NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges U.S. to stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The United States needs to immediately stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory, close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and pull out of the base at Guantanamo as soon as possible, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

    Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on a related query at a daily press briefing.

    It is reported that U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the repatriation of a detainee from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and 29 detainees remain there. In recent years, successive U.S. administrations have promised multiple times they would close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, but still haven’t acted on it. Despite repeated protests from the Cuban government, the United States has unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay for over 120 years.

    Lin said the United States has long unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay, and carried out arbitrary detention and used torture to extort confessions at the detention facility there. “What the United States has done severely violates international law and undermines Cuba’s sovereignty and rights and interests.”

    The international community, including the UN, has more than once expressed concerns on this issue and asked the United States to close the detention facility there and treat the detainees justly as soon as possible, according to the spokesperson.

    The repeated failure of the United States to keep its promise of closing this U.S.-run “concentration camp” will only add another stain to the poor U.S. track record on human rights and expose the emptiness of U.S. commitment to human rights, said the spokesperson.

    The detention facility at Guantanamo Bay is Cuba’s protracted wound, and it is a living witness to more than a century of U.S. illegal interference in Cuba, Lin said, adding that the United States, while running massive arbitrary detention at Guantanamo, keeps Cuba on the list of so-called “state sponsor of terrorism.”

    “The whole world can see the hypocrisy and double standard in this,” he added.

    China firmly supports Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposes U.S. interference in Cuba’s internal affairs, Lin said, adding that the United States needs to stop the bullying and blockade on Cuba, give the Cuban people’s land back to them, and remove Cuba from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges Philippines to immediately stop infringement, provocation at Huangyan Dao

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The China Coast Guard (CCG) has urged the Philippines to immediately cease its infringements and provocations after the illegal intrusion of a Philippine aircraft into the airspace over China’s Huangyan Dao on Thursday.

    “Huangyan Dao has always been part of China’s territory. The Philippines’ moves seriously violate China’s sovereignty and could easily lead to unexpected incidents at sea or in the air,” CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China refutes so-called Xinjiang chili pepper report

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday that a handful of Western media and long-time disinformation manufacturers have concocted one lie after another about Xinjiang, but what is made up will not hide the truth and a lie is still a lie even if it is told a thousand times.

    Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on a related query at a daily press briefing.

    Certain Western media’s articles cited a report by Adrian Zenz, who is an anti-China academic, saying that chili pepper products sold in UK and U.S. supermarkets contain ingredients from Xinjiang, which are probably produced using “forced labor.”

    Noting this so-called report mentioned by certain media outlets is deeply flawed, Lin said it pretentiously quotes some vague accounts by so-called anonymous witnesses, but does not provide any factual basis, and even lacks the most basic field investigation.

    “The fact is, the farming process of chili peppers in Xinjiang has largely been mechanized already. In some major production areas, 100 percent of the chili peppers are now harvested by machines. Is the report suggesting that there is forced machine labor?” Lin asked.

    The spokesperson noted that earlier this week, an international symposium on employment and social security was held in Urumqi. More than 200 participants from over 40 countries, regions and international organizations attended the event, and many said the Xinjiang they saw is very much different from the false propaganda they had seen from sources outside China. “They condemned the ‘forced labor’ narrative, calling it a lie that deprives people in Xinjiang of their right to work, subsistence and development,” Lin said.

    From cotton to tomato and now to chili pepper, a handful of Western media and long-time disinformation manufacturers have concocted one lie after another about Xinjiang, Lin said, adding what is made up will not hide the truth and a lie is still a lie even if it is told a thousand times.

    “For those behind these same old clumsy theatrics, it is high time they quit this ‘creative’ business for good,” Lin said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM holds talks with Serbian counterpart

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djurić in Tianjin on Friday.

    Noting that China and Serbia are iron-clad friends and the bilateral ties conform to the correct direction of history, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China is ready to work with Serbia to create new prospects for bilateral relations.

    China is constantly improving its high-level opening-up system, which will not only provide impetus for China’s development, but also provide new cooperation opportunities for Serbia and other countries in the world, said Wang.

    Wang said Serbia is welcome to join hands with China to realize their respective modernization, adding that China will continue to firmly support Serbia in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and will support Serbia’s development and growth.

    Djurić said that deepening cooperation with China has become a cross-party and social consensus in Serbia, adding that Serbia will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and firmly support China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Serbia looks forward to working with the Chinese side to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and push for greater development of bilateral relations, said Djurić.

    He noted that Serbia supports all major initiatives put forward by China, supports the promotion of cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, and looks forward to close communication and coordination with China to jointly tackle global challenges.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Proposes New Regulations to Modernize Foreign Agents Registration Act Administration and Enforcement

    Source: US State of Vermont

    The Justice Department submitted to the Federal Register yesterday a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update and clarify regulations issued under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

    FARA requires persons in the United States who are acting as agents of foreign principals and engaged in certain specified activities to make periodic public disclosures of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts, and disbursements in support of those activities. Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. The act authorizes the Attorney General to issue regulations, which were last amended in 2007.

    The Justice Department’s proposed rule would make changes to key regulations, including those relating to the commercial exemption, the exemption for persons whose activities do not serve predominantly a foreign interest, and the exemption for persons qualified to practice law. The proposed rule also would modernize regulations relating to labeling informational materials in light of the significant technological changes that have occurred since the regulations were last amended more than a decade ago.

    In December 2021, the department issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) with 19 questions to solicit comments about regulations on a range of topics, and the proposed rule reflects the department’s careful consideration of views submitted through this process.

    An unofficial version of the NPRM is available here; the official version will be published in the Federal Register. Written comments on the NPRM may be submitted within 60 days of its publication in the Federal Register at www.regulations.gov. The NPRM will be followed by final regulations issued later.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anchorage man arrested for receiving, distributing, possessing child pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was arrested last night at his residence on criminal charges related to his alleged receipt, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).

    According to court documents, on Aug. 13, 2024, Anthaney O’Connor, 25, reported another individual to law enforcement, who he claimed wanted to commit sexual assaults against minors. He alleged the other individual sent him CSAM and links to applications known to be utilized by individuals seeking sexually explicit materials portraying minors.

    Law enforcement searched O’Connor’s phone. Upon review, law enforcement discovered that O’Connor possessed two images of CSAM that the individual allegedly sent him. Law enforcement also discovered information indicating that O’Connor discussed creating virtual reality generated CSAM using a photo someone had surreptitiously taken of a prepubescent boy at a local store. O’Connor allegedly possessed roughly six artificial intelligence (AI)/cartoon drawing/images depicting CSAM, four CSAM images and two videos containing CSAM.

    Law enforcement executed a search warrant on O’Connor’s residence on Dec. 19, 2024, and agents discovered additional CSAM images and videos on his computer, some of which were AI images/anime depicting prepubescent children. Law enforcement also discovered two electronic storage devices and a computer hard drive hidden in the vents of O’Connor’s bedroom closet. The contents of these devices are pending review.

    O’Connor is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. If convicted, O’Connor faces up to 20 years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department are investigating this case as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Caille Petursson is prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Sentenced to 18 Year Prison Term For Killing a Man in Southeast Washington

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Antoine Lynch, 38, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for shooting Delonte Maxwell in the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Ave. Southeast in Washington DC, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                The United States Attorney’s Office requested a 26 year sentence which would have been the top of Lynch’s 14-26 year guidelines range. Lynch pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed, on March 22, 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

                According to the government’s evidence, Lynch initially got into a verbal dispute with Mr. Maxwell as he was walking by Lynch’s residence. Lynch chased Mr. Maxwell away but when he later heard from a friend that Mr. Maxwell was still in the neighborhood, he left his residence armed with a firearm to find Mr. Maxwell. Accompanied by his friend and Lynch’s young daughter, Lynch found Mr. Maxwell walking along the sidewalk and proceeded to shoot him at point blank range as they passed each other.

