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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa50 investment platform gets thumbs up for its innovative financing, strategic partnerships and performance

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Presidents of Madagascar and Tanzania praise Africa50’s critical role in addressing the continent’s infrastructure challenges; Africa50 has mobilized over $1.1 billion in capital commitments and catalyzed an additional $4.4 billion in external financing in just seven years, Adesina.

    Africa50 (www.Africa50.com), the investment platform established by African governments and the African Development Bank, is exceeding expectations and closing critical infrastructure funding gaps through innovative financing mechanisms and strategic partnerships, stakeholders heard on Thursday.

    Speaking at Africa50’s 2024 annual General Shareholders Meeting held in Antananarivo, the President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, and his Tanzanian counterpart,  Samia Suluhu Hassan, acknowledged the institution’s pivotal role in addressing the continent’s infrastructure and economic challenges, creating a foundation for sustainable development and prosperity.  

    President Rajoelina highlighted how Africa50 is driving transformational change by mobilizing financing for large-scale infrastructure projects in his country and across the continent.

    He said Madagascar, with its abundant natural and renewable resources, has become a model for energy transition, and added that the country needs the support of international partners such as Africa50.

     “To realise our vision, we need the support of international partners, and this is where the role of Africa50 members is crucial. We need to work together to secure funding for ambitious projects and enable Madagascar to make the transition to green, sustainable energy. This is a challenge for the whole of Africa,” the president said.

    He remarked that the continent has a unique opportunity to reaffirm itself as a global leader in the climate change challenge by supporting innovative and sustainable projects. “Africa is not the problem, Africa is a solution.”

    President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in a speech read by the  Minister of Finance and Planning, Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba Madelu, described clean cooking as an international agenda and a business that must be treated as such.

    According to the International Energy Agency, nearly one billion people in Africa cook with polluting fuels, which has a direct impact on health and leads to half a million premature deaths every year. Yet, the cost of solving the clean energy problem is relatively low.

    The Tanzanian leader encouraged the use of clean cooking microfinance by providing low-interest loans to households to purchase clean cookstoves, allowing for a more manageable transition to clean cooking solutions… “It is crucial to make clean cooking affordable, especially in low-income areas. Governments can introduce effective incentives for producers and consumers to reduce the cost of cooking materials,” the Tanzanian president said.

    The meeting brought together global leaders, policymakers, investors, and infrastructure experts to strategize and collaborate on the actions needed to mobilize investment in a sustainable future for Africa.

    “The fact that Africa50 is exceeding expectations and bridging the funding gap by tackling today’s challenges through innovative financing mechanisms and strategic partnerships is good news for Africa and the world,” President and Chairman of the Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina said in a keynote speech at the event.

    Adesina, who is also Chairman of the Africa50 Board of Directors, told the meeting that Africa50 has mobilized over $1.1 billion in capital commitments and catalyzed an additional $4.4 billion in external financing In just seven years of operation. “Its portfolio includes 25 transformative projects in 28 countries, with a total value exceeding $8 billion across energy, transport, digital infrastructure, education, and healthcare sectors.”

    In December 2023, the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) secured $222.5 million at first close from predominantly African investors, a first for the continent.

    Africa50’s vision for Africa’s future

    With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and a booming consumer market, the continent will be one of the most sought-after investment destinations in the world, Adesina told the meeting, “We are determined to continue mobilizing capital, overcoming barriers to investment, and delivering transformative projects.”

    In his remarks, Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobissé said over the past year, the institution had invested in key infrastructure projects, guided by the need for speed and scale in implementation for the continent. “Investors manage more than $2.3 trillion in Africa. Africa50 aims to mobilise and catalyse some of this capital to finance infrastructure in Africa,” he said.

    He highlighted Africa50’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund as an achievement that is the first of its kind in Africa.

    “This fund is a significant step forward in mobilising African capital to bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap,” Ebobissé added.

    In 2023, Africa50 demonstrated its potential by facilitating significant foreign direct investment in clean energy, even as global FDI declined by 3%.

    With over 60% of the world’s solar energy potential, Africa has a golden opportunity to pursue a low-carbon energy trajectory, expand its electricity supply, and decarbonize its economies.

    Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island nation, was cited as an example of how infrastructure development can stimulate economic growth.

    The African Development Bank’s commitments in Madagascar total more than 1 billion dollars, with transport, energy, and agriculture accounting for more than 97% of the portfolio.

    The flagship Sahofika project, which will be the benchmark for green baseload in the country’s energy mix, will reduce the share of thermal power generation to less than of thermal generation to less than 10%, cutting the country’s generation costs by more than 30%.

    Transport infrastructure

    The African Development Bank remains committed to supporting Madagascar in its efforts to improve connectivity and promote trade across the continent through sustainable transport infrastructure projects, Adesina said.

    “Thanks to the corridor development and trade facilitation project, 165 km of roads, including the Analamisampy-Manja section, along with four bridges on the RN9, have been constructed, reducing travel time from 48 hours to just 5 hours,” Adesina said.

    “Transport infrastructure improvements are also revolutionizing trade and travel, reducing travel times along key corridors from 48 hours to just five hours,” he added.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Leaders Meet to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification at African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) Special Session

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), the African Union Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brought together African ministers of environment in Abidjan to adopt the Abidjan Declaration (https://apo-opa.co/3BnJ6GN), a commitment to jointly tackle land degradation, desertification, and drought across Africa.

    The 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held from 3-6 September, served as a platform to generate political momentum and secure essential financing and partnerships to address these urgent environmental challenges. Key discussions focused on four critical policy areas: mitigating droughts in Africa; enhancing ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality targets; promoting ecosystem restoration opportunities; and strengthening partnerships for implementation and resource mobilisation.

    The dialogue is expected to shape Africa’s strategies on finance, natural capital, and addressing marine and coastal challenges ahead of the UNCCD COP 16 to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. 

    The Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé attended. In opening remarks, he said: “There is a very concerning imbalance. We must stay informed in order to provide responses to our concerns, particularly to the global community, which is worried about the highly negative impact of climate change on our economic, human, and social activities. Some examples show that climate change affects more than 100 million hectares of land each year.”

    Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqiha, Deputy Minister at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the COP16 Riyadh Presidency also attended the ministerial dialogue. He said, “Elevating Africa’s ambitions to combat land degradation aligns with the message we wish to convey at COP16. It is crucial that land is prioritised in global efforts against drought, famine, rising carbon emissions, and forced migration—issues that have too often been sidelined.”

    The Abidjan Declaration, adopted on September 6, 2024, during the conference, reflects the commitment of African governments to addressing the challenges of desertification and land degradation. Over 65 percent of the continent’s land is affected by degradation, impacting 400 million people.

    Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, underscored the significance of these discussions. “Today’s session is an opportunity to review Africa’s progress since COP 15 in May 2022. The challenges of land degradation and drought are pressing, and we are committed to finding urgent solutions as we implement our Ten-Year Strategy for 2024-2033,” he said.

    Anthony Nyong, Climate Change and Growth Director at the African Development Bank, called for a shift in narrative regarding Africa’s challenges. “Partnership is essential in tackling the complex issues of land degradation, drought, and desertification. We must adopt an integrated, sustainable approach, prioritizing investments in sustainable land practices and climate resilience. However, the prevailing narrative of vulnerability and underdevelopment obscures the climate opportunities and deters private investment.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates Streamlines Course Offerings, Boosts Enrollment, and Enhances School Partnerships

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The Neag School of Education’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG) has implemented significant changes over the past year aimed at better accommodating the needs of students and school district partners. The main shift was the program’s length, which decreased from 11 months to 10 months beginning with the summer 2024 cohort.

    The decision to start the full-time program in mid-June proved beneficial in multiple ways. Under the previous structure, students who already worked in schools and wanted to pursue teacher certification had to leave their jobs before the end of the school year, which posed a challenge for them and their districts.

    “This new timeline was chosen after a careful review of district calendars across the state,” says Tracy Sinclair, director of TCPCG. “By delaying the start, candidates working as paraprofessionals or long-term substitutes no longer had to quit their jobs early, helping school districts retain essential staff during the critical end-of-school period in June.”

    Sinclair notes this change has also led to a demographic shift in the program’s enrollment. While there are still non-traditional students making mid-career transitions into teaching, many program participants are now recent college graduates.

    “The 10-month program design allows these graduates a brief break between completing their undergraduate studies and starting the intensive graduate program,” she says. “Previously, students had only a few days between their undergraduate graduation and the start of TCPCG, which left little room for adjustment.”

    Instead of offering two six-week summer semesters, the new program structure consolidates coursework into one 10-week summer semester. This allows students to spend more time on fewer courses, enabling a deeper understanding of critical pedagogical concepts. Sinclair explains that this shift from “a mile wide and an inch deep” to more focused, longer courses has improved the overall quality of the education students receive.

    This condensed timeline allows me to balance family responsibilities while pursuing my teaching career and minimizing time away from my children. &#8212 Kamie Merithew, current student

    Despite these changes, Sinclair acknowledges that the program remains rigorous. Students still take five graduate courses over 10 weeks in the summer, which can be challenging. However, the new structure includes shorter class days and built-in time for school-based clinical experiences, giving students more flexibility.

    Ultimately, the shift to a 10-month program has positively impacted enrollment. Sinclair reports a 57% increase in enrollment across all four regional campuses that offer the program, which she attributes to a combination of effective marketing and the appeal of the redesigned structure. This growth is a promising sign for the program’s future as it continues to adapt to meet the needs of aspiring teachers and the Neag School’s partner schools.

    “This condensed timeline allows me to balance family responsibilities while pursuing my teaching career and minimizing time away from my children,” says Kamie Merithew, a current TCPCG student. “As an adult transitioning careers later in life, I can quickly leverage my valuable life experiences and transferable skills in the classroom. The shorter program also reduces tuition costs and living expenses and enables me to gain practical experience to start teaching sooner.”

    Joseph Macary ’94 (CLAS), ’05 ELP, ’16 Ed.D., Vernon Public Schools’ superintendent, is an enthusiastic supporter of TCPCG’s new residency program. (Defining Studios)

    Another change to TCPCG, initially launched in 2021 with just a handful of districts, is its residency program offering students a half-year paid experience in participating school districts. These residencies allow students to spend two days in their specific content area and three days as a building substitute, providing them with valuable hands-on experience. At first, the program was small, but as demand grew the number of participating schools expanded rapidly. Now, TCPCG has partnered with over 20 schools across Connecticut.

    In 2022-2023, a significant milestone was achieved when a district offered a full-year residency.

    “Now, all of UConn’s regional campuses have at least one district offering a full-year residency, giving students a unique opportunity to gain sustained experience while alleviating some of the financial pressures associated with a graduate education,” Sinclair says.

    One of the main benefits of this program is that it allows students to gain professional experience while also earning a salary. Sinclair emphasizes that “this blend of earning while learning helps ease the financial burden while still preparing students for a career in teaching.”

    “From the perspective of school districts, the benefits are twofold,” she says. “Not only do they receive an additional staff member in the form of a building substitute during critical times, such as the lead-up to the holiday season, but they also gain the advantage of having a potential future employee immersed in their school environment for an entire year.

    “This full-year engagement serves as a yearlong interview, allowing schools to evaluate the residents in real-world scenarios,” Sinclair says. “For students, this integration into a school community can foster deeper connections and increase their chances of securing employment post-graduation.”

    “I think it’s great that the TCPCG program has a residency program in various school districts,” says Thomas Murray, a current student. “I know a lot of students in my cohort were ecstatic to hear that they will be getting paid for classroom observations. It gives us the opportunity to be at our placement every day and become more comfortable with the students and building.”

    Will Kampfman ’24 MA, who recognizes the benefits of the revamped TCPCG program, spoke during a Teacher Education Appreciation event this summer at UConn Hartford. (Shawn Kornegay/Neag School)

    A recent TCPCG alumnus agrees.

    “In addition to the financial benefits of being able to work while attending school, I was able to both work in the education field and at the school – and with the classes – where I would ultimately be doing my student teaching,” says Will Kampfman ’24 MA, a Hartford Public Schools social studies teacher. “My experience through the residency program was invaluable in preparing me for my student teaching experience in the spring, as it allowed me to start working with my cooperating teacher, to gain experience at my placement school, and to begin building positive rapport with my students.”

    Vernon Public Schools is enthusiastic about partnering with TCPCG, specifically developing future teachers through the residency model.

    “This collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between Vernon schools and UConn, with many of the district’s most successful teachers being UConn graduates,” Superintendent Joseph Macary ’94 (CLAS), ’05 ELP, ’16 Ed.D. says. “Vernon has actively recruited UConn graduates for over a decade, and we have found great success in retaining these teachers, with very few leaving unless for personal reasons like moving.

    “The new residency program is particularly promising. Currently, seven aspiring teachers are placed across Vernon schools, where they are already making an impact,” Macary says. “One principal expressed interest in hiring these residents next year due to their impressive performance. The program allows the district to evaluate whether these residents truly want to pursue teaching before fully committing to the profession.”

    The district views the program as a solution to a national problem: the shortage of teachers. Fewer people were entering the profession even before the pandemic, and COVID-19 worsened the situation. Vernon has struggled to maintain a full staff of teachers, so building a pipeline through TCPCG’s residency program is crucial. Macary hopes many of these future educators will choose to stay in Vernon.

    These program changes – the new residency component that benefits both TCPCG students and the program’s partner districts, and the shortened program length – ensure that UConn’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates continues to be an integral part of Connecticut’s educational landscape. The program prioritizes meeting the needs of the state’s public schools and those of future educators.

    To learn more about the Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates, visit s.uconn.edu/teach.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: Repackaging Seafood Waste as Plastic Alternatives

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Seafood is a major industry in New England. It generates a lot of revenue for coastal communities, but with that productivity can come a lot of waste.

    Right now, that waste – things like crab and lobster shells – is just dumped into landfills where it decomposes slowly and releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

    Researchers in New England have been looking at how that waste could be used to help rather than harm the environment.

    Mingyu Qiao, assistant professor of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, and Yangchao Luo, associate professor of nutritional sciences, are two researchers in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources investigating how seafood waste and algae can be used to produce plastic-free, biodegradable packaging.

    They recently published four articles on the topic, in Foods, Food Hydrocolloids, and two in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 1 and 2.

    “That’s the motivation,” Qiao says. “We’re looking for ways we can better use that seafood waste to create a value-added product.”

    Plastic packaging is also a major source of waste in the world. Single-use plastics often make their ways into our waters where they pose a danger to sea life.

    Microplastics, pieces of plastic broken down to nearly undetectable sizes, affect humans too, as they have shown up in human brains and reproductive organs.

    Plastics are harmful to human health in another way – PFAS. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) also known as “forever chemicals” are found in plastics and plastic coatings on paper food wrappers. They leech into our food, and we then consume these harmful chemicals.

    Qiao and Luo are looking for a solution that tackles waste from both directions.

    “Each type of seafood waste has different (chemical) components, and they might have different properties, so it can be good for different applications,” Qiao says. “The challenge is how to identify those molecules, their properties, and the best use.”

    Natural polymers like the ones with which Qiao and Luo work are safer for human, animal, and environmental health, aligning this work with the College’s investment in One Health approaches.

    These polymers do not contain synthetic chemicals which are linked to a host of poor health outcomes, and they can be easily degraded in the ocean, given that is where they originated.

    “Nature already has a mechanism to biodegrade those polymers that is millions of years old,” Qiao says.

    Luo works on turning a compound found in crab and lobster shells into packaging using an extraction process that does not generate toxic waste.

    “Even though the polymer is green, the process is not,” Qiao says. “That’s why we’re developing what we call a green biorefinery method using microorganisms that produce enzymes to break down those tissues and then we can extract the polymers sustainably.”

    In partnership with UConn’s Technology Commercialization Services (TCS), Luo and Qiao have forged a strategic alliance with a leading lobster processing company in Massachusetts to implement this innovative green extraction method on seafood waste. Together, they are pursuing a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to accelerate the development and commercialization of this groundbreaking technology.

    Amit Kumar, senior director of licensing at UConn, says “The seafood processing industry produces valuable waste that is rich in components like chitin and alginate, which have significant potential for diverse applications, from food and medical technologies to sustainable packaging alternatives. These projects aim to harness these materials to create high-impact, eco-friendly solutions across various industries by replacing petroleum-based materials.”

    Qiao works with alginate, a compound found in algae, as an edible coating on food. He is looking at how spraying produce, like strawberries, with an alginate coating can help increase their shelf-life without the need for plastic packaging.

    Alginate is an attractive option for this application because it is completely edible, calorie-free, and not a common allergen, which is a concern for seafood-derived polymers.

    The researchers are also working with local seaweed farmers, collaborating with them as they move toward commercializing this technology.

    A postdoctoral researcher working in Qiao’s lab, Anuj Purohit, has established a company called Atlantic Sea Solutions to develop and commercialize this technology. The company was selected to receive funding from the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or CCEI over the summer. Atlantic Sea Solutions was selected as one of five teams to compete in the School of Business’ Wolff New Venture Competition in October.

    “This research is not staying on the paper,” Qiao says. “There is commercial interest right now.”

    Qiao and Luo have disclosed three inventions and filed two provisional patents in this area.

    “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the CAHNR leadership for their continued investment in applied research like ours. These projects were initially supported by the CAHNR Exploratory Research Grant and the Strategic Vision Implementation Committees (SVIC) Funding, and we’re now beginning to see the fruits of that investment.”

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Ensuring a Vibrant and Sustainable Agricultural Industry and Food Supply, Advancing Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate and Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: Searching for a Vaccine Against an Ancient Scourge

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Syphilis cases have surged worldwide, leaving public health officials scrounging for ways to stop the spread. Now, a large, collaborative study of syphilis genetics from four continents has found hints of a possible target for a vaccine.

    Syphilis is a sexually transmitted illness that first appeared in Europe about 500 years ago. Its initial symptoms can vary, but the spiral shaped bacterium that causes it can persist in the body for years, often in the central nervous system, and cause birth defects when it infects infants in utero. Syphilis cases decreased in the middle 20th century as easy, effective treatment with injectable penicillin became available, and became uncommon in the 1990s due to changes in sexual behavior in the wake of the HIV epidemic.

    But recently, syphilis has made an unwelcome comeback. There were 207,255 cases in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than any time since the 1950s. Babies, some of them stillborn, made up 3,755 of those cases. Other countries worldwide are seeing the same disturbing upward trend.

    Stopping syphilis’s spread has become a pressing public health goal. Now, an international collaboration of researchers and doctors has collected one of the most extensive genomic surveys of the syphilis bacterium to date and correlated the genetic data with clinical information about the patients who provided the samples. They are using the data to search for proteins on the surface of the microbe that don’t vary. Such stable proteins could be good targets for a vaccine. They published their findings in the September issue of Lancet Microbe.

    Several previous scientific studies using whole genome-sequencing of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (the bacterium that causes syphilis, abbreviated as TPA) have helped researchers begin to understand the global distribution of circulating strains. However, few analyses of specimens for the purpose of evaluating TPA clinical and genetic diversity to inform syphilis vaccine development have been performed.

    This study enrolled participants from four countries, including Colombia, China, Malawi, and the U.S. Samples of TPA genomes from Africa and South America had been underrepresented in previous genetic studies and were a particularly valuable addition to the TPA genetic dataset.

    Once the samples were collected, they were sent to the University of North Carolina’s Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases in Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) to have their genetic sequences mapped in Dr. Jonathan Parr’s laboratory.

    “Whole-genome sequencing samples collected by partners around the world improved our understanding of circulating Treponema pallidum strains. The results help us understand differences between strains and identify targets for vaccine development,” says Parr.

    The researchers’ genetic mapping and protein modeling found that syphilis bacteria differed noticeably between continents, but there were enough similarities that the researchers believe they could find good targets for an effective global vaccine.

    UConn School of Medicine Professor Justin Radolf, one of the senior authors on the publication and a Principal Investigator on the NIH U19 award that funded the study, emphasized the importance of these findings.

    “By mapping mutations to three-dimensional models of the bacterium’s proteins, we’ve gained crucial insights that will inform the design of a syphilis vaccine,” Radolf says.

    Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill are assessing vaccine acceptability to determine what concerns individuals may have on participating in future syphilis vaccine trials and the potential impact of a vaccine on key populations.

    “Engaging with the community now is really important in order to get patients’ opinions and concerns about a future syphilis vaccine trial even before the vaccine has been developed,” says Dr. Arlene C. Seña from UNC-Chapel Hill, co-lead on the clinical study that enrolled participants worldwide and the lead author on the Lancet Microbe manuscript.

    The team has already secured funding to continue their efforts to develop a syphilis vaccine.

    “This study highlights the power of collaboration,” says Juan Salazar, Physician-in-Chief at Connecticut Children’s and co-lead of the project, who also serves as chair of the department of pediatrics at UConn School of Medicine. “Our work here is not just about addressing a local health concern; it’s about contributing to a global solution for a disease that continues to affect millions worldwide.”

    The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and several international research institutions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Translation: AFRICA/CONGORD- Appointment of the Bishop of Isiro-Niangara

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Monday, September 23, 2024

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Dieudonné Madrapile Tanzi, currently Bishop of the Diocese of Isangi, as Bishop of Isiro-Niangara, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, transferring him from the same See. Bishop Dieudonné Madrapile Tanzi was born on 18 August 1958 in Niangara. He received priestly ordination on 25 August 1985 for the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara. He has held the following positions and carried out further studies: Formator in the Minor Seminary of Rungu (1985-1986); Professor and spiritual animator in the Interdiocesan Major Seminary of Philosophy Saint Augustin, Kisangani (1986-1996); Vicar General of the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara (1996-2001); Diocesan Administrator of Isiro-Niangara (2001-2003); Rector of the National Marian Shrine of Blessed Anuarite (2003-2006); Doctorate in Missiology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome (2006-2013); Chaplain of the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, Work of Don Guanella, Rome; Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University (2012-2016). Since 12 July 2024 he has been Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara. He was elected Bishop of Isangi on 2 April 2016 and consecrated on 10 July 2016. (EG) (Agenzia Fides 23/09/2024) Share:

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: Confronting the Problem of Suicide

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In 2022, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide, making it the 11th leading cause of death in the country – and the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and 25-34. September is National Suicide Prevention month, when health care providers, advocates, survivors, educators and others work to change public perception on the topic and offer hope for people struggling with suicidal thoughts. Dr. Neha Jain, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UConn Health, recently spoke with UConn Today about common misconceptions on suicide, what warning signs to look out for, and how to find help.

     

    Q: What has been the effect, if any, of the pandemic on what we’ve seen in terms of the problem of suicide?

    As mental health providers, we were all very concerned that the pandemic would lead to an increase in rates of suicide. But what we found, interestingly, is that, during the initial period of the pandemic, suicide actually decreased. And this was attributed to people coming together during a moment of crisis: a lot of people moved back home; there were a lot of campaigns about mental health awareness; there was a push to increase access to mental health services. People were spending more time with their families, so there was less social isolation. We did not see an increase in suicide. If anything, the rates reduced a little bit, though I will say that reduction was driven mostly by white persons and less so amongst populations of color. But by 2022 the rates increased again, and reverted back to the trend we had been observing before the pandemic.


     Q: In general, what kind of factors might make the risk of suicide higher for someone?

    I think of suicide risk factors as falling into two broad categories: first, factors that we cannot change, and then factors that are modifiable, that we can change. For example, male gender has always been a  risk factor for suicide. People who are single,divorced or widowed, certain age groups like adolescents and young adults, and  adults over the age of 65, are  at high risk. In our profession, we tend to focus more on modifiable factors; things like a history of suicide attempts, a history of mental illness or substance use, social isolation, loneliness, limited economic means or economic insecurity, chronic pain and physical illness. Those are all risk factors for suicide that can be modified or treated.


     Q: One thing we hear from students is they want to know what warning signs are. They want to know when it’s appropriate to intervene. But there seems to be a lot of, especially on social media, a lot of contrasting information about that, or misinformation, as it might be. So, what are some warning signs that people should look for?

    Dr. Neha Jain is a psychiatrist at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    For students, I would say really any marked change in behavior is a potential warning sign. It can be a big change in eating or sleeping patterns. It can be somebody just talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, feeling more depressed, talking about feeling shame or guilt, talking about being a burden to others. It can be completely withdrawing and not interacting with people anymore. Also, an increase in anxiety, increase in anger or agitation can be a clue. If a person is describing a lot of emotional or physical pain that they cannot bear, that can be a warning sign. And then there are things that you might notice in terms of behavior, for example, if somebody is doing anything that could be considered research about methods of suicide or making preparations for death. Some of those preparations might include giving away important things, writing “goodbye” letters, doing dangerous things like driving fast, drinking heavily, or substance use. All of those can be warning signs. That being said, sometimes suicides can happen with no warning signs at all. So, it is also important to realize that a person may look and act just fine, but they may be feeling something that is not visible on the outside.

    Q: Younger people seem more willing in general to talk about their mental wellness, certainly more so than people of my generation. But is there still a stigma around the topic of suicide? Are people still reluctant to discuss it, for fear they might upset or even trigger someone?

    Absolutely. I think there are lots of different things that play into that, in addition to the stigma in general around suicide. Some people are just too worried to ask – you know, “What if I ask if this person is thinking about suicide, and they say yes. What am I going to do then?” There is also this concern that somehow asking about suicide may actually make a person more likely to commit suicide, and I want to emphasize that isn’t true. So, you should not feel afraid to ask about suicide if you’re worried about it.


     Q: Can you talk about what “suicide contagion” is and how it can be prevented?

    Suicide contagion is exactly what it sounds like, where the suicidal behavior or suicide of one person then influences others to commit or attempt suicide. That effect does seem to be stronger in adolescents and young people, and there have been a lot of well-publicized clusters, particularly if there is a celebrity who commits suicide or attempts suicide. It will often lead to a contagion cluster, and not necessarily in the same geographical area, obviously, because the news can be read anywhere. It’s important to realize that people will talk about suicide if there is a suicide. It will be reported in the media. It doesn’t help to brush away or hide a suicide, but suicide contagion is real, and it’s not so much the actual suicide as how it is portrayed that can affect the contagion behavior. So, if a suicide is presented in a sensationalistic way, there can be a kind of excitement around it. In a 24-hour non-stop news cycle, there will be a lot of description, a lot of drama and, and it may  be presented as  a strategy: “This person was so unhappy, this was their only way out.” Sensational reports can downplay the person’s struggles, downplay the stress or the substance abuse, or other negative experiences they were dealing with. Suicide can and should be reported on, but doing it in a fact-based manner, understanding that it is often a lot more complicated picture than it seems on the surface, is the responsible way to do it.


     Q: What are some common misconceptions people have about suicide?

    The big one that I see is, again, the idea that talking about it or asking somebody about it will make them more likely to attempt suicide. I do not think that is true. I think there is also this idea that, “Oh, this person looks just fine. How could they end their life?” But a person may be able to hide a lot of depression, a lot of conflict, a lot of stress. If you’re worried about your friend, asking them about it and talking about it can be very helpful, so we shouldn’t hesitate.

    Q: That segues perfectly into what might be the most important question: if someone is concerned that a family member, friend, or loved one might be contemplating suicide, what should they do?

    Don’t hesitate to talk, even if you’re not completely sure about what they are planning or contemplating. You can always offer them the crisis lifeline information. The phone number for the suicide crisis Lifeline is 988. They can call that number to talk to a crisis worker. They can also contact the crisis text line, which is often preferable to people, and for that you text TALK to 741741. Don’t hesitate to offer this information to anybody that you think is struggling. Don’t be afraid to put this information out there where everybody can access it. If you feel that there is a life-threatening situation, you can always call either 911 or 211, which is the mental health helpline in Connecticut. The CT suicide advisory board has some useful resources at https://www.preventsuicidect.org/  Finally, I think it is always better to reach out and offer help, or ask for help.

    If you are struggling with severe depression or suicidal thoughts, UConn Health and its psychiatry experts urge you to alert your psychiatric provider immediately. If you do not have a provider, get help by calling:  9-1-1, 2-1-1, or the national Suicide & Crisis Hotline 988, or visit your nearest Emergency Department where health care providers are always standing by to help you stay safe.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched in Wood Green

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives have launched a murder investigation after they discovered a man’s body in a Haringey flat.

    Police were called at about 21:45hrs on Friday, 20 September, following concerns for the occupant of an address on Moselle Avenue, N22.

    Officers attended and forced entry into the flat, where they discovered the man deceased.

    He has been named as 40-year-old Marvin Dixon. His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

    Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation. A special post-mortem examination held on Sunday, 22 September, found cause of death to be blunt force trauma.

    On 22 September, a 36-year-old man was arrested in the Edmonton area on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at a north London police station.

    Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, Specialist Crime, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who has been to the flat in recent weeks and who may know the occupants – and also from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area.

    “It’s vital that we establish the movements of anyone who entered the property.”

    Chief Inspector Lee Mckean, one of the senior officers responsible for policing Haringey, said: “We know that there will be genuine concern in the area and I would encourage anyone with information or concerns to speak with police. Additional officers will be in the area to support local people.”

    Anyone with information is asked to please call 101 and quote reference CAD 8320/20Sep. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Joly and Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to attend UN General Assembly High-Level Week

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of Canada’s delegation to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York City, New York. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also travel to New York as part of Canada’s delegation.

    September 23, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of Canada’s delegation to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York City, New York. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also travel to New York as part of Canada’s delegation.

    During the UNGA High-Level Week, Minister Joly will co-host a high-level panel discussion on the subject of media freedom and present the 2024 Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award with Lord Collins of Highbury, the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This event reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to support free and independent journalism.

    Minister Joly will also participate in a leader-level meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, co-hosted by Prime Minister Trudeau and Garry Conille, Prime Minister of Haiti, which will focus on the urgent need for Haitian-led solutions in response to the ongoing crisis there. This event will also offer a unique opportunity to mobilize the international community’s support for the Haitian government’s priorities for the transition.

    The Minister will also co-host a high-level event with representatives of Ukraine and Estonia that will underscore the urgent need to restore the rights of children worldwide and enhance child protection, including addressing the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. She will highlight Canada’s ongoing efforts to support the repatriation of Ukrainian children and Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression.

    Minister Joly will deliver Canada’s national statement to the United Nations General Assembly, where she will emphasize Canada’s continued commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

    While in New York City, Minister Joly will attend a series of events that will focus on advancing gender equality and fostering the equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes, including an event on the margins of the UNGA High-Level Week that will be attended by women leaders from around the world. The Minister will also participate in an event on securing reproductive choice for women and girls.

    Minister Joly will also meet with numerous partners and allies, including G7 foreign ministers and other senior officials from around the world. Their exchanges will focus on pressing global issues, including the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East region and Russia’s continuing aggression against Ukraine. Minister Joly will also emphasize the continued importance of strengthening the rules-based international order and protecting human rights and gender equality.

    While in New York City, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will attend a discussion focused on promoting the rights of women and girls during the Summit of the Future Action Days and will participate in a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting to discuss key issues related to democracy and human rights in the Commonwealth, including in Bangladesh and Gabon. His discussions during the meeting will help to advance the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that will take place in Samoa in October 2024.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi calls for accelerating progress in China’s space endeavors

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday encouraged personnel in China’s space industry to continue to work hard and accelerate progress in space endeavors.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with the representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development in the Chang’e-6 lunar mission at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: China sees rising urbanization rate over past 75 years

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China’s urbanization rate, which measures the ratio of permanent urban residents relative to the total population, rose by 55.52 percentage points from the end of 1949 to 66.16 percent by the end of 2023, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Monday.
    Over the past 75 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the country has undergone the largest and fastest urbanization process in world history, the NBS said in a report.
    There were just 129 cities in China at the end of 1949, with a combined population of 39.49 million. The number of cities reached 694 at the end of 2023, while prefecture-level and larger cities were home to 673.13 million people. Among them, there were 29 cities each with a population exceeding 5 million and 11 cities each with a population of over 10 million.
    Remarkably, China’s less-developed western region is rising, representing a more balanced urbanization process. Among the 11 prefecture-level cities that have been added since 2011, nine of them are located in the western region.
    As urbanization advances, China has lifted almost all limits on household registration in cities each with less than 3 million permanent residents, making it more convenient for those from rural areas to permanently settle down in cities.

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: St Albans Feastival: thousands turn up for City Centre street party despite downpours

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date: 23 Sep 2024

    Thousands of people braved challenging weather to enjoy a six-hour-long street party that celebrated the District’s food and drink businesses.

    They refused to let occasional showers spoil the fun at the St Albans Feastival, a family-friendly event organised by St Albans City and District Council with the support of partners.

    St Peter’s Street was closed to traffic for the event on Sunday 22 September which was kicked off by the Mayor, Councillor Jamie Day, with the help of Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jenni Murray, and the Rev Mark Dearnley of St Peter’s Church

    Among the many attractions were around 100 market stalls offering an astonishing variety of food and drink products from local businesses.

    There was also a live cookery theatre, sponsored by SA Law, featuring displays of culinary skills by local chefs.

    Live music was provided on a stage, sponsored by St Albans City Centre BID. There were many free interactive activities including edible flower growing, traditional wooden games, crazy golf and a football shoot-out.

    To make the event accessible, British Sign Language interpreters were at the cookery stage and other locations to help communicate activities. There were accessible viewing zones, reserved seating for those less able to stand and accessible toilets. 

    Chris Traill, the Council’s Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery, said:

    Congratulations to all those who were not put off by the weather and turned up in their thousands. I’m sure they will agree that it was worth it.

    The rain, which unfortunately was torrential at one point, didn’t dampen their spirits and the crowds created the Feastival’s usual thrilling atmosphere.

    Our events team anticipated the conditions and had arranged for many of the activities to be sheltered by gazebos.

    As a Council, we are committed to making events accessible to all and measures were taken to ensure that was very much the case.

    The District’s hospitality businesses are vital to the local economy and it was heartening to see so many people out there sampling many of their products.

    Vivien Cannon, BID Manager, said:

    Rain didn’t stop play. Well done to all the stall holders and event delivery team ensuring visitors were welcomed to yet another successful Feastival event.

    Marilyn Bell, Partner and Head of Family at SA Law, said:

    The St Albans Food and Drink Festival is a highlight for the SA Law team every year.

    Despite the unfortunate downpour yesterday, the event was well organised, well-attended, and a delight to be a part of. It was great to see a wide range of food being offered, activities for all ages, as well as a great turnout at the Cookery Theatre where local chefs gave live demonstrations of their excellent recipes. 

    We are proud to support the Council and the wonderful community events they put on.

    The event is part funded by the Government’s UK Prosperity Fund which awarded the District’s community events team £210,000 over three years.

    Photos: scenes from the 2024 St Albans Feastival by Stephanie Belton including, first below, Cllr Jamie Day, Mayor of St Albans City and District, centre, with Cllr Jenni Murray, Deputy Mayor, and the Rev Mark Dearnley.

    Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    Note to Editors: 

    The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

    .

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Chikunga hopeful of Women’s Forum recognition 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says she is confident that the BRICS Women’s Forum will be recognised at this year’s Kazan Summit Declaration, scheduled to take place next month.

    Chikunga made the remark as Russia prepares to host the BRICS Summit to be held in Kazan, from 22 to 24 October, after the country assumes the BRICS chairmanship in 2024.

    This as the Minister led the discussions at the BRICS Women Affairs meeting held in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

    READ | Chikunga arrives in Russia for BRICS Women Affairs Meeting

    The meeting saw BRICS Member States discussing cooperation prospects in the fields of women’s leadership and enhancing the role of women in finance, agriculture, innovation, healthcare, creative industries, tourism, environmental safety, and the inclusive economy.

    Speaking at the BRICS Women’s Forum, which included the BRICS Ministerial Women’s Affairs Meeting on Friday, Chikunga congratulated the Russian Federation on assuming the Chairship of BRICS 2024, and the sterling work that it has undertaken to date.

    “As you are aware, this forum of Ministers was first initiated in 2023 during South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS. It is indeed encouraging to witness its growth under the stewardship of the Russian Federation’s 2024 Chairship, and it will undoubtedly flourish under the future Chairship of fellow BRICS member states.

    “We applaud Russia’s choice of the theme ‘Women, Governance, and Leadership’ as a timely intervention that ensures this forum continues to amplify the voices, interests, and full representation of women across BRICS member states, promoting their meaningful participation at all levels of governance and decision-making.”

    Chikunga also reflected on some of the key points that emerged during hybrid BRICS Ministers for Women Affairs held in December 2023, where the forum was recognised as a fundamental platform to elevate equality, women’s rights, economic autonomy, and empowerment; and to address major concerns related to women across the BRICS countries.

    The forum also promotes mainstreaming of women’s issues across BRICS’ processes, priority areas, declarations and agreements; and provides a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices in advancing the current and future wellbeing of women and girls across BRICS.

    “Our meeting recognised the tremendous progress that successive BRICS summits have produced in the areas of global governance, development, peace and security, energy, climate change, and social issues. We noted, however, that discussions in these areas would be further enriched by a ministerial meeting dedicated to women affairs.

    “There was consensus on the potential of this forum to accelerate the implementation of existing commitments, principles, goals, and actions outlined in various international instruments on women. These include the Beijing Platform for Action (1995), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW – 1979), UN Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace, and Security, as well as the UN [United Nations] Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Chikunga explained.

    The meeting further agreed to support the acceleration of the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063, with a particular focus on Aspiration 6, which promotes women’s empowerment.

    Asserting women’s interests

    The Ministers also highlighted the need to assert women’s interests across the broader BRICS agenda, strengthen multilateralism, and synergise with the work of the BRICS Business Women’s Alliance to accelerate the mainstreaming of socio-economic priorities for greater inclusivity and equity.

    “We acknowledge that this goal will be further enriched when we leverage our collective strength as the Global South, alongside robust people-to-people exchanges and cooperation within BRICS nations and across the African continent.

    “A key highlight of the Johannesburg II Declaration was the recognition of the vital role of women and youth in trade and their potential to act as catalysts for industrialisation, infrastructure development, food security, agricultural modernization, sustainable growth, healthcare, and addressing climate change,” she said.

    The Johannesburg II Declaration is a document that encapsulates significant BRICS viewpoints on matters of global economic, financial and political significance.

    READ | BRICS adopts Johannesburg II Declaration

    – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SJ starts ASEAN visit in Brunei

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam started his visit programme to three countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today by visiting government officials and engaging with the legal and dispute resolution sectors.

    Mr Lam arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, yesterday.

    He had lunch with Supreme Court Chief Justice of Brunei Darussalam Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong Wan Oon, to exchange views on further co-operation opportunities for facilitating development of the dispute avoidance and resolution services in Brunei and Hong Kong, pursuant to the memorandum of co-operation signed by the Department of Justice and Brunei Darussalam’s Supreme Court last year.

    In the afternoon, Mr Lam attended a meeting with Brunei Darussalam’s Attorney General Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib.

    He then met President of the Law Society of Brunei Darussalam Nur ‘Azizah Ahmad, to explore opportunities to foster legal collaboration and other exchange activities for the legal professions of the two places.

    This was followed by a meeting with Brunei Darussalam’s Arbitration Centre Chairperson Radin Safiee bin Radin Mas Basiuni, to gain a better understanding of the dispute resolution services provided there and discuss potential co-operation between the two sides.

    Mr Lam also visited the Royal Regalia Museum to learn more about the history and development of Brunei, and viewed its newest museum Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for an insight into the rich Islamic heritage and culture. Mr Lam will also visit the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque.

    The justice chief will depart for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, tomorrow morning to continue his visit to the ASEAN countries.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor unveils package to deliver on promises of new government

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The Chancellor has today unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government.

    • 750 schools with primary aged pupils funded for breakfast club pilot to run from April 2025
    • New Industrial Strategy to be published in spring
    • Decision to write off over £640 million in written off Covid PPE contracts reversed
    • HMRC to consult on e-invoicing for businesses and government departments

    The Chancellor has today unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government including a breakfast club pilot for 750 schools with primary aged pupils, new powers for the Covid Corruption Commissioner, e-invoicing to support business and the next steps on the government’s industrial strategy.

    School Breakfast Club Pilot

    The Chancellor announced that up to 750 schools with primary aged pupils will be invited to take part in a £7 million breakfast club pilot. The funding will allow these schools to run free breakfast clubs for their pupils in the summer term (April-July 2025).

    The Department for Education will work with the schools selected as part of the pilot to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered to meet the needs of schools, parents and pupils when the programme is rolled out nationally.

    This will help reduce the number of students at schools with primary aged pupils starting the school day hungry and ensure children come to school ready to learn. It will also support the government’s aim to tackle child poverty by addressing rising food insecurity among children.

    Covid Corruption Commissioner

    Reeves also announced a block on any Covid-era PPE contract being abandoned or waived until it has been assessed by the new Covid Corruption Commissioner, whom will be appointed in October. 

    The decision will affect £647 million of Covid PPE contracts where contract recovery was previously earmarked to be waived. 

    It follows action already in motion to cut government waste and curb unnecessary spending. In her statement to Parliament in July, the Chancellor pledged to halve government consultancy spend from 2025-26, with savings targets of £550 million this financial year and a further £680 million in the next already announced.

    Excessive use of ministerial travel by aeroplane and helicopter is also being cutdown, with a contract for a VIP helicopter previously cancelled.

    Industrial Strategy

    The Chancellor also today announced that the Industrial Strategy will be at the heart of the government’s mission to grow the economy, unlock investment and make every part of the country better off. It will focus on delivering long-term change to the economy by making Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerating to net zero, breaking down barriers to regional growth, and building a secure and resilient economy.

    A green paper will be published around Budget in October outlining the long-term sectoral growth and priority industries of the government, ahead of the final strategy published in the spring of 2025 following a consultation with business.

    HMRC package

    Chancellor Reeves also outlined a package of reforms to improve the UK’s tax system to help fix the foundations of the UK economy.

    As part of the package, HMRC will soon launch a consultation on electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) to promote its wider use across UK businesses and government departments.

    The introduction of e-invoicing can significantly reduce administrative tasks, improve cash flow, boost productivity, introduce automation, and reduce errors in tax returns – all helping to close the tax gap. The consultation will gather input from businesses on how HMRC can support investment in and encourage e-invoicing uptake.

    The Chancellor also announced that Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, the minister responsible for the UK’s tax system, has become the Chair of the HMRC Board. This is to help oversee the implementation of his three strategic priorities for HMRC; closing the tax gap, modernising and reforming, and improving customer service.

    It was also announced that a new Digital Transformation Roadmap, aimed to be published in Spring 2025, will set out HMRC’s vision to be a digital first organisation underpinned by customer insight. The Roadmap will include measures to ensure digital inclusion and support for customers who cannot yet interact digitally.

    There was a further update that new staff are expected to join HMRC’s training programme in November as 200 additional offer letters have been issued as part of the 450 letters already sent. This is part of HMRC’s plans to recruit an additional 5,000 compliance staff to help close the tax gap.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 23 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier to attend opening ceremony of 21st China-ASEAN Expo

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 23 — Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier, will attend and address the opening ceremony of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sept. 24, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced here on Monday.

    Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a video address, and foreign leaders and senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia Vongsey Vissoth, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Vietnam Ho Duc Phoc, as well as Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn will attend the opening ceremony, Lin added.

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes notable progress via equipment, consumer goods renewal program: official

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

    China makes notable progress via equipment, consumer goods renewal program: official

    BEIJING, Sept. 23 — China has made noteworthy progress in promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins this year, an official said on Monday.

    China unveiled an action plan to implement the renewal program in March 2024 in an effort to expand domestic demand and shore up the economy, and stepped up policy support in July with an extra funds injection of 300 billion yuan (about 42.53 billion U.S. dollars) via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, cited a string of positive results achieved by the program, highlighting increased equipment manufacturing investment and robust sales of automobiles and home appliances, when addressing a press conference on Monday.

    In the first eight months of 2024, China’s investment in equipment and tool purchases had increased by 16.8 percent year on year — well above the 3.4 percent increase in total fixed-asset investment.

    Retail sales of passenger vehicles in August rose by 10.8 percent compared with the previous month, while new energy vehicle (NEVs) sales increased by 17 percent month on month in August. The market share of NEVs remained above 50 percent for a second consecutive month. Sales of home appliances and audio and video products returned to growth last month, up 3.4 percent year on year.

    Thanks to the renewal program, many enterprises are optimistic about the prospects of sectors related to equipment and consumer goods, leading to brisk investment, Zhao said.

    The program, riding on the great potential of green and digital transition, will provide more impetus to economic sustainability and transformation efforts, Zhao added.

    China’s drive to promote equipment upgrades covers a wide range of areas including industrial equipment, environmental infrastructure, operating vessels, new energy buses and agricultural machinery, while consumer goods trade-ins involve products ranging from automobiles to home appliances and electric bicycles.

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI USA: Decline in natural gas price drove decrease in U.S. oil producer revenue in early 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    September 23, 2024

    Data source: Evaluate Energy

    Financial results for 36 publicly traded U.S. oil exploration and production (E&P) companies show that cash from operations in the first quarter of 2024 has decreased in real terms from the first quarter of 2023 due to lower natural gas prices.

    Production expenses, which can also affect cash from operations, have stabilized after supply chain issues that caused increased costs appear to be largely resolved. Capital expenditures, which represent investment in oil and natural gas production, were flat over the same period.

    In the first quarter of 2024, lower crude oil and natural gas prices helped reduce cash from operations by 12% compared with the first quarter of 2023, to $23.3 billion. Although West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices declined 2% over this period, U.S. crude oil production by these companies increased 5% to nearly 4.2 million barrels per day (b/d).

    Relatively large production cuts by OPEC+ have supported crude oil prices and spurred production among non-OPEC+ sources, including U.S. producers. Increased production would normally result in more cash from operations, but substantially lower natural gas prices likely hampered revenue for these companies.

    Natural gas prices fell 26% from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 and reached their lowest average monthly inflation-adjusted price since at least 1997. Although the companies in this analysis focus on crude oil production, natural gas still typically makes up around 30% of what they produce because of associated natural gas present in crude oil deposits and more diversified operations by some of the E&P companies in the group.

    Data source: Bloomberg L.P.
    Note: WTI=West Texas Intermediate, 1Q19=first quarter of 2019, 1Q24=first quarter of 2024

    Production expenses—such as the cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and production taxes—increased substantially per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) in 2021 and 2022 as supply chain issues caused material and labor costs to more than double from the 2019 average. Production expenses have since declined, decreasing 40% between the second quarter of 2023 and the recent high in the second quarter of 2022.

    Production expenses have been relatively flat since the second quarter of 2023, averaging $26/BOE. In addition to supply chain improvements, improved drilling productivity and increasing takeaway capacity in the Permian region have also reduced production expenses on a BOE basis.

    Data source: Evaluate Energy
    Note: 1Q19=first quarter of 2019, 1Q24=first quarter of 2024

    We base our analysis on the published financial reports of 36 publicly traded oil companies that produce most of their crude oil in the United States. As a result, our observations do not represent the entire sector because we exclude private companies, which do not publish financial reports. The included 36 publicly traded companies accounted for 32% of the crude oil produced in the United States in the first quarter of 2024, or about 4.2 million barrels per day.

    Principal contributor: Alexander de Keyserling

    MIL OSI USA News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi congratulates Dissanayake on assuming presidency of Sri Lanka

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 23 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Anura Kumara Dissanayake to congratulate him on his inauguration as president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

    Xi hailed China and Sri Lanka as traditional friendly neighbors, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 67 years ago, China and Sri Lanka have always understood and supported each other, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes.

    Xi said that he prizes the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and stands ready to work with President Dissanayake to carry forward the traditional friendship, and enhance political mutual trust.

    He also pledged to work with the Sri Lankan leader to facilitate more fruitful high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and make steady and long-term progress of China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Clinical trial hub set for Q4

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The University of Hong Kong’s LKS Faculty of Medicine is designated to operate the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI) due to come into full operation in the fourth quarter, the Health Bureau announced today.

    The institute is expected to operate fully at the Central Government-Aided Emergency Hospital in the Hetao area upon completion of the construction of its temporary office and biobank therein.  

    The institute will be moved into one of the wet laboratory-enabled buildings, which is expected to complete construction later in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem in a proactive manner.

    The Chief Executive put forward in the Policy Address last October the establishment of the GBAICTI in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, or the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park.

    The bureau established the GBAICTI Limited in the second quarter of this year and designated the University of Hong Kong’s LKS Faculty of Medicine through an open tender process in the third quarter to operate the institute.

    The GBAICTI Limited is wholly owned by the Government to oversee the work of the operator and effectively supervise the operations of the institute.

    The bureau said clinical trials are an important process in translating basic research on drug and medical device innovation into marketing authorisation and clinical application.

    The GBAICTI will serve as a one-stop clinical trial support platform to co-ordinate and integrate clinical trial resources in Hong Kong’s public and private sectors, including universities, the Hospital Authority and private healthcare facilities, to give impetus to the development of clinical trials on all fronts.

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the establishment of the GBAICTI in the strategic location of the Hetao area can combine the strengths of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to provide more efficient services to multinational pharmaceutical enterprises, Mainland innovative biopharmaceutical enterprises, hospitals and research institutions.

    It can also encourage them to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong and the GBA, thereby expediting the translation of research results.

    This is made possible as the GBAICTI can leverage the Hetao area’s development positioning for technology innovation and institutional innovation, as well as the related cross-boundary facilitation measures, Prof Lo explained.

    “We hope that this will attract more pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises within and outside Hong Kong to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong to further enhance the city’s capacity, recognition and status in terms of clinical trials and support a progressive transition to a primary evaluation approach for drug registration in Hong Kong.”

    The GBAICTI in the Hong Kong Park and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Centre in the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao co-operation zone will join forces to synergise the development of clinical trials, and drive co-operation among the clinical trial networks of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Mainland, in particular the GBA.

    The two parks will also co-ordinate clinical trial work of both places to comply with national and international standards.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Beat Jans in Luxembourg for the meeting of justice ministers of German-speaking countries

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Department of Justice and Police

    Bern, 23.09.2024 – Federal Councillor Beat Jans took part in the meeting of justice ministers of German-speaking countries in Luxembourg on 22 and 23 September 2024. The traditional meeting covered current issues such as the digitalisation of justice, the challenges of juvenile criminal law and experiences with the recognition of a third gender. On this occasion, Federal Councillor Beat Jans emphasised the importance of an efficient and accessible justice system that is in line with societal developments.

    The justice ministers noted that all participating countries are currently working on digitalising their judicial systems in order to improve access to courts, but also to reduce the administrative burden.

    Legislative work is also underway in Switzerland to modernise justice and make it even more efficient. This digital transition will also facilitate access to the courts, in particular through the electronic communication of judicial documents. The digitalisation of justice also represents a societal challenge: not all citizens have the necessary tools to benefit from the advantages of digital technology. Justice must therefore remain accessible through ordinary channels for these people.

    Juvenile criminal law and youth protection were also on the agenda for discussion. Swiss juvenile criminal law is an example of effectiveness: in Switzerland, the adult recidivism rate of previously convicted minors is 31%, a relatively low figure in international comparison. Discussions also focused on guardianship law, more specifically in connection with the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. One of the issues to be resolved in the context of the work currently underway in Switzerland concerns the repeal of general guardianship.

    The justice ministers also discussed the recognition of a third gender. Germany and Austria have already adopted regulations to this effect. In Switzerland, various measures are being considered to improve the situation of non-binary people. A reform in force since 2022 also allows transgender people to change their gender indication in the civil status register simply and free of charge.

    The traditional meeting of German-speaking justice ministers took place this year in Luxembourg at the invitation of Luxembourg’s Minister of Justice Elisabeth Margue. In addition to Federal Councillor Beat Jans, the working visit brought together Liechtenstein’s Minister of Justice Graziella Marok-Wachter, German State Secretary for Justice Angelika Schlunck and representatives of the Austrian Ministry of Justice.

    Address for sending questions

    DFJP communications department, info@gs-ejpd.admin.ch, T 41 58 462 18 18

    Author

    Federal Department of Justice and Policehttp://www.ejpd.admin.ch

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI China: China adds over 30,000 rural place names to protection lists under geographic naming project

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

    China adds over 30,000 rural place names to protection lists under geographic naming project

    BEIJING, Sept. 23 — More than 30,000 old rural place names have been added to China’s protection lists since a rural geographic naming project was launched last year, a senior official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) said Monday.

    Tang Chengpei, vice minister of civil affairs, said at a press conference that the project, which collects rural place names and inputs them into maps, aimed to improve geographic naming and cultural protection in rural areas.

    As of August this year, the government had standardized the naming of 430,000 locations, installed 330,000 place name signs, and placed 14.42 million building and door plaques in rural areas under the project, Tang said.

    He added that as the project was promoted, more nameless rural places and places with multiple names had obtained their own standardized names.

    The government has also provided guides for online map services to present correct and consistent rural place names, which has facilitated backpacking and road trips in rural areas as well as the delivery of both parcels into villages and rural goods to urban areas, Tang said.

    Benefiting from the naming project, many places have created a range of geographic brands of agricultural products, and rural place naming has been integrated with the development of rural e-commerce and agricultural tourism, he added.

    The MCA announced the launch of the rural place naming project as a measure to advance rural revitalization in May 2023.

    MIL OSI China News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Minister Joly and Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to Participate in United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be part of the Canadian delegation, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also travel to New York as part of the Canadian delegation.

    September 23, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of the Canadian delegation to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also travel to New York as part of the Canadian delegation.

    During the 79th session of the General Assembly, Minister Joly will co-chair a high-level panel discussion on press freedom and present the 2024 Canada–United Kingdom Press Freedom Award, along with the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Lord Collins of Highbury. This event demonstrates Canada’s enduring commitment to supporting free and independent journalism.

    Minister Joly will also participate in a meeting of the leaders of the United Nations Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, co-chaired by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille. The meeting will focus on the urgent need for solutions that are being put forward by the Haitian people in response to the current crisis in the country. This event will also provide a unique opportunity to mobilize international support for the Haitian government’s priorities for the transition.

    The Minister will also co-host another high-level event with representatives from Ukraine and Estonia, which will highlight the urgent need to restore children’s rights around the world and improve child protection, including by addressing the illegal deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. The Minister will highlight Canada’s ongoing efforts to support the repatriation of Ukrainian children and Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression.

    Minister Joly will deliver Canada’s national statement to the General Assembly, during which she will highlight Canada’s unwavering commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

    While in New York, Minister Joly will participate in a series of events aimed at advancing gender equality and promoting women’s equal and meaningful participation in decision-making, including an event on the sidelines of the UNGA High-Level Week, which will feature women leaders from around the world. The Minister will also participate in an event aimed at ensuring reproductive choice for women and girls.

    In addition, Minister Joly will meet with numerous partners and allies, including G7 foreign ministers and other senior officials from around the world. Their discussions will focus on pressing global issues, including the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East, as well as Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine. During these meetings, Minister Joly will also emphasize the importance of strengthening the rules-based international order and protecting human rights and gender equality.

    In New York, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will attend a discussion on advancing the rights of women and girls as part of the Future Summit Action Days and participate in a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to discuss key issues related to democracy and human rights in the Commonwealth, including in Bangladesh and Gabon. Discussions at the meeting will help advance the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October 2024.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Marthinus van Staden, Associate Professor of Labour Law, University of the Witwatersrand

    Land dispossession among South Africa’s majority black population remains a thorny issue 30 years into democracy. Labour law scholar Marthinus van Staden’s new research examines the historical relationship between land dispossession and labour control in South Africa. It explores how the systematic seizure of indigenous people’s land during colonisation and apartheid reduced them from landowners to labourers, under exploitative conditions, and how the effects continue to linger. We asked him to explain.

    What is the history of land dispossession and labour control in South Africa?

    The history spans several centuries, beginning with Dutch colonisation in the mid-17th century. It intensified under British rule from the late 18th century. Early colonial policies were inconsistent, but gradually evolved into more systematic land grabs and labour regulations.

    The discovery of minerals – primarily gold and diamonds – in the 1880s heightened the demand for cheap black labour.

    The 19th century saw other significant developments, including the abolition of slavery and the introduction of pass laws. Pass laws required black people to carry identity documents that restricted their movement, employment and settlement.

    The 1913 Natives Land Act severely restricted black land ownership. It prevented black people from owning or renting land in 93% of South Africa, which was reserved for white ownership. Many black farmers who had previously owned or rented land in what had been designated “white areas” were forced to become labourers on white-owned farms. Or they had to move to “reserves” the state had set aside.

    This was followed by a series of laws implementing urban segregation and expanding “native reserves”.

    The apartheid era of formalised racial segregation, from 1948 to 1994, saw the most extreme measures of land dispossession and labour control. The creation of the homeland system relegated black South Africans to 10 economically unviable areas, along ethnic lines. Black people in homelands were mostly forced to work in “white” South Africa, where they lacked legal rights as workers.

    It wasn’t until 1979 that black trade unions were allowed to register. This allowed them to operate openly and bargain with employers and the government for improved wages and working conditions.

    Trade unions served as important political actors. They increased black workers’ political voice and influence. In fact, all labour legislation before 1981 had the distinguishing feature of excluding black workers from its ambit of protection.

    Only after apartheid ended in 1994 did efforts begin to address the legacy of land dispossession and unfair labour practices through restitution and reforms. Land reform processes have been criticised for being ineffectual.

    What effect did dispossession have?

    Dispossession created a large pool of cheap labour for white-owned farms and industries. Without access to land for subsistence or commercial farming, black South Africans had little choice but to work for low wages in the capitalist economy. The employment contract, transplanted from colonial law, became a tool for exerting control over these workers. It reinforced their subordinate status.

    The common law contract of employment, with its inherent element of employer control, was applied to the formerly independent indigenous people now forced into wage labour.

    The homelands ensured a continuous supply of cheap black migrant labour. This system of land deprivation and labour control not only served the economic interests of the white minority. It also reinforced racial hierarchies.

    The socio-economic consequences continue. Black workers are still more likely to be unemployed – or in precarious work – than whites.

    Why does this matter today?

    The legacy of land dispossession and labour control continues to shape South Africa’s social, economic and political landscape. It’s a critical consideration in efforts to build a more just and equitable society.

    This history has created deep-rooted economic disparities. The concentration of land ownership and wealth in the hands of the white minority remains largely intact, perpetuating socio-economic inequality.

    The ongoing struggle for land restitution and reform is directly linked to this history. Addressing the legacy of dispossession is crucial for economic justice and social stability.

    Understanding this history is essential for developing effective policies to address poverty, unemployment and uneven development.

    It is also vital for national reconciliation and building a more equitable society. It underpins current debates about social justice, reparations and the transformation of economic structures.

    Which practical, remedial policies must be carried out?

    The historical link between land loss and subjugation by means of the controls inherent to the contract of employment makes land reform a necessary first step to reversing this process.

    The government has put in place formal mechanisms to halt racialised land ownership. However, land restitution and reform programmes need to be enhanced and accelerated.

    They should include restoring land rights where possible, and providing support for sustainable land use. This would address both the economic and emotional aspects of historical dispossession.

    Legislation such as the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Equity Act have done much to strengthen protections for workers’ rights, particularly for those in precarious employment situations. However, the ways in which these laws continue to endorse a global north conception of the employment relationship, which emphasises control, must be rethought.

    They must be reformed to promote equality, dignity and fair labour practices. Reforms should involve more collaborative models and addressing the socio-economic impacts to redress historical injustices.

    Targeted economic development initiatives are needed in historically disadvantaged areas, including former homelands. These could include infrastructure development, skills training programmes, and support for small businesses to create economic opportunities.

    These remedial policies should be part of an all-encompassing strategy to address historical injustices, and create a more equitable South African society.

    – Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today
    – https://theconversation.com/colonialism-and-apartheid-stripped-black-south-africans-of-land-and-labour-rights-the-effects-are-still-felt-today-238243

    MIL OSI Africa –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov took part in the forum “Microelectronics”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov took part in the plenary session of the Microelectronics-2024 forum. The 10th anniversary Russian Microelectronics Forum is being held on the Sirius federal territory from September 23 to 28.

    Denis Manturov took part in the forum “Microelectronics”

    At the plenary session, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin addressed the forum participants with a greeting. The plenary session was opened by the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov. Government representatives, heads of federal executive authorities, scientists and the industry community discussed plans and prospects for the development of the Russian electronics industry, innovative approaches, scientific achievements, as well as upcoming changes in government regulation.

    In particular, Denis Manturov spoke about plans to extend tax breaks for electronics industry organizations, expand them to electronics engineering enterprises, and possibly return to advance payments of up to 80% for government contracts in the field of electronics engineering.

    “As for advance payments, it is no secret that up to 100% [is advanced – IF] even today when signing and implementing contracts within the framework of state defense procurement, including for electronic products. And for civil ones, the bar has indeed been lowered to 50%. Taking into account the key rate, we have already discussed this issue today. We will formalize this approach, and I will give the corresponding instruction to the Ministry of Finance and Anton Andreyevich Alikhanov so that colleagues can promptly prepare such a decision and submit it to the Government,” he said, answering a question about the prospects for moving to advance payments of 80% of the contract value when purchasing electronic equipment. “I am sure that this can be a good help, especially today, given the high interest rate on loans,” the First Deputy Prime Minister added.

    During the Microelectronics forum, Denis Manturov also presented state awards to outstanding workers in the electronics industry: the Order of Friendship, the Order of Military Merit, and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd class.

    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://government.ru/nevs/52773/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN tours CAEXPO Pavilion

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today toured the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) Pavilion, to observe the preparations for the opening of the 21st CAEXPO, on 24 September 2024. The tour covered the B2 area of the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, where the ASEAN Member States, Observer, and the ASEAN Secretariat are located.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Translation: ASIA/ARAB EMIRATES – Bishop Martinelli closes the Jubilee of the Martyrs of Arabia: they are our roots

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    AVOID

    Abu Dhabi (Agenzia Fides) – The Jubilee dedicated to Saint Aretas and Companion Martyrs of Arabia was also a precious opportunity to rediscover the long history of Christianity in Arabia, a history “rooted in the apostolic testimony and watered by the blood of the martyrs”. A source from which the composite and vital community of millions of Catholics spread across the various countries of the Arabian Peninsula can now draw. This was underlined, looking at the present and the future, by Bishop Paolo Martinelli ofm.Cap, Apostolic Vicar of southern Arabia, celebrating yesterday, Sunday 22 September, the closing liturgy of the Jubilee Year in the territories of the Vicariate. A solemn mass celebrated in Abu Dhabi, in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, with the closing of the Holy Door, which saw the participation of more than 3 thousand Catholics. The Jubilee, which began on 23 October 2023 (see Fides 20 and 24/10/2023 ), was experienced jointly by the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (including the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Oman) and the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (led by Bishop Aldo Berardi O.SS.T. and including Barhain, Qatar , Kuwait and Saudi Arabia). The closing ceremony of the Jubilee in the Vicariate of South Arabia was brought forward because Bishop Martinelli will be busy in Rome in October for the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. In the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia the similar closing ceremony is scheduled for October 23rd. The communion experienced between the Catholic communities of the Arabian Peninsula through the experience of the Jubilee journey – Bishop Martinelli remarked in his homily – «is one of the reasons why these saints are so important to us. We come from many different countries, we have different liturgical rites and different spiritual traditions. Everyone cherishes devotion to the saints of their own culture and we can long for them here. But Saint Aretas and his companions are saints of this land of Arabia where we live now. Therefore they are our saints, whom we can all celebrate together as one Church, the Church of Arabia”. “By coming to this country as migrants – insisted the Apostolic Vicar – we become an integral part of the history of this Church of Arabia , rooted in the apostolic testimony and watered by the blood of the martyrs”.Saint Aretas and his Companions, venerated in all the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, were Arab Christians from the ancient city of Najran (in present-day Saudi Arabia) martyred in the year 523 after Christ.Arethas, whose Arabic name was Al-Harith bin Ka’b, was born in 427 AD. and was governor of the predominantly Christian city until his martyrdom at the venerable age of ninety-five. In the 6th century, the king of Himyar (in present-day Yemen), Dhu Nuwas, began a systematic persecution of Christians in southern Arabia, burning churches, forcing people to convert and putting to death those who refused to renounce their faith in Christ. Priests, deacons, nuns and entire families – men, women and children – were burned alive. According to tradition, the relics of Saint Aretas and her fellow martyrs of Najran were deposited in a cube-shaped shrine which became a popular pilgrimage center for Arab Christians during late antiquity. The sanctuary was destroyed in the 7th century when Christians were expelled from southern Arabia. The relics of Saint Aretas eventually found their way to Mount Athos in Greece. Their return to the Arabian Peninsula after almost fourteen centuries was experienced as an extraordinary blessing for the current Christian communities in the Gulf. On 29 August 2023, Pope Francis issued the Decree announcing the Jubilee of Saint Aretas and Companions in the Arabian Peninsula. The Decree granted a Plenary Indulgence to the faithful who at any time undertake a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, Bahrain, to the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, or to the Parish of St. Areta.For the end of the Jubilee, Bishop Martinelli also wrote the Pastoral Letter “Gioia e Giubileo” (“Joy and Jubilee”) published yesterday, Sunday 22 September. In the Letter, the Apostolic Vicar of southern Arabia retraces the Jubilee Year of Saint Aretas, describing the spiritual fruits she brought to the Vicariate, and invites prayer following Pope Francis’ appeal in view of the Jubilee 2025. In the Letter , Bishop Paul announces that the feast of Saint Aretas will now be celebrated every year on October 24, to ask that the memory of the Arab martyrs continue to inspire and accompany the path of the Catholic communities vitally present in the Arabian Peninsula. «They are a deep root of the tree in which we find ourselves today. We are called to inhabit this land with faith.” After having celebrated the holy martyrs of Arabia for an entire year, now “It is easier to recognize that «being Christian in the Gulf means belonging to this Church of the Gulf. We are not just faithful from different churches: here we all form the Catholic Church of Arabia together”, writes the Bishop. Looking to the next Jubilee 2025, the Bishop invites everyone “to prepare well for the Holy Year 2025 by entering into the spirit of prayer” , and summarizes the gestures and practices that unite prayer, the Sacraments and the reading of the Word in the spiritual life of the people of God. A summary in which he refers to the Our Father prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, personal prayer, the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration. Prayer – underlines Bishop Martinelli – is the request to keep alive the desire for God in daily life: «Your desire is your prayer» says Saint Augustine, quoted in the Pastoral Letter of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. While the Catholic community of the Gulf passes from one jubilee to another, Archbishop Paul’s letter gratefully recalls the gifts received and shared during the Jubilee of the Martyrs of Arabia, and at the same time suggests the way forward in the future. The Jubilee has reunited the entire Church of the Arabian Peninsula at its ancient sources. “Individuals, families, groups, young people, associations and movements, children and elderly: they all came to celebrate the victory of these holy martyrs of Arabia through their pilgrimage to the Holy Door” – During the Jubilee year, every parish in the Emirates United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman had the opportunity to host the relics of Saint Aretas. Many admitted that they only knew the Holy Martyrs of Arabia thanks to the Jubilee. «Every day – recalled a woman among the testimonies collected and disseminated by the Apostolic Vicariate – the priest shared the agonies endured by Saint Aretas and his companions, and told how their suffering was transformed into a beautiful crown for our Lord Jesus Christ. This touched me deeply, because I realized how easily we worry and get lost over small things.” (GV) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2024).Share:

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: World’s top 1% own more wealth than 95% of humanity, as “the shadow of global oligarchy hangs over UN General Assembly,” says Oxfam

    Source: Oxfam –

    • Over a third of world’s biggest 50 corporations —worth $13.3 trillion— now run by a billionaire or has a billionaire as a principal shareholder.
    • Global South countries own just 31 percent of global wealth, despite being home to 79 percent of global population.
    • Oxfam urges multilateral action to advance new global framework on tax, cancel debts and rewrite intellectual property rules for pandemics.

    The richest 1 percent have more wealth than the bottom 95 percent of the world’s population put together, new Oxfam analysis of UBS data reveals today ahead of the annual UN High-Level General Debate.

    Billionaires are exerting new levels of control over economies, with a billionaire either running or the principal shareholder of more than a third of the world’s top 50 corporations. The combined market capitalization of these corporations is $13.3 trillion.

    Oxfam’s briefing paper “Multilateralism in an Era of Global Oligarchy” warns that multilateral efforts to respond to critical global challenges, including the climate crisis and persistent poverty and inequality, are being undermined by the ultra-wealthy and mega-corporations fueling inequality within and between countries.

    Despite being home to 79 percent of the world’s population, Global South countries own just 31 percent of global wealth.

    “The shadow of global oligarchy hangs over this year’s UN General Assembly. The ultra-wealthy and the mega-corporations they control are shaping global rules to serve their interests at the expense of people everywhere. The iconic UN podium is increasingly feeling diminished in a world in which billionaires are calling the shots,” said Amitabh Behar, Oxfam International’s Executive Director.

    The paper describes a “movement toward a global oligarchy,” where the ultra-rich, often through their increasingly monopolistic corporations, shape global political decision-making and rules to enrich themselves while thwarting vital global progress.

    The top 1 percent own 43 percent of all global financial assets. Just two corporations control 40 percent of the global seed market. The “big three” US-based asset managers —BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard— hold $20 trillion in assets, close to one-fifth of all investable assets in the world.

    “While we often hear about great power rivalries undermining multilateralism —it is clear that extreme inequality is playing a massive role. In recent years the ultra-wealthy and powerful corporations have used their vast influence to undermine efforts to solve major global problems such as tackling tax dodging, making Covid-19 vaccines available to the world and canceling the albatross of sovereign debt,” said Behar.

    Oxfam details three recent examples of extreme inequality eroding multilateral efforts —and where civil society and Global South leaders have offered inequality-busting solutions:

    • Powerful corporations undermining tax cooperation. The OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Sharing (BEPS) fell short of realizing its potential, with new rules for profit allocation that will deliver only tiny extra revenues for lower-income countries of as little as 0.026 percent of their GDP. The exclusion of financial services from OECD rules is a carve-out attributed to lobbying from countries with large banking and financial sectors. Global South countries, led by African countries, are instead advancing negotiations for a fairer tax convention at the UN that, along with Brazil’s leadership at the G20, offer a pathway for fairly taxing the super-rich and mega-corporations.
       
    • Big Pharma resisting efforts to break up their monopolies over Covid-19 vaccine technologies to unlock supply. Monopoly control over vaccine production was highly profitable during the pandemic. In 2021 alone, the seven largest manufacturers generated an estimated $50 billion in net profit from the sale of Covid-19 vaccines, resulting in huge payouts to rich shareholders and the emergence of new vaccine billionaires. The CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla described the call to share Covid-19 vaccine technologies as “dangerous nonsense.” The failure to equitably share vaccines contributed to as many as 1.3 million excess deaths worldwide. A new pandemic treaty with strong provisions to suspend patents and allow for easier transfers of technology offers promise.
       
    • Private creditors exacerbating the global debt crisis. Low-income countries spend nearly 40 percent of their annual budgets on debt service, over 60 percent more than they spend on education, health, and social protection combined. Over half of low- and middle-income countries’ external debt is owed to private lenders like banks and hedge funds. Some of these creditors are “vulture funds,” which purchase distressed debt on the cheap and exploit legal mechanisms to be repaid in full, reaping outsized profits.

    “Only a solidarity-based multilateralism can reverse the movement toward global oligarchy. Some world leaders are showing they recognize this and are stepping up to fight inequality —but we need many more to demonstrate this courage,” said Behar.

    “Ultimately, a fairer world and international order —where corporations pay their fair share, global public health is prioritized, and where all countries can invest in their own people— benefits us all. This is not new, and it’s long what leaders especially from the Global South have called for.”  
     

    MIL OSI NGO –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Global: Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Marthinus van Staden, Associate Professor of Labour Law, University of the Witwatersrand

    Land dispossession among South Africa’s majority black population remains a thorny issue 30 years into democracy. Labour law scholar Marthinus van Staden’s new research examines the historical relationship between land dispossession and labour control in South Africa. It explores how the systematic seizure of indigenous people’s land during colonisation and apartheid reduced them from landowners to labourers, under exploitative conditions, and how the effects continue to linger. We asked him to explain.

    What is the history of land dispossession and labour control in South Africa?

    The history spans several centuries, beginning with Dutch colonisation in the mid-17th century. It intensified under British rule from the late 18th century. Early colonial policies were inconsistent, but gradually evolved into more systematic land grabs and labour regulations.

    The discovery of minerals – primarily gold and diamonds – in the 1880s heightened the demand for cheap black labour.

    The 19th century saw other significant developments, including the abolition of slavery and the introduction of pass laws. Pass laws required black people to carry identity documents that restricted their movement, employment and settlement.

    The 1913 Natives Land Act severely restricted black land ownership. It prevented black people from owning or renting land in 93% of South Africa, which was reserved for white ownership. Many black farmers who had previously owned or rented land in what had been designated “white areas” were forced to become labourers on white-owned farms. Or they had to move to “reserves” the state had set aside.

    This was followed by a series of laws implementing urban segregation and expanding “native reserves”.

    The apartheid era of formalised racial segregation, from 1948 to 1994, saw the most extreme measures of land dispossession and labour control. The creation of the homeland system relegated black South Africans to 10 economically unviable areas, along ethnic lines. Black people in homelands were mostly forced to work in “white” South Africa, where they lacked legal rights as workers.

    It wasn’t until 1979 that black trade unions were allowed to register. This allowed them to operate openly and bargain with employers and the government for improved wages and working conditions.

    Trade unions served as important political actors. They increased black workers’ political voice and influence. In fact, all labour legislation before 1981 had the distinguishing feature of excluding black workers from its ambit of protection.

    Only after apartheid ended in 1994 did efforts begin to address the legacy of land dispossession and unfair labour practices through restitution and reforms. Land reform processes have been criticised for being ineffectual.

    What effect did dispossession have?

    Dispossession created a large pool of cheap labour for white-owned farms and industries. Without access to land for subsistence or commercial farming, black South Africans had little choice but to work for low wages in the capitalist economy. The employment contract, transplanted from colonial law, became a tool for exerting control over these workers. It reinforced their subordinate status.

    The common law contract of employment, with its inherent element of employer control, was applied to the formerly independent indigenous people now forced into wage labour.

    The homelands ensured a continuous supply of cheap black migrant labour. This system of land deprivation and labour control not only served the economic interests of the white minority. It also reinforced racial hierarchies.

    The socio-economic consequences continue. Black workers are still more likely to be unemployed – or in precarious work – than whites.

    Why does this matter today?

    The legacy of land dispossession and labour control continues to shape South Africa’s social, economic and political landscape. It’s a critical consideration in efforts to build a more just and equitable society.

    This history has created deep-rooted economic disparities. The concentration of land ownership and wealth in the hands of the white minority remains largely intact, perpetuating socio-economic inequality.

    The ongoing struggle for land restitution and reform is directly linked to this history. Addressing the legacy of dispossession is crucial for economic justice and social stability.

    Understanding this history is essential for developing effective policies to address poverty, unemployment and uneven development.

    It is also vital for national reconciliation and building a more equitable society. It underpins current debates about social justice, reparations and the transformation of economic structures.

    Which practical, remedial policies must be carried out?

    The historical link between land loss and subjugation by means of the controls inherent to the contract of employment makes land reform a necessary first step to reversing this process.

    The government has put in place formal mechanisms to halt racialised land ownership. However, land restitution and reform programmes need to be enhanced and accelerated.

    They should include restoring land rights where possible, and providing support for sustainable land use. This would address both the economic and emotional aspects of historical dispossession.

    Legislation such as the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Equity Act have done much to strengthen protections for workers’ rights, particularly for those in precarious employment situations. However, the ways in which these laws continue to endorse a global north conception of the employment relationship, which emphasises control, must be rethought.

    They must be reformed to promote equality, dignity and fair labour practices.
    Reforms should involve more collaborative models and addressing the socio-economic impacts to redress historical injustices.

    Targeted economic development initiatives are needed in historically disadvantaged areas, including former homelands. These could include infrastructure development, skills training programmes, and support for small businesses to create economic opportunities.

    These remedial policies should be part of an all-encompassing strategy to address historical injustices, and create a more equitable South African society.

    Marthinus van Staden 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. Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today – https://theconversation.com/colonialism-and-apartheid-stripped-black-south-africans-of-land-and-labour-rights-the-effects-are-still-felt-today-238243

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    September 29, 2024

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – The commitment of religious denominations for peace in South Kivu

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    CDJP Bukavu

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – An interreligious meeting for peace held on September 21 in Bukavu, capital of South Kivu, one of the three eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been plagued for decades by the violence of dozens of armed groups, ended on a note of hope. The meeting, held in the Archdiocese of Bukavu, was attended by representatives of various denominations from the entire ecclesiastical province of Bukavu (Catholics, Kimbanguists, Muslims, Orthodox, Revivalists, Anglicans, Protestants, Salvation Army, Union of Independent Churches) as well as representatives of the diocese of Cyangugu in Rwanda.The participation of Rwandan representatives was of particular importance. The Rwandan government is accused by the Congolese government of supporting the guerrilla groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular the M2 movement, which is active mainly in North Kivu. Kigali, in turn, accuses Kinshasa of having tolerated for decades the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) on its territory, considered an offshoot of the old Rwandan regime responsible for the 1994 genocide.The governor of South Kivu praised the efforts of all religious communities to engage in dialogue and stressed the importance of cooperation between the civil authorities and religious communities in creating a well-functioning government system. The governor echoed the words of the religious leaders, recalling that the creation of peace and good governance requires the participation of all, regardless of political or spiritual differences.The meeting also addressed another crisis in this region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, namely the monkeypox epidemic. Dr. Deogratias Cigwerhe, a specialist in the field, gave a detailed overview of the history of the disease, its origin, its transmission and the preventive measures to be taken to contain its spread. His presentation alerted the participants to the dangers of the disease and the importance of joint efforts to prevent it. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/9/2024)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    September 29, 2024
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