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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Cryptocurrency investigations in focus of workshop for practitioners from Kazakhstan

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

    Headline: Cryptocurrency investigations in focus of workshop for practitioners from Kazakhstan

    Participants of a workshop on cryptocurrency investigations held in Astana, Kazakhstan (OSCE) Photo details

    From 22 to 24 October, the OSCE hosted the second workshop on cryptocurrency investigations in Astana, Kazakhstan. The intermediary workshop gathered more than thirty practitioners from the Asset Recovery Committee, the Financial Monitoring Agency, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Prosecutor’s General Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
    “Criminal use of virtual assets has become one of the most discussed problems of the financial system and for the economic security of most countries,” said Mr. Murat Tuleganov, the Head of the Office of the Asset Recovery Committee. “This highlights the critical need for capacity building of practitioners in order to identify, trace and effectively seize cryptocurrencies used for criminal activities,” he added.
    Through real-life case studies, participants had the opportunity to learn about various steps in the investigation process including identification of the perpetrator, analysis of basic transactions, gathering evidence, reporting of suspicious transactions, and freezing and suspending cryptocurrency assets.
    The workshop also covered how to effectively communicate with other institutions and the private sector throughout the investigation process, including with international counterparts.
    This workshop was organized within the framework of the extra-budgetary project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The project is financially supported by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Report calls for urgent action to reverse soil degradation in Europe

    Source: European Union 2

    Launched today at the EU Soil Observatory Stakeholder Forum, the 2024 State of Soils in Europe report assesses the state of soil degradation across the EU and other countries in the European Economic Area, including Ukraine, Türkiye, and the Western Balkans. The report shows alarming status and trends, with soil degradation getting much worse in recent years, and highlights the need for immediate action to reverse this trend. 

    For example, overall soil erosion is estimated to amount to 1 billion tonnes per year across the EU. At present date, approximately a quarter (24%) of EU soils are affected by water erosion, mainly in cropland, with projections referring to a possible increase of 13-25% by 2050. Unsustainable water erosion affects about a third (32%) of agricultural land. The mechanical agitation of soil, a common practice in agriculture, can also initiate soil degradation. This phenomenon, called tillage erosion, can have a significant impact on cultivated fields. Other forms of erosion include wind erosion and crop harvesting, among others.

    Nutrient imbalancesare also on the rise: they are now estimated to affect 74% of agricultural land. These changes to the composition of soil can have negative consequences. For example, nitrogen surplus is increasing and can be harmful to human health, crops, eco-systems, and the climate. Meanwhile, soil organic carbon, which is essential to keeping soil healthy, is decreasing in agricultural areas. An estimated 70 million tonnes of this organic carbon were lost from the mineral soils of croplands across the EU and UK between 2009 and 2018.

    The degradation of peatlands is also concerning. These wetlands are essential carbon sinks: they absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and store them, contributing to mitigate climate change. When they deteriorate, peatlands can release those gases back into the atmosphere. In the EU, peatland drainage is responsible for around 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions. 50% of peatlands in the EU are now estimated to be degraded, many of which have been irreparably damaged.

    Outside the EU, the situation is similarly dire – particularly in Ukraine, where military activities have caused severe soil destruction. Over 10 million of Ukraine’s 60 million hectares of land are estimated to be degraded because of Russia’s invasion. Recovery from this damage could take decades or even centuries. In Türkiye, approximately 1.5 million hectares of land have salinity issues, which can impact both agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. The Western Balkans have reported over 100 identified contaminated or potentially contaminated sites due to mining and industrial activities, although the true extent of soil pollution in these areas remains unknown.

    The importance of soil monitoring and new legislation

    The State of Soils in Europe report is a collaboration between the Joint Research Centre and the European Environment Agency. It sets out the scale of the problem facing Europe today, but it also aims to reinforce and build capacities among the soil research community, while enhancing the engagement of soil users and society.

    The EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) has already laid the foundation for better soil monitoring, using advanced tools to improve the quality of data on soil erosion, soil organic carbon levels, and nutrient imbalances. Together with other collaborations and soil monitoring networks, EUSO is also giving a clearer understanding of how agricultural practices and climate change are impacting Europe’s soils.

    The EU Soil Monitoring Law aims to ensure that soil degradation is assessed more accurately by creating a monitoring framework, to promote sustainable soil management and to identify potentially contaminated sites. It will standardise data collection across EU member states, ensuring that the insights gathered by EUSO and initiatives like the Land Use/Cover Area frame Survey (LUCAS-Soil) are implemented effectively.

    As part of the common agricultural policy (CAP), the sustainable use of agricultural soils is already supported through the CAP Strategic Plans in all Member States by a mix of mandatory and voluntary measures for farmers. For the period 2023-2027, 47% of the European farmland (compared to 15% in the past) will receive support for actions aimed at improving soils or avoiding soil degradation, including by water erosion. 

    The EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is a large-scale applied R&D funding programme that supports the EU soil strategy, the upcoming Soil Monitoring Law, and the CAP. The Mission funds actions to establish harmonised soil health monitoring in the EU; to develop and promote the adoption of sustainable soil management practices and technologies to restore soil health; and to provide advice and education on soil health to managers and citizens. The Mission has invested €435 million so far and has created the first of a network of 100 living labs, with more than 1000 testing sites across a wide range of land-use sectors (agriculture, forestry, industry, urban and regional planning) across Europe. The Mission currently encompasses 50 projects, which are contributing to increase and improve the knowledge of the state of soils in the EU.  

    Protecting our soils: a shared responsibility

    Tackling soil degradation is vital for achieving the EU’s environmental, agricultural, and climate goals. The numbers are clear: soil degradation has worsened significantly in the last decade, but with collective action, enhanced monitoring, and legislative support, the EU can restore this vital resource and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

    Background:

    The EUSO Stakeholder Forum serves as the platform for the formal presentation of the 2024 report, bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Europe. Discussions focus on future strategies for reversing soil degradation trends, with particular attention to the upcoming soil legislation and how it facilitates more comprehensive restoration efforts across the continent. With the EU Soil Strategy, the EU Soil Mission, and the Soil Monitoring Law on the horizon, the EU is positioning itself to implement coordinated actions that could dramatically improve soil health in the coming years.

    Related links

    JRC report: The state of soils in Europe

    Article in Nature: Policy implications of multiple concurrent soil erosion processes in European farmland

    European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC)

    EUSO Stakeholders Forum

    Land Use and Coverage Area frame Survey (LUCAS) project

    Soil health

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Tito Mboweni State funeral

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOYeucRWX7Y

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Tito Mboweni Funeral

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr-EtL141bk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Conducts Second Multi-Large Deck Event with Italian ITS Cavour CSG

    Source: United States Navy

    MLDE provide the ships and aircrafts of the two naval forces, comprised of more than 7,500 U.S. and Italian Sailors and Marines, an opportunity to advance interoperability by carrying out integrated planning and coordination, communications, cross-deck leadership exchanges, a fast-roping exercise, and an air defense exercise to strengthen combined maritime operations and combat readiness.

    “The opportunity to exercise our interoperability with our Cavour CSG counterparts for a second time in our deployment, highlights our strategic advantage inherent to our network of strong alliances,” said Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3. “We have seized every opportunity to fly and sail with our Italian counterparts to deepen our combined operational capacity anywhere in international waters.”

    During the event, Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina, commander, Cavour Carrier Strike Group, hosted Cruz, aboard the ITS Cavour for a visit focused on building relationships.

    “We are proud to work once again alongside Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, after almost two months from our first interaction in the Pacific Ocean,” said Ciappina. “[It] has represented another precious opportunity to train together and to exchange experiences and knowledge, highlighting the versatility and flexibility of Navies operating on a global scale, wherever a presence is required to keep maritime lines of communication open and safe to strengthen our bonds and to enhance levels of cooperation with commitment to security.”

    This marks the second time the Abraham Lincoln CSG participated in an MLDE with the Italian Navy during the 2024 deployment. The previous event in August marked the first-ever MLDE between U.S. and Italian Navies in the Indo-Pacific.

    Participating ships in the MLDE included Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander (IAMDC) USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) & USS Michael Murphy (DDG 111), assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21, Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), Italian Frigate ITS Alpino (F 594), and Italian Multipurpose Combat Ship Raimondo Montecuccoli (P 432).

    Participating aircraft included MH-60S and MH-60R Sea Hawks, F/A-18E & F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, F-35C Lightning II, and E-2D Hawkeye, all assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9; and Italian F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier II assigned to Cavour CSG.

    Cruz and Ciappina conducted a conditions check via virtual teleconference prior to the commencement to ensure all participants were ready, Oct. 17. The exercise started with personnel exchanges where key Abraham Lincoln CSG leadership toured Cavour and Italian officers toured Abraham Lincoln. O’Kane and ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli conducted a joint live-fire exercise, while the embarked U.S. explosive ordnance disposal team conducted a subject matter expert exchange and fast rope exercise with Italian counterparts. The event concluded with a complex air defense exercise involving both CSG’s tactical aircraft.

    “It is an honor to once again have the opportunity to work jointly with our NATO Allies,” said Cruz. “I am grateful to Rear Adm. Ciappina and his entire crew of the ITS Cavour for their gracious hospitality aboard their ship. I am also grateful to continue training and operating together to drive interoperability forward.”

    Ciappina responded with his reflection on the MLDE.

    “I am very grateful to Adm. Cruz and to the whole crew of ABE CSG for their great effort and professionalism continuously shown during these challenging times for peace and international stability and that clearly confirm their strong commitment towards own common values, which are shared within the allied and partner Navies on a global scale,” concluded Ciappina.

    The Abraham Lincoln CSG stands ready to successfully conduct any mission essential to U.S. National security, spanning combat operations to integrated maritime operations with our allies and partners to maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. It also operates postured to deliver unfaltering maritime force to deter, defend, and if necessary, defeat coercive behavior from those who seek to challenge the rules-based international order.

    The Abraham Lincoln CSG consists of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Three and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Nine, IAMDC USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Spruance (DDG 111), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

    CVW-9 consists of an F-35C squadron, the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons, the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14; “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151; “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, operating the EA-18G Growler; “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, operating the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 operating the MH-60S Sea Hawk; and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, operating the MH-60R Sea Hawk.

    For more news from CSG-3, http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSAL-CVN72#

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks in Kyiv by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom (As Delivered)

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Well, good afternoon.

    Thanks for welcoming me back to Kyiv, and to this proud academy.

    Director Nadolenko, I’m very grateful for those generous words.

    And speaking of outstanding diplomats: All Americans should be proud of our tireless and fearless ambassador, Bridget Brink. Ambassador, thanks for doing tremendous work.

    [Applause]

    Let me also thank my good friend, Minister Umerov. Rustem, thanks for that very kind introduction and for your tremendous service to your country.

    Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a great honor to be here with you today.

    I’d like to talk today about Ukraine’s just war of self-defense, and the road ahead.

    And I’d like to start by echoing the words of President Kennedy in his historic 1963 speech in Berlin.

    There are some who say that they don’t understand — or say they don’t understand — what is at stake between the free world and an aggressive tyrant like Putin.

    And I say to them: Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who say that both sides are to blame for Putin’s war of aggression.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who blur the lines between aggressor and victim.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who deny that the Kremlin targets Ukrainian civilians.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who say that Ukraine isn’t a real nation.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    And finally, there are some who claim that Ukraine lacks the courage to prevail.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    Ladies and gentlemen, let us never forget how this war began.

    For years, Putin had harassed and assaulted the independent nation-state of Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, Putin crossed the line into an all-out invasion. And the Kremlin started the largest war in Europe since World War II.

    Now, Putin’s war of choice poses fundamental questions to every government and every person who seeks a decent and secure world.

    And so I ask today: Do rules matter?

    Do rights matter?

    Does sovereignty matter?

    I believe that they do.

    President Biden believes that they do.

    And every free citizen of Ukraine believes that they do.

    When the largest military in Europe becomes a force of aggression, the whole continent feels the shock.

    When a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council tries to deny self-rule to more than 40 million people, the whole world feels the blow.

    And when a dictator puts his imperial fantasies ahead of the rights of a free people, the whole international system feels the outrage.

    And so that’s why nations of goodwill from every corner of the planet have seen and have risen to Ukraine’s defense. And that’s why the United States and our allies and partners have proudly become the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy.

    America’s values call us to stand by a peaceful democracy fighting for its life. And America’s security demands that we stand up to Putin’s aggression.

    America’s security demands that we stand up to Putin’s aggression.

    Ukraine matters to U.S. security for four blunt reasons.

    Putin’s war threatens European security.

    Putin’s war challenges our NATO allies.

    Putin’s war attacks our shared values.

    And Putin’s war is a frontal assault on the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe.

    Now, this invasion hasn’t gone the way that the Kremlin planned. After 970 days of war, Putin has not achieved one single strategic objective.

    Not one.

    President Zelenskyy didn’t flee. Kyiv didn’t fall. And Ukraine didn’t fold.

    Instead, Russia has paid a staggering price for Putin’s imperial folly.

    Russian forces have suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties since February 2022. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russian losses in just the first year of Putin’s war were more than Moscow’s losses in all of its conflicts since World War II—combined.

    And Russia has had to dig so deep into its Soviet stockpiles that it’s attacking Ukraine with tanks from the time of World War II.

    And Russia has squandered more than 200 billion dollars to sustain its invasion. And Russia has given up untold billions of dollars more in previously anticipated economic growth.

    Now, Ukraine has suffered terribly at Putin’s hands.

    Since February 2022, according to the U.N., Russian forces have killed more than 11,000 Ukrainian civilians in verified civilian casualty incidents. And that includes more than 600 children.

    The U.N. says that Putin’s forces have bombed more than 250 Ukrainian schools and hospitals. And they’ve wrecked treasured sites of Ukrainian history, culture, and memory.

    But the Kremlin’s malice has not broken Ukraine’s spirit. Ukraine stands unbowed — and strengthened.

    You know, your fight began with soldiers setting tank ambushes on the streets of Kyiv, and with ordinary citizens making Molotov cocktails to defend their homes.

    And it continues today with a battle-tested Ukrainian military and security forces — and a roaring Ukrainian defense industrial base.

    Ukrainian factories are now pumping out some of the best UAVs in the world, and experienced Ukrainian air defenders are protecting their forces and their families. 

    And your soldiers have shown incredible skill. Your frontline defenders have shown heroic resolve. And your citizens have shown stunning courage.

    Ukraine’s resistance is powered by the emergency workers who rush to the scene; and by the energy workers who race to fix the damage of the Kremlin’s attacks; by the doctors who risk their own lives to save the wounded; by the nurses who provide comfort in hours of anguish; and by the clergy who tend to suffering souls; by the teachers who keep Ukraine’s schools open; and by the parents and grandparents who fight every day to keep their children safe and give them a future of peace.

    So your admirers around the world are studying the Ukrainian way of resistance. And we strongly encourage the reforms that Ukraine has launched to help realize its people’s hopes of joining the European Union and NATO. 

    Ukraine’s defenders have brought inspiration to the world — and glory to Ukraine.

    Slava Ukraini!

    [Audience responds in Ukrainian]

    Yet this struggle imposes obligations on us all. As President Biden told the U.N. General Assembly in September, “Our test is to make sure that the forces holding us together are stronger than the forces that are pulling us apart.”

    And make no mistake. The outcome of Ukraine’s fight for freedom will help set the trajectory for global security in the 21st century.

    Europe’s future is on the line.

    NATO’s strength is on the line.

    And America’s security is on the line.

    So the U.S. government has moved with urgency and purpose. And we’ve seen the huge progress that principled diplomacy can produce —the kind of diplomacy taught right here in this academy.

    Since April 2022, I have been convening the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — the coalition of some 50 countries from around the world determined to help Ukraine fight Putin’s aggression. The Contact Group has met 24 times now.

    And I know that Minister Umerov and my other Ukrainian friends often refer to the Contact Group as “the Ramstein format”— after Ramstein Air Base, where the Contact Group was forged.

    And each time that I’m back at Ramstein, I find it moving to look around that long table; to see in human form the global indignation over Putin’s crimes; and to see determined defense leaders from around the world — from Argentina to Australia, and from Tunisia to Türkiye.

    And it has worked.

    America’s allies and partners are sharing the burden of our shared security.

    And that’s the power of Ramstein.

    You know, as a percentage of GDP, a dozen U.S. allies and partners now provide more security assistance to Ukraine than the United States does. And members of the Contact Group have provided more than [51] billion dollars in direct security assistance to Ukraine.

    And I am proud to remind you that the United States is doing our part as well.

    My country has committed more than 58 billion dollars in security assistance for Ukraine since February 2022. We’ve delivered two Patriot batteries and dozens of other air-defense systems. We’ve provided 24 HIMARS [rocket] systems, and thousands of armored vehicles and drones, and millions of rounds of artillery and other critical munitions.

    Now, that is a very real financial commitment. But for anyone who thinks that American leadership is expensive — well, consider the price of American retreat.

    In the face of aggression, the price of principle is always dwarfed by the cost of capitulation.

    Our allies and partners know that. And I’ve been proud to watch the pro-Ukraine coalition dig deep.

    So just consider Germany, host to Ramstein Air Base. Germany alone has provided or committed to military assistance for Ukraine valued at close to 31 billion dollars.

    And through the Contact Group and its capability coalitions, Ukraine’s friends are now forging an unprecedented, coordinated, 13-country drive to increase industrial production, to meet Ukraine’s battlefield requirements, and to build up the force to deter and repel Russian aggression in the future.

    And so, not since World War II has America systematically rallied so many countries to provide such a range of industrial and military assistance for a partner in need.

    Now, there is no silver bullet. No single capability will turn the tide. No one system will end Putin’s assault.

    What matters is the way that Ukraine fights back. What matters is the combined effects of your military capabilities. And what matters is staying focused on what works.

    Now, I believe that President Biden and Vice President Harris will have a proud place in history for rallying the world to defend Ukraine.

    So will the allies and partners who seek a free Ukraine in a safer world.

    But the proudest place of all will go to the Ukrainian people.

    From President Zelenskyy on down, your leaders chose to fight back. And the people of Ukraine have met Russia’s aggression and atrocities with magnificent defiance.

    The spirit of Ukraine has inspired the world. And it has reminded us all to never take our freedom for granted.

    So we refuse to blame Ukraine for the Kremlin’s aggression.

    We refuse to offer excuses for Putin’s atrocities.

    And we refuse to pretend that appeasement will stop an invasion.

    We fully understand the moral chasm between aggressor and defender.

    And we will not be gulled by the frauds and the falsehoods of the Kremlin’s apologists.

    And we will continue to defend the Ukrainian people’s right to live in security and freedom.

    The Kremlin has forced us into an age where Europe’s largest military invades Europe’s second-largest country. And we dare not believe, as the novelist George Eliot once wrote, that “the giant forces that used to shake the earth are forever laid to sleep.”

    America’s goals remain clear, achievable, and principled. We seek a free and sovereign Ukraine that can defend itself from Russian aggression today — and deter Russian aggression in the future.

    We seek a more secure Europe — and a reinforced commitment from nations of goodwill worldwide to an open international system of rules, rights, and responsibilities.

    I know that the Kremlin’s war is a nightmare from which the Ukrainian people are trying to awake. But we should all understand that Putin’s assault is a warning. It is a sneak preview of a world built by tyrants and thugs — a chaotic, violent world carved into spheres of influence; a world where bullies trample their smaller neighbors; and a world where aggressors force free people to live in fear.

    So we face a hinge in history.

    We can continue to insist that cross-border invasion is the cardinal sin of world politics. And we can continue to stand firm against Putin’s aggression.

    Or we can let Putin have his way. And we can condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a far bloodier and more dangerous world.

    So we must continue to face, to squarely face, the specter of an aggressive Russia — backed by other autocrats from North Korea and Iran.

    If Ukraine falls under Putin’s boot, all of Europe will fall under Putin’s shadow.

    Putin is not just hammering at the norms of the international system built at such a terrible cost by the Allies after World War II. He is shoving us all toward a world where right — where might makes right, and where empire trumps sovereignty. And he is determined to show that his brand of autocracy can outlast the world’s democracies.

    You see, Putin does not just think that his will is stronger. He thinks that his system is better.

    But he could not be more wrong.

    You know, few forces are more powerful than a democracy fighting for freedom.

    As I have said: Peace is not self-executing. Order does not preserve itself. And the principles of freedom, and sovereignty, and human rights do not uphold themselves.

    Yes, there is a price to be paid for human freedom. But it is dwarfed by the price that we would all pay for letting aggression go unchecked.

    So President Biden has chosen the path of mutual responsibility and common security. And we have chosen to share the responsibility of ensuring that Ukraine remains sovereign and free.

    And make no mistake. The United States does not seek war with Russia. And even as Putin makes profoundly reckless and dangerous threats about nuclear war, we will continue to behave with the responsibility that the world rightly demands of a nuclear-armed state.

    So the United States will uphold our sworn NATO obligations.

    The United States will defend every inch of NATO territory.

    And the United States will get Ukraine what it needs to fight for its survival and security.

    [Applause]

    Ladies and gentlemen, let’s be clear.

    Ukraine does not belong to Putin.

    Ukraine belongs to the Ukrainian people.

    And Moscow will never prevail in Ukraine.

    You know, Putin thought that Ukraine would surrender. He was wrong.

    Putin thought that our democracies would cave. He was wrong.

    And Putin thought that the free world would cower. He was wrong.

    And Putin thinks that he will win. He is wrong.

    And as I said in Halifax almost two years ago: free people will always refuse to replace an open order of rules and rights with one dictated by force and fear.

    Now, Ukraine faces complex challenges in the days to come.

    And as then-Vice President Biden said at this academy in 2014, “Democracy is not a destination. Democracy is a road traveled. And it’s a hard damn road to travel.”

    But you have shown the world the moral power of a free people fighting to defend their country.

    That force can bend the arc of history.

    Ladies and gentlemen: never underestimate the strategic advantage of a just cause.

    Never underestimate the resolve of free citizens.

    And never underestimate the power of a democracy summoned to defend itself.

    Ukraine has chosen the course of courage.

    And so have we.

    My friends, you walk a hard road.

    But you do not walk it alone.

    Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless all who fight to defend freedom.

    [Standing ovation]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA is Hiring: Help with Hurricane Helene and Milton

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA is Hiring: Help with Hurricane Helene and Milton

    FEMA is Hiring: Help with Hurricane Helene and Milton

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Come to work for FEMA and help your community recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.FEMA is conducting local hiring for more than 600 jobs in Gainesville, Melbourne Beach, Sarasota and Tallahassee, Florida. Local Hire employees are typically local residents who aid in the recovery of their community and help fellow neighbors in the recovery process. Many FEMA employees began their careers in emergency management by helping their own communities recover from a disaster.These positions are full-time 120-day appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs.FEMA Local Hire employees are eligible for the following benefits:Health insurance for individual or family coverage. Employer contribution is 75% of premium. Local Hire employees are eligible for enrollment for health insurance coverage as of the official hire date/employment date with FEMA.Flexible spending accountsFederal long-term care insuranceAbility to earn 4 hours of paid sick leave per pay periodHoliday payWorker’s compensationFEMA is accepting applications for the following positions:Accepting by 11:59 p.m. ET Saturday, October 26:IT Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementManufactured Housing Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementAccountable Property Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementOrdering Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementLogistics Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementEnvironmental Floodplain Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementEnvironmental Compliance Review Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementAccepting by 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, October 28:Emergency Management 2: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementAll positions will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date or when the maximum number of applications are received. More positions may be added later. To see all open roles, visit USAJobs.gov, type “Local Hire” in the keywords section and “Florida” for location.For tips, including how to prepare your resume and navigate the website, visit USAJOBS Help Center – Application Process. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, and possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma. Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes fingerprinting and a credit check. Employees are also required to participate in direct deposit or electronic funds transfer for salary payment. If you are found qualified, you may be called for an interview. For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
    kirsten.chambers
    Tue, 10/22/2024 – 13:06

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Greene, Hamblen Counties

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Greene, Hamblen Counties

    Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Greene, Hamblen Counties

    Disaster Recovery Centers will open Tuesday, Oct. 22, in Greene County and Wednesday, Oct. 23, in Hamblen County to help Tennesseans who had damage or losses from Tropical Storm Helene.Center hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday to Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. ET Sunday.Locations are:Greene County opening Oct. 22: Greene County Courthouse/Annex 204 North Cutler St., Greeneville, TN 37745Hamblen County opening Oct. 23: Utility Commission Conference and Training Center441 Main St., Morristown, TN 37814A center is also open in:Unicoi County: National Guard Armory/Unicoi Emergency Operations Center 615 South Main Ave., Erwin, TN 37650Additional centers may open in other impacted areas. To find a center near you, visit fema.gov/drc.The deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance is Monday, Dec. 2. To apply, visit a Disaster Recovery Center, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight ET. Operators speak most languages; if you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service.For an accessible video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com).You may also apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal recovery funds for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. To learn more or apply, visit sba.gov/disaster, call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
    kwei.nwaogu
    Tue, 10/22/2024 – 13:13

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Open in Franklin County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Open in Franklin County

    Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Open in Franklin County

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – FEMA has opened a mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Franklin County to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene. Survivors of any of the storms can visit any center. Survivors do not need to visit a center to apply for assistance. Survivors are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading the FEMA App. FEMA does not distribute cash at Disaster Recovery Centers. Center location:Franklin County (Mobile)Alligator Point Fire Department101 Tom Roberts RoadAlligator Point, FL 32346Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday through Oct. 23, 2024.When this center moves to a new location, details will be provided to the public.To find other center locations go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. If you choose to apply by phone, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance – YouTube.For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
    kirsten.chambers
    Tue, 10/22/2024 – 13:16

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gateway: Life in a Lunar Module

    Source: NASA

    Teams at NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and Thales Alenia Space, including astronauts Stan Love and Luca Parmitano, came together in Turin, Italy, this summer for a test run of Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon.
    The group conducted what is known as human factors testing inside a mockup of Lunar I-Hab, one of four Gateway modules where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for missions to the Moon’s South Pole region. The testing is an important step on the path to launch by helping refine the design of spacecraft for comfort and safety.
    Lunar I-Hab is provided by ESA and Thales Alenia Space and is slated to launch on Artemis IV. During that mission, four astronauts will launch inside the Orion spacecraft atop an upgraded version of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and deliver Lunar I-Hab to Gateway in orbit around the Moon.
    ESA, CSA (Canadian Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre of the United Arab Emirates are providing major hardware for Gateway, including science experiments, the modules where astronauts will live and work, robotics, and life support systems.
    International teams of astronauts will explore the scientific mysteries of deep space with Gateway as part of the Artemis campaign to return to the Moon for scientific discovery and chart a path for the first human missions to Mars and beyond.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Celebrates Missy Elliott, National Medal of Arts Recipients At The White House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Celebrates Missy Elliott, National Medal of Arts Recipients At The White House

    WASHINGTON  – Yesterday, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) was in attendance at a White House celebration honoring the 2022 and 2023 recipients of the National Medal of the Arts. Missy Elliott, a native of Portsmouth, VA, was one of the 2022 National Medal of Arts recipients.

    “Missy Elliott is a legendary, trailblazing music artist. She is a global superstar as well as an immense source of pride for Virginia and the Hampton Roads region,”said Congressman Scott.“It was very fitting that she was among those honored by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and I was proud to attend today’s celebration to honor her legacy. Some could say it would be a ‘Misdemeanor’ to not honor her life and career. I congratulate her, and all the other recipients for their creativity and important contributions to our country.”

    The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government. It is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States.

    More information can be found by CLICKING HERE. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Ministers of National Defence and Veterans Affairs commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Canadian Armed Forces members killed while on duty in Ottawa, Ontario, and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement:

    October 22, 2024 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement:

    “Today, we solemnly commemorate 10 years since Corporal Nathan Cirillo was tragically killed at the National War Memorial. While the site was established to honour our Fallen, none of us thought that it would be a place where a Canadian Armed Forces member would make the ultimate sacrifice while on duty.

    “We also pause to remember Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was violently killed two days earlier in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, under similar circumstances to the event at the National War Memorial.

    “Warrant Officer Vincent and Corporal Cirillo are remembered for their dedication to duty and their embodiment of the values of the Canadian Armed Forces. The call to serve your nation is the highest calling. They both answered the call, and for that, our nation is forever grateful. 

    “Today, we remember both Warrant Officer Vincent and Corporal Cirillo, and mourn with their loved ones and the military community which was forever changed by their passing. Lest we forget.”

    Simon Lafortune
    Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
    Office of the Minister of National Defence
    Email: simon.lafortune2@forces.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Department of National Defence
    Phone: 613-904-3333
    Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

    Mikaela Harrison
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
    Email: mikaela.harrison@veterans.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Veterans Affairs Canada
    Phone: 613-992-7468
    Email: media@veterans.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: One loan in one hand – the Central Bank of the Russian Federation will take MFIs seriously

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Mainfin Bank –

    How will the Central Bank of the Russian Federation combat Russians’ indebtedness?

    The high level of debt burden of Russians is one of the problems that the regulator has been struggling with for several years, systematically tightening requirements and introducing restrictions for credit institutionsNow the Central Bank of the Russian Federation proposes to establish protective measures for clients MFO:

    the rule of issuing one will apply loan – it will not be possible to draw up a second agreement with an MFI before the first one is executed; the regulator will establish a cooling-off period – three days must pass after the return of one loan and before a new agreement is concluded; the amount of overpayment on microloans will be reduced from 130 to 100% of the original amount.

    “The key goal of the restrictions is to eliminate excessive indebtedness of the population, since most MFI clients have several loans at once, which leads to an increased burden and difficulties in fulfilling obligations,” the expert believes.

    The innovations are planned to be implemented as part of the reform of the industry – the Central Bank of the Russian Federation believes that the development of bills, their adoption and entry into force will take up to three years.

    What innovations await the microfinance organizations market?

    The Bank of Russia not only limits MFI borrowers, but also plans to streamline the microfinance services market – information about the upcoming changes appeared in August 2024. Thus, the regulator wants to divide MFIs into three groups:

    companies operating exclusively in the business segment – with entrepreneurs, legal entities, self-employed citizens; microfinance organizations issuing loans, the cost of which does not exceed 100% per annum; organizations that have received the right to provide loans at a rate exceeding 100%.

    Depending on the group they belong to, the Central Bank will set requirements for the capital of companies – microfinance organizations with increased risks will have to confirm their stability with a sufficient reserve of funds.

    16:30 10/22/2024

    Source:

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://mainfin.ru/news/one-loan-in-one-hands-the Central Bank of the Russian Federation-will-seriously-take-up-MFO

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Justice served for West Yorkshire as new courts and tribunals centre opens in Leeds

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Four new business and property courtrooms open at West Gate, alongside eight new employment tribunal rooms to deal with disputes.

    Claimants and defendants across West Yorkshire will benefit from quicker access to justice as new state-of-the-art courtrooms opened yesterday (Monday 21 October) in Leeds, in a boost to the city’s legal infrastructure.

    Justice Minister Heidi Alexander attended the official opening event of the West Gate court and tribunal building, which contains 12 brand new hearing rooms to handle cases ranging from employment rights to property disputes.

    A total of £6.2 million has been invested in West Gate to create capacity for these modern, fit-for-purpose hearing rooms over three floors. This investment in the centre of Leeds expands the estate in the city to three large operational buildings with over 50 hearing rooms within a 250-yards radius. 

    The site will also help to manage the Crown Court outstanding caseload by diverting cases away from Leeds Crown Court where they were being heard, freeing up an additional courtroom to hear criminal cases. Providing a separate location for the Business and Property Court to hear cases will help deliver justice more swiftly for both claimants and defendants.

    Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Heidi Alexander MP, said:

    It was a pleasure to be at the opening of these essential courtrooms in Leeds which will boost our court infrastructure both nationally and in Yorkshire and provide claimants and defendants speedier justice.

    This new centre ensures that both individuals and businesses are able to access vital protections, providing the confidence they need to innovate, grow, and strengthen our economy.

    The Business and Property Court in particular represents an important step in relation to the Government’s wider plan for economic growth through the commercial courts. The work that goes on in these courtrooms give businesses the confidence that they can base their companies here, innovate, and grow knowing they are protected by the law. Companies, employees and property owners knows that these courts will safeguard their rights, adjudicate fairly, and deliver justice.

    Both these sites are also playing a significant role in dealing with the 1.6 million cases that make their way through the civil courts and employment tribunals each year. The Government is continuing to invest in approximately 1,000 judges and tribunal members annually which will help to support this increased court capacity.

    Although this Government has inherited a challenging financial inheritance, these new courtrooms are part of wider plans to ensure the court estate is fit for purpose and to help reduce the long-term courts backlog. Eighteen Nightingale courtrooms are also currently in use across eight venues to increase the physical capacity of the court estate and hear more cases.

    Notes to editors:

    • HM Courts and Tribunals Service has secured a 15-year lease at West Gate.  
    • Ahead of yesterday’s official opening, the Business and Property Court has been hearing cases since June, while the Employment Tribunals have been operational since December 2023.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bonnie Dundee receives Silver Gilt at Britain in Bloom Award finals

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    Finalist Bonnie Dundee entry to this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom awards has received a Silver Gilt in the City category following an awards ceremony on Monday evening.

    The Dundee entry reached the final of the UK-wide, Royal Horticultural Society-administered competition which looks to celebrate and support communities who have come together to make positive and lasting changes to their local environment.

    Bonnie Dundee is a partnership of many groups and organisations who have taken forward Dundee’s entry for the past nineteen years.

    The city-wide network of community groups, organisations, the Council, businesses, schools, and individuals work together to make the city cleaner, greener, brighter and healthier.

    Ninewells Community Garden were also recognised as they picked up the RHS Health & Wellbeing Award.

    Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Convener Heather Anderson said: “This is great news and serves as recognition of the tremendous work that so many people in our city put in while making a real difference.

    “To be recognised in this way in the final of a UK-wide competition is an exceptional achievement.

    “Everyone who has played a part, and through the extensive Bonnie Dundee network there any many people, deserves a large amount of praise and credit for this. I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and enthusiasm.

    “It was also heartening to see Ninewells Community Garden be awarded the first-ever RHS Health and Wellbeing Award.”

    Chair of Bonnie Dundee Trudy Cunningham said: “In Dundee we are very fortunate to have a passionate group of volunteers who work closely in partnership with DCC.

    “We are very pleased to have been finalists in RHS Britain in Bloom 2024 and to have received a Silver Gilt Certificate. Judges highlighted the strong sense of community in Dundee, both between all of the many gardening and friends groups and the council.

    “Everyone who has helped (and are still helping, the gardening never stops!), both volunteers and council workers, should feel very proud of their work and of our beautiful city.”

    The Bonnie Dundee entry was included as one of the three finalists within the City category competing with London Borough of Havering (London in Bloom) and eventual winners Wrexham in Bloom (Wales in Bloom).

    The news comes after Britain in Bloom judges visited Dundee in August following Bonnie Dundee’s entry reaching the final of the UK-wide competition.

    The full breakdown of the awards and winners for each category can be found in the Royal Horticultural Society’s website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GTCS accreditation for School of Education The School of Education is very pleased to announce that its Inclusive Pedagogy course has been awarded General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) accreditation for Professional Recognition.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    The award recognises the need for high-quality professional learning and development programmes that ensure teacher professionalism is maintained and enhancedThe School of Education is very pleased to announce that its Inclusive Pedagogy course has been awarded General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) accreditation for Professional Recognition.
    A team of four presented an application to a GTCS panel for accreditation of the ED5501 Programme. The team included Programme Director Dr Shannon Babbie, faculty member Dr Annette Moir, PGT student Gillian Armstrong, and Dr Tracy Edwards of Leeds Beckett University, a recent doctoral graduate of Aberdeen.
    In a brief presentation the team brought the course to life through personal stories of how the teaching, collaboration and overall experience impacted their professional practice.
    In awarding accreditation, the GTCS stated the University offered: “A strong values-based programme in terms of social justice and meeting the needs of all learners. It is very well connected to the professional standards more broadly, with the standard for career-long professional learning coherently woven throughout the reflective supports for participants.
    “A well-designed programme clearly aligned with the Scottish Education policy context, it is well placed to help meet national priorities around inclusion.”
    Securing accreditation, which runs from 2024 to 2029, means students may apply to GTCS for professional recognition upon successful completion of the course and completion of the additional activities.
    As noted by GTCS, the award is in recognition of the need for high-quality professional learning and development programmes that ensure teacher professionalism is maintained and enhanced, and that learning experiences are professionally recognised and valued.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Armagh’s Georgian Festival returns for 20th year this November!

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Armagh’s annual Georgian Festival will kickstart Northern Ireland’s festive season, marking the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. Returning for its 20th year this November, the award-winning event will run from November 28 to December 1, launching the Cathedral City’s Christmas celebrations.

    The city is set to bring its Georgian past to life through buildings, characters, customs and a jam-packed programme of events that will appeal to history buffs, curious families, culture vultures and foodies. Many of the events are free to attend, and so the destination is preparing to welcome thousands to the city across the four days.

    Festivalgoers can choose from a range of guided tours, each offering a unique glimpse into Armagh’s rich history. From the scenic Palace Demesne Tour and exclusive Archbishop’s Palace tours, to the informative Guided Georgian Walking Tour, there’s something for everyone. Food lovers can indulge in a sparkling three-course feast in the glorious surroundings of the Archbishop’s Palace at the Highwayman’s Banquet as they listen to tales and tunes dedicated to stories of the Notorious Highwaymen & Rapparees, creating a dining experience that seamlessly blends history, storytelling, and fine cuisine.

    There’s also the chance to get a taste for the pitiless Georgian legal system as a member of the jury at Armagh Courthouse in a mock-trial – a spectacle of rough justice. Throughout the city, festivalgoers will encounter iconic Georgian figures — noble gentry, street urchins, and gin-soaked ladies — as they wander and explore. On The Mall, families can enjoy an array of festive activities, including traditional funfair rides like the Carousel and Swing Boats, along with classic games such as Hoopla, Hook a Duck, and Coconut Shy. Santa’s reindeer will even make an appearance, and as night falls, fire performers will light up the evening for all to enjoy.

    Topping off the programme is the acclaimed Light Show. It will run Friday 29 November and Saturday 30 November and is a dramatic Holly Jolly Christmas animation that will transform the Market House into a shimmering canvas for images, special effects, and other surprises. (Tickets essential)

    Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Cllr Kyle Savage, said;

    “Our Georgian Festival is an established cornerstone of Armagh’s cultural calendar – it’s recognised far and wide for its impressive selection of activities, and the unforgettable energy and atmosphere it brings to the city.

    “Through the combined efforts of the local Council team, and our artists, performers, retailers and artisans, we’ve been able to build an event that brings the local community together, whilst also welcoming visitors to experience the rich heritage and history of Armagh City and its surrounding areas.”

    The Georgian Festival originally launched in 2004 as a one-day market, thanks to the efforts of a team of remarkable local retailers. Since then, it has transformed into the four-day celebration known to most today and has soared in popularity with people from Ireland and the UK, as well as international visitors.

    The artisan market element of the festival has now grown to include more than 130 festive market stalls selling high-quality crafts, gifts, food and seasonal products, making it one of the largest on the island. Set to take place on Georgian Day, Saturday November 30, the Georgian market stalls will take place as the clip clop of horses and the aroma of roasting chestnuts and mulled spices fills the street.

    Roberta Wright of Wrights Interiors on Scotch Street in the city was part of a team of retailers who were responsible for establishing Georgian Day in its early days. It was created as an opportunity to showcase Armagh, to highlight the wealth of independent retailers in the city and add some Christmas sparkle for visitors. She said, “It’s incredible how far the festival has come since we first launched in 2004. Armagh has such a unique history, a fascinating story to tell, and a community of people who are passionate about the heritage of this place, and our Georgian Festival gives us the perfect platform to showcase everything that makes Armagh the wonderful place it is. Excitement is already building for our 2024 celebration, and I would highly recommend visitors pop by the wide range of independent stores in the city to do some Christmas shopping as they make their way around the exciting activities taking place across the city.”

    The team behind the festival are continuing to embrace sustainability as Gill Robb, Events Manager at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, explains. She said, “Our famous, must-see light show, running on the evenings of Friday November 29 and Saturday November 30, will switch to a more sustainable power source this year, whilst park and ride facilities will also be available on Saturday. We’ve also tried to limit as many single use plastics as possible with stallholders switching to compostable plates, glasses and cutlery, and abiding by our complete ban on plastic bags.”

    Click here for more information and to book tickets for special events.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Award Win for Preston City Council Building Control Team

    Source: City of Preston

    Preston City Council’s Building Control Team have been named a regional winner in the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2024

    The Local Authority’s building control team, alongside KPDL Ltd and Ogden Design Consultants Ltd, have won the award for their role in the North West’s Best Small New Housing Development category for The Vines, Preston, and have been praised for achieving building excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship.

    The Vines is a luxury residential development of four bed detached homes in the popular village location of Lea Town, Preston.

    The team was previously nominated in various award categories back in 2019 but this is the first time they have scooped the regional title.  

    The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) represents all Local Authority building control teams in England Wales, committed to safeguarding the safety and protection of our communities by constantly reviewing surveyor competence and ensuring the performance and standards of Local Authority teams.

    Councillor Amber Afzal, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation said:

    Congratulations to our Building Control team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that all new buildings, conversions and extensions are delivered to high standards throughout all the phases of construction, from design and specification, right through to completion. This hardworking team deserves this recognition it deserves.”

    The team has been automatically put forward for the national grand finals in January 2025 in London.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City council helps businesses create apprenticeships

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 22nd October 2024

    Stoke-on-Trent shared £63,000 with 15 businesses and organisations in the city last year to help them create 37 new apprenticeships.

    Employers with an annual payroll of over £3m pay a 0.5 per cent UK Government apprenticeship levy.     

    The money can then be used by the employer on apprenticeship training. As one of the area’s largest employers, the council pays the levy.    

    In 2023/24 as well as supporting 106 new people to study for apprenticeship qualification while working for the council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council paid out some of its levy to employers with staff who live in the city.  

    These included the KMF Group, a sheet metal fabrication company, IAE, who make livestock handling equipment, stabling, and fencing, Staffordshire Police and Teasdale Healthcare.   

    A total of 15 local employers were then able to help 37 apprentices  

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’ve got a brilliant record of supporting and creating apprenticeships within the city council using our levy.    

    “If the money in our levy account is not used every two years, it’s returned to the UK Government. Sadly prior to us taking office the city had to return money to the government for not employing enough apprentices.   

    “This led to us approaching local employers to see how we could make sure the money was used to do what it was intended to do. The take-up has been fantastic, and it’s led to more people being able to earn money while learning vital skills on-the-job and through studying.  

    “It was vitally important that we sorted this out and got the most out of every penny due to the city and our young people” 

    Browns Distribution, High and Lifted, and TMT First are three businesses who have successfully applied for some of the council’s unused levy.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NIO Minister hails integrated education during visit to Fermanagh School

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    This follows Minister Anderson’s visit to Erne Integrated College

    NIO Minister Fleur Anderson captures a selfie during her visit to Erne Integrated College

    Northern Ireland Office Minister Fleur Anderson MP has visited Erne Integrated College in Enniskillen where she met with pupils and staff.

    As well as taking part in an interactive question and answer session, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State discussed diversity and inclusion with pupils, following a recent cultural day hosted by the Fermanagh school.

    Speaking afterwards, Minister Anderson said:

    It was fantastic to meet with the young people at Erne Integrated College, along with staff, and I would like to thank them for their warm welcome, and for their questions and insight.

    Seeing greater integration of education across Northern Ireland is a priority for the UK Government, and Erne Integrated College provides a wonderful environment for helping local children grow up in a truly shared society. This is an essential aspect of the reconciliation process.

    My hope is that integration will further become the norm and not the exception in schools across Northern Ireland.” 

    School principal, Darron McLaughlin, said:

    The College was delighted to welcome Minister Anderson. Our Student Council members have a great interest in local politics and were excited to have the opportunity to put their questions to the minister. Having recently celebrated our ‘Culture Day’, a group of our students were also keen to show how we celebrate diversity and live by our integrated ethos, where everyone is valued equally.

    Paul Caskey, chief executive of the Integrated Education Fund, and Sean Pettis, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, said:

    The Integrated Education Fund and Council for Integrated Education are delighted Minister Anderson could take time out of her busy schedule to visit Erne Integrated College and meet with their young people, together with pupils from the adjacent Enniskillen Integrated Primary School. 

    There is no better way to learn about integrated education than by meeting the children and young people who experience it. The Northern Ireland Office has provided generous support to integrated education through both our organisations and we are extremely grateful for that. 

    It is important to remember that the UK government are custodians of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement and that the encouragement and facilitation of integrated education is an essential part of that Agreement.

    Separately, Minister Anderson also met with representatives from the Fermanagh Trust. They discussed some of the issues facing local residents and the wider area, including transport, Lough Erne, and access to public services and healthcare.

    NIO Minister Fleur Anderson engaging in an interactive Q&A session with school pupils.

    NIO Minister Fleur Anderson engaging in an interactive Q&A session with school pupils.

    NIO Minister Fleur Anderson at Erne Integrated College in Enniskillen. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State is pictured with school pupils, principal Darron McLaughlin and Paul Caskey, chief executive of the Integrated Education Fund, and Sean Pettis, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education.

    NIO Minister Fleur Anderson with Paul Caskey (left), chief executive of the Integrated Education Fund, and Sean Pettis, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Klaas Knot: Strengthening financial resilience – lessons from Pittsburgh

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good morning everyone.

    It could have been right here in New York City.

    That would have been fitting, as this city was, and still is, the center of gravity for global finance. But, as it happened, the US administration made a last-minute decision to pick Pittsburgh as the venue for the G20 summit.

    We are back in the fall of 2009. Less than a year earlier, when G20 leaders first met in Washington DC, the world economy had been facing its greatest crisis in generations. At the Pittsburgh Summit, the memory of the crisis was still fresh. The fall of Lehman. The rescue of AIG. The race against the clock to prevent a total meltdown of the financial system. Leaders from the 20 largest nations in the world had all gone through those fateful crisis days. They shared a conviction that this should not happen again. Ever. They decided on a massive strengthening of regulation to address the weaknesses in the global financial system and to curb excessive risk taking. And they endorsed the mandate of the newly established Financial Stability Board to coordinate and monitor progress. Pittsburgh turned the tide.

    The rest is history. But it is an unfinished history. For sure, the reforms that were agreed in Pittsburgh did substantially strengthen the global financial system.

    In recent years, markets have experienced several episodes of turmoil, and we have seen potentially destabilising failures of banks and non-banks. But the core of the system has held up relatively well. So, one interpretation is that the financial system has proved to be resilient. But that is not entirely true. Take March 2020 for example. This turmoil was contained both through improved resilience and unprecedented policy actions. Without the combined force of these policy actions, the reforms implemented since 2009 may have not been sufficient to stave off another financial crisis. And it’s not only in 2020 that unprecedented policy actions were needed. In 2023 the fire brigade had to turn out again.

    So, we’ve made progress, but there is much left to do if we want a truly resilient financial system. One that can finance the economy through thick and thin without recourse to extraordinary support. Furthermore, the financial system is evolving, and so must our regulations. Can we keep up the pace? Allow me to share some concerns about that.

    First of all, our work to make the banking sector more resilient is not yet complete. For one thing, the final Basel III standards still need to be implemented in many jurisdictions. In the meantime, the banking turmoil in March last year was a reminder that bank runs are not a thing of the past. The demise of Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse not only brought lessons for banks and supervisors.

    They also highlighted that 13 years after the FSB issued its Key Attributes for Effective Resolution Regimes, authorities still face challenges in dealing with failing banks.

    Next to the unfinished agenda in banking, the non-bank financial sector continues to face serious vulnerabilities. Partly as a response to strengthening banking regulation, non-bank financial institutions are playing a larger role in financing the real economy, now accounting for nearly half of total global financial assets. And as we have seen over the past few years, structural vulnerabilities in the sector have the potential to cause systemic risk. These include liquidity mismatches, leverage, and inadequate margin preparedness. The FSB, working with other standard setters, has done a great deal of work on this issue. We have issued policy recommendations in several key areas. Drawing up these policy recommendations, however, is not enough to stem systemic risk in NBFI. For that to happen, we must implement them. That means authorities must not only put them into national laws and regulations, they must also have the capacity to operationalize them.

    Third, technological innovation continues to shape the way the financial sector functions, and it adds another layer of complexity. Technology can create new interdependencies, for example when many financial institutions rely on the same service providers. It can also increase the speed at which a crisis unfolds. And technology raises important questions about the regulatory perimeter. Above all technology related risks can exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities in the financial system and may create new ones. Take crypto-assets. This fast-growing market has seen more than its fair share of bankruptcies, liquidity crises and outright fraud, even as its links with traditional finance continue to grow. The FSB has issued recommendations to regulate the market for crypto-assets. The G20 has endorsed these recommendations and, again, they now need to be implemented globally.

    As you might notice, I’m talking a lot about implementation, because that’s where my concern lies. It seems that, 16 years after Lehman, implementation fatigue has started to set in. Political commitment for maintaining financial stability is usually the highest when the collective memory of the last crisis is still fresh. When this memory starts to fade, there is the risk that financial stability is taken for granted. Something that can be left to the bureaucrats, to the technicians. Not least because there are so many other policy priorities to deal with for governments. But that would be a mistake. We do need the involvement of politicians, of lawmakers, because without them, it becomes even harder to implement necessary regulations. After all, financial stability is the foundation for almost all public policy. If financial stability is gone, as a government you can forget about the other policy priorities. You will spend most of your time drawing up rescue plans for an economy in free fall. So we should not wait for the next crisis.

    We also need commitment in good times, when the work to develop and implement policy needs to get done. This commitment is even more important in a world that is getting more fragmented, both politically and economically. I am concerned about our capacity to work together on cross-border challenges in such a world. During the Global Financial Crisis, policymakers around the globe were able to respond swiftly and effectively. In a fragmented world, such a swift response could become more complicated. This could prove costly because the most important challenges to financial stability are precisely the cross-border issues that we can only solve if we work together.

    And to the financial industry I would say: rules that strengthen the resilience of the financial system are in your best interest too. Some in the industry view regulation as a constraint, something that limits profitability and imposes undue costs. But it’s just the other way around. Financial regulation is not an obstacle, it is an enabler of sustainable, long-term growth. Globally implemented regulation strengthens international financial stability, levels the playing field, and, in turn, enhances the confidence of your shareholders, clients, and counterparties. Strong regulation is not a constraint on the financial industry, it is an asset.

    15 years after Pittsburgh, strengthening the financial system is an unfinished history. Partly that comes with the job. The financial system is always evolving, so our policy also needs to evolve. But, that’s not the only reason. It is also important that authorities finish implementing the measures we’ve all agreed are needed to address existing vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities that could lead to the next crisis, if they are allowed to persist.

    This calls for maintaining our ambition as policy makers, and for law makers to take the agreed policies all the way through to implementation. I wish for us to have the determination and collaborative spirit that the leaders in Pittsburgh collectively felt. Let’s work together to finish what we started. Let’s stay sharp, focused and committed to preserving financial stability. And where better to express that commitment than in the city that never sleeps.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Now Available: Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD Features Improved Performance Speeds Supported by PCIe 4.0

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics America, the world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced the availability of the 990 EVO Plus, adding to its lineup of leading SSD products. Featuring PCIe 4.0 support and the latest in NAND technology, the 990 EVO Plus is an ideal solution for buyers seeking enhanced performance and power efficiency across gaming, business and creative tasks.
    “The average person creates more than 100 megabytes of data every minute1,” said James Fishler, Senior Vice President of Home Entertainment, Samsung Electronics America. “Whether you’re taking photos, editing videos, or gaming on your favorite console, it’s clear that our daily activities demand more data than ever before. The new Samsung 990 EVO Plus provides the best solution for it all – from gaming and content creation, to business use cases. With expanded storage capacities and even faster processing speeds, the series can help you reliably power your day, and make the most of every minute.”

    Faster Performance and Greater Efficiency
    The 990 EVO Plus is backed by decades of pioneering semiconductor technology with proven reliability from Samsung. It offers sequential read speeds up to 7,250 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and write speeds up to 6,300 MB/s, up to 50% faster than the previous 990 EVO. This performance boost is enabled by the latest Samsung 8th generation V-NAND technology and 5-nanometer (nm) controller, while an innovative nickel-coated heat shield minimizes overheating, delivering 73% greater power efficiency over the 990 EVO.
    The 4TB model of the 990 EVO Plus boasts an industry-leading random read speed of 1,050K input/output operations per second (IOPS) and 1,400K IOPS for random write. This remarkable feat nearly rivals that of SSD products with DRAM, despite not using a DRAM cache, making it an optimal solution for gaming and AI tasks that require high performance.
    Expanded Storage Capacity
    To meet today’s growing demand for high-capacity storage devices, the 990 EVO Plus offers ample capacity options of 1TB, 2TB and 4TB, exceeding the storage limits of the 990 EVO. The 990 EVO Plus is also equipped with the intelligent Samsung TurboWrite 2.0, revamped for maximized performance, offering rapid file transfer speeds and reduced lag, even when managing large files, editing high-res video or enjoying next-generation gaming.

    Samsung Magician Software Support
    Samsung Magician Software presents a suite of optimization tools for enhanced functionality for all Samsung SSDs, including the 990 EVO Plus. Users can streamline the data migration process for SSD upgrades effortlessly and securely. In addition, Samsung Magician protects valuable data, monitors drive health and offers customized performance optimization.
    The drives are now available at Samsung.com and other select retailers. They will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $109.99 for the 1TB model, $184.99 for the 2TB model, and $344.99 for the 4TB model. For more information, please visit here.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Community Programs Helping Under Insured and Uninsured with Breast Cancer Screenings

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Rosa Agosto and Maggie Donohue, community health workers are part of the community outreach and engagement program at the Carole & Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health  making a difference in the lives of Connecticut residents.

    In their roles Agosto and Donohue attend events in the community and other UConn Health offices to provide educational information about prevention and screening of breast cancer.  They help those who are uninsured or underinsured find the resources to schedule important mammogram screenings and follow up appointments.

    At one such event, the YWCA literacy group, in New Britain, Agosto had the opportunity to present about breast cancer prevention and screenings and the services that UConn Health can provide to the uninsured and underinsured.  Following the presentation Agosto was approached by Vanessa Neira, a New Britain resident who indicated “that’s me you are talking about.”

    Neira is from a large family from Peru with a history of cancer.  One of her five sisters was diagnosed at 35 years old and was able to receive treatment, her other sister currently in Peru has a lump in her breast but does not have insurance.  “I am concerned about her due to our family history, including our father who survived prostate cancer that was diagnosed early,” says Neira.

    Her sister diagnosed at 35 had her left breast removed and chemotherapy, Neira was concerned for herself and wanted to have a mammogram, but did not have insurance at the time.

    “I am very grateful to Rosa Agosto who helped connect me with the UConn Health free mammogram program,” says Neira.

    Women who are either uninsured or underinsured can receive free and potentially life-saving mammograms from funding donated to UConn Health from the Linda Clemens Breast Cancer Foundation.  The Foundation has been donating funds since 2015 to UConn Health’s breast cancer program focusing on early detection through annual screenings.

    “Our comprehensive breast team educates women at various community outreach events throughout the year on 3D mammography and early detection,’’ says Kim Hamilton, program coordinator, community outreach and engagement at UConn Health. “To tell a woman with no insurance we can offer her a free mammogram can be life changing.’’

    Neira’s mammogram found a concerning spot that required further testing including an ultrasound and a biopsy to rule out cancer.  In her case, she did not have breast cancer but was able to have a baseline mammogram that her doctor has now advised her to have repeated annually.

    “I am grateful to the UConn Health team for their support throughout the process as I required more than a screening mammogram and as you can imagine, due to family history of breast cancer with my sister, I wanted to relieve my fears and doubts,” says Neira.

    “We know that early detection helps saves lives,” says Agosto. “Lack of insurance should not be a barrier to mammograms and here at UConn Health we are proud to be able to provide assistance to those who need mammograms, so they have access to early diagnosis, interventions and treatment.”

    Breast Cancer Awareness month is a good time to remember to schedule your appointment for a mammogram at UConn Health by calling 860-679-2784.  3D Mammograms are provided at the  Beekley Imaging Center at UConn Health offering the latest technologies, including all-digital mammography and a computer-aided detection system, which uses new technology to search for patterns that are typically recognized as indicators for cancer.

    UConn Health offers a financial assistance program to patients without insurance for medically necessary services. Patients can contact Rosa Agosto at 860-679-1694 for assistance with scheduling their mammogram.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornerstone of the Curriculum – UConn Medical School’s CLIC Program

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    During their first three years of medical school, UConn students are given the unique opportunity of working side by side with physician preceptors throughout the state as part of the Clinical Longitudinal Immersion in the Community (CLIC) program. This program has become a cornerstone of the curriculum – allowing students to develop and hone the patient care skills that they will utilize throughout their careers and provide one of their most influential and memorable learning experiences.

    [embedded content]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DAUPHIN COUNTY – Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Poster Contest, Driving Competition

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    December 23, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    ADVISORY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Poster Contest, Driving Competition

    Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton and Pennsylvania State Police School Bus Safety Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division of the Bureau of Patrol Corporal Zeina Black will recognize student winners of the 2024 School Bus Safety Poster Contest and winning school bus drivers from the statewide 2024 School Bus Safety Competition.

    Winners of this year’s School Bus Safety Poster Contest are from schools in Allegheny, Berks, Centre, Northumberland, Snyder and Somerset counties. Winners of the school bus driver’s competition are from Chester County.

    WHO:
    PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton
    PSP School Bus Safety Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division, Bureau of Patrol Corporal Zeina Black

    WHEN:
    Wednesday, October 23 at 10:00 AM

    WHERE:
    State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North Street, Harrisburg

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away
    One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away
    ********************************************************************************

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced that the De Brazza’s Monkey of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) which had been put under isolation since October 13 was found dead today (October 22). The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has conducted a necropsy on the animal body to ascertain the cause of death.     A total of 12 animals of the HKZBG have passed away since October 13. After receiving necropsy, pathological diagnosis and laboratory tests results by relevant government departments, and ruling out other possible causes of illness, it is confirmed that the cause of death of the 11 animals deceased earlier is sepsis induced by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Similar lesions were also found in the tissues of relevant organs of the 12th monkey that died today. Pathological diagnosis and testing are in progress.     The LCSD will continue to close the Mammals Section of the HKZBG to closely monitor the health conditions of the animals. At present, the health conditions of the 78 mammals are normal. The LCSD will also continue to provide protective gear and health monitoring for staff who take care of animals. The health conditions of staff concerned are normal.      The LCSD has all along been communicating with the AFCD and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, and has implemented appropriate protective measures and stepped up cleaning in accordance with their recommendations.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, October 22, 2024Issued at HKT 21:58

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: As a federal election campaign looms, Canadians must demand stronger ethics laws from politicians

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ian Stedman, Associate Professor, Canadian Public Law & Governance, York University, Canada

    Canadian politics is at a crossroads. When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office in 2015, his open letter to Canadians promised them accountability and transparency. As Trudeau’s time as prime minister seems to be winding down, however, his government has been subject to nearly two dozen conflict-of-interest investigations, with Trudeau himself even violating conflict laws.

    Partisan vitriol, electioneering and political brinkmanship are ramping up, with pressing issues like inflation, crime, climate action and housing set to dominate the political news cycle. What must not get lost amid these policy concerns is the urgent need to strengthen Canada’s governmental ethics and accountability laws, especially given the growing Canadian distrust in politicians.

    That includes distrust of those in the current government. A 2023 poll found that two-thirds of 1,632 respondents don’t trust the Trudeau government, with only about a third expressing confidence in the Prime Minister’s Office and less than half trusting the House of Commons.

    The prime minister’s high-profile conflict-of-interest violations highlight the inadequacy of accountability measures. They illustrate that federal ethics laws need reform, particularly the Conflict of Interest Act that applies to public office holders (the Conflict of Interest Code applies to MPs in their role as MPs while the act applies to MPs in their role as ministers or parliamentary secretaries).

    As researchers who focus on the laws of public sector ethics and accountability, we believe ethics issues must be kept in public view and political parties should be pressured to offer meaningful reform ideas in their campaign and party platforms.



    Read more:
    U.S. election results may suggest ethics no longer matter … just like in Canada

    Trudeau’s conflict violations

    Trudeau first breached conflict-of-interest laws in late 2016 and early 2017, when he vacationed with his family on the private Caribbean island of the Aga Khan, a spiritual leader whose foundation is registered to lobby and has received money from the government.

    The prime minister accepted private helicopter travel and other gifts, violating multiple sections of the Conflict of Interest Act.

    Mary Dawson, the ethics commissioner at the time, found that Trudeau had failed to avoid a conflict or to seek advice from her office before accepting the trip. Despite these conclusions, Trudeau faced no formal punishment.

    Trudeau’s second violation was revealed in 2019 amid the SNC-Lavalin affair. In a nutshell, the prime minister attempted to pressure then-Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene in a criminal prosecution against the engineering firm, which has its head offices in the same province as Trudeau’s electoral riding.



    Read more:
    SNC-Lavalin & the need for fresh thinking around independence and interference

    The ethics commissioner concluded that Trudeau used his position in an attempt to improperly serve SNC-Lavalin’s interests, breaching provisions of the Conflict of Interest Act. While this scandal rocked the Liberals, Trudeau again faced no real consequences for his actions apart from some ministerial resignations and possibly a failure to gain more Liberal seats in the October 2019 election.

    These incidents have helped foster an environment where conflict-of-interest violations have become normalized. Former ministers Bill Morneau and Yasmin Ratansi, Liberal House Speaker Greg Fergus, current ministers Mary Ng and Randy Boissonnault, along with various government appointees, have all been caught in ethics scandals.

    No consequences

    Regardless of which party holds power, a striking flaw in Canada’s political ethics framework is the lack of clear consequences for violating the Conflict of Interest Act. While ethics commissioners have the authority to investigate and report on violations, their reports are published online and submitted to the prime minister, who then decides whether any consequences will apply.

    Any penalties the commissioner can impose are laughably small, with administrative monetary penalties of no more than a paltry $500 for failing to meet reporting requirements.

    This critical gap places the responsibility for imposing consequences under the act on the person who may have been the one to violate the rules, which is sometimes the leader of the government.

    The prime minister decides on the punishment, even if the investigation concerns a cabinet member. This raises concerns about impartiality. Is there any incentive for the prime minister to actually hold colleagues accountable when they violate conflict-of-interest laws?

    And what message does it send to an already distrustful electorate when the prime minister and his inner circle can repeatedly violate conflict laws, then determine whether they should face consequences for their actions?

    Ongoing ethics concerns

    Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who was tenacious in 2020 when grilling the prime minister over conflict-of-interest concerns during the WE Charity scandal, seems determined to continue challenging the Liberals on their ethics record.

    Poilievre interrogates Trudeau over the prime minister’s third conflict investigation in five years, this one concerning the WE Charity scandal in 2020. (CTV News)

    Poilievre’s Conservatives recently raised concerns over the controversial appointment of Mark Carney as a special adviser to the Liberal Party. Being appointed to a party position instead of a government job allows Carney to avoid the ethics commissioner’s scrutiny of his private interests yet still advise government officials.

    Additionally, accusations that the Liberals mismanaged the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund and used it as a “slush fund” for party insiders recently caused Parliament to grind to a halt. The government has refused to provide information on how the fund was managed.

    At the same time, allegations that Trudeau has avoided taking responsibility for foreign interference in Canada’s elections have provided the opposition with further ethics ethics ammunition for an election campaign looming on the horizon.

    Given Trudeau’s poor polling numbers, recent reports about Liberal MPs calling for him to step down and the imminence of yet another cabinet shuffle, government ethics and accountability must take centre stage if the country is to rebuild Canadian trust in government. Updating the Conflict of Interest Act would be a strong and necessary starting point.

    Ethics aren’t a luxury

    Since the Conflict of Interest Act cannot be updated without the involvement of legislators, a cynical observer might wonder how ethics standards can be strengthened.

    One answer is that the Conservatives’ relentless push for an election gives the public a perfect opportunity to demand that proposals to improve conflict-of-interest laws are part of the campaign platforms of all parties.

    This is exactly what happened in 2006 when Stephen Harper led the Conservatives to victory by pledging a more ethical and accountable Ottawa, although his government ultimately faced its own share of scandals.

    Ethical lapses in leadership must not be treated as secondary to pressing economic and social issues. Having a government that continuously strengthens and upholds its ethical standards should not be considered a luxury.

    Strong ethical governance is needed to restore and maintain public trust and to ensure our elected officials are working hard on behalf of Canadians — not in their own self-interest.

    Ian Stedman receives research funding from SSHRC and CIHR. He is also the 2024-25 Jocelyne Bourgon Visiting Scholar at the Canada School of Public Service.

    Matthew Cerilli does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. As a federal election campaign looms, Canadians must demand stronger ethics laws from politicians – https://theconversation.com/as-a-federal-election-campaign-looms-canadians-must-demand-stronger-ethics-laws-from-politicians-241710

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Mortgage Lenders See Immense Value in Simplifying and Standardizing Closing-Cost Descriptions

    Source: Fannie Mae

    Closing costs are fees and charges paid by borrowers in connection with the closing of a home purchase or a mortgage refinancing.1 Examples include mortgage origination fees, borrower credit report fees, appraisal fees, title insurance premiums, settlement fees, and real estate agent commissions. In recent years, these costs have risen considerably,2 posing a significant challenge for many first-time and lower-income homebuyers hoping to purchase a home.3

    In late July, we surveyed over 200 senior mortgage executives via our Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey® to gather insights from lenders about opportunities to simplify and standardize closing cost line-item descriptions, as well as their opinions on which cost areas would benefit from clearer definitions to increase transparency for borrowers. Additionally, we asked lenders to provide feedback on areas where they believe costs can be reduced.

    Among the key findings:

    • While 60% of lenders believe it’s easy to accurately estimate closing costs, their experience explaining these costs to borrowers is mixed: Only half of lenders told us that it’s easy to explain closing costs to borrowers.
    • The majority of lenders (81%) agreed that simplifying and standardizing closing cost line-item descriptions would be valuable for the mortgage industry. Respondents indicated that increasing transparency, particularly for borrowers, would be the most important benefit of such an effort, followed by decreasing compliance costs, and helping consumers comparison-shop.

    Click image above for larger view

    • Lenders said “getting key players to align on standardization” is the biggest implementation challenge, followed by making the necessary technology updates (e.g., integrating with loan origination systems or industry data portals).
    • To help improve transparency for borrowers, several closing cost types were highlighted by lenders as being especially likely to benefit from further clarity, including lender fees, settlement/closing fees, lender’s title insurance premium or attorney opinion letter (AOL) fees, and borrower credit report and verification of income/employment/assets (VOI/E/A) fees.4

    Click image above for larger view

    • We asked lenders to identify the areas where they believe closing costs can be reduced, and the most common responses were borrower credit report and VOI/E/A fees5, lender’s title insurance premium or AOL fees, and real estate agent commissions, in that order.

    Click image above for larger view

    As part of the survey, we also encouraged lenders to provide write-in commentary on the closing-cost concerns that are top of mind for them. Some lenders noted that certain costs charged by third parties, such as credit reports and employment verification fees, have climbed significantly, despite technological advancements intended to make the process more efficient and cost-effective. Others expressed the opinion that some closing costs were overpriced relative to the associated risk, while some observed that costs charged to borrowers can vary considerably, even for effectively the same service. A few lenders noted that while the individual fees charged by the transacting parties are often relatively low, when aggregated the closing costs typically add up to a significant amount. Finally, many lenders concluded that simplifying and standardizing closing cost line-item descriptions would be an important value-add for the entire mortgage industry, asserting that it would help increase transparency, reduce compliance costs, and enable consumers to both better understand the costs and shop around for better prices.

    Based on these findings, we believe meaningful opportunities exist for the mortgage industry to increase transparency around closing costs and potentially help save consumers money. In recent years, the mortgage industry has made some strides in this space, including introducing tools to help borrowers better understand (and calculate for themselves) the various mortgage costs and fees, deploying property valuation modernization efforts to streamline the home-valuation process and reduce appraisal costs for borrowers, and allowing lenders to use an Attorney Opinion Letter (AOL) as an alternative to a lender’s title insurance policy. Still, we believe much more can be done, and we’re committed to working with our industry partners to help improve transparency and reduce closing costs for borrowers.

    To learn more, read the full research deck.

    Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views of Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group or survey respondents included in these materials should not be construed as indicating Fannie Mae’s business prospects or expected results, are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to change without notice. How this information affects Fannie Mae will depend on many factors. Although the ESR Group bases its opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views on information it considers reliable, it does not guarantee that the information provided in these materials is accurate, current, or suitable for any particular purpose. Changes in the assumptions or the information underlying these views could produce materially different results. The analyses, opinions, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views published by the ESR Group represent the views of that group or survey respondents as of the date indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of Fannie Mae or its management.

    1 These fees are typically itemized under “Closing Cost Details” on the Closing Disclosure document. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule requires all settlement fees to be disclosed in the form of a Loan Estimate and the integrated Closing Disclosure. The objective of the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure documents is to simplify and clarify the terms of the loan that a borrower is applying for while also showing how much money is needed at closing and for what purpose.

    2 According to a CFPB analysis, from 2021 to 2023, median total loan costs for home mortgages increased by over 36%.

    3 “Barriers to Entry: Closing Costs for First-Time and Low-Income Homebuyers,” Fannie Mae, December 2021,
    https://www.fanniemae.com/research-and-insights/publications/barriers-entry-closing-costs-first-time-and-low-income-homebuyers
    https://www.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/barriers-entry-homebuyer-closing-costs

    4 Larger lenders (37%) are significantly more likely than smaller lenders (15%) to cite “borrower credit report & VOI/E/A fees” as a top-two opportunity to increase transparency. Mortgage banks (34%) are significantly more likely than depository institutions (14%) and credit unions (16%) to cite “borrower credit report & VOI/E/A fees” as a top-two opportunity to increase transparency.

    5 Larger lenders (56%) are significantly more likely than smaller lenders (36%) to cite “borrower credit report & VOI/E/A fees” as a top-two opportunity to reduce costs. Mortgage banks (53%) are significantly more likely than credit unions (29%) to cite “borrower credit report & VOI/E/A fees” as a top-two opportunity to reduce costs.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global Financial Stability Report, October 2024 – Steadying the Course: Uncertainty, Artificial Intelligence, and Financial Stability 

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Chapter 1: Steadying the Course: Financial Markets Navigate Uncertainty 

    Chapter 1 delves into the financial vulnerabilities and imbalances challenging financial stability. With the expectation that monetary policy will continue to ease globally, financial conditions have remained accommodative, emerging markets have remained resilient and asset price volatility has stayed low, on net. However, accommodative financial conditions that keep near-term risks contained also facilitate the buildup of vulnerabilities, such as lofty asset valuations, the global rise in private and government debt, and increased use of leverage by nonbank financial institutions. These vulnerabilities could worsen future downside risks by amplifying adverse shocks, which have become more probable due to the widening disconnect between elevated economic uncertainty and low financial volatility. Furthermore, access to funding for economies with weaker fiscal buffers may become more constrained, and the slowing growth outlook in China, along with fragilities in its financial system, is a key downside risk to the global economy. Pressures on the commercial real estate sector also continue to be acute, and some midsized companies’ borrowings are becoming increasingly strained. These mounting vulnerabilities highlight the urgency for policymakers to address them. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO’s strategy for digital transformation

    Source: NATO

    The rapid evolution of digital technologies has profoundly transformed our societies, our economies, and is having a significant impact on modern warfare. NATO’s Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy will help address the need for technological and cultural transformation, leveraging data and artificial intelligence to drive this digital transformation.

    At the Madrid Summit in 2022, Allies agreed on the need to strengthen NATO’s technological edge as a means of reinforcing their collective deterrence and defence. The strategy will guide the Alliance to harness technology more effectively, helping it to mitigate against threats, support decision-making, and ultimately drive transformation. It provides a roadmap that outlines how, by 2030, NATO will leverage digital technologies in all its areas of operations to foster its technological edge in executing its core tasks of deterrence and defence. Guiding NATO’s development in four capability areas – people, process, technology and data – through multiple lines of effort, the strategy pinpoints key deliverables in the implementation of digital transformation.

    The strategy highlights four key outcomes for the Alliance:

    • Strength across all domains – maritime, land, air, cyberspace and space.
    • Elevated digital standards to ensure NATO remains future-proof.
    • A more advanced data picture using real-time analytics.
    • Enhanced decision-making supported by more effective data sharing.

    The summary of NATO’s Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy is available here.

    MIL Security OSI –