                In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant United States Attorney Kacie Weston, Paralegal Specialist Grazy Rivera, and Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth.

                Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ganjei, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Serious crash at Mount Crawford

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police are at the scene of a serious crash at Mount Crawford.

    Just before 10.30am today (Saturday 21 December), police and emergency services were called to Forreston Road after reports of a crash involving a car and motorcycle.

    The rider suffered serious injuries.

    Road closures are in place near Watts Gully Road.

    Please avoid the area if possible.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Proposes New Regulations to Modernize Foreign Agents Registration Act Administration and Enforcement

    Source: United States Attorneys General 10

    The Justice Department submitted to the Federal Register yesterday a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update and clarify regulations issued under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

    FARA requires persons in the United States who are acting as agents of foreign principals and engaged in certain specified activities to make periodic public disclosures of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts, and disbursements in support of those activities. Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. The act authorizes the Attorney General to issue regulations, which were last amended in 2007.

    The Justice Department’s proposed rule would make changes to key regulations, including those relating to the commercial exemption, the exemption for persons whose activities do not serve predominantly a foreign interest, and the exemption for persons qualified to practice law. The proposed rule also would modernize regulations relating to labeling informational materials in light of the significant technological changes that have occurred since the regulations were last amended more than a decade ago.

    In December 2021, the department issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) with 19 questions to solicit comments about regulations on a range of topics, and the proposed rule reflects the department’s careful consideration of views submitted through this process.

    An unofficial version of the NPRM is available here; the official version will be published in the Federal Register. Written comments on the NPRM may be submitted within 60 days of its publication in the Federal Register at www.regulations.gov. The NPRM will be followed by final regulations issued later.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Governor Walz Celebrates Minnesota’s Ranking as a Top State to Retire

    Source: US State of Minnesota

    Governor Tim Walz today celebrated the news that Minnesota was ranked a top-five state to retire by a Motley Fool study. States were ranked on factors including quality of life, affordable housing, safety, health care, and cost of living.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USINDOPACOM Commander Travels to Vietnam, Attends Vietnam International Defence Expo

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    HANOI, Vietnam  –   HANOI, Vietnam — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, traveled to Vietnam for the first time, Dec. 19, to attend the 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo.

    Paparo met with Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff Senior Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Tân Cương, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and other senior leaders to strengthen cooperation through the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

    They discussed bilateral cooperation, maritime security and military modernization efforts highlighted by the first-ever delivery of U.S. Air Force T-6C Texan IIs aircraft to the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force in November.

    He also met separately with Cambodian Minister of Defense Gen. Tea Seiha and Laos Deputy Minister of Defense Senior Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone to discuss military cooperation and exchanges on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; demining and removal of unexploded ordnance; and professional military education and training.

    This year’s expo, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People’s Army, promoted efforts to enhance international collaboration in defense research, and manufacturing. Moreover, U.S. participation underscored the durability of the U.S. – Vietnam relationship as the two countries prepare to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations.

    Paparo also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Bac Son Monument, also known as The Vietnam War Memorial, in Hanoi. The monument was unveiled in 1994 and serves as a tribute to the men and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. 

    Throughout his trip, Paparo expressed appreciation for the U.S.-Vietnamese efforts, through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all unaccounted U.S. personnel in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

    USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 10% rise in non-local firms hailed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    According to the latest annual survey jointly conducted by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Census & Statistics Department, this year Hong Kong hosted 9,960 firms with parent companies located outside of the city, a record high number and a 10% increase on the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of people employed by such firms reached nearly 500,000, an increase of 5% year on year.

    Speaking to news.gov.hk, Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau said the figures demonstrate that Hong Kong’s business environment has fully regained its strong growth momentum following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    She highlighted that due to uncertainty in the global economic situation, many companies are taking a cautious approach to expansion, but added that the latest numbers indicate Hong Kong is a pragmatic choice of location as it remains a very good place to do business.

    “Facts speak louder than words. Companies expand their business here and use Hong Kong as a springboard to enter into Mainland China, into Asia, or for Chinese companies to go out and expand into the rest of the world.”

    Analysed by parent company location, the top five sources of firms from outside Hong Kong are Mainland China (2,620), Japan (1,430), the US (1,390), the UK (720) and Singapore (520).

    Moreover, the top 10 locations all recorded increases in 2024. These include traditional markets in the Americas and Europe, as well as Asian markets.

    Notably, the number of regional headquarters in Hong Kong increased to 1,410, representing a 5.5% rise.

    These impressive figures not only reflect Hong Kong’s attractiveness but also indicate that InvestHK’s efforts to draw investment to the city are bearing fruit.

    As of November, InvestHK had assisted over 500 companies in setting up or expanding their operations in Hong Kong in 2024, an increase of more than 50% year on year. 

    Companies that have established their headquarters in Hong Kong believe that the city’s advantages as a hub for capital, talent and technology are self-evident.

    KN Group Hong Kong Treasury Centre General Manager Lucas Kong highlighted that the city maintains its status as one of the world’s leading financial centres, boasting a mature and open financial market environment.

    “As a fintech company leveraging artificial intelligence in the financial sector, establishing our headquarters in Hong Kong significantly facilitates the expansion of our international operations,” he explained.

    Mr Kong also stressed that the robust economic incentives provided by the Hong Kong Government have been instrumental both in attracting businesses and fostering technological innovation.

    He added that while the company’s expansion has led to its liquidity structure becoming more decentralised, resulting in increased management costs, establishing a global corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong has allowed the business to centralise fund management and allocation, thereby reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.

    “This move is made possible by Hong Kong’s transparent and open business ecosystem, coupled with its favourable tax regime.”

    Many family offices are also zeroing in on Hong Kong as the Government’s various high-value talent attraction schemes make the city an enticing choice for such operations.

    One example of such a firm is the family office Glory, which engages in insurance and trusts.

    Glory’s Global CEO, Gao Yang, explained that while it operates in both Hong Kong and Singapore, many of its clients favour Hong Kong, due to the Government’s introduction of a range of flexible and practical talent admission polices for Chinese high-net-worth individuals. She said these initiatives provide a variety of pathways, enhancing Hong Kong’s appeal as a premier financial hub.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mainland extends condolences for victims of central Taiwan fire

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday expressed condolences for the victims of a fire in the city of Taichung in central Taiwan.
    Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks while also extending sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and those who were injured in the incident.
    A large fire broke out on Thursday afternoon at an incomplete warehouse in Taichung, killing nine and injuring eight.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Annual buzzword selection highlights changes in China, world

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    People try VR devices during the 11th China (Wuhu) Popularized Science Products Exposition in Wuhu, east China’s Anhui Province, Oct. 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Multiple organizations in China released the most popular Chinese characters and phrases of 2024 on Friday, offering insight into the evolving trends of the country and the world.
    The top ten domestic buzzwords feature five Chinese characters for “integration,” “intelligence,” “new,” “safety,” and “stability” as well as the terms of “new-quality productive force,” “Black Myth: Wukong,” “work fatigue,” “low-altitude economy” and “digital transformation.”
    These buzzwords refer to various dimensions of China’s domestic society, ranging from its integrated and innovative development powered by new-quality productive forces and digital transformation, to cultural and economic phenomena in 2024 such as video game hit “Black Myth: Wukong” and its burgeoning low-altitude economy including drone deliveries.
    The top ten global buzzwords are characters for “election,” “war,” “change,” “turbulence” and “nuclear” and the terms of “Paris Olympics,” “Global South,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “drones” and “Large Language Model.”
    The lists were compiled using an algorithm that analyzed a corpus of Chinese characters along with public recommendations, with final results confirmed by experts and researchers.
    A closer look at the list of popular buzzwords recommended by the public also presents a more panoramic view of Chinese people’s social psyche over the past year.
    Frequently used words such as “say no to mental exhaustion” and “20-minute park life” signify a desire for a relaxed lifestyle amid the quick pace of modern life. Words like “Altay,” a prefecture in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region made ultra-famous by a critically acclaimed TV drama series, and “ancient architecture tour” reveal the popular travel destinations of Chinese people in 2024.
    Among the recommendations, which are mostly in Chinese, the English expression of “China Travel” stands out, mirroring the country’s inbound travel boom buoyed by a series of facilitation policies and measures for foreigners.
    To welcome international visitors in the post-pandemic era, China has streamlined its visa application process, refined its immigration process to increase efficiency at border-control points, and made its payment services for international travelers more accessible and inclusive, among other efforts.
    According to official data, China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million visitors entered the country visa-free, marking a massive 123.3 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, the number of visa-free transit travelers surged by 132.9 percent year on year.
    With pride and love, “Beijing Central Axis” is also on the recommendation list as earlier this year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the “Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital” on its World Heritage List.
    The Central Axis runs north to south through the heart of old Beijing and consists of ancient landmarks such as the Bell and Drum Towers, Wanning Bridge, Jingshan Hill, and the Forbidden City.
    “The Beijing Central Axis is an important symbol that highlights the outstanding features of Chinese civilization,” said Li Qun, China’s deputy minister of culture and tourism, in an interview.
    Having been held for 19 consecutive years, this annual event is jointly organized by the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center, the Commercial Press, and other institutions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s financial institutions report 8% growth in total assets

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A file photo shows the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Total assets of China’s financial institutions had risen to 489.15 trillion yuan (about $68.03 trillion) by the end of third quarter this year, according to data released by the country’s central bank on Friday.

    The figure represented a year-on-year increase of 8%, said the People’s Bank of China.

    Of the total, the assets of the banking sector reached 439.52 trillion yuan, up 7.3% year on year, while the assets of securities institutions rose 8.7% year on year to 14.64 trillion yuan.

    The insurance sector’s assets jumped 18.3% year on year to 35 trillion yuan, the data showed.

    The liabilities of the financial institutions totaled 446.51 trillion yuan, up 8% year on year, according to central bank.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s wind power installed capacity sees expansion

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo shows a major onshore wind power project in northeast China’s Liaoning Province, on Dec. 30, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s installed capacity of wind power has continued to grow as the country accelerates its push for a green transition, official data showed Friday.

    Wind power installed capacity in the country reached 490 million kilowatts at the end of November, rising 19.2% year on year, according to data from the National Energy Administration.

    Solar power capacity surged 46.7% to about 820 million kilowatts last month, the data showed.

    China’s new energy industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, maintaining a double-digit annual growth rate.

    Since 2013, the country’s wind power installed capacity has grown sixfold, while that of solar power has surged more than 180 times. Annual new installations in China account for over 40% of the global total, making a significant contribution to the world’s green development.

    According to the Global Wind Energy Council, an international trade association for the wind power industry, China added 75 gigawatts of wind power installed capacity in 2023, accounting for nearly 65% of new wind power installed capacity worldwide.

    In a tone-setting annual economic work conference last week, China’s policymakers pledged to accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development next year.

    To achieve the country’s dual carbon goals, China will tighten control over the consumption of fossil fuels, work faster to develop a new energy system, and promote the integrated development of hydro, wind and solar power, said an official from the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xinjiang’s foreign trade hits record 403B yuan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This aerial photo taken on Sept. 10, 2022 shows China-Europe freight trains at the Alataw Pass, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The foreign trade value of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region rose by 26% year on year in the first 11 months of 2024, reaching a record 403.1 billion yuan (about $56.1 billion), according to local authorities.

    This is the first time the region’s foreign trade value has exceeded 400 billion yuan, Urumqi Customs said.

    Xinjiang’s trade with the five Central Asian countries grew by 6.9% year on year, accounting for 67.9% of the region’s total foreign trade during the same period. Meanwhile, trade with its largest trading partner, Kazakhstan, rose by 17.6% year on year.

    The region’s trade with ASEAN countries surged by 231% year on year, accounting for 8% of its total trade during the period.

    Established in November last year, the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, spanning Urumqi, Kashgar and Horgos, has supported the growth of trade businesses, with its trade reaching 162.9 billion yuan in the first 11 months of this year, accounting for 40.4% of the region’s total, according to the customs.

    Thanks to its unique geographic advantages, continuous improvements in the business environment and targeted services for enterprises, Xinjiang has achieved steady trade growth, said Li Qinghua, deputy head of Urumqi Customs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China solicits opinions on tax-related information rules concerning internet platform companies

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A File photo shows Meituan delivery personnel packaging the food in Jinan, capital city of east China’s Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese authorities on Friday began soliciting public opinions on rules to regulate internet platform companies’ submission of tax-related information about businesses and employees on their platforms.

    The rules aim to promote the healthy and orderly development of the country’s platform economy, according to the State Taxation Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation, which jointly drafted the rules.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Macao marks 25th anniversary of returning to motherland

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

    Macao marks 25th anniversary of returning to motherland

    Updated: December 21, 2024 10:07 Xinhua
    People pose for photos at the Senado Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. Friday marks the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist poses for photos in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. Friday marks the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows China’s national flag and the flag of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on the top of a taxi in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows a bus with a celebration sign in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People pose for photos at the Senado Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People pose for photos at the Golden Lotus Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People take selfies at the Golden Lotus Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows China’s national flags and the flags of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on a street in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People walk past lanterns on a street in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows the sunrise view in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows a night view of south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Kuliang forum held in Beijing to discuss China-US relations

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    More than 150 participants from China and the United States, including members of the Kuliang Friends, attended a forum on China-U.S. relations in Beijing on Friday.

    The 2024 Kuliang Forum included important topics such as striving for steady and sustained China-U.S. friendly exchanges and exploring correct ways for developing China-U.S. relations.

    The participants agreed to carry the Kuliang spirit forward to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. They also witnessed the launch of the official website of Kuliang Forum, release of the initiative for friendly exchanges among Chinese and American youth, and the initiation of the collection of stories of China-U.S. friendship and cooperation.

    The forum, themed “Bridging Cultural Differences, Inheriting Friendship and Trust”, was co-hosted by People’s Daily Digital Communication and Global Times.

    Kuliang is a hillside resort in the eastern suburbs of Fuzhou, capital city of east China’s Fujian Province. Since the 1880s, foreign expatriates residing in Fuzhou have built summer villas there, blending cultures and sentiment with local residents. Today, Kuliang continues to tell tales of friendship that has lasted for a century.

    In the United States, descendants of American families who once lived in Kuliang founded the group “Kuliang Friends” to extend the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges US to stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The United States needs to immediately stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory, close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and pull out of the base at Guantanamo as soon as possible, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

    Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on a related query at a daily press briefing.

    It is reported that U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the repatriation of a detainee from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and 29 detainees remain there. In recent years, successive U.S. administrations have promised multiple times they would close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, but still haven’t acted on it. Despite repeated protests from the Cuban government, the United States has unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay for over 120 years.

    Lin said the United States has long unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay, and carried out arbitrary detention and used torture to extort confessions at the detention facility there. “What the United States has done severely violates international law and undermines Cuba’s sovereignty and rights and interests.”

    The international community, including the UN, has more than once expressed concerns on this issue and asked the United States to close the detention facility there and treat the detainees justly as soon as possible, according to the spokesperson.

    The repeated failure of the United States to keep its promise of closing this U.S.-run “concentration camp” will only add another stain to the poor U.S. track record on human rights and expose the emptiness of U.S. commitment to human rights, said the spokesperson.

    The detention facility at Guantanamo Bay is Cuba’s protracted wound, and it is a living witness to more than a century of U.S. illegal interference in Cuba, Lin said, adding that the United States, while running massive arbitrary detention at Guantanamo, keeps Cuba on the list of so-called “state sponsor of terrorism.”

    “The whole world can see the hypocrisy and double standard in this,” he added.

    China firmly supports Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposes U.S. interference in Cuba’s internal affairs, Lin said, adding that the United States needs to stop the bullying and blockade on Cuba, give the Cuban people’s land back to them, and remove Cuba from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plans for new provisions to support pupils with complex Additional Support Needs

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Perth and Kinross Council’s Learning and Families Committee will be asked to consider the plans when it meets on Wednesday, January 29.

    Almost 7000 children and young people in Perth and Kinross Council schools have been identified as having additional support needs, almost four out of every 10 pupils (39%). 

    This is an increase of over 750 children and young people since 2021.

     Currently, PKC has fifteen Intensive Support Provisions (ISPs) across nine primary and six secondary schools, serving 300 children aged 5 to 18.

    A feasibility study highlighted the need for more ISP placements and better geographical distribution to improve educational and social experiences for children and young people and reduce travel costs.

    A report to the committee recommends creating eight new ISPs through recently announced Scottish Government funding and redistribution of existing Perth and Kinross Council resources.

    This will mean all children and young people who need this type of education provision will be able to do so closer to their homes, enabling them to build better community connections for the future.

    Other options for consideration include maintaining existing provision or creating additional ISPs through the redistribution of existing resources. Both options would maintain ISP placements at current levels.

    If the proposed plan to create eight new ISPs is approved, it will be implemented in three phases over the next four years.

    The first will see the development of ISPs at Kinross High School, Perth High School and a primary school within the Perth Academy catchment area once statutory consultations are completed.

    Phases two and three will see the creation of a further five ISPs.

    Councillor John Rebbeck, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s Learning and Families Committee said: “Many of our ISPs are over-capacity and we know the number of children with complex additional support needs who require intensive-level learning opportunities is rising.

    “We want to give every child the best start in life so they can fulfil their potential and creating new ISPs will help ensure all our children receive the education they need and deserve.

    “The development is part of our Additional Support Needs (ASN) Transformation Programme which aims to significantly improve the educational experience for children and young people with additional support needs in Perth and Kinross.

    “We know there are still many challenges ahead but I believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction. The programme’s vision is to help these children thrive, gain independence, and lead fulfilling lives by ensuring they can access the best possible learning environment and support whilst in Perth and Kinross Council Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings or schools.

    “Access to education and learning close to their home communities will help our children and young people with complex needs to reach their potential”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Andrei Rudskoy took part in a meeting chaired by Russian Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On January 23, a meeting on the participation of universities in ensuring technological leadership and developing engineering education was held at the Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University under the chairmanship of Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation. The meeting was addressed by the Rector of SPbPU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrei Rudskoy.

    The meeting was attended by the governors of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Education, university rectors and heads of companies in the shipbuilding and related industries. The participants examined issues related to the role of universities in the formation of a system of research, development and production of high-tech products.

    Aide to the President of Russia, Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board Nikolay Patrushev noted in his speech that in order to achieve technological sovereignty and technological superiority, the domestic industry needs to reduce the timeframes for developing and implementing new technologies in production, as well as eliminate problems associated with the specifics of certification processes. He emphasized the importance of developing various technical and technological areas, including the production of low- and medium-speed engines, robotics and instrumentation.

    Nikolay Patrushev also touched upon the issue of training highly qualified engineering personnel. He emphasized that increasing the number of scientists, researchers and engineers in the total number of workforces is a key factor for achieving technological sovereignty.

    In turn, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Valery Falkov, presented the results of monitoring the quality of admission to HSE universities and reported on the growth of interest in engineering education in recent years.

    Rector of SPbPU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy presented the model of “Qualified Partnership” in his report. He noted that the university, regularly performing R&D, generates new knowledge. At the next stage, due to the introduction of digital platforms in the performance of R&D, knowledge is accumulated and competencies are formed.

    Effective actions based on knowledge and technology allow us to form a scientific and technological reserve on a systemic basis, which characterizes a qualified performer. A breakthrough, in fact, an exit to another level of development, is associated with the formulation of frontier engineering tasks by a qualified customer. This is how globally competitive market products are created – this is what real innovations consist of. Particular attention is paid to the transfer of knowledge through a new educational model with variable terms of basic educational programs, – Andrey Rudskoy emphasized.

    Andrey Ivanovich drew the attention of the audience to the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin set the task of creating a new model of education based on the foundations of the domestic system, which is distinguished by an optimal ratio of fundamentality and practical orientation of training. Mathematics and physics are of key importance, allowing the formation of logical thinking in schoolchildren, a scientific view of the world and creating the basis for future fundamental training in any field of activity.

    Andrey Ivanovich noted that today the task of ensuring technological leadership is becoming vital for Russia. It is necessary to create a reliable foundation – well-prepared applicants to engineering universities. To this end, the standards of the current advanced level of studying mathematics and physics should become mandatory in secondary school.

    It is obvious that the need for mathematics and science teachers in schools will increase significantly, and this requires prompt decisions. In 2024, we launched a joint project of SPbPU and the Herzen State Pedagogical University to combine the competencies of the two universities in training physics teachers within the framework of a network educational program. The participation of the Polytechnic University in this program contributed to the development of specialized competencies of future physics teachers, including through the use of the material base of SPbPU. And this year, we are launching a unique master’s program with the assignment of two qualifications in the areas of training “Applied Mathematics and Physics” and “Pedagogical Education”, which will help compensate for the shortage of physics and mathematics teachers, – said Andrey Rudskoy.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for International Chinese New Year Night Parade and Chinese New Year fireworks display

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Transport Department (TD) today (January 27) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the Chinese New Year (January 29) and the Chinese New Year fireworks display at Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Chinese New Year (January 30).
     
    (I)       International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of Chinese New Year
     
    Road closures
     
         In connection with the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm on the first day of the Chinese New Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases on roads in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, including the Parade route along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road, and the section of Salisbury Road between Chatham Road South and Star Ferry Pier, from 3.30pm until the reopening of roads at about 11.45pm. During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.
     
    Public transport services arrangements
     

    In connection with the road closure arrangements, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
     
    Services on MTR lines, including Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, South Island Line and East Rail Line, will be strengthened subject to passenger demand; and
     
    For cross-boundary coach services, the en-route stop of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port at China Ferry Terminal Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 3pm.

     
    (II)       Chinese New Year fireworks display on the second day of Chinese New Year
     
    Road closures
     
         In connection with the holding of the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour at 8pm on the second day of Chinese New Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in Central District, Wan Chai and Eastern District on Hong Kong Island from about 5.30pm. Moreover, the section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Man Hong Street and Victoria Park Road will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (except for franchised buses) from 7.45pm until the reopening of roads.
     
         In Kowloon, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from about 5pm in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District until the crowd disperses and the roads reopen.
         
         During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.
               
    Public transport service arrangements
     

    In connection with road closure arrangements, the bus and GMB routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
     
    MTR services on the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
     
    The frequency of tram services will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
     
    Star Ferry, Sun Ferry, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Discovery Bay Transportation Services, Park Island Transport and Fortune Ferry will gradually adjust and suspend parts of their services from 6.20pm on the second day of the Chinese New Year to facilitate the holding of the fireworks display; and
     
    For the short-haul cross-boundary coach services to Huanggang Port, the following temporary stopping arrangements will be implemented:

    The terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 4.30pm until the reopening of roads, and a temporary terminus will be provided on Hennessy Road westbound near Southorn Centre; and
    A temporary pick-up point for the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port will be added at the coach pick-up and drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station from 8pm to 11pm; the en-route stop of this service at China Ferry Terminal Public Transport Interchange will also be suspended from about 7pm.

    ​
    Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System services
     
         The service of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on the second day of Chinese New Year will be extended to 2am on the following day.
     
         Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Hong Kong Island North (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the Island Eastern Corridor), the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District in Kowloon, and the Cross Harbour Tunnel as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel, will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
         
         Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. Subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas, the Police may adjust the traffic arrangements. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application “HKeMobility”.
     
         For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application “HKeMobility”. Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements for Lunar New Year fireworks display

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements on both sides of Victoria Harbour on January 30 (Thursday) to facilitate the public to watch the Lunar New Year fireworks display.
     
    Kowloon
    ——-
     
    Crowd safety management measures in Tsim Sha Tsui
    ————————————————-
     
         Police will implement crowd safety management measures in Yau Tsim District and Hung Hom Waterfront Promenade, including pedestrianising roads at Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom Waterfront Promenade in phases.
     
         Depending on the prevailing crowd situation, Police will implement safety measures within the pedestrianised area including the closure of pedestrian subways and putting up barriers. One-way flow will be applied on overcrowded footbridges and in the vicinity of the waterfront promenade. If necessary, restrictions on access to MTR stations will be put into force by the MTR Corporation.
     
         The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the vicinity of the Clock Tower, and the Avenue of Stars are known to be popular gathering and vantage points. If these areas are saturated, the crowd will be diverted to other areas.
     
         At present, there are some construction works at West Kowloon Cultural District. The contractors have erected hoardings and barriers to seal off the area concerned with relevant notices displayed. Members of the public are urged not to enter these construction sites nor climb or lean against the barriers.
     
         Members of the public should follow the instructions given by Police officers and take heed of Police signage and broadcasts at scene.
     
    Special traffic arrangements
    —————————-
     
         The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented by phases, until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are safe for re-opening:
     
    A. Road closure
     
         The following roads will be closed, except for vehicles with permit:
     
    Phase I (from 5pm onwards)
     
    – Salisbury Road and Salisbury Road Underpass between Cheong Wan Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
    – Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Metropolis Drive;
    – Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Hom Road;
    – Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
    – Southbound Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Granville Road, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);
    – Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;
    – Canton Road between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
    – Southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
    – Northbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Salisbury Road;
    – Southbound Nathan Road between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
    – Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Nathan Road;
    – Hong Wan Path;
    – Mody Lane;
    – Mody Road;
    – Mody Square;
    – Granville Square;
    – Minden Row;
    – Hanoi Road;
    – Bristol Avenue;
    – Minden Avenue;
    – Blenheim Avenue;
    – Hart Avenue;
    – Prat Avenue;
    – Humphreys Avenue;
    – Cameron Road;
    – Cameron Lane;
    – Hau Fuk Street;
    – Middle Road;
    – Peking Road;
    – Lock Road;
    – Hankow Road;
    – Ashley Road;
    – Ichang Street; and
    – Haiphong Road.
     
         During the above road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Road will be directed from Hung Hom Bypass to Cheong Tung Road South roundabout;
    – Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive cannot turn right to southbound Hung Hom Bypass;
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Bypass must turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;
    – Traffic along westbound Cheong Wan Road leading to Chatham Road South must turn right to northbound Chatham Road South or go straight to westbound Austin Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;
    – Franchised buses and GMBs along southbound Chatham Road South must turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
    – Franchised buses along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Public Square Street or westbound Jordan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Canton Road must make a U-turn to northbound Canton Road outside China Hong Kong City;
    – Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Kowloon Park Drive;
    – Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn right to Peking Road;
    – Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be re-routed to one-way eastbound, while traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be instructed to turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
    – Traffic along Science Museum Road cannot turn to Mody Road and Granville Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Salisbury Road near Hong Chong Road will be diverted to Tsim Sha Tsui East; and
    – Traffic along eastbound Granville Road near Chatham Road South must turn left to northbound Chatham Road South.
     
    Phase II (from 5.30pm onwards)
     
    – Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Gateway Boulevard; and
    – Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive.
     
    Phase III (from 6pm onwards)
     
    – Museum Drive;
    – Cultural Drive;
    – The slip road of eastbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to westbound Austin Road West near The Harbourside;
    – The slip road of westbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to eastbound Austin Road West near Xiqu Centre; and
    – The left lane of westbound Austin Road West leading to Austin Road West roundabout.
     
         During the above road closure period, traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road cannot enter Museum Drive.
     
    Phase IV (from 7.45pm onwards)
     
    – Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;
    – Canton Road between Austin Road West and Kowloon Park Drive;
    – Nathan Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road;
    – Eastbound Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
    – Tak Shing Street between Tak Hing Street and Nathan Road;
    – Southbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Granville Road;
    – Pine Tree Hill Road;
    – Hillwood Road;
    – Carnarvon Road between Kimberley Road and Granville Road;
    – Shun Yee Street;
    – Granville Circuit;
    – Northbound Chatham Road South between Observatory Road and Granville Road;
    – Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Observatory Road;
    – Kimberley Street; and
    – Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South.
     
         During the above road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
    – Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Jordan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Nathan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Austin Road and southbound Cox’s Road cannot turn to Pine Tree Hill Road;
    – Traffic along Observatory Road cannot turn left to westbound Kimberley Street;
    – Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn right to eastbound Bowring Street;
    – Traffic along eastbound Bowring Street will be diverted via northbound Pilkem Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Canton Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road or westbound Austin Road West;
    – Traffic along eastbound Austin Road West cannot turn right to southbound Canton Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Jordan Road heading for Nga Cheung Road will be directed to Kowloon Station Public Transport Interchange;
    – Traffic along westbound Austin Road West will be diverted to northbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road; and
    – Traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road West.
     
    Contingency plan
     
         If necessary, the following roads will be closed:
     
    – Hung Luen Road between Wa Shun Street and Hung Lok Road;
    – Oi King Street; and
    – Kin Wan Street.
     
         During the above road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to eastbound Wa Shun Street;
    – Traffic along westbound Wa Shun Street must turn right to eastbound Hung Luen Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Lok Road cannot turn left to eastbound Hung Luen Road; and
    – Traffic along eastbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to northbound Hung Lok Road.
     
    B. Suspension of bus termini
     
         The Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus will be suspended from 5pm.
     
         The Star Ferry Bus Terminus will be suspended from 5.30pm.

         The China Hong Kong City Bus Terminus will be suspended from 7pm.
     
    C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
         All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces within the closed areas will be suspended from noon to 3am of the following day.
     
    D. Suspension of car parks
     
         During the implementation of the special traffic arrangements, vehicles cannot enter or leave the car parks within the closed road area in Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon Cultural District from 5pm and 6pm respectively, until the roads are safe for re-opening.
     
    Hong Kong Island
    —————-
     
    A. Road closure
     
         Expo Drive East at the north of Expo Drive outside Golden Bauhinia Square, including the pick-up and drop-off areas, will be closed from 3pm.
     
         The following roads will be closed from 5.30pm:
     
    Central District
    —————-
    – Man Kwong Street;
    – Man Fai Street;
    – Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Man Po Street; and
    – Unnamed Road near Lung Wo Road outside General Post Office metered parking spaces.
     
    Central – Wan Chai Bypass
    ————————-
    – The slip road linking eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass to Expo Drive;
    – The slip road linking Lung Wo Road to eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass; and
    – The slip road linking westbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass to Lung Wo Road.
     
    Wan Chai
    ——–
    – Eastbound Fenwick Pier Street;
    – Lung King Street;
    – Eastbound Harbour Road;
    – Expo Drive;
    – Expo Drive Central;
    – Expo Drive East;
    – Lung Wo Road between Lung Hop Street and Fleming Road;
    – Lung Tat Path;
    – Convention Avenue;
    – Fleming Road flyover;
    – Fleming Road between Expo Drive East and Harbour Road;
    – Northbound Tonnochy Road between Harbour Road and Hung Hing Road;
    – Southbound Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
    – Marsh Road between Gloucester Road and Hung Hing Road;
    – Marsh Road flyover;
    – Hung Hing Road;
    – Hung Hing Road flyover;
    – Wan Shing Street;
    – Wan Ying Street; and
    – The slip road leading from eastbound Victoria Park Road to Causeway Bay Promenade.
     
         The following roads will be closed from 6.45pm:
     
    Central District
    —————-
    – Yiu Sing Street;
    – Lung Wo Road between Man Yiu Street and Lung Hop Street;
    – Tim Wa Avenue;
    – Legislative Council Road;
    – Tim Mei Avenue;
    – Lung Wui Road;
    – Lung Hop Street;
    – Unnamed road between Harcourt Road and Performing Arts Avenue;
    – Performing Arts Avenue; and
    – Edinburgh Place.
     
    Wan Chai
    ——–
    – Tonnochy Road flyover;
    – Northbound Tonnochy Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
    – Harbour Drive;
    – Westbound Harbour Road;
    – Northbound Fleming Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
    – Fenwick Pier Street flyover;
    – Westbound Fenwick Pier Street; and
    – Fenwick Street between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road.
     
    Eastern District
    —————-
    – Watson Road;
    – King Ming Road;
    – Hing Fat Street northward of Whitfield Road;
    – Whitfield Road; and
    – Electric Road between Watson Road and Gordon Road.
     
         The following roads will be closed from 7.45pm:
     
    Central District
    —————-
    – Man Yiu Street between Man Cheung Street and Man Po Street;
    – Man Po Street; and
    – Finance Street between Man Yiu Street and Man Po Street.
     
    Wan Chai
    ——–
    – Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road between Percival Street and Luard Road;
    – Southbound Luard Road between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
    – O’Brien Road;
    – Fleming Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road; and
    – Stewart Road, Tonnochy Road, Marsh Road, Canal Road West and Canal Road East between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road.
     
    Eastern District (except for franchised buses)
    ———————————————-
    – Westbound Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street;
    – The slip roads leading from Healthy Street Central and Tong Shui Road to westbound IEC;
    – The entrance of westbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel from IEC.
     
    B. Traffic diversions
     
         In connection with the road closure as mentioned above, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
         From 5.30pm:
     
         Rumsey Street between Chung Kong Road and Connaught Road Central will be re-routed to one-way southbound.
     
         From 7.45pm:
     
    – Traffic along westbound IEC will be diverted via Man Hong Street;
    – Traffic along slip road of Tong Shui Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Wharf Road; and
    – Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West flyover will be diverted via Finance Street.
     
    C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
         All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces within the above closed areas will be suspended from 10am, until the roads are safe for re-opening.
     
    D. Suspension of bus termini and public transport interchange
     
         Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange and Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus will be suspended from 4.30pm.
     
         Causeway Bay (Whitfield Road) Bus Terminus will be suspended from 6pm.
     
    E. Suspension of car parks
     
         Vehicles parked in car parks within the above closed areas in North Point, Wan Chai and Central District will not be permitted to enter or leave during the road closure period.
     
         If necessary, the car parks on westbound Gloucester Road between Paterson Street and Percival Street will be closed without prior notice.
     
         Police will continue to enforce traffic regulations during the Lunar New Year period. All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing. 
     
         Actual implementation of traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience, and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Discusses Increasing Support for Ag Community in Confirmation Hearing with Brooke Rollins 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) questioned Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during her confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Ag). During the hearing, Senator Tuberville asked about Rollins’ plans to bolster global competitiveness of the American agriculture industry, improve federal forest management, and increase support for natural disaster assistance programs.
    As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Ag Committee, Senator Tuberville is committed to ensuring Alabama’s farmers, foresters, and producers have a seat at the table in the Trump administration.
    Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, and his full remarks can be viewed on YouTube or Rumble.

    TUBERVILLE OPENING REMARKS
    TUBERVILLE: “Mrs. Rollins, who would have ever known? Thirty years ago, I’m a young coach at Texas A&M, and you’re Student Body President.”
    ROLLINS: “That’s true.”
    TUBERVILLE: “First time we ever met.”
    ROLLINS: “And we sat next to each other in lots of meetings. That’s exactly right.”
    TUBERVILLE: “And look where we’re at now, huh?”
    ROLLINS: “I know, I know. It’s an amazing thing.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Congratulations. Congratulations.”
    ROLLINS: “Thank you, sir. Thank you.”
    ON ROLLINS’ PLANS TO BOLSTER COMMODITY PRICES
    TUBERVILLE: “You’re going to be awesome. But I don’t want to sugar coat this because my farmers back home are hurting.”
    ROLLINS: “Yes sir.”
    TUBERVILLE: “We’re in trouble. Our farmers are in trouble. Small farmers [are] selling right and left. I’ve got a bill on the floor—actually I dropped it yesterday—about keeping foreign adversaries from buying our farmland. We’re selling it right and left. But I don’t blame them because they can’t make a profit.”
    ROLLINS: “Mhm.” 
    TUBERVILLE: “Row croppers in my state of Alabama are really getting killed. Cotton farmers last year—the input cost was about $400 an acre. They might of got a $100 an acre out of their crop last year. That’s the reason we had to do a supplemental right before Christmas. My phone was ringing off the wall. We have got to help our farmers, but they hate handouts. I’ll tell you that right now—they hate it because they want to do their own work. So I’m glad you understand that—being from Texas, you understand it.” 
    ROLLINS: “Yes sir. Yes sir.”
    TUBERVILLE: “It is a dire problem. And it’s not going to get fixed overnight. I’m looking forward to seeing who your team is going to be around you. […]
    So, we have to get input costs down. That’s not your job. Six, seven years ago, a cotton picker cost six or seven hundred thousand [dollars] in Alabama. Today, it’s $1.5 million.”
    ROLLINS: “Yes sir.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Fertilizer’s gone sky high after the Ukraine war. I mean, it’s embarrassing to where we’ve got. There’s a $45-billion-trade deficit in ag. $45 billion. And the only way that we can get commodity prices back up is handle that trade deficit though, that being said, we need dialogue. If confirmed, will you commit on doing dialogue with President Trump and the people around ag to get our farmers an opportunity to have a better price for their crop?”
    ROLLINS: “Yes, I will, Senator. I so look forward to that. I think one of the things I read recently that only 43% of our ag producers are net-income positive. That is unsustainable. We have to find a better way and it can’t come always through government subsidies. We’ve got to expand the market, we’ve got to figure out input costs. One of President Trump’s top priorities was food inflation. Well, this comes before food inflation because this itself will drive the cost of food down if we do our jobs and if we’re able to produce for our ag community the way that, Coach, I believe that we can working together.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah, what we don’t want to happen is what’s happened to our drug industry. You know, we found in COVID, we look around [thinking] how do we keep people, get people healthy, and all the drugs are made in China. We’re going to end up in the same situation if we don’t wake up and smell the roses. It’s going to happen. Again, people are selling right and left and you can’t blame them. Our small farms are going to end up being corporations like the packing houses. We only got what, like three companies now that are meat packers—and one of them’s owned by China. We’re headed in a direction of unknowns, and it’s going to take leadership from your office back on the right track.”
    ON ROLLINS’ PLAN TO IMPROVE FEDERAL FORESTS
    TUBERVILLE: “Our forest industry in my state—$36 billion a year [in economic benefits]. With the USDA Forest Service under your purview, what priorities do you have for the health of our forests across the country? Not just in Alabama, but we have to continue that to make sure we have healthy wood because it is something that we’re very proud of.”
    ROLLINS: “I know that’s really important to Alabama and many of the other states that are represented here and across the United States Senate. My commitment is to hire an “A++” team. We’ve already announced our Undersecretary Mike Boren for this position. I have great faith in his leadership. He is a businessman, and I think bringing to the table—hopefully with a quick confirmation process from all of you—he will bring to the table a team that will take our great firefighters in the forest service and hopefully, realign and reorganize in a way that makes the forest service—including forest management—more productive, more efficient, more effective, so that we don’t have the issues that we’ve had in these last number of years and especially for our great producers in your state and other states.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Key word: forest management—[two key] words. We’ve got to manage our forests, do it the right way. The American people across the country that are not in this business don’t—they shouldn’t have to pay for the mistakes that we make.”
    ROLLINS: “Correct.”
    TUBERVILLE: “We’re broke. We’re $36 trillion in debt, and it’s getting worse every day. We’re printing $80,000 a second, by the way, and we can’t sustain that. [The] government is way too big.”
    ON GIVING SWIFT, FAIR, NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF TO FARMERS
    TUBERVILLE: “Disaster relief. Disaster relief. If we’ve had problems with tornadoes or floods or whatever in my state, it takes at least three years at times to get any kind of disaster relief. Three years. And you know as well as I do, farmers borrow money from banks for a crop, and those bankers are looking around going, ‘Where’s our money?’ ‘Well, we’re waiting for disaster relief.’ The bankers shouldn’t have to deal with that, nor should the farmers. But, I think there has to be a better plan for that at the end of the day. And again, I’m throwing all your problems out to you, probably don’t want to hear that, but we got a lot of problems that need to be fixed.”
    ROLLINS: “Well Senator—Coach—I believe that you and I have had a conversation with our Commander in Chief, and the fact that it is taking three years to get relief will be unacceptable to him. It is unacceptable to me, and I look forward to working with you to ensure that we do better—much much better than that.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Good luck.”
    ROLLINS: “Thank you, sir. Thank you.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Opinion piece: Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn with Labor’s tax cuts

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Exactly a year ago this Saturday, the Prime Minister and I announced a controversial but important decision to provide every Australian taxpayer a tax cut to help with the cost of living.

    One year on and I can say without hesitation that it’s the policy I’m proudest of as Treasurer.

    Every taxpayer is better off as a result of the decision we took 12 months ago, not just some, and those benefits will be even bigger from July this year.

    New numbers just released show there will be even more money on average in the pockets of every taxpayer next financial year.

    Fourteen million taxpayers across the country have already received a tax cut under Labor’s plan since July last year.

    By the end of this financial year, around 84 per cent of all taxpayers will have received a bigger tax cut compared to Scott Morrison’s proposal from 5 years ago.

    And nearly 3 million people earning less than $45,000 who were going to miss out completely under the Liberals and Nationals are getting a tax cut under Labor.

    Whether you’re a nurse, a truckie, a teacher or a tradie, Labor’s plan is all about helping you earn more and keep more of what you earn.

    New figures show that with higher wages under the Albanese government, chances are your tax cut will be even bigger next financial year.

    Due to stronger wages growth under your Labor government, tax cuts will grow from $1,888 this financial year to $1,944 on average next year – putting more money back into workers’ pockets.

    It’s a meaningful increase because it shows we’re making welcome progress on the economy after a wasted decade under the Liberals and Nationals.

    A truckie earning $72,800 in this financial year, whose income grows to $75,600 in 2025–26, would get a tax cut of $1,569 next financial year compared to $1,499 this financial year.

    A nurse earning $72,300 in this financial year, whose income grows to $75,500 in 2025–26, would get a tax cut of $1,567 next year compared to $1,487 this year.

    A teacher earning $85,600 in this financial year, whose income grows to $87,800 in 2025–26, would get a tax cut of $1,874 in 2025–26 compared to $1,819 in 2024–25.

    We’re giving every Australian taxpayer a tax cut at the same time as we’re getting wages moving again, fighting inflation and creating jobs.

    Wages growth has picked up and on average, wages are growing at almost double the rate they were under our predecessors.

    Inflation was high and rising under the Liberals, it’s much lower under Labor.

    At the election, inflation was 6.1 per cent, it’s now 2.8 per cent.

    More than 1.1 million jobs have been created since the election and unemployment has remained low at 4 per cent.

    The combination of tax cuts, moderating inflation, wage and employment growth means real household incomes per person are also growing again.

    They were going backwards 1.6 per cent when we came to office.

    That means Australians are earning more and keeping more under Anthony Albanese and Australian Labor but all of this substantial progress is at risk under Peter Dutton and the Liberals.

    The Deputy Liberal leader is on the record saying that if the Coalition wins the next election, they will ‘absolutely’ unwind our tax cuts.

    If Peter Dutton and the Coalition really cared about the cost of living, they would have supported our cost‑of‑living relief but they didn’t and they don’t.

    They want Australians to work longer for less.

    The biggest risk to household budgets, jobs and wages is a Peter Dutton‑led Coalition government.

    Only this week we’ve seen Peter Dutton wants to make families worse off to pay for tax breaks for long lunches and golf days for bosses.

    The contrast couldn’t be clearer – we’re for tax cuts for workers and energy bill relief for families, they’re for taxpayer funded long lunches and golf days.

    The Liberals are all about waste and rorts and Labor is all about responsible economic management and that’s reflected in our decision to give a tax cut to every taxpayer to help with the cost of living.

    No matter what you earn or where you live throughout Australia, you deserve your tax cut.

    That’s what we’re delivering because of the important decision we took a year ago, and that’s why we’re proud of the even bigger tax cuts you’ll get next financial year.

    Our aim in all of this is to find the best way to help ease the cost of living for the biggest number of people in the most responsible way and that’s what we’re doing with tax cuts for every taxpayer, strong and sustainable wages growth and more jobs for more Australians.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Nearly $1.2 Million Settlement with Valley Rock Foundation for Self-Dealing Transactions

    Source: US State of California

    Thursday, January 23, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a nearly $1.2 million settlement against the Valley Rock Foundation, formerly, Edward A. Keith Foundation, and its directors Celeste White and Dr. Robert White (Whites). The settlement resolves allegations that the directors engaged in self-dealing transactions, unjust enrichment, and breach of fiduciary duty for improper personal benefits from the Foundation’s charitable assets. The Whites do not admit liability in the settlement agreement.   

    “At the California of Justice, we are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of charitable organizations and will hold any individual or entity accountable that misuses charity funds for personal enrichment,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This settlement sends a clear message: Those who abuse their positions and exploit charitable resources for personal gain will be held fully responsible for their wrongdoings.”  

    The settlement resolves concerns that the Whites breached their fiduciary obligation to act in the best interest of their charitable organization. An investigation by the Attorney General’s Office revealed that the Whites made improvements to their personal real property (Barn), and to their condominium in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, using charitable assets. The investigation also showed that the defendants allegedly formed Veritas Refuge to acquire and manage the real estate assets of the Foundation. The expenses of the Veritas Refuge, however, do not appear on the Foundation’s IRS Form 990-PFs, resulting in a lack of transparency to our office and the public.

    Under the terms of the settlement, the Whites must adhere to the following: 

    • The Foundation will be required to dissolve, and any assets left after the payment of fees and expenses will be distributed to Westmont College, the named beneficiary of the Foundation upon dissolution.
    • One of the Whites will resign as a director of the Foundation, and the President of Westmont College will be appointed to the board as an independent director. 
    • The Foundation will make a set of final grants totaling $10 million towards the opening of a community-use area in Yountville, the rehabilitation and development of two churches in the Napa area, and the renovation of campus facility buildings at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. 
    • The Foundation will contribute $997,571 to ImpactAssets, Inc. This amount is to resolve flood damage claims related to the Whites’ Lake Tahoe property and fire damage claims at the Barn that led to a loss of use of charitable assets for their intended charitable purpose. The payments are restricted to specifically benefit residents of California. 
    • Pay the California Department of Justice $150,000 in attorneys’ fees, investigatory costs, and settlement of claims. 

    A copy of the settlement can be found here.  

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement from a DHS Spokesperson on Directive Expanding Immigration Law Enforcement

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    WASHINGTON – Today, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued a directive essential to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to carry out mass deportations.

    The directive gives Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement officials in the U.S. Marshals, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons authority to investigate and apprehend illegal aliens.

    “Thanks to the last Administration’s open border policies, we’ve seen violent criminals and gang members terrorize American communities. Today’s action empowers law enforcement officials at the DOJ to help identify and apprehend aliens who have illegally come into our country. Mobilizing these law enforcement officials will help fulfill President Trump’s promise to the American people to carry out mass deportations. For decades, efforts to find and apprehend illegal aliens have not been given proper resources. This is a major step in fixing that problem.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 01/23/2025 Blackburn, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act as U.S. Withholds Funding to WADA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representatives John Moolenar (R-Mich.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) released the following statements after introducing the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act. This legislation would permanently provide the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) the authority to withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if the organization fails to operate as a fair and independent actor to ensure athletes are competing in drug-free Olympic and Paralympic Games.
    The U.S. is currently withholding funding from WADA after new details emerged about the agency’s complicity in covering up the wrongdoing of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug before the 2021 Olympics. WADA has threatened to remove the U.S. from a position on its Executive Committee for withholding funding.
    “Since details of the Chinese doping scandal emerged, the World Anti-Doping Agency has tried to intimidate advocates for fair play at every single turn, and its officials have also stonewalled and lied to Congress,” said Senator Blackburn. “My colleagues and I have a message for WADA, the IOC, and any other international organization who tries to strong arm the United States: we are calling your bluff, and we won’t be silenced in our mission to promote fair play in sports. There must be real oversight and accountability at WADA, and that starts by passing this legislation.” 
    “Both our Olympians and the public should have confidence that all athletes competing in the Olympic Games are held to the same standards. But for too long we’ve lacked that assurance, due to WADA’s failure to provide transparency and accountability when it comes to enforcing anti-doping measures,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will help restore faith that athletes from around the world are playing on a fair and level field and ensure the integrity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
    “This bipartisan legislation builds on the U.S. funding freeze for WADA by delivering substantive accountability and reform,” said the Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Representative Moolenaar. “Athletes deserve a fair and level playing field, and this bill ensures transparency and supports clean competition in international sports.”
    “Athletes and spectators across the globe must be able to trust that we have a level playing field for all levels of sports, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the CCP, Representative Krishnamoorthi. “Our Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act will help free the sports world from performance-enhancing drugs by ensuring anti-doping standards are properly enforced, thereby protecting the integrity of the highest levels of competition for clean athletes around the world.”
    Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) also co-sponsored this legislation.

    ENDORSEMENTS:

    This legislation is endorsed by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Joel Rosinbum, and Greta Neimanas.
    “Athletes can wait no longer for change at WADA. Now is the moment. We thank the U.S. Government for protecting the rights of athletes and fair sport by withholding funding from WADA to encourage accountability. We also commend Senator Marsha Blackburn, and the many other champions of clean sport in Congress, for the reintroduction of the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act. Passage of this legislation will be especially important since the U.S. is hosting many major events over the next decade, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” – Travis Tygart, CEO, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
    “As part of the Team USA Athletes Commission leadership team, I’m proud to support this important legislative effort. Fair play is the foundation of sport, and every athlete deserves to compete on a level playing field. The Restoring Confidence in WADA Act is a positive step toward meaningful reform, but real change requires a global commitment to clean sport. We need every nation that values fairness to step up and do their part, alongside WADA, to ensure our athletes can trust the integrity of their competitions.” – Joel Rosinbum, Team USA Athletes’ Commission Leadership Member
    “I am grateful that members of Congress are supporting Team USA athletes by introducing the Restoring Confidence in WADA Act. For far too long, WADA has been inefficient and, as of late, incapable of ensuring fair competition and clean sport, with the Russian ice skating and Chinese swimming scandals as the most recent examples. The ONDCP should be empowered to push for much-needed reforms within WADA and be able to withhold the United States’ financial contributions to WADA until they implement change.” – Greta Neimanas, Paralympian and Team USA Athletes’ Commission Leadership Member

    BACKGROUND:

    Last year, reporting revealed that more than two dozen Chinese swimmers tested positive for performance enhancing drugs one month before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency secretly cleared the swimmers of the doping.
    When WADA learned of these positive tests, the agency chose not to intervene or require China to follow WADA rules. Over a dozen of these swimmers competed in the 2021 Olympic Games, winning several medals, including gold.
    Last summer, new reporting revealed two additional Chinese swimmers – including one who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics – tested positive in 2022 for a banned drug but were secretly cleared of doping by Chinese authorities.

    RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY ACT:

    The Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act would allow the ONDCP to withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to WADA. The U.S. is the WADA’s greatest contributor, which makes this a powerful tool. 
    The bill would also authorize ONDCP to use all available tools to ensure that WADA fully implements all governance reforms, including a proper conflict-of-interest policy, and that independent athletes from the United States and other democratic countries, or representatives of such athletes, have a decision-making role on WADA’s Executive Committee and governing bodies.
    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –