of force and exaggerated the danger posed by the suspect.

    Evidence also showed that, in July 2017, Strong, while acting in his capacity as the commanding officer of the Henry County, Indiana, SWAT Team, had abused two men being held in pretrial detention at the Henry County Transition Center, a low-security annex of the Henry County Jail. The SWAT Team had been requested to assist jail officers with moving a small number of inmates who had become intoxicated on contraband alcohol from the Transition Center to the main jail. While inside the Transition Center, Strong stomped on the head of a detainee who was complying with commands to lie on the ground. A few moments later, Strong approached a second inmate, who was kneeling, not moving, with his back to Strong, and shot him point-blank in the back with a less-lethal “beanbag” round, which Strong knew could cause death or serious bodily injury when used at short ranges. The impact from the round fractured the detainee’s spine.

    Numerous current and former New Castle and Henry County law enforcement officers testified for the prosecution.

    Strong was convicted of three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering. A co-defendant, Strong’s nephew, was found not guilty of one count of witness tampering.

    Strong is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and Indiana State Police investigated the case, with assistance from the New Castle Police Department.

    Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –