NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Grand Rapids,  MI

    Source: The White House

    Riverside Park
    Grand Rapids, Michigan

    2:38 P.M. EDT

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, Michigan!  Good afternoon.  Can we hear it for Brian?  (Applause.) 

    Good afternoon, Michigan.  It is good — (applause) — oh, it is good to be back.  It’s good to be back.  (Applause.)  Good afternoon.  Oh — (laughs) — oh, my god.  Okay.  (Applause.)  Okay.  Thank you. 

    Okay, let’s get to business.  Let’s get to business.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I am very touched.  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  Oh, it’s good to be back.  Thank you all very much.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

    Okay, let’s get to work.  Let’s get to work.  Let’s get to work.  Let’s get to work. 

    So, let me first thank all of you for taking time out of your very busy lives for us to all be here together this afternoon.  I thank you so very much for all you do, all you have done, and all you will do over these next 18 days.  Thank you all so very much.  (Applause.)  Thank you. 

    This is an incredible group of incredible leaders, and your voice matters so much right now.  And I think there is so much about our campaign that is about the spirit of reminding everyone that we’re all in this together.  We are all in this together.  (Applause.)  So, thank you. 

    And to all the governors who are here with us today — (applause) — I’m telling you, they’re riding thick.  They’re riding thick.  Oh, and they are all — each one of them — such incredible leaders, both for their state and our nation, and such dear friends.  And I thank you all, including, of course, Michigan’s own Governor Whitmer — (applause) — who we love as “Big Gretch.”  (Applause.)

    And to the governors, I want to say you’ve been traveling the country for our campaign, and I’m so deeply grateful for your support. 

    I also want to recognize Senator Stabenow — (applause) — a champion for Michigan; Representative Scholten, who we will reelect to the United States Congress.  (Applause.)  And while we’re at it, let’s send Representative Slotkin to the United States Senate.  (Applause.)

    All right, so we got work to do.  Eighteen day — eighteen days left in one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime.  And as you know, everyone here knows, this election is truly about two very different visions for our nation: Ours that is focused on the future; Donald Trump’s that is focused on the past.  Ours, that is focused on bringing down the cost of living for working families, investing in small businesses, and entrepreneurs.  Ours, that is about protecting reproductive freedom.  (Applause.)  

    But none of that is what we hear from Donald Trump.  Instead, it is just the same old, tired playbook.  He has no plan for how he would address the needs of the American people, and he is, as we have seen, only focused on himself.

    And now he is ducking debates and canceling interviews.

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Come on. 

    Check this out.  His own campaign team recently said it is because of exhaustion.  (Laughter.)  Well, if you are exhausted on the campaign trail, it raises real questions about whether you are fit for the toughest job in the world.  (Applause.)  Come on.  Come on.

    So, for all these reasons and more, we are here because we know it is time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It is time to turn the page because America is ready to chart a new way forward.  (Applause.)  America is ready for a new and optimistic generation of leadership that is all of us — (applause) — all of us, which is why Democrats, Republicans, and independents are supporting our campaign.  (Applause.) 

    In fact, earlier this week, over 100 Republican leaders from across the country joined me on the campaign trail, including some who even served in Donald Trump’s own administration — (applause) — the people who know him best, right? 

    And I believe all of this shows that the American people want a president who works for all the people.  (Applause.)  And that has been the story of my entire career.  In my career, I’ve only ever had one client: the people — the people.  (Applause.)

    As a young courtroom prosecutor, I protected women and children.  As attorney general of California, I fought for students and veterans.  As vice president, I have stood up for workers and seniors.  And as president, I will stand up for all Americans — all Americans.  (Applause.) 

    And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation.  Yes, we will.  (Applause.)  Because, by the way, we will win.  (Applause.)  We will win.  We will win.  Come on.

         AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win! 

         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)  Yes, we will.

         AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We will win.  We will win.  And we will win.

    And one of the reasons that we know we are working hard toward that win is because we believe together in building a future — in what we can do together as a nation — and a nation of people who see what we have in common more than what separates us. 

     We will w- — build towards a future where we have an economy that works for all Americans.  We will build what I call an “opportunity economy” so that every American has an opportunity to own a home, buy a car, build wealth, and start a business.  (Applause.) 

     In fact, do we have any small-business owners here?  (Applause.)  I love our small businesses.  I got a plan for you.  I love our small businesses.  Our small businesses are part of the backbone of America’s economy.  Bless you all for the work you are doing. 

     So, under my plan, we will also bring down the cost of housing — (applause) — and we will help entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses. 

     My plan will expand Medicare to cover the cost of home health care for our seniors — (applause) — so that more of our seniors can live with dignity. 

    And, you know, I’ll just give you a little background i- — in terms of a personal story.  So, I took care of my mother when she was sick.  And for any of you who have taken care of an elder relative, you know what that is, right?  It’s about trying to cook something that they can eat.  It’s about trying to find clothes that they can — they can handle on their skin.  It’s about trying, from time to time, to think about something that will put a smile on their face or maybe just make them laugh.  It’s about dignity. 

    But under the current system, and especially for those in the sandwich generation who are raising young kids while you’re taking care of your parents, it’s difficult.  And under the current system, to get help for taking care of your seniors, unless you got the extra money sitting around, you’d have to leave your job or pay down all your savings to qualify for Medicaid.  That’s not right.  That’s not right. 

     So, my plan is about saying, let’s have Medicare cover the cost of home health care for our seniors — (applause) — which is a matter of understanding how real people are living and understanding the importance of everyone being entitled to dignity.  (Applause.)

    Our plan, in terms of an opportunity economy, will lower costs on everything from health care to groceries.  I’ll take on corporate price gouging, because I’ve done it before and I will do it again.  (Applause.)

    My plan will also give middle-class tax cuts to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 tax credit for the first year of a child’s life so that our young parents — (applause) — can do what they naturally want to do, which is parent their children well, but they don’t always have the resources to be able to do it.  So, let’s help them out so that they can buy a car seat, so that they can buy a crib, so that they can take care of that baby’s needs during that critical phase of their development. 

         We all benefit from it.  We all benefit from it.  (Applause.)

         Dignity.

    My plan also invests in American manufacturing and innovation, because I will make sure America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.  (Applause.) 

         AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.  That’s right.

         AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And so, to that point and with pride, we all say: We must and we will invest in the industries that built America, like steel, iron, and the great American auto industry.  (Applause.)  And we will ensure that the next generation of breakthroughs, from advanced batteries to electric vehicles, are not just invented but built right here in America by American union workers.  (Applause.)

     And, Michigan, I know I’m going to tell you what you already know, but let us be clear for folks who are watching from different parts of the country.  Contrary to what my opponent is suggesting, I will never tell you what kind of car you have to drive, but here is what I will do.  I will invest in manufacturing communities like Kent County.  (Applause.) 

    Together, we will retool existing factories, hire locally, and work with unions to create good-paying jobs — (applause) — including jobs that do not require a college degree, because here’s where I come from.  I know a college degree is not the only measure of the skills and experience of a qualified worker.  (Applause.)

    And I intend to reexamine federal jobs, when you all elect me president — (applause) — to assess those jobs that should not have that requirement, and then I intend to challenge the private sector to do the same.  (Applause.)

     Now, all of this is to say Donald Trump has a different approach.  He makes big promises — (laughs) — and he always fails to deliver.

    So, remember he said he was the only one — you know how he talks.  (Laughter.)  He — the only one who could bring back America’s manufacturing jobs.

    Then, America lost almost 200,000 manufacturing jobs when he was president.

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Facts.  Including tens of thousands of jobs right here in Michigan.  And those losses started before the pandemic, making Donald Trump one of the biggest losers — (applause) — of manufacturing jobs in American history. 

    And his track record for the auto industry was a disaster.  He promised workers in Warren that the auto industry would, and I’m going to quote, “not lose one plant” during his presidency.  Those were his words, “not one plant.” 

    Then American automakers announced the closure of six auto plants when he was president, including General Motors in Warren and Stellantis in Detroit.  Thousands of Michigan autoworkers lost their jobs.  And Donald Trump’s running mate recently suggested that if they win, they would threaten the Grand River Assembly plant in Lansing.  Okay?

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  The same plant our administration protected earlier this year, saving 650 union jobs — (applause) — 650 union jobs.  His running mate called those “table scraps.” 

    So, we fought hard for those jobs, and we believe that you deserve a president who will protect them and not insult them.  (Applause.)

    And make no mistake, Donald Trump is no friend of labor.  Let’s be really clear about that.  No matter what the noise is out there, he is no friend of labor.  Just look at the record.  Instead of his rhetoric, look at the record.  And let’s not fall for the okey-doke.  (Laughter.) 

    Seriously.  He encouraged automakers to move their plants out of Michigan so he could pay — they could pay their workers less.  Understand what that was about: so they could pay their workers less. 

    And when the UAW went on strike to demand the higher wages they deserved, Donald Trump went to a nonunion shop —

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and attacked the UAW, and he said — he said, striking and collective bargaining don’t make, quote, “a damn bit of sense” — “a damn bit of difference” is what he said exactly.  That it doesn’t make a, quote — pardon my language — “a damn bit of difference,” is what he said. 

    AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He don’t make a damn bit of sense.  (Applause.) 

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  All right, brother.  (Laughs.)

    So, Michigan, you know better.  Strong unions mean higher wages — (applause) — better health care, and greater dignity for union members and for everyone, whether or not you are part of a union.  (Applause.)  Get that straight.  Get that straight.

    Which is why, when I am president, I will sign the PRO Act into law and make it easier for workers to join a union and negotiate for better pay and working conditions.  (Applause.)

    And now Donald Trump is making the same empty promises to the people of Michigan that he did before, hoping — hoping you will forget how he let you down the last time.  But we will not be fooled, because we know how to read Project 2025.  For those who haven’t seen it, just google it. 

    You know, I just have to keep repeating, I can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  I cannot beli- — they — they put it in — they put it in writing.  They bound it.  They — they published it, and they handed it out.  (Laughter.)  And now they’re trying to run from it.  Come on. 

    And so, we’ve read it.  It’s a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what Donald Trump intends to do if he were elected president.  So, that’s why we know — not only because it’s what he did before — that’s why we know Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts, attack unions, cut Social Security and Medicare —

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — get rid of that hard-fought, hard-won $35 cap on insulin for our seniors.

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Check out what’s in it.  It will make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers —

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” which is basically — he’s talking about at least a 20 percent tax on everyday necessities, which economists have measured will cost the average family nearly $4,000 more a year.

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And on top of this, Donald Trump intends to end the Affordable Care Act — okay? — and has no plan to replace it. 

    AUDIENCE MEMBER:  “Concepts”! 

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You watched the debate.  (Laughs.)  So, you remember, he has, quote, “concepts of a plan.” 

    AUDIENCE:  “Concepts of a plan!”

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  “Concepts of a plan.”

    So, he’s going to threaten — he’s going to threaten the health insurance of 45 —

    AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  (Inaudible.)

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We need a medic over here.  We need a medic over here.  Let’s — let’s clear a path so they can come through, please.

         AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Don’t forget he’s out on bail! 

    AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Espionage!  (Laughter.)

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we got jokes over here, grounded in reality.  (Laughter.)

         We okay?  Okay.  We’re okay.  Thank you all. 

         So — (applause) — we’re good.  Okay.

    So, you know, where I was going with that is many of you may have heard me say, I do believe that Donald Trump is an unserious man, and the consequences of him ever getting back into the White House are brutally serious — brutally serious. 

    So, on that point about “concepts of a plan,” it’s funny.  We thought it was ridiculously hilarious when we first heard it.  But here’s the thing about that.  He is basically going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million people based on a concept and take us back to when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was like?

    Well, we are —

    AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — not going back.  We are not going back.  We’re not going back.

    AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We are not going back.  We’re not going back.

    AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we are not going back because we intend to move forward — (applause) — because ours is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom — (applause) — like the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.  (Applause.)

    And we here remember how we got to this place, because then-President Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended. 

    And now, in America, one in three women lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban, many of these with no exception even for rape and incest, which means you’re telling a survivor of a violation to their body that they don’t have a right to make a decision about what happens to their body next? 

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s immoral.  That’s immoral. 

    And I think we all know one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do — (applause) — not the government.  If she chooses, she will talk to her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her imam but not the government — not some — some people up in a state capitol — not Donald Trump.

    AUDIENCE:  No!

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No. 

    So, let me tell you, when Congress passes a bill to restore the reproductive freedoms nationwide, with your help, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  Proudly.  Proudly.  Proudly. 

    And across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on other hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights — fundamental freedoms and rights.  I’m traveling our country.  I mean, attacks on the freedom to vote. 

    You know, in the state of Georgia, they passed a law that makes it illegal to give people food and water for standing in line to vote.  You know, the hypocrisy abounds.  What happened to “love thy neighbor”?  Right?

    Attacks on the freedom to join a union, attacks on the freedom to be safe from gun violence, attacks on the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride.  (Applause.)

    So much is on the line in this election, and you all are spending your precious time here together because we know this is not 2016 or 2020.  The stakes are even higher this time for many reasons, including because, just months ago, the United States Supreme Court basically told the former president he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House.

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right.  Because we know — just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.  Just imagine.  He who has vowed he would be a dictator on day one.  He who calls Americans who disagree with him the “enemy from within.”  You know where that language comes from?  The “enemy from within,” talking about Americans.  He who says he would use the military to go after them — American citizens.  He who has called for the, quote, “termination” of the Constitution of the United States of America. 

    AUDIENCE:  Booo —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we are clear: Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again have the privilege of standing behind the seal of the president of the United States.  (Applause.)  Never again.  Never again.  Never again.  Never again. 

    AUDIENCE:  Never again!  Never again!  Never again!

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Never again. 

    So, Michigan, it all comes down to this.  We know why we’re here together.  We know what’s at stake.  And we are here together for one of the most important of all the reasons: We are here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  We love our country. 

    We love our country, and we know that it is one of the highest forms of an expression of love of our country, of patriotism, to then fight for our ideals, to fight to realize the promise of America.  That’s what our campaign is about. 

    And Election Day is in 18 short days.  Okay?  And here in Michigan, early voting starts on Saturday, October 26th, which is one week from tomorrow.  (Applause.) 

    So, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  Make a plan.  Make a plan.  And if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out and return it today. 

    Because, folks, the election is here.  The election is here right now.  And like I know everybody here knows to do, we’ve got to energize and organize and mobilize and remind our neighbors and our friends that their vote is their voice and your voice is your power. 

    In a democracy, while we can hold on to it, our vote is the power that each of us as an individual has.  It’s an extraordinary power, and we will not give it away, and we will not let anyone suppress or silence our power.  Don’t ever let anybody take your power from you.  (Applause.)

    So, Michigan, today I ask you, then, are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.)

         Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

         Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

         Do we believe in the promise of America?  (Applause.)

         And are we ready to fight for it?  (Applause.)

         And when we fight —

         AUDIENCE:  We win!

         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.

         God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

                                 END                3:07 P.M. EDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Anandasangaree to announce Agricultural Benefits specific claims settlements with nine First Nations under Treaties 5, 6, and 10

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Minister Anandasangaree and Minister Boisonnault to announce Agricultural Benefits specific claims settlements with 9 First Nations under Treaties 5, 6, and 10.

    Enoch, Alberta — Please be advised that the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Grand Chief Cody Thomas of the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations and Chief of Enoch Cree Nation, Frog Lake First Nation Chief Greg Desjarlais, and Kehewin Cree Nation Chief Trevor John, will hold a media availability to acknowledge and discuss Agricultural Benefits specific claims settlements.

    Media participation: 
    Media representatives are asked to RSVP to RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca.

    Media representatives are invited to preposition 20 minutes before the start time of the media availability in the Glen Peacock room on the 9th floor of the River Cree Resort and Casino.

    Date: Friday, October 18, 2024

    Time: 3:00 p.m. (MT)

    Where: 
    Glen Peacock room 
    River Cree Resort and Casino
    300 East Lapotac Boulevard, 
    Enoch, AB T7X 3Y3

    Gregory Frame
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
    Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
    gregory.frame@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – Press conference, Port of Burnie, Tasmania

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    TASRAIL CEO, STEVEN DIETRICH: … I would like to begin the formalities with an acknowledgement of country. In recognition of the deep history and culture of this island of Lutruwita Tasmania, we would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land upon which we gather today, and pay our respects to elders past and present, for they hold the memories, the knowledge, and the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Tasmania.

    First up today, it is my pleasure – real pleasure to introduce a great supporter of TasRail. It’s not her first visit to the site, and I’m sure she can see a vast difference to when she was last here. The old shiploader was still here that had served us well for the last 50 years, and now with our new state of the art asset in place. So I’d like to introduce the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Honourable Catherine King.

    [Applause]

    CATHERINE KING: Thanks very much, Steve, and it is terrific to be here in Burnie today. Can I too acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging? To Premier Jeremy Rockliff, a great friend who’s been terrific to work with. And it’s lovely to see you back in the Infrastructure portfolio, and we’re doing lots of great work and great things in Tasmania together. Also to Senator Anne Urquhart, again, my friend and colleague, and to the mayor of Burnie, who’s also here with us today, and the many TasRail and TasPorts workers, staff who are here with us today as well.

    Look, this is a terrific day. As Steven mentioned, I was back here in 2022 with Anne. It was pouring with rain. I managed to score myself a pair of Tassie boots that have been to every single corner of the country, from the Tanami to all sorts of projects. So it’s terrific to be here again and to see the shiploader now, this – from 1968, it has served this community incredibly well.

    But this next generation now of a shiploader that really is part of the export story of Tasmania. This really is about not just the shiploader, it is about the bulk export minerals facility, which we’ll see work commencing on that – very happy as part of the $82 million to provide some extra money to ensure that that project is delivered as well. But really, this is about rail freight. It’s about- alongside this and the hubs further down, getting trucks off roads here in Tasmania, getting more freight onto rail, making sure you’ve got that connected freight routes out of our port into our export markets. It is about the economic story of Tasmania, and we’re very delighted to have been part of that story. And can I commend very much the work that has been done here, to come back in 2022, to wander on with our umbrellas under the shiploader, to understand the complexity of the engineering task, to be able to continue on a functioning port, to be able to develop and deliver this project really was quite a feat. And so I do want to say congratulations to that. And now the old shiploader, I think you’ve got most of the scrap metals now off site.

    So on behalf of the Albanese Labor Government, we’re really delighted to have funded the project- been part of the delivery of the project. But really, this is about the life of the next economic story for Tasmania. Very important to not just this state but the rest of the country, the work that you do here. I’m really delighted to be here today to, I think we call commission the ship loader formally. It is important to celebrate these occasions. I think when you’re working on these projects, it’s important to mark the occasion, important to celebrate that, and delighted to be here on behalf of the Albanese Labor Government, alongside Senator Urquhart, to do that today. Thank you for having me.

    [Applause]

    STEVEN DIETRICH: Thank you very much, Minister King. Really appreciate your kind words there. And we appreciate your support, and we also appreciate the Prime Minister’s support. The Prime Minister was here a couple of months ago and took the opportunity to climb right to the top. We thought he’d only stop halfway, but he wanted to go all the way to the top, so it was fantastic to provide him an opportunity and firsthand experience with our shiploader. So without further ado, please welcome the Premier of Tasmania, the Honourable Jeremy Rockliff.

    [Applause]

    JEREMY ROCKLIFF: Well, thanks very much, Steve, for the introduction. It’s fantastic to be here to celebrate new enabling infrastructure for the North West Coast of Tasmania, and more particularly, of course, our highly valuable mining industry in which I’ll come to in just a moment. Thanks Mayor Teeny for having us in your city. It’s great- always great to be in the powerhouse of the North West Coast, and indeed Tasmania, when it comes to the diverse region that we have. And we’re very lucky to have such diverse opportunities when it comes to our economic development here. Our forestry and mining industry, agriculture, aquaculture – we’ve got it all and we’re very, very fortunate, which is why it’s so important to have this investment in such key enabling infrastructure. 

    Catherine, thanks very much for you as Minister, being here alongside Anne as well, another very strong advocate for the North West Coast and Tasmania. It has been a pleasure to work alongside your government in recent times when it comes to putting on the agenda health infrastructure in Launceston. The Prime Minister and I were working together just last week when it comes to berth six at Macquarie Wharf – enabling, of course, a 30-year extension of Tasmania being the home to the Antarctic Gateway.

    But this is cause for celebration. We very much appreciate the significant investment that the Federal Government has made into what is enabling infrastructure. And along with it, acknowledging the key players and all players here today from TasRail, TasPorts, but also the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council here today represented by Vanessa and others. Mining is so crucial when it comes to our economy. It is a huge part of our GDP here in Tasmania. And to have this inter-generational infrastructure, if you like, much needed.

    I was infrastructure minister around 2018, and Steve and I were reflecting on that just yesterday, where we started the process going in terms of the need for a new shiploader. And here it is, with the work of TasRail and the cooperation with TasPorts. Thank you, Anthony Donald, for you being here as well, which we very much appreciate that cooperative arrangement between TasRail and TasPorts. But also, ensuring that we have not only new enabling infrastructure but infrastructure that is more efficient, infrastructure that is quicker, and infrastructure environmentally sound and also safer. And that’s why this key investment is welcomed by the State Government. Thank you again, Catherine. Thank you, TasRail, for what has been some journey. And if you’ll also indulge me as well, I’d like to commend our outgoing Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce, for being on the journey as well alongside Anne Urquhart as well, which is fantastic.

    So, thank you for enabling me to be part of the event today. Very much appreciated. And all the very best to all those that work within such a critical sector and all those employees in TasRail, TasPorts and others that work so hard as we export out of Tasmania, which creates wealth and opportunity for Tasmanians and allows us to fund those essential services that Tasmanians all care about – health, housing, and addressing the challenges of the cost of living. Thank you very much.

    [Applause]

    STEVEN DIETRICH: Thank you very much, Premier. We’ve got a great relationship with government, and it’s your government’s support that’s been invaluable to see a very complex, sophisticated project like this delivered on time, on budget. So we really appreciate the support. Finally, I’d like to invite the Chairman of the TasRail board, Stephen Cantwell, to come up and say a few words. Thank you, Stephen.

    [Applause]

    STEPHEN CANTWELL: Thanks, Steve. Minister King, Premier Rockliff, Senator Urquhart, Mayor Brumby, other important guests. Let me say it’s really good to get to this point in the delivery of a project like this when you’re in the wheelhouse and have accountability for delivery. So thank you, Minister King, and thank you, Premier Rockliff, for supporting us and trusting us in the delivery of this asset, which is such an important component of the Tasmanian resources sector supply chain. Thank you also to our customers, many of whom are represented here today, for trusting us at TasRail day in, day out, with an important part and- by integrating us into and being an important part of your business.

    It’s also a great source of satisfaction and sort of worthy of comment that we were delighted at the end of a global tendering process to be in a position to award this contract to the local firm, COVA, and in doing that, opened the way for many other local businesses to participate in the delivery of this project. This asset is as good as it gets. It is state-of-the-art. By any measure, it is a world-leading piece of infrastructure. Going local and being drama-free in the delivery of a project such as this is a great demonstration of the depth of capability that we not only have here in Tasmania, but we have in the manufacturing sector in Australia. And it also reflects the value that can be had by keeping things local, so we particularly wanted to acknowledge the pride with which we’re able to say that we can do all of this locally.

    Now this project, by any measure, and nowadays, projects are described both in terms of their complexity and their – how complicated and how complex they are, and this is right up there. It wasn’t easy to deliver. There were many challenges along the way. And the extent to which TasRail has been able to deliver it within the agreed budget envelope and in the timeframe promised is largely a reflection of the quality of the people inside the organisation.

    As a mainlander, I’m continually amazed and inspired by the extent to which TasRail people and Tasmanians in general – I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s some sort of inferiority complex – but they always punch above their weight. And I think that’s held us in good stead in the delivery of this project. And so, I want to pay particular tribute to the quiet achievers who’ve just stepped up to the plate and got the job done. You see the product of their efforts here today. Thank you to you all indeed. This common use and asset you have created now will stand for decades for the benefit of all Tasmanians, and indeed all Australians, as we confirm to the world the credentials of our resources sector. Thank you.

    [Applause]

    STEVEN DIETRICH: Thank you, Chairman. Thank you for those words. And I would just like to acknowledge the Chairman and the whole TasRail board of directors for their support and trust in this project. I remember putting this Board paper up, one, first putting in the shovel ready justification to the Federal Government to enable a project, knowing that we had an old shiploader that needed to be replaced to provide certainty for decades to come through the North West and the mining industry. But putting a business case up, working it through with the Board and them putting their trust in myself, our Key Project Director Stephen Kerrison, and the entire Shiploader project team was really, really appreciated, and we delivered.

    So, this machine takes us to 2,000 tonnes per hour. the original machine probably operated at 1,000 tonnes per hour, so more efficient, more productive- the latest safety and environmental features. It also will facilitate future expansion of larger vessels. Most of our vessels at the moment are what you classify as Handymax type style vessels, and we’ll be able to accommodate Panamax vessels into the future. It’s a great asset built by Tasmanians. Can you believe an asset like this was built in Tasmania by Tasmanians?

    CATHERINE KING: Absolutely. 

    STEVEN DIETRICH: It’s fantastic. The Haywoods engineering, the engineering company at Somerset, the SAGE Automation people, IF&S – the technology that’s gone into this unit is just amazing. I won’t lie, there was a couple of nervous moments when we put the first tonne of dirt on and there was a couple of teething problems, and to be expected, but what a wonderful asset. We’ve got a couple of things to work through. COVA Haywood’s have been a fantastic contractor and we’ve got an asset here that will deliver for decades to come, enabling the industry a fully integrated supply chain that will take industry forward.

    And once we expand the bulk minerals bulk minerals export facility, currently we can hold 130,000 tonnes and we’ll be able to go to 150,000, enabling more mines to be able to grow in Tasmania and get their product out efficiently.

    So, I’m getting the wind up now, I’m conscious of time. Now, we do have some gifts for our political visitors which Kirsten and Samantha, I think they’re almost sure that we give those once the medias had some opportunity for questions. And we’re going to go and do some photography – we’re allowed to go for a walk out onto the berth and right up to the shiploader to platform one and have a look at the cabin, and we’d like to get a group photo up at platform one.

    So, thank you again. Really appreciate you coming here today and investing the time. It’s a momentous occasion for us, but it’s a momentous occasion for all Tasmanians and it’s an asset all Tasmanian’s can be proud of. Thank you very much.

    UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you.

    [Applause]

    CATHERINE KING: Questions if you want, but over here with Anne.

    JOURNALIST: I guess the last [indistinct] lasted 50 years. Do you know how long this one’s meant to last?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, let’s hope- it certainly is expected to last another 50 years. What an extraordinary investment. A 1968 facility now being replaced by a state-of-the-art shiploader which is much more efficient, will be able to load much more quickly. And also, it’s much quieter which is terrific, obviously, for the people of the Burnie, and we’ve obviously got ships often loading late at night.

    But, as I said, it’s not just about the shiploader. We’re about to see the project commence for the bulk mineral export facility. So, this old shed, again it is pre-1960s, to be replaced with the, again, a state of the art export facility here. But of course, we’ve also got the hub, which is a rail hub, an [indistinct] intermodal hub where we can also transport goods from there, which is really about getting more of our commodities, more of our minerals onto rail so we’re not seeing so many trucks onto the roads here.

    So this is a great freight story, but it’s also a great story for the economy here. I’m so delighted to hear just how many local companies have been involved in building this project – built by Tasmanians, for Tasmanians – really showing the complex engineering capability of the companies here in this community, and it’s something we should be incredibly proud of.

    JOURNALIST: Why is it important that we do keep jobs within the state?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, of course, because Tasmania is important not just to the state but to the economy of the whole country. You produce some beautiful products from here in your agriculture and aquaculture sector that are showcases to the rest of the world. Your minerals are exported all over the world as well. You’ve got an incredibly important economy here. I love coming down here. I love hearing the innovation and the – all of the new things people are doing. And really what this common user infrastructure, this shiploader here is doing, is providing that opportunity to continue to provide those mineral exports to the world.

    JOURNALIST: Apologies if this is, you know, common knowledge, but I guess I was reading the release from your office a couple- an old one, and it was saying the operational- it was meant to be operational by mid-2023. Why was there a delay?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, these are complex projects to build. As you know, trying to make sure that we’ve- a, we’ve got supply chain issues, but also trying to make sure the port continues to be operational so that there’s limited downtime to continue to be able to do that. So it’s complex to build, and so that’s really what happens with these facilities. So it started in May 2022 and here we are in 2024, finally commissioned, operational, loading ships today.

    Any other questions? Yeah.

    JOURNALIST: Do you agree with Lidia Thorpe’s actions yesterday? Is she exercising free speech?

    CATHERINE KING: Look, I think it was disappointing to see what happened yesterday. We were all there. You know, it’s important that, regardless of your views about a whole range of issues, to show respect to our institutions and our traditions. And I do think it was disappointing yesterday, but it was a very small, small part of what has been a really successful visit by Their Majesties, the King and the Queen, over the last couple of days. And I know that they were really delighted to be received and warmly welcomed by the Australian people.

    JOURNALIST: Sprit of Tasmania are part of the Federal and National Highway 1 essentially. From a Federal perspective, what is your view then of the debacle that’s been engulfing Tasmania in recent months?

    CATHERINE KING: Well look, really that’s a matter for the Tasmanian Government, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment there. TasPorts comes under the State Government, and I’m sure Premier Rockliff will be happy to answer questions there. We’re obviously, as part of the Federal Government, really proud to partner with the Tasmanian Government to deliver infrastructure such as the shiploader that you’re seeing here today.

    JOURNALIST: How can the Federal Government have confidence Tasmania will deliver projects on time and on budget, when that’s not what’s happened here?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, we’ve seen, with the shiploader, the incredible, great work that TasRail and TasPorts have done together to deliver this project. Our expectation of all our co delivery partners, whether it’s here in Tasmania or it’s on the mainland, is that they do work very closely with my department about the delivery of those. And this project, where we’ve been funding it, is been an important- it’s important to see that delivered and important that all levels of government, particularly when we’re working on mega projects, projects that are big and complex, that we do those gateway reviews, that we do keep an eye on the progress of those. That’s all?

    JOURNALIST: Just one more, sorry, if you [indistinct]…

    CATHERINE KING: Yes, of course.

    JOURNALIST: Should Lidia Thorpe resign from the Senate given she’s pledged allegiance to the King?

    CATHERINE KING: Can I just say really clearly, I think that what happened yesterday was disappointing and I think that it shouldn’t overshadow what has been a fantastic visit by Their Majesties. I think we saw them warmly welcomed all across the places that they visited, other than the alpaca sneezing on them – but I’m sure that will be memorable as well. I understand, from alpaca’s that’s a sign of affection. So really, I don’t think that that should overshadow it, and, really, what Lidia does is a matter for her.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Greater BRICS spearheads Global South cooperation as leaders meet in Kazan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo shows a view of the Kazan Kremlin in Kazan, Russia, Oct. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 16th BRICS Summit on Oct. 22-24 in the Russian city of Kazan at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, five major emerging markets with considerable economic potential. It has now evolved into an influential international cooperation mechanism with an expanded membership.

    Over the past 18 years, China has upheld the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation and helped drive the BRICS cooperation mechanism to a new level, serving as a constructive force for safeguarding world peace, promoting common development, improving global governance and facilitating democratization of international relations.

    This year marks the beginning of greater BRICS cooperation. During the upcoming summit, the first such gathering to be held after the BRICS expansion, Xi and leaders of other BRICS countries are expected to draw a blueprint for the development of its mechanism, inject new impetus into a multipolar world, facilitate economic globalization and democratization of international relations, and open up a new chapter for the solidarity and development of the Global South.

    New starting point

    “BRICS is an important force in shaping the international landscape. We choose our development paths independently, jointly defend our right to development, and march in tandem toward modernization. This represents the direction of the advancement of human society, and will profoundly impact the development process of the world,” said Xi during the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2023.

    Other than the countries that officially joined the BRICS family on Jan. 1, 2024, over 30 countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan have either formally applied for or expressed interest in its membership.

    After the expansion, the BRICS countries account for about 30 percent of the global GDP, nearly half of the global population and one-fifth of global trade.

    China has been committed to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with its BRICS partners. In the first quarter of this year, China’s imports and exports to BRICS countries increased by more than 11 percent year on year.

    Ahmed Al-Ali, a researcher based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said that the BRICS has become an important engine to drive global economic recovery and maintain world peace and stability thanks to its steady economic growth, and equal and extensive cooperation opportunities.

    “Ethiopia’s BRICS membership could significantly boost the country’s socio-economic development through various economic opportunities, including increased investment, expanded South-South cooperation and trade partnerships,” said Balew Demissie, a researcher at the Policy Studies Institute of Ethiopia.

    China’s cooperation with other BRICS members has strongly defended multilateralism and promoted the democratization of international relations, said Evandro Carvalho, a Brazilian professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, an economic think tank.

    The appeal of the BRICS cooperation mechanism comes from its spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. “BRICS countries gather not in a closed club or an exclusive circle, but a big family of mutual support and a partnership for win-win cooperation,” Xi said during the 14th BRICS Summit in June 2022.

    From the “BRICS Plus” cooperation approach proposed in 2017 to the historic expansion of BRICS membership, the mechanism is widely welcomed, with growing influence and appeal.

    The BRICS cooperation mechanism respects the interests of all parties involved and is an “attractive platform for cooperation and mutual benefit,” said Elshad Mammadov, an Azerbaijani economics expert.

    The BRICS Media Summit is held in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Fruitful achievements

    At present, the mechanism is at a crucial stage of building on past achievements and ushering in a new era of cooperation. China is working with other BRICS partners, embarking on a new journey of greater BRICS cooperation.

    “We should navigate the trend of our times and stay in the forefront. We should always bear in mind our founding purpose of strengthening ourselves through unity, enhance cooperation across the board, and build a high-quality partnership. We should help reform global governance to make it more just and equitable, and bring to the world more certainty, stability and positive energy,” Xi has said.

    Applauding more participants and exploring new ways of cooperation within the mechanism, the BRICS countries will also have more opportunities and their roles in the global arena will continue to expand, said Ivan Melnikov, first vice-chairman of the Russian State Duma and chairman of the Russia-China Friendship Association.

    China and its BRICS partners have worked together to advance practical cooperation and deepen mutual benefit, setting up projects such as the China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era and the China-BRICS AI Development and Cooperation Center, as well as hosting the BRICS Forum on Partnership on New Industrial Revolution and BRICS Industrial Innovation Contest.

    Set up by the BRICS and opened in 2015, the New Development Bank (NDB) aims to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries.

    Meanwhile, people-to-people and cultural exchanges among BRICS countries are in full swing with popular events such as film festivals, sports games, and co-productions of films and documentaries.

    The first special session for BRICS countries of the International Youth Poetry Festival kicked off in the Southeastern Chinese city of Hangzhou in July, attracting 72 poets from BRICS countries.

    In mid-September, over 60 media leaders from more than 40 countries joined the BRICS Media Summit in Moscow, discussing the role of BRICS media in promoting a multipolar world.

    People-to-people exchanges have deepened among BRICS countries, and BRICS member states have worked towards a closer friendship, providing a “BRICS model” for promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, said Ahmed Hamadi, a political commentator of the Aletihad News Center of the UAE.

    A model of E190-E2 aircraft is on display at the exhibition of BRICS New Industrial Revolution 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Sept. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Bright future

    Thanks to the concerted efforts of all parties, the BRICS has increasingly become an important force in shaping the international landscape and safeguarding global stability.

    The BRICS cooperation mechanism is now a key venue for emerging markets and developing countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and safeguard common interests, thereby serving as the most pivotal mechanism representing the Global South.

    China is a significant promoter of BRICS cooperation and a natural member of the Global South. Beijing has all along stood with other developing countries through thick and thin. While pursuing its own development, China has continuously provided new opportunities for the rest of the world by sharing its development dividends.

    “China’s role in promoting the continuous development of BRICS is significant,” said Zukiswa Roboji, a researcher at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa.

    The BRICS mechanism effectively promotes solidarity and cooperation among countries of the Global South, and enhances the representation of developing countries in global governance, and China has made positive contributions to raising the global influence of BRICS cooperation, Roboji said.

    The genuine multilateralism advocated by China and its efforts in promoting the modernization of the Global South have brought confidence and important strength to the world, said Bunn Nagara, director and senior fellow at Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia-Pacific.

    “Today, China is exactly what the countries of the Global South want to be,” said Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian president and president of the NDB, adding that China’s advocacy of more just and effective global governance is helping the world build a bright shared future.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unreported in New Zealand

    Source: ACT Party

    The Haps

    The Solicitor General backed down on prosecution guidelines that told prosecutors to ‘think carefully’ about someone’s race before prosecuting. It shows New Zealand has really changed. Not so long ago such policies bucketed down and people felt helpless. Now we are getting real change.

    CPI inflation at 2.2 per cent, amidst the 1-3 per cent target band, is the news we’ve been waiting for. Inflation first broke out in 2021, with high interest rates following close behind. It’s taken less than a year of the new Government, one mini-budget, and one budget to get it under control. Now the way is clear for significant further rate cuts at the next Reserve Bank announcement on November 27.

    Unreported in New Zealand

    Last week, the Nobel Prize in economics was awarded to three economists, Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.” You won’t have read about this in the New Zealand press, besides syndicated cut and paste jobs, even though it is about colonisation, institutions, and prosperity.

    The official Nobel Citation says: The richest 20 per cent of the world’s countries are now around 30 times richer than the poorest 20 per cent. Moreover, the income gap between the richest and poorest countries is persistent; although the poorest countries have become richer, they are not catching up with the most prosperous. Why? This year’s laureates have found new and convincing evidence for one explanation for this persistent gap – differences in a society’s institutions.

    The economists studied many countries’ histories over the last 400 years, focusing on the influence of European countries that colonised most of the world. They conclude that what kind of set-up, or institutions, those colonising countries left has a strong bearing on the colonised countries’ prosperity today.

    They divide countries into two types. There are inclusive countries, that give people equal rights, to vote, own property, and operate under the rule of law. There are extractive countries, set up to extract natural resources and benefit a small number of people.

    The extractive countries tend to be the ones that weren’t very welcoming to colonisers, for example if there was a lot of malaria. In these cases, e.g. African ones, a small number of settlers arranged to get the wealth out of the ground, and that was about it.

    The alternative is inclusive countries, with free markets, the rule of law and democracy. The United States is the obvious example, along with Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. These countries attracted settlers in large numbers and there were too many of them to simply exploit natural resources. Instead they created inclusive institutions.

    There is a twist, an historic reversal of fortunes. The countries that were relatively poorer before colonisation, and ended up adopting more colonial institutions, are now relatively wealthier.

    Another important observation is that history is not static. Over time, countries liberalise. Colonial institutions were not set down in a state of perfection, far from it. But they were capable of improvement, widening voting rights, compensating for past wrongs, and enhancing civil liberties.

    You are probably starting to get a sense of why this work has not been discussed in the NZ Press. It finds that institutions matter if you want people to be prosperous. It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you finish that counts, and that depends on adopting the best institutions, democracy, the rule of law, property rights, free speech, and all of those values that allow people to flourish.

    No doubt New Zealand universities will be holding book burnings in case these Nobel Prize winners’ ideas make students ‘feel unsafe.’ The same institutions trained the journalists, which may be why there’s been so little discussion about this.

    Nonetheless, somewhere in our future is a country where free and open debate is not only allowed but cherished. It would be a country where we can discuss what works to create prosperity.

    The central lesson of these economists’ work is really that wealth is not given or taken, it is not ‘owned’ rightfully by any historic group. It can be created, to the point that everyone is richer than 200 years ago, but some people are 30 times richer. The trick is to adopt the right institutions, the policies that work, as quickly as possible, and those institutions are democracy, free markets, the rule of law, and equal rights for all.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS speaks at APEC meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan speaks on various topics while attending day two of the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) in Peru yesterday.

     

    The topics included global and regional economic and financial outlooks, sustainable finance, sustainable infrastructure, digital finance, and enhancing resilience against climate change.

     

    This year’s APEC FMM takes the theme of “Sustainable + Digital + Resilient = APEC.”

     

    In the session on global and regional economic and financial outlooks, Mr Chan shared the latest economic situation in Hong Kong and reiterated the city’s firm support for rules-based free trade and multilateralism.

     

    He pointed out that as a super connector, Hong Kong plays a bridging role between traditional and emerging markets, promoting the regional digital economy and innovative technology for better collective development.

     

    During the discussion session on sustainable finance and infrastructure, Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s functions as an international financial centre, facilitating the effective matching of funds with green and infrastructure projects.

     

    He noted that through financial innovation and co-operation with international institutions, Hong Kong has been able to securitise infrastructure loans from various countries and issue catastrophe bonds, guiding more international capital to support projects in developing countries and helping them address climate challenges.

     

    He also shared updates and experience on Hong Kong’s efforts in advancing green and transition finance, including the release of a green taxonomy aligned with international standards and active participation in setting global green standards.

     

    Additionally, the Financial Secretary participated in discussions on digital finance at the FMM, sharing Hong Kong’s experiences in developing fintech and promoting inclusive finance, including how regulatory sandboxes encourage fintech innovation and the application of new technologies.

     

    He noted that Hong Kong’s robust and internationalised financial infrastructure, along with a balanced regulatory system that promotes security and innovation, is conducive to building a thriving fintech ecosystem.

     

    At a luncheon of the APEC Business Advisory Council, Mr Chan shared Hong Kong’s experiences on leveraging private market capital to better support sustainable infrastructure and climate change projects, as well as creating a more favourable environment for micro, small and medium enterprises to embrace digital finance.

     

    Furthermore, he exchanged views with representatives and business leaders from other economies.

     

    Also during the FMM, Mr Chan spent time meeting South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy & Finance of the Republic of Korea Choi Sang-mok, and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Finance Vo Thanh Hung.

     

    In the evening, he departed Peru for the US city of New York where he plans to attend the Bloomberg Global Regulatory Forum today and deliver a speech.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 21st, 2024 Heinrich Highlights $2.5 Million for Mobile Training Unit to Connect Rural New Mexicans to In-Demand Careers in the Skilled Trades, Participates in Training Demo with U.A. Local 412

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    PHOTOS & VIDEO
    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted more than $2.5 million he has secured through the Appropriations process for the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 412 (U.A. Local 412) to operate a mobile training unit that provides pre-apprenticeship training to New Mexicans living in rural and Tribal communities. 
    The mobile training unit is creating more pathways to in-demand careers in the skilled trades and has already trained dozens of New Mexicans in Española, Taos, Las Vegas, Mora, Raton, and Santa Fe. Heinrich also participated in a training demonstration with U.A. Local 412 leadership and apprentices who are learning skills in the plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC trades.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participates in a training demonstration with the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 412 (U.A. Local 412), October 21, 2024.
    “Thanks to our Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act, New Mexico is experiencing a manufacturing and clean energy renaissance that is creating new high-quality careers New Mexicans can build their families around,” said Heinrich. “I’m focused on expanding pathways to skills training and apprenticeships that connect New Mexicans to careers in their own communities. This is how we can address workforce shortages, grow the middle class, and strengthen our economy.”
    Heinrich-Secured Federal Investments for the Mobile Training Unit:
    The U.A. Local 412 Mobile Training Unit was initially paid for by an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Good Jobs Challenge Grant, as part of a $6.4 million award to the Northern N.M. Workforce Integration Network. The Good Jobs Challenge funds were authorized by the American Rescue Plan, the critical economic recovery legislation that Heinrich was proud to pass in 2021. 
    Through his work on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Heinrich has further supported the U.A. Local 412’s workforce development efforts by securing more than $2.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bills. These awards helped the union secure the equipment and staffing they need to train New Mexicans for jobs in the skilled trades, including specialized training needed to fill the many new, well-paying jobs being created by the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. 
    Heinrich is currently fighting to pass the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bills, which include an additional $870,000 CDS award that he secured within the Senate Appropriations Committee-passed Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Bill to sustain the U.A. Local 412’s mobile training unit’s operations past the original EDA funding, and to expand its reach to new communities including Grants, Gallup, Silver City, and Zuni Pueblo. 
    Heinrich’s Longtime Support for Workforce Training and Apprenticeships:
    Heinrich has long championed proven workforce training programs like U.A. Local 412’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that are growing the middle class, creating and connecting New Mexicans to high-quality careers they can access in their communities, and continuing New Mexico’s leading role in the clean energy transition that is being built by union workers in the skilled trades. 
    Last week, Heinrich hosted a “Pro-Worker, Pro-Business Opportunities” roundtable to talk directly with New Mexicans about how federal legislation he helped pass into law, like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Law, is creating careers in high-demand sectors and strengthening New Mexico’s health care, early childhood education, and skilled trades workforce.  
    Last year, Heinrich introduced the bipartisan Apprenticeship Pathways Act, legislation to create pathways to careers for high school students by expanding access to apprenticeship programs for occupations with high need, including the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, and early childhood education. Earlier this year, Heinrich introduced the Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act, legislation to strengthen the pipeline for careers in New Mexico, address rising workforce shortages, and grow the state’s economy through quality pre-apprenticeship programs. 
    Last year, Courtenay Eichhorst, Business Manager of U.A. Local 412 and President of New Mexico Building Trades, testified about the importance of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships during a hearing that Heinrich convened as the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee on “Job Training for the Clean Energy Transition.” 
    Eichhorst said during that JEC hearing, “In addition to our ‘gold standard’ apprenticeship programs, the UA and other Building Trades’ unions are also increasingly investing in pre-apprenticeship programs that can be designed to help prepare high school students or individuals from underrepresented communities for a career in the trades. These programs help fill the role that used to be filled by the ‘shop classes’ that were found in high schools but have become increasingly rare. Pre-apprenticeship programs also focus on the ‘soft skills’ that are necessary for success in any industry, such as showing up on time and other work etiquette.”
    Earlier this year, also in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured $1,200,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the SMART Local Union No. 49 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee to enhance and expand specialized HVAC apprenticeship training. 
    In March, Heinrich introduced the Providing Resources and Opportunities for Health Education and Learning (PRO-HEAL) Act, legislation that will tackle the health care provider shortage in New Mexico and nationwide by expanding pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers that medical professionals can access in their communities. Specifically, the PRO-HEAL Act addresses medical provider shortages by incentivizing states and institutions of higher education to expand or create health care provider pipeline programs, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The legislation is inspired by the success of the Combined BA/MD Degree Program at the University of New Mexico, where over 65% of students who have graduated from their program practice medicine in New Mexico.    
    Last year, Heinrich introduced the Pathways to Health Careers Act, legislation that reauthorizes and modernizes the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program to help address health care shortages in New Mexico and across the country and create pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers. The HPOG program has a proven track record of successfully educating workers for jobs in the health care industry, while also providing career coaching, job placement, and a mix of other support services. The Pathways to Health Careers Act would restart and expand the HPOG Program, providing $425 million to make HPOG available nationwide from FY2024 through FY2028 and includes set asides for Tribes and U.S. Territories.  
    In 2021, Heinrich introduced the Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology (CHANCE in Tech) Act, legislation to create earlier pathways to high-paying careers in the information technology (IT) industry. Heinrich previously introduced similar bipartisan legislation in 2019 with former Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Cantwell, Kilmer Announce $51M Federal Grant to Repair Hood Canal Bridge

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Hood Canal Bridge is a vital link between Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas & helps more than 30,000 daily commuters avoid a 100-mile detour around Puget Sound
    As the longest floating saltwater bridge in the world, the structure is deteriorating in the harsh marine environment
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) , Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D, WA-06) announced that the Washington State Department of Transportation will receive $51,125,917 in federal funds to repair the Hood Canal Bridge.
    The funding comes from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program, which provides grants to nationally and regionally significant transportation projects to improve the country’s freight network.
    “The Hood Canal Bridge is an absolutely critical connection for people and businesses on the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas,” said Sen. Murray. “This is a piece of infrastructure that must remain safe and reliable so people can get to where they need to go—whether that’s work, a doctor’s appointment, or anything else. With thousands of travelers relying on this bridge just about every day, I’m proud to have worked together with Senator Cantwell and Representative Kilmer to ensure we bring these federal dollars home to replace outdated portions of this bridge.”
    “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Hood Canal Bridge will receive the repairs it needs to continue providing a vital connection between Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam Counties, with more than 30,000 crossings per day. Without this bridge, drivers would need to take a 100-mile detour around Puget Sound. And if the bridge’s retractable span were to fail, submarines and other vessels would be cut off from Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor,” Sen. Cantwell said. “This bridge is critical to the quality of life for residents and our national security.”
    “The Hood Canal Bridge is often a lifeline for folks on the Olympic Peninsula, enabling them to get where they need to go,” said Rep. Kilmer. “This federal funding is a major step toward improving the safety and reliability of the bridge, helping ensure that it will remain open, accessible and resilient for years to come. And with federal support it means this project can move forward without the costs falling solely on the backs of taxpayers in our state. That’s a win-win.”
    This project will replace over 3,400 linear feet of the western half of the bridge including the replacement of 55 reinforced concrete crossbeams and 216 prestressed concrete girder lines and the placement of nearly 4,800 cubic yards of concrete. Preliminary design work is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with project completion scheduled for June 2027. The project’s total budget is $85.2 million.
    The Hood Canal Bridge links the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas, allowing over 30,000 motorists to get to and from work each day. As the longest floating bridge in the world over saltwater, this unique structure sits in a harsh marine environment that’s deteriorated its condition over the past 40 years. Currently, vehicles that can cross the bridge are weight-restricted at 17,000 lbs per axle or less, and overweight vehicles are forced to drive nearly 100 miles around Puget Sound.  If the bridge’s condition goes unaddressed, further deterioration and restrictions would have severe impacts on commerce and the livelihood of those who depend on the bridge every day.
    The Hood Canal Bridge also crosses a channel used by U.S. Navy submarines to reach the Pacific Ocean from Naval Base Kitsap -Bangor. Should the bridge’s retractable span become unusable, those vessels would be cut off from the base.
    Sen. Murray, as a senior appropriator and then Assistant Majority Leader, helped secure $3.2 billion for the INFRA grant program in advance appropriations in addition to the $4.8 billion funded through the Highway Trust Fund when she helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for a total of $8 billion over five years. 
    Sen. Cantwell authored the INFRA Grant Program in the FAST Act of 2015, to provide grants to nationally and regionally significant freight and highway projects. This grant program was the first discretionary grant program to focus on improving the multimodal freight network and addressing freight bottlenecks. In 2022, as chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sen. Cantwell helped secure $8 billion over five years for the INFRA Grant Program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a 78 percent increase in funding. Additionally, in August 2024, Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in support of the Hood Canal Bridge project’s INFRA grant application. The State of Washington has received 11 INFRA Grants, for a total of $532,300,108 since the start of the program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Kaleidoscope Factory

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Kaleidoscope Factory of Pocahontas County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
    “Woodworking, like a kaleidoscope, is an art that celebrates transformation – with each cut and carve, new beauty emerges,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “The Kaleidoscope Factory reveals fresh perspectives with every twist, uncovering the hidden potential in every piece of wood.”
    In 1997, Leonard Olson received his first kaleidoscope as a gift, sparking a lifelong passion for woodworking. He began making them on his own and opened Kaleidoscope Factory in Pomeroy, Iowa in 2004. In 2014, Leonard moved Kaleidoscope Factory to downtown Pocahontas.
    After Leonard passed away in 2019, his sisters, Lois Hessenius and Margaret Egli, kept the business running while other family and friends stepped up to help craft a variety of products like kaleidoscopes, toy trains, and puzzles. Kaleidoscope Factory partnered with the Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission to install life-sized kaleidoscopes throughout the community. This past April, Kaleidoscope Factory celebrated its 20th anniversary.
    Stay tuned as Ranking Member Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Young Urge President Biden To Protect Undersea Cables From China, Russia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    October 21, 2024

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Monday led 6 of their Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to President Biden expressing concerns about the security of the global network of undersea communications and energy cables upon which American workers and businesses rely.
    More than 95% of international internet traffic travels via these undersea cables, resulting in trillions of dollars in financial transactions each day. The locations of these cables are often openly published to prevent accidental damage.
    As American companies look to expand and invest in this critical infrastructure, it is imperative that the United States has a complete understanding of existing vulnerabilities, especially those that impact our economic and national security.
    “America’s adversaries have been developing their capabilities to attack or disrupt critical undersea infrastructure. There is a long tradition, dating back well over a century, of belligerents attacking their opponents’ underwater communications lines in the first phase of a conflict,” the senators wrote. “Given these threats and challenges, it is imperative that the United States undertake a review of existing vulnerabilities to global undersea cable infrastructure, including the threat of sabotage by Russia as well as the growing role of the People’s Republic of China in cable laying and repair. If we are truly to deepen vital commercial and security relationships with willing partners and allies, this must be a national priority.”
    U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) also signed the letter.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    Dear Mr. President: 
    We write to you to express our concern about the security of global undersea communications and energy cables, especially those that impact America’s economic and national security and that of our allies and partners. As you are well aware, more than 95% of international internet traffic travels via undersea cables, including trillions of dollars in financial transactions each day. Moreover, the exact locations of most of these cables are openly published in order to reduce the likelihood of accidental damage from ships’ anchors or fishing activities. Internet and telecommunications providers, including American firms, intend to invest billions of dollars in expanding the global network of undersea communications cables. Additionally, energy transmission cables are proliferating as governments look to new sources of electricity generation. 
    America’s adversaries have been developing their capabilities to attack or disrupt critical undersea infrastructure. There is a long tradition, dating back well over a century, of belligerents attacking their opponents’ underwater communications lines in the first phase of a conflict. For example, in both World Wars, Britain’s first naval actions were to cut the telegraph cables connecting Germany to the Americas, and in 1918 a German U-boat severed lines connecting New York to both Nova Scotia and Panama. In addition to this kind of overt, kinetic attack, the nature of undersea infrastructure increases the feasibility of gray zone actions with plausible deniability. It is difficult to distinguish between an accident and a deliberate action on the seabed, and more difficult still to confirm who conducted such an action. On top of this, because this infrastructure is privately owned by commercial enterprises, repairs are the responsibility of these private companies, which are likely not prepared to maintain them under wartime conditions and are likely to seek the most cost-effective repair and maintenance options—even if that option is owned or operated by a foreign adversary or strategic competitor. 
    Given these threats and challenges, it is imperative that the United States undertake a review of existing vulnerabilities to global undersea cable infrastructure, including the threat of sabotage by Russia as well as the growing role of the People’s Republic of China in cable laying and repair. If we are truly to deepen vital commercial and security relationships with willing partners and allies, this must be a national priority. We respectfully request that you provide responses to the following questions and direct senior administration officials to brief Members of Congress, including members of relevant committees of jurisdiction, on your plans and the resources and authorities needed to carry them out.
    What is your Administration’s overall strategy to guarantee the security of America’s undersea infrastructure and to promote the security of that of our allies and partners? 
    The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 established the Cable Security Fleet (CSF). If authorized and sufficiently funded, what would be your assessment of the ideal size of the U.S.-flagged and -operated cable laying and repair vessel fleet to ensure sufficient cable repair capacity during a conflict or national emergency? How can the United States work with trusted allies and partners for additional capacity to support the expansion and repair of trusted undersea cable networks? 
    What is the Administration’s strategy to encourage other nations to choose trusted suppliers in their selection of undersea cable manufacturers, particularly in any nation of concern or which may be vulnerable to coercion or covert action by America’s adversaries? 
    How is the Administration working with the private sector to ensure that commercial enterprises’ investments in undersea cables align with U.S. national security priorities? 
    How do you intend to protect the physical security of undersea cables in the open ocean, including through any interpretation of customary international law? 
    How is the Administration working multilaterally to collectively enhance security and monitor potential threats to undersea infrastructure, including through NATO, the Quad, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity? 
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. As Congress works to continue its oversight of national security, it is vital that we understand the current state of the information backbone of our economy and efforts to protect it. 
    Sincerely, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Walz Announces $138 Million for I-494 Project

    Source: US State of Minnesota

    Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota received $138 million in federal funding to improve I-494, one of the busiest corridors in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. The funding comes from President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 07/10/2024 Conversation between the deputy ministers of foreign affairs of Poland and Panama

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Conversation between the deputy ministers of foreign affairs of Poland and Panama07/10/2024The Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakub Wiśniewski, met on October 4 with the deputy head of Panamanian diplomacy, Carlos Guevara Mann.

    The talks concerned cooperation at the Community of Democracies forum, including the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Warsaw Declaration. Panama and Poland currently sit on the Community’s Executive Committee, the deliberations of which, with the participation of the Panamanian Deputy Minister as an honorary guest, took place on October 3 in Warsaw. They also discussed the promotion of democracy in the world, emphasizing that in the face of contemporary global beliefs, cooperation between countries is becoming crucial de mentalidad similar. The interlocutors also expressed their interest in deepening economic cooperation. During their stay in Poland, the Panamanian delegation also met with representatives of the National Chamber of Commerce, among others. Deputy Minister Carols Guevara Mann spoke about preparations for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Panama Congress of 1926. To commemorate this event, in 2026 Panama will host, among others, the Summit of the Organization of American States. The celebrations will also be a good opportunity to prepare joint cultural and historical projects, including those concerning the struggle for independence of Polish heroes in the region.

    Photo: Konrad Laskowski/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Photos (3)

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Defendants Sentenced for Long-Running Bid-Rigging Conspiracy in Georgia Concrete Industry

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Four executives and a corporation were sentenced for participating in a long-running conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate jobs for ready-mix concrete in the greater Savannah, Georgia area.

    James Clayton Pedrick, Gregory Hall Melton, John David Melton, Timothy “Bo” Strickland and Evans Concrete LLC were charged in September 2020 with conspiring to fix prices, rig bids and allocate jobs for the sale of ready-mix concrete used in residential, commercial and public projects. Pedrick, Strickland and Evans Concrete later pleaded guilty for their participation in this conspiracy. Gregory Hall Melton and John David Melton were convicted by a jury in the U.S. District Court in Savannah earlier this year. Argos USA LLC separately admitted to its role in the conspiracy and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division in January 2021.

    Gregory Hall Melton was sentenced today to 41 months in prison, and three years of supervised release and to pay a $50,000 fine. John David Melton was sentenced today to 26 months in prison, three years of supervised release and to pay a $10,000 fine. The court previously sentenced Strickland to five months in prison and to pay $150,000 fine, Pedrick to one year of probation and Evans Concrete to pay a $2.7 million fine. Argos USA LLC paid a $20 million criminal penalty as part of its DPA.

    According to court documents, the defendants effectuated their conspiracy by coordinating the issuance of price-increase letters to customers, allocating specific ready-mix concrete jobs in the coastal Georgia area, and submitting bids to customers at collusive and noncompetitive prices. The charged conspiracy began as early as 2010 and continued until about July 2016.

    “These sentences reflect the egregious nature of rigging bids for materials like ready-mix concrete which are essential to the American economy,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Manish Kumar of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will hold accountable those who seek to exploit the critical need for these materials to harm consumers.”

    “Concrete is an essential material in construction projects, with prices set in the free market by the forces of supply and demand,” said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg for the Southern District of Georgia. “However, the defendants in this case for several years illegally rigged the system to benefit themselves at the expense of customers and are being held accountable for their conduct.”

    “Activities related to bid-rigging and collusion do not promote an environment conducive to open competition which harms the consumer,” said Executive Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely of U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG). “The sentencing in this case represents a win for all law enforcement agencies who investigate those who engage in this type of harmful conduct to ensure that justice is served.”

    “The sentences imposed today send a clear message to anyone who chooses corporate greed over open and fair competition,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Harris of the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), Southern Region. “Our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners and DOJ’s Antitrust Division is unwavering as we continue to pursue and uncover corrupt conduct and hold companies that intentionally engage in wrongdoing accountable.”

    The FBI Washington Field Office, DOT OIG and USPS OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Patrick S. Brown and former Trial Attorney Julia M. Maloney of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Greg Gilluly Jr. for the Southern District of Georgia prosecuted the case.

    Anyone with information on bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation or other anticompetitive conduct in the ready-mix concrete industry should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Praise Japan for Criminalising Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse, Ask about Women’s Representation in Public and Private Bodies and the Single Surname System for Married Couples

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today considered the ninth periodic report of Japan, with Committee Experts praising the State’s revision of legislation on rape to criminalise non-consensual sexual intercourse, and raising questions about women’s representation in public and private bodies and the single surname system for married couples.

    Bandana Rana, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Japan, commended the State party for redefining rape as “non-consensual sexual intercourse” and for raising the age of consent to 16.

    Ms. Rana noted, however, that Japan had been ranked one hundred and twenty-fifth globally in terms of gender equality, due to, among other factors, the low level of women’s representation in government and deeply rooted gender stereotypes that hampered women’s standing.  The State party needed to address these issues, she said.

    Several Committee Experts raised concerns regarding women’s representation in public and private bodies.  One Expert noted that the number of women representatives in government had decreased recently, and that only around 0.8 per cent of company chief executive officers and 7.1 per cent of senior diplomats were women.  How would the State party improve female representation?

    A Committee Expert noted that 94.7 per cent of women adopted their husband’s surname under the current single surname system.  This had negative impacts on their identity and employment.  What were the prospects of reforming the law to allow for a dual surname system?

    Introducing the report, Keiko Okada, Director-General, Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office of Japan and head of the delegation, said revisions to the Penal Code in 2023 clarified that non-consensual sexual acts constituted crimes regardless of marital status and raised the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16.  Multiple other laws addressing sexual violence, including against children, had also been enacted.

    Ms. Okada said the Government aimed to increase the percentage of women among candidates for the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors to 35 per cent by 2025.  The Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace made it obligatory for national and local governments to set targets for women’s representation and make information about women’s participation publicly available. 

    The delegation added that companies with 301 employees or more were obliged to develop action plans on promoting women’s participation and publish statistics on women’s representation in workforces, and there were plans to extend this obligation to companies with 101 employees or more. There had been a gradual increase in women’s representation in managerial positions in private companies in recent years.

    Ms. Okada also said public opinion in Japan varied greatly regarding separate surnames for married couples.  The Government would proceed with deliberations on the introduction of such a system while closely monitoring public opinion. It was raising awareness that former surnames could be recorded alongside formal surnames on many official documents.

    In closing remarks, Ms. Okada said the delegation had engaged sincerely in the dialogue.  It hoped that the responses it had provided would be useful for the Committee.

    Ana Peláez Narváez, Committee Chair, in her concluding remarks, said that the dialogue had provided further insight into the situation of women in Japan. The Committee encouraged the State party to undertake further efforts to implement the Convention more comprehensively for the benefit of all women and girls in the State.

    The delegation of Japan consisted of representatives from the Cabinet Office; Cabinet Secretariat; National Police Agency; Children and Families Agency; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare; and the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue concluding observations on the report of Japan at the end of its eighty-ninth session on 25 October.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 10 a.m. on Friday, 18 October to consider the ninth periodic report of Cuba (CEDAW/C/CUB/9).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the ninth periodic report of Japan (CEDAW/C/JPN/9).

    Presentation of Report

    KEIKO OKADA, Director-General, Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office of Japan and head of the delegation, said that for nearly 40 years since ratifying the Convention in 1985, Japan had committed itself to implementing gender equality measures with the aim of eliminating discrimination against women both in its legislation and in practice.

    Following Committee recommendations, a bill to revise the Civil Code to make the minimum legal age of marriage the same for men and women was enacted in 2018 and took effect in 2022.  Another revision to the Civil Code enacted in 2022 abolished the waiting period for women to remarry after divorce.  This took effect in 2024.

    Public opinion in Japan varied greatly regarding separate surnames for married couples. The Fifth Basic Plan for Gender Equality stated that the Government would proceed with deliberations on the introduction of such a system while closely monitoring public opinion and developments in the National Diet’s discussion on the matter.  The Government was committed to expanding the use of former surnames; it was raising awareness that former surnames could be recorded alongside formal surnames on many official documents.

    The Hate Speech Elimination Act, the Act on the Promotion of the Elimination of Buraku Discrimination, and the Act on Promoting Measures for the Ainu People all incorporated the principle that discrimination was unacceptable, while the Basic Plan on Human Rights Education and Human Rights Awareness-Raising promoted human rights education and awareness-raising, identifying issues concerning women, the Buraku community, the Ainu people, and foreign nationals.  The content of the Plan was now being reviewed to address emerging issues.

    Revisions to the Penal Code in 2023 introduced crimes of “penetrative sexual assault” and “indecent assault”; clarified that non-consensual sexual acts constituted crimes regardless of marital status; raised the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16; criminalised requesting or engaging in a meeting with a child aged 15 or under for the purpose of an indecent act; and extended the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual crimes.  Multiple other laws had also been enacted, including acts establishing the crime of non-consensual recording of a sexual image, preventing harm as a result of performing in sexually explicit videos, and stipulating measures to prevent sexual violence against children in schools and childcare providers. As of 2023, courts were able to issue orders banning spouses, including same-sex spouses, from approaching victims not only in cases of physical violence, but also in cases of non-physical acts causing psychological harm.  A 2022 law also stipulated comprehensive provision of a wide range of assistance for women victims of violence.

    Following 2019 legislation, a lump-sum payment of 3.2 million yen was provided to people with disabilities who underwent forced surgeries or other sterilization procedures. As of 2024, 1,129 claimants, including 817 women, had been approved for receipt of such payments.  In July 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the provisions of the now-defunct Eugenic Protection Act relating to sterilization surgeries were unconstitutional.  The Prime Minister subsequently apologised on behalf of the Government for its role in enforcing the Act.  In September 2024, a “Basic Agreement” was signed with stakeholders aiming for a comprehensive solution to the issues of the now-defunct Eugenic Protection Act. The Diet also passed and enacted a bill on payment of compensation to persons who underwent eugenic surgery in October 2024.

    Following another Committee recommendation, Japan enacted and enforced domestic legislation to give effect to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its supplementary protocol on trafficking in persons in 2017.

    In June 2021, measures to combat sexual harassment and harassment related to pregnancy and childbirth were made mandatory.  The Government aimed to increase the percentage of women among candidates for the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors to 35 per cent by 2025. The Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace made it obligatory for national and local governments to set targets for women’s representation, formulate action plans comprising measures to achieve their targets, and make information about women’s participation publicly available.

    The Government aimed to ensure that by 2031, 40 per cent of single-parent households received child support, and that 70 per cent of single-parent households that had a child support agreement received it.  Revisions to the Civil Code in May 2024 introduced a statutory child support system that enabled a parent who lived with a child to claim child support from the parent who lived separately.  The revisions updated provisions relating to child support, parental responsibility and custody, making it possible for both parents to be designated as having parental responsibility following divorce.  Sole parental responsibility was always mandated in potential cases of child abuse, domestic violence, or other potential harm.

    Following the Committee’s recommendations, the Government had revised legislation to make it obligatory for employers with 301 or more regularly employed workers to make information about the gender wage gap publicly available.  The Government also offered a consultation service to help companies analyse the factors and reduce gender wage gaps and was promoting the use of digital tools to help companies calculate those gaps.  Local and national governments were also required to make information on gender wage gaps for all their agencies publicly available.

    The Act on Childcare and Family Care Leave was revised in June 2021, creating a parental leave system that allowed fathers to take leave twice, up to a maximum total of four weeks, within the first eight weeks after the birth of their child. Employers with more than 300 employees were required to make uptake rates of parental leave publicly available. Employers were also required to provide flexible ways of working for workers with preschool age children. Legislation was revised to allow employees who took childcare leave for 14 days or more to receive 80 per cent of their pre-leave pay for 28 days.

    ATSUYUKI OIKE, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said Japan had successfully formulated three national action plans on women, peace and security and was eagerly ensuring cross-cutting intergovernmental coordination.  Bodies promoting women, peace and security were established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.  Japan was currently implementing 57 projects across the globe, contributing to promoting the women, peace and security agenda in Asia, Africa and Latin America.  In 2025, Japan would assume the role of Co-Chair of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network; it would make every effort to advance the agenda internationally.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Japan, commended Japan for its efforts since its last report.  Ms. Rana said that Hiroko Akizuki, the Committee’s Vice-Chair, made valuable contributions to the Committee.  Japan was also congratulated for being nominated as the Co-Chair of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network for 2025.

    Challenges remained for fully achieving gender equality.  Japan had been ranked one hundred and twenty fifth globally in terms of gender equality, due to, among other factors, the low level of women’s representation in government and deeply rooted gender stereotypes that hampered women’s standing.  The State party needed to address these issues.

    Ms. Rana commended the State party for redefining rape as “non-consensual sexual intercourse” and for raising the age of consent to 16.  There was a lack of enforcement of gender equality legislation, leading gender gaps and discriminatory practices to persist.  What legal complaint mechanisms were in place for women who faced discrimination and how was the State party raising awareness of these mechanisms?

    Ms. Rana commended the State party on adopting several laws that addressed discrimination.  There was no definition of intersectional discrimination in legislation.  Would the State party adopt such a definition?  What was the status of efforts to ratify the Convention’s Optional Protocol?

    Japan’s Basic Plan for Gender Equality lacked concrete commitments to address structural barriers for women. How would the State party address the shortcomings in the Plan?

    International treaties had the same effect as domestic legislation in Japan, but courts reportedly rarely applied the Convention.  There were commendable training programmes for judges on the Convention.  How would the State party further promote implementation and awareness of the Convention?

    A Committee Expert commended Japan on its stand on lethal autonomous weapons systems, which was in line with the Committee’s general recommendation 30.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that under the Constitution and domestic laws, gender-based discrimination was prohibited. The Fifth Basic Plan on Gender Equality called on the Government to raise awareness about remedy mechanisms available to the public.  The plan would run until the end of 2025.  Consideration of the next plan would begin at a later stage.

    Japan was taking into consideration various issues, including organisational frameworks, in its deliberations on ratifying the Optional Protocol, and would seriously consider ratifying it soon.

    All international human rights treaties ratified by Japan had the same effect as domestic law, and were referred to when necessary in courts.  The Convention attached rights and obligations to the State party, not individuals.  The Legal Training and Research Institute trained judges each year on human rights issues.  Prosecutors also received training on international conventions. 

    Non-governmental organizations had contributed to the State party’s policies on gender; women, peace and security; and to drafting the State party’s report.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    A Committee Expert said Japan had created shelters and strong policies to address human trafficking.  There were problems in the State party’s measures to address trafficking, which had not changed in the last five years and did not cover the whole country.  What was the role of women in the peacebuilding process in Japan?  Had the Diet implemented gender budgeting?  Would the State party develop an independent national human rights institute for the benefit of women?  Japan needed to provide increased support for non-governmental organizations.

    Another Committee Expert acknowledged legislative measures to promote women’s participation in public life.  The Basic Plan for Gender Equality set targets to increase women’s representation in political bodies, disaster management bodies, and leadership positions to 30 per cent.  Other countries of similar economic capacity were seeking to achieve parity, so it was disappointing that these modest targets had not been reached.  What progress had been made in achieving the targets in the Plan?  Would the State party adopt temporary special measures to reduce the fee of three million yen required for running for political office?  Were there temporary special measures targeting Buraku women and women with disabilities?  The Expert congratulated Nihon Hidankyo on receiving the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize and asked how the Government was supporting women hibakusha and women and girls affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Japan had 10 women ambassadors and six general counsels who were women.  Forty per cent of Foreign Ministry employees were women, and this percentage was expected to increase.

    The Government had announced preventative measures to address sexual abuse by United States forces in Okinawa.  A new forum had been established between the military and residents of Okinawa.  Japan had primary jurisdiction over offences committed by military personnel.

    National and regional legal affairs bureaus had staff members that received complaints of human rights violations from women. There had been a significant increase in the budget promoting gender equality in recent years.  The Government’s 2024 budget included investments of 10.6 trillion yen in gender policies.

    The Government was working to promote the participation of women with disabilities in decision-making processes.  The Government had a policy committee for persons with disabilities; 40 per cent of its members were women with disabilities. The central government mandated local governments to formulate plans supporting persons with disabilities.

    The Convention did not apply to the period of the Second World War.  However, Japan had legally concluded all claims and property issues related to comfort women.  It had also established a fund that provided atonement for former comfort women, who were also sent letters of apology by the Prime Minister.  Meetings had been conducted with former comfort women.  The Government had also significantly invested in a healing foundation for comfort women and provided direct support to 65 surviving comfort women.

    Some women who had evacuated Fukushima after the nuclear incident had returned.  Experts monitored the health impact of radioactive material and were providing accurate information on risks to residents.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the State party was promoting awareness of unconscious gender bias, but patriarchal attitudes continued to be present in various aspects of life.  How did the Government measure the effectiveness of awareness activities? Would the State party consider policies to counter gender stereotyping at all levels, which appeared to be normalised in society?  How would the State party prohibit discriminatory remarks by politicians?

    How could rape be prosecuted without accusation from victims? There were reports that perpetrators of offences by United States military personnel in Okinawa against women were not brought to justice.  How was the State party addressing this?  Could the State party provide data on arrests, prosecutions and convictions?

    Resource allocations to enforce prevention of spousal violence were reportedly insufficient.  Would the State party consider revising legislation to address coercion and psychological violence?  How was it building the capacity of the judiciary related to their understanding of gender-based violence?  How were shelters for victims of domestic violence being funded?  Was there a level of awareness amongst women regarding new legislation on non-consensual sex and their right to refuse sex?

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Japan, commended the 2014 national action plan to combat trafficking in persons and the establishment of the council to combat trafficking in persons.  What measures were in place to improve identification mechanisms for victims of trafficking?  Current legal provisions did not fully encompass non-coercive forms of trafficking. How would this be addressed? Labour trafficking remained significantly underreported.  How would the State party secure convictions in trafficking cases and enhance cross-border cooperation to ensure the safe return of trafficking victims? Victimisation of girls persisted in the online sphere through child prostitution and pornography.  How was this being addressed?  Did programmes to prevent trafficking reach rural areas? What measures were in place to prevent the trafficking of young women and girls forced into prostitution by economic hardship?

    The Committee acknowledged efforts made by Japan to address the comfort women issue.  These steps needed to be sustained and enhanced to ensure the rights of victims to truth, justice and reparation.

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chair, asked how legislation addressed sexual acts against persons who could not give consent, such as children and persons with disabilities.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that the Cabinet Office had conducted surveys in 2021 and 2022 that revealed unconscious bias related to gender.  It had since implemented various measures to promote awareness of unconscious bias in government and society.  The Act on Promotion of Gender Equality in the Political Field required political bodies to implement training to prevent sexual harassment against persons holding public office.  Individual cases of harassment were handled according to the law.

    In 2023, the Penal Code was revised to specify that non-consensual sexual relations were prohibited in all situations. Information had been posted on Government websites, and leaflets and posters had been created, informing women and girls about the new legislation.  Lectures on the new law had also been provided for staff at one-stop support centres.  Persons who had sex with persons who could not give consent due to a disability or other factors were punished under the law.

    A victim-centred approach was taken to addressing the issue of sexual abuse by military personnel against women in Okinawa. Suspects were held by the military until the Japanese Government indicted them.  The Government was committed to holding all perpetrators accountable.  There were three arrests of United States forces for non-consensual sex with women and one arrest for indecent assault.

    The Act against Sexual Violence was amended in 2023 to address threats of violence and extend restraining orders for perpetrators of domestic violence.  The Legal Training and Research Institute had conducted training on domestic violence for family court clecks and investigators.  Courts could order prohibition of repeated phone calls to victims. Forty-seven publicly run shelters were provided for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and the Government also supported privately run shelters.  Livelihood support was provided for victims, as was education support for their children.  In 2023, 1,100 protection orders were issued by courts.

    In 2022, the Government introduced an action plan on trafficking in persons, which promoted the identification and support of victims. After 2022, Japan had been attending the meetings of the Bali Process and contributing funds to the International Organization for Migration to promote awareness of trafficking and voluntary returns of victims.  Japan had supported the return of over 600 victims.  The Japan Coast Guard conducted inspections of vessels and took protective measures if there were suspicions of trafficking.  The Immigration Services Agency investigated whether asylum seekers were victims of trafficking.  Residence visas could be issued to persons found to be victims.  The Agency provided consultations and information on trafficking in persons in multiple languages, and victim protection services through regional contact points.  The police had also been trained in identifying victims of trafficking.

    Legislation had been enacted to address online child pornography and child prostitution.  Persons who distributed child pornography were prosecuted under this legislation.

    Japan aimed to lead global efforts to prevent gender-based violence.  It was providing financial contributions to organizations supporting women affected by conflict and was conducting awareness raising campaigns to prevent such incidents.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert commended efforts to remove barriers to female political representation in Japan.  It was concerning that the number of women representatives in government had decreased recently.  Only around 0.8 per cent of company chief executive officers were women, there were only two female justices in the Supreme Court, and only 7.1 per cent of senior diplomats were women.  How would the State party improve female representation in these areas? Would it implement penalties or incentives to improve female representation?

    Another Committee Expert said that mixed nationality couples and single foreign parents had issues with passing nationality onto their children.  Did children of mixed couples obtain Japanese nationality upon birth, regardless of the marital status of their parents? Could more detail be provided about changes in the nationality law in 2024?  Children of foreign nationals born in Japan were not granted Japanese nationality and foreign residents were not allowed the right to vote.  Could they be appointed to government positions?  Was there a complaints mechanism for denied nationality applications?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Basic Act for Gender Equality called on the Government to pursue affirmative actions to promote gender equality.  It set numerical targets for women’s representation and measures were developed to achieve those targets.  Numerical targets had been set for the representation of women in private sector companies.  More than half of new employees of the Foreign Ministry were women.  Currently, the Supreme Court had three women judges, meaning 20 per cent of its judges were women.  The Government was exerting efforts to increase the representation of women in the judiciary.  Companies with more than 301 employees were obliged to develop action plans on promoting women’s participation and publish statistics on women’s representation in their workforces, and there were plans to extend this obligation to companies with more than 101 employees.  There had been a gradual increase in women’s representation in managerial positions in private companies in recent years.

    The 2024 revision to the law on nationality was enacted to ensure that nationality was not granted when false claims were made by applicants.  There was no specific complaint mechanism related to obtaining nationality. Nationality could be obtained through naturalisation and other means.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Japan, said that Japan was one of the world’s largest donors to international efforts promoting gender equality.  How would the State party promote women’s participation in peace negotiations?

    Another Committee Expert said horizontal segregation persisted in Japan.  The share of female students in physical science education was 15 per cent, and around 10 per cent in engineering education. Women professors made up around 17 per cent of professors in universities.  Would the State party introduce temporary special measures to address these issues?  Why were many female lecturers hired in temporary positions?  How was the State party encouraging women to become doctors?

    How did the State party ensure standardisation and the accuracy of information in history textbooks?  How many male teachers were there in primary schools?  What measures were in place to improve the working environment for women teachers?  Did teacher training address verbal and psychological violence?  Would the State party adopt Convention standards related to sexual education?  What measures were in place to address bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and children from non-conventional families?

    A Committee Expert said the Penal Code had recently been revised to address online insults; how many cases of online insults had since been prosecuted?  Marginalised women experienced disproportionate levels of workplace harassment.  The gender wage gap was wide, at 23 per cent, and there was a large proportion of unemployed work-age women.  What measures were in place to address these issues?  Most women worked in irregular employment positions; would the State party consider requiring companies to report on the percentage of women in such positions?  What protections were available for workplace harassment of whistle-blowers?  The Convention needed to be upheld in Supreme Court deliberations regarding selective surnames for women.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that in 2023, Japan positioned gender mainstreaming as an important part of official development assistance.  It was promoting women’s empowerment through foreign policies. Wide-ranging discussions were held on the empowerment of women at the G-7 as a part of gender mainstreaming efforts. Women were encouraged to participate in humanitarian aid activities.

    Under the fifth Basic Plan for Gender Equality, there was a target for increasing women and girls’ participation in science, technology, engineering and maths education.  Women’s participation in this education had gone up this year.  The Government was also promoting diversity among university students and supporting women studying science, technology, engineering and maths subjects through scholarships.  It also awarded universities that took positive measures to enrol women students and was distributing increased funding for universities that employed high percentages of women professors and women in leadership positions.  The Government was supporting women to return to work in research after childbirth.  It found that there had been discrimination against women in three medical schools’ entrance examinations.  Measures had been taken to ban such discrimination and prevent its recurrence.

    The Government had national curriculum standards that textbook publishers needed to adhere to.  School textbooks promoted harmony between students and provided education on gender equality.  In the authorisation process, academic and other experts assessed draft textbooks created by private sector companies to ensure that they explicitly promoted gender equality.

    Overtime payment was not provided to teachers, but teachers’ salaries were adjusted based on the amount of work they conducted.  The Government was trying to reduce working hours for teachers by hiring additional teachers and implementing other measures. Teacher training covered respect for human rights and support for students of diverse backgrounds.

    Bullying, including of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children, was not tolerated in schools.  Psychological health surveys and individual support teams were employed to respond quickly to school bullying, and guidelines were being revised to strengthen responses to bullying.  A policy to address deep-fake pornography was included in the Basic Plan for Gender Equality.

    Employers were not allowed to select employees based on weight, height or physical strength, or based on their ethnic background or belief. Each public and private entity had a quota for employment of persons with disabilities.  This had led to increased employment of such persons.  A workplace diversity promotion project was launched in 2019.  Companies that actively employed women were certified and provided with tax incentives. The Government, over the next three years, would introduce measures to support women’s employment in the digital field.  There were 73 prosecutions involving insults in 2023.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Equal Employment Act did not recognise discrimination based on pregnancy, rural background or age. Would the State party amend this legislation?  More than 50 per cent of female workers were in temporary positions.  This needed to be addressed.  The 2025 World Expo was an opportunity to showcase that the future of work was female.

    Another Committee Expert asked about the slow pace of dismantling single-sex schools, which validated differences between the sexes.  What timeline did the Government have to achieve this?  What reparation had been provided to women who had been denied admission to medical schools due to discrimination?  How would the State party address negative comments by authorities related to reproductive education?

    A Committee Expert said a 2023 Government pilot had made emergency contraception pills available in pharmacies.  Would this pilot project be made permanent, and would contraception be provided to persons under 18?  Women in Japan had to get consent from spouses to seek abortions.  There were even cases where single women had had to seek permission from partners to obtain abortions.  Would the Government remove this requirement?  Only around three per cent of clinics offered abortion pills that were as expensive as other abortion procedures and needed to be taken in front of medical staff.  What measures were in place to increase access to abortion pills and to allow women to take these pills at home?

    The Committee commended the Government for apologising for the sterilisation of persons with disabilities conducted under the former eugenic protection law and for committing to provide compensation to victims. What reproductive rights did women with disabilities currently have?  What progress had been made in reducing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water supplies, which were harmful for pregnant women?

    Another Committee Expert commended the revised Pension Act and support provided for start-ups created by women.  Around 15 per cent of women in Japan lived below the poverty line. Women in part-time work lacked adequate safety nets to keep them from poverty.  What measures were in place to further extend women’s access to employment opportunities and low-interest credit?  How would the State party address the gender digital skills gap? Were there financial literacy programmes for women in rural areas?  What percentage of the social security budget was devoted to older women, women with disabilities, foreign students and rural women workers?  Had the State party considered reforms that would establish guaranteed pensions for all individuals and family benefits for women with children classified as “illegitimate”?  How was the State party promoting women’s participation in sports and cultural programmes?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Government would continue to consider expanding the scope of legislation on indirect discrimination in recruitment, considering societal attitudes.  Japan’s efforts to promote women’s empowerment would be showcased at World Expo 2025. 

    Japan had no plans to dismantle single-sex schools.  Schools and boards of education made decisions related to single-sex education in individual schools.  Sexual and reproductive education called on students to respect the opposite gender and to make informed decisions regarding sexual activities.

    A trial was being conducted on the sale of emergency contraception pills at pharmacies and a research project on the provision of the abortion pill at medical clinics had been concluded this year.  The Government would analyse their results.  Male spouses needed to permit pregnant women to seek abortions, except in cases of domestic abuse or for unmarried mothers. The Government would deepen social discussions on this issue.

    The Government had developed a plan for promoting female digital talent; it was expanding opportunities for female high school and university students to receive education on programming.  The Government provided loans to female entrepreneurs who had difficulties obtaining funds and was collecting statistics on the number of start-ups created by women.  Seminars had been conducted to promote capacity building for women entrepreneurs.

    In 2022, the Government published cross-sectoral guidelines on business and human rights.  It would continue to study the possibility of future laws on human rights due diligence.

    The average monthly pension as of 2022 was 58,000 yen for men and 54,000 yen for women.  There was no gender gap in the system itself; the difference was due to gaps in work style between men and women.  Japan had a universal pension system.  The Government would expand the scope of employees qualified to receive pensions and would provide additional support to elderly women recipients of pensions.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked about the timeline for the trial of emergency contraception, and asked whether the Government would change legislation to remove the requirement for people who wished to change genders to be sterilised.  It was extraordinary that women in Japan needed to get permission from spouses to obtain abortions, except in cases of divorce, domestic violence or death of spouses. Would the State party revise this?

    Another Committee Expert asked about the number of female beneficiaries of financial loans.  How would the State party provide pension coverage for all vulnerable groups, including women not in employment, education or training?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said it was currently difficult to indicate a timeline for the trial of emergency contraception, but the Government would continue to consider this.

    The poverty rate was higher for females than for males. To address this, a supplementary pension benefit was provided for low-income households.

    The Government provided various sporting opportunities for women and was promoting women’s participation in governance of sporting organizations.  A plan had been adopted that promoted women’s participation in cultural activities.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Japan, commended plans to support land ownership for rural women.  Rural women lacked access to adequate social benefits such as maternity and sickness leave. How would the State party address this? 

    Ms. Rana welcomed inspections that had led to the detection of abuse of migrant technical intern trainees.  However, migrant women workers continued to face discrimination, threats of repatriation abroad, and poor working conditions.  How was the State party addressing these issues?  What measures were in place to address barriers to accessing health care for women with disabilities?

    Women’s representation in climate change decision making was low.  How would the Government address this, and ensure that extraterritorial investments protected women’s rights?  How would the State party take responsibility for monitoring nuclear standards with regards to the dumping of nuclear treatment water into the ocean?

    Another Committee Expert said that 94.7 per cent of women adopted their husband’s surname under the current single surname system.  This had negative impacts on their identity and employment. What were the prospects of reforming the law to allow for a dual surname system?

    What measures were in place to address the impact of discriminatory practices against children born out of wedlock?  There were barriers to women accessing assets in divorce settlements.  How was the Government working to train the judiciary on these issues so that justice could be imparted with a gender perspective?  How would it protect victims of family violence after the introduction of joint custody decisions?  Were there plans to increase court resources for this purpose?  Would the State party allow for adoption by same-sex couples?  The Committee suggested that the State party consider establishing equality between men and women regarding the appointment of female emperors.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said foreigners could be appointed to certain public servant positions, but not all positions.  In 2022, several thousands of inspections were carried out under the technical intern trainee law, which had identified human rights violations.  Employers that violated migrant workers’ rights were sanctioned.

    The Ministry of Environment was actively employing women. Discharged water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was not contaminated with nuclear material.  The International Atomic Energy Agency had determined that the radiation impact of this water was negligible and that the disposal of this water into the ocean was safe.

    Opinions were mixed regarding selective separate surnames. The Government was offering information to deepen debate on the topic in the public and in the Diet.

    The best interests of the child needed to be considered regarding visitation rights for parents.  The revision of legislation on visitation did not harm the rights of children. In 2024, the Civil Code was revised to promote the separation of property after divorces.  The period in which claims could be made to family courts were extended from two to five years.  The revised law promoted the fair division of property.

    It was not appropriate for the Committee to raise the issue of revising the system of succession to the Imperial Throne of Japan.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chair, said that the Committee had capacity to raise relevant questions regarding equality between men and women, including regarding succession to the throne.  This was a topic that was directly relevant to the Convention.

    A Committee Expert welcomed that the Government had removed a policy offering grants to women to move away from Tokyo to get married. What was the level of engagement of women in policy making such as this?

    Another Committee Expert asked about efforts to ensure that family law included a gender perspective.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Japanese Government had set targets regarding the percentage of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water.  There had been no reports of health issues related to levels of these substances, but monitoring of water resources would continue to ensure the safety of the public.

    The Government would continue to support the capacity building efforts of family courts.  It was providing information about women’s ability to use maiden names to apply for certain State services.

    Concluding Remarks

    KEIKO OKADA, Director-General, Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office of Japan and head of the delegation, said the delegation had engaged sincerely in the dialogue.  It hoped that the responses it had provided would be useful for the Committee.

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chair, said that the dialogue had provided further insight into the situation of women in Japan.  The Committee encouraged the State party to undertake further efforts to implement the Convention more comprehensively for the benefit of all women and girls in the State.

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CEDAW24.030E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Scottsdale,  AZ

    Source: The White House

    Grayhawk Golf Club
    Scottsdale, Arizona

    12:12 P.M. MST

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Please have a seat.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Thank you. 

    Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  I appreciate you.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.) 

    Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I’m touched.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  That means a lot.  Thank you, (inaudible).  (Applause.) 

    Thank you.  Please, please, please have a seat.  I’m — I’m very touched and very honored.  And thank you, all leaders who are here. 

    Mayor Giles, I thank you.  You’ve been an extraordinary friend.  And I really — I so appreciate the courage that you have shown to be so open and forward about the importance of us all working together, and your support has meant the world to me.  So, in front of all of the friends, I thank you very much for all you’ve done.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

    And former State Rep Shaw, I thank you as well.  Is sh- — I — there you are.  (Laughter.)  Thank you for all the support that you have given as well.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

    So, we are all here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  And I was talking with some folks recently about the importance of understanding the — the duality, frankly, that exists in terms of our democracy. 

    You know, as your vice president, I have now met over 150 world leaders — presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, and kings — and when we, representing the United States, walk in those rooms, traditionally, we’ve been able to walk in those rooms chin up, shoulders back, with the earned and self-appointed authority to talk about the importance of democracies, rule of law.  But I say, to a room of role models, here’s the thing about being a role model: When you’re a role model, folks watch what you do to see if it matches up to what you say. 

    And I tell you because I have traveled the country recently — including the many, many trips that I have taken over the last almost four years — but recently, in particular, where world leaders, allies have come up to me — we’re now on a first-name basis; I’ve met with so many of them so many times — and they have said to me, “Kamala, I hope you guys are going to be okay.”

    One of the things that I think about and weighs on me sometimes is I hope we, as Americans, really understand how important we are to the world.  We are so important to the world.  Those people who fight for democracy, who fight for freedom, who fight for a life in which they can have opportunity, they hold us up and they hold us out as a model. 

    And that, as much as anything, is at stake right now in this election.  And I know I’m speaking to a group of people who know that and know that well. 

    You know, I was raised to believe that hard work is important, it is important to look out for each other, it is important to understand that the vast majority of u- — of us have so much more in common than what separates us. 

    I was raised in a community of folks who understood that when we stand together, when we look for commonality, that’s when we thrive. 

    And part of what we know has been happening in the last several years in our country is there’s some powerful forces that are trying to divide us as Americans, would have us and cheer us on if we point fingers at one another. 

    There’s this kind of backward thinking coming from some folks that suggests that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down, instead of what we know, which is the real measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.  That’s strength.  (Applause.)

    But — but truly, like i- — but — but I mean that intentionally.  It’s not only good and right.  That’s strength. 

    Because that’s part of what is the perversion of what some people are suggesting, as though it is a sign of weakness to have empathy, to have some level of concern and care about the suffering of other people and then take it upon oneself to do something about that that is about lifting the condition of your fellow human being. 

    So, when we think about what’s at stake in this election — whoa, it’s packed with some stuff.  (Laughter.)  It’s packed with some fundamental stuff — (applause) — I say rather articulately.  (Laughs.)  There’s so much at stake. 

    Mayor, you mentioned John McCain.  Okay.  So, I’ll tell you, I was in the United States Senate for about four years, and — and I worked with John McCain.  And so, I’ll tell you, so there was this — we were on a committee together.  And, you know, these committee rooms in the United States Senate, they’re very grand and — and very impressive.  And John McCain was on one side of the dais; I was on the other — horseshoe. 

    And he’s going after me.  He’s going after me.  We’re having some conversation.  I think it was about one of the nominees.  This — this was during President Trump’s years.  He’s going after me, and I’m going back after him.  (Laughter.)  I’m going back after him.  And that was it.  And this is what the public saw. 

    And then I step onto the floor of the well of the Senate later that day — we had votes — and I passed by John McCain, and he looks at me and he says, “Kid, come over here.”  (Laughter.)  “You’re going to make a great senator.”  (Laughter and applause.)  True story.  True story.  True story.

    That was John McCain.  That was John McCain. 

    I was talking about him last night at a rally, right?  John McCain, who — you know, we didn’t agree on everything, but, man, I mean, what about an incredible American hero?  (Applause.) 

    Again, strength — strength — right? — we know what the former president said about John McCain; I’m not going to repeat it here — but strength.

    John McCain stood on principle.  He stood on a belief in the — in the importance of — of patriotism, of sacrifice, of what we stand for as a country. 

    And part of what I talked about at a rally last night is — I — I shared with the folks in the room: I was there on the Senate floor, way into the middle of the night, when it was yet another attempt of the former president to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, which, as we know, has been literally a lifesaver for people, right?  (Applause.)  What it has done to no longer allow preexisting conditions to be the reason that an insurance company can’t give you assistance.  Right?

    And you all may have seen it.  I was there on the floor that night, and we were all standing around because whether or not the Affordable Care Act would continue to be relied on one vote.  And we were all standing on the floor.  And, of course, I had voted to keep it going.  And — and I say this, and it sounds like it’s out of a movie, but this is how I experienced it.

    On the flo- — floor with my colleagues in the Senate well — it was late into the night, and they — in the Senate, they had the — you walk onto the Senate floor, and there are these big, wooden ornate doors.  And those ornate doors opened — (laughter) — and John McCain came out. 

    And he went to the floor, and he said, “No, you don’t.”  (Applause.)  He said, “No, you don’t.”  “No, you don’t take away health care for millions of people.” 

    And that is but one example of an individual that we all respect who put country before party in terms of what they thought was right.  I am honored to have the endorsement of Jeff Flake, someone I also worked with — (applause) — again, putting country before party.

    And so, I say all of that to say that those are examples that are situated right here in this beautiful state of Arizona, a tradition that everyone, and all of us, I will say, stand on. 

    And then, of course, most recently, what Maricopa did in terms of the clerk refusing to participate in the intention to undo the will of the people in a free and fair election.  The people of this state have always shown extraordinary courage to stand up for the principles upon which we as a country were founded.  And I thank you for that.  I thank you for that.

    I know we are going to win this election, and it is not going to be easy.  There are forces at play that are making us, as-  — as Americans, I think, call into question certain fundamentals that we have always taken for granted, that is part of our pride: freedom — freedom — freedom from the government making decisions about a person’s body, a woman’s body; freedom to just be; freedom over matters of heart and home, I like to say; fundamental principles around the importance of rule of law, whether we should actually be concerned and have a question — a legitimate question in an election for president of the United States, the commander in chief, of whether they will abide by the oath.  (Applause.) 

    But imagine — imagine.  That’s a legitimate question we are asking.  It’s not rhetorical.  It’s a legitimate question we are asking.

    He who said that he would, quote, “terminate” the Constitution of the United States.  He who said he would be a dictator on day one.  He who intends to weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies — take away the independence of the Department of Justice and put in place loyalists.

    Fundamental notions about who and what we are as a democracy are at play in this election.  And you all, each of you, have had the courage to say, hey, we may not agree on every single thing — that’s also what a democracy looks like — but foundational, first principles cannot be in question, not for the sake of our children, not for the sake of our future and well-being, not for the sake of our standing in the world.

    And so, I tell you all this to just reaffirm that we — we share not only a concern but a commitment to our country and what’s most important about, in a moment of crisis — dare I say, I think this is one — do we stand together as Americans being our first identity and come together around these issues?

    And I — I’m going to actually announce — we have press in the room — that I have decided also — not only will I have a Republican in my Cabinet, but I’m also going to — I — I was talking to my team about it.  I want to create some structure around the following, which is: I love good ideas.  Wherever they come from, I love good ideas.  (Applause.)  Right?

    And so, part of what I intend to do, Mayor, and put some structure around is creating a bipartisan council of advisers who can then give feedback on policy as we go forward.  Because here’s the thing I also understand and feel strongly about: In order for us as America to maintain our status as the strongest democracy in the world, we need a healthy two-party system.  We have to have a healthy two-party system.  (Applause.)  We have to.  It’s in the best interest of all of us.  It’s in the best interest of all of us. 

    You know, the way that I like to lead — I bring folks in my office all the time, and they know I don’t want any “yes” people.  I want people to come in and, first of all, be prepared.  (Laughter.)  Yeah, no time to waste.  But come in and then let’s — let’s, as I often say, kick the tires on ideas.  Because the best ideas will survive those kinds of challenges, and the best ideas will then be most relevant to the American people, most in- — effective to the American people. 

    And so, I’m going to create a bipartisan council so we can put some structure around exactly this point and do the work that is important. 

    And then I’m — I’m just going to close with this.  You know, again, I think on the fundamentals, we have more in common than what separates us, including across faiths. 

    So, I know there are mem- — a lot of members of the LDS community here, and you may or may not know my pastor actually spoke at the 100th birthday of President Nelson.  (Applause.)  Yeah.  Yeah. 

    And I just — and that wasn’t a plan as part of this.  It just is.  And — and I just think if we think in our lives and in what we know, there are so many examples of that point.  We have so much more in common than what separates us, especially on the fundamentals. 

    And so, with that, I say that I am committed to all of you to be a president for all Americans and to work as we must — together — again, knowing we have so much more in common than what separates us.  And on the biggest and most important issues, I think we know that this is a fight that is not against something as much as it is a fight that is for something.  (Applause.)

    Thank you. 

    God bless you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

                              END                 12:28 P.M. MST

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Q3 2024 trading update 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BW Energy: Q3 2024 trading update

    BW Energy will publish financial figures for Q3 2024 on Friday, 15 November 2024. 

    Net production to BW Energy was 2.4 million barrels of oil (bbls) in Q3 2024, equal to 25,570 bbls per day, from the Dussafu licence in Gabon (73.5% working interest) and the Golfinho field (100% working interest) in Brazil.    

    Volume (mmbbls)  Q3 2024  Q2 2024 
    Net production    2.4  2.1 
    Dussafu    1.9  1.4 
    Golfinho    0.5  0.7 
         
    Net volume sold    2.5  1.9 
    Dussafu*    2.0  0.9 
    Golfinho    0.5  1.0 
           
    Average realised price (USD/bbl)     
    Dussafu    82.0  76.3 
    Golfinho    81.7  86.4 
           
    *Includes State Profit Oil and DMO deliveries     

    DUSSAFU 

    • Highest quarterly production since inception 
    • Operating cost (excluding royalties) of USD 20.5/bbl 
    • The net volume sold (basis for revenue recognition), included 195,000 bbls of DMO deliveries and 232,000 bbls of state profit oil, with an under-lift position of 391,500 bbls at period-end 
    • The DHBSM-2H well on Hibiscus South was completed in July with the first conventional ESP (Electrical Submersible Pump) system 
    • The DHIBM-3H well was worked over in early August with a conventional ESP 
    • The DHIBM-7H well, on the northern flank of Hibiscus Main, started production utilizing a conventional ESP in early October and is performing to expectation 
    • The DHBSM-1H ESP failed on 20 September, as the last of the defective generation, with change-out to a conventional ESP completed and production restarted mid-October  
    • The ESP replacement program on track for completion by year-end and to reach gross production target of 40,000 bbls/day  

    GOLFINHO 

    • Inventory at period end of 340,700 bbls  
    • Production cost (excluding royalties) of USD 63.3/bbl primarily due to lower production 
    • Production impacted by a planned maintenance shutdown on the FPSO Cidade de Vitória. Production availability set to improve in Q4 following maintenance completion on one gas lift compressor, with full compressor capacity expected to be back in service in Q1 2025 

    HEDGING, LIQUIDITY AND DEBT 

    • Q3 expected gain from hedging of USD 8.6 million, all of which is unrealised.  
    • Period-end cash balance of USD 209 million vs. USD 244 million end-June 2024, with the change reflecting cash flow from operations, debt repayment and investments including acquisition of shares in ReconAfrica. 
    • Period-end gross debt of USD 556 includes MaBoMo lease, Dussafu RBL, Golfinho prepayment facility and bond debt. 

    For further information, please contact:

    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy, +33.7.81.11.41.16 

    ir@bwenergy.no 

    About BW Energy: 

    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 580 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2024. 

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wendel announces a transformational transaction in line with its strategic roadmap

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER 22, 2024

    Wendel announces a transformational transaction
    in line with its strategic roadmap

    • Acquisition of Monroe Capital LLC dramatically expands Wendel’s Asset Management platform and rebalances its business model towards more recurring cash flows and growth
    • Wendel’s Asset Management platform will represent c.€31 billion1 of AuM in private assets and is expected to generate c.€160 million2 of Fee Related Earnings and c.€185 million of total pre-tax profit in 2025

    Wendel (MF-FP) today announced that it has entered into a definitive partnership agreement including the acquisition of 75% of Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe Capital” or “the Company”), and a sponsoring program of $800 million to accelerate Monroe Capital’s growth, and will invest in GP commitment for up to $200 million.

    For Wendel, the acquisition of a controlling stake in Monroe Capital, a private credit market leader focused on the U.S. lower middle market that has established an outstanding track record, would represent a significant and transformational advancement of the strategy it announced in March 2023 to develop its third-party asset management platform to complement its longstanding principal investments business.

    This transaction follows Wendel’s recent acquisition of IK Partners, a European leader in middle market private equity, as it seeks to build a scaled third-party asset management platform, based on strong performing General Partners with distinctive and focused expertise, an entrepreneurial mindset and an emphasis on the middle market. The embedded organic growth of those acquisitions will be complemented by Wendel’s unique value proposition which includes:

    • Capital to sponsor new strategies and fund organic and inorganic initiatives ($800 million in the sponsoring program and up to $200m of GP commitment for Monroe Capital)
    • Wendel’s network to develop long term strategic partnerships with highly regarded LPs (Wendel and Monroe Capital intend for AXA-IM Prime to participate in the transaction)
    • Cross selling opportunities by combining the expertise and client bases of GPs
    • Development of centralized fundraising platform to address new markets

    The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals. It is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

    A private credit leader in the U.S. middle market with a demonstrated strong track record across market cycles

    Founded in 2004 by Ted Koenig, Monroe Capital provides private credit solutions to borrowers in the U.S. and Canada, managing $19.53 billion of assets across 45+ investment vehicles. Monroe Capital’s strategic verticals are Lower Middle Market Direct Lending, Alternative Credit, Software & Technology, Real Estate, Venture Debt, Independent Sponsor and Middle Market CLOs. Each vertical has demonstrated strong investment performance and offers potential for significant organic growth.

    Through July 1, 2024, Monroe Capital has directly originated over 700 transactions, has invested over $44 billion and has earned c.10% gross unlevered IRR4 for its directly originated transactions. Monroe Capital’s LP base is very broad and diversified, including public pensions, insurance companies, family offices and high net worth individuals from across the globe.

    The firm, which is headquartered in Chicago, maintains eleven offices, of which nine are in the U.S., one in Abu Dhabi, UAE and one in Seoul, South Korea. Monroe Capital has grown to a team of over 270 employees, including 110 investment professionals.

    A transaction aligning strategic interests of all stakeholders over the long-term

    The envisaged transaction is a strategic partnership in which Monroe Capital’s teams — who remain committed for the long term — will continue to operate independently and autonomously in day-to-day management of current markets and strategies, under the same brand. Monroe Capital’s Investment Committee also would remain fully independent.

    A key feature of the planned partnership will be the commitment of significant capital by Wendel to support Monroe Capital’s present and future funds, as well as the development of new strategies. The contemplated transaction would lead to the full acquisition by Wendel of Monroe Capital over time, with subsequent transactions structured to ensure alignment of interests of all stakeholders:

    (i)      Initial transaction

    As part of the initial transaction, which is expected to be finalized in the first half of 2025, Wendel shall invest $1.13 billion, to acquire 75% of Monroe Capital’s shares (50% from Monroe management and 25% from Bonaccord Capital Partners who is a minority interest owner of Monroe) together with rights to c.20% of the carried interest generated on past and future funds. Monroe management will continue to own 25% of the Company post-closing.

    (ii)      Long-term alignment and subsequent transactions

    This transaction aims to maintain a long term and uncapped alignment of interests between Wendel and Monroe Capital’s 23 partners and employees:

    The initial transaction involving 75% of Monroe Capital would be complemented by an earn-out mechanism in the maximum amount of $255 million, subject to Fee Related Earnings (“FRE”) performance thresholds (Max if CAGR above c.26%) in the period, and if achieved would be paid in cash in 2028.

    The total consideration for the 75% would correspond to c. 14.7x to 18.5x 2025e pre-tax FRE depending on the earn out effectively paid and a 4.2x 2025e pre-tax Performance Related Earnings.

    Wendel will have a path to purchase the remaining 25% of Monroe Capital’s shares in subsequent transactions (put / call mechanisms) that would take place in three instalments over 2028 and 2032 and be payable in cash. The purchase of the remaining 25% shares would be valued through variable purchase multiples determined depending on realized FRE growth.

    (iii)      Capital commitment

    In addition, to accelerate Monroe Capital’s growth, Wendel would seed future new initiatives launched by the Company, with sponsor money, up to a maximum of $800 million in total, thereby supporting Monroe’s growth and diversifying Wendel’s investments in asset classes. In addition, Wendel will fund GP commitment of c.1% of funds to be raised, up to a maximum of $200 million. In total, Wendel will invest $1 billion into Monroe Capital’s funds.

    (iv)      AXA IM Prime’s investment alongside Wendel

    In addition, Wendel and Monroe Capital intend for AXA IM Prime to participate in the transaction. Wendel and AXA IM Prime have longstanding relationship and have jointly worked since inception on the current transaction. Both companies are now in discussion to confirm AXA IM Prime investment (up to $50m) as a minority shareholder, through its GP-stake fund “AXA IM Prime Capital Partners I” (“PCP I”), alongside Wendel in Monroe Capital. AXA Group (CS-FP) is the anchor investor of PCP I and already a significant and historic Limited Partner in Monroe Capital’s funds.

    Wendel to become an Asset Manager alongside its historical Principal Investment activity

    Wendel’s ambition is to build a sizeable Asset Management platform managing investments in multiple private asset classes, alongside its historical Principal Investment activity. The development of the third-party Asset Management platform will provide Wendel with recurring and growing cashflows as well as exposure to multiple and high performing asset classes. As a result, Wendel’s dual business model is expected to generate an attractive and recurring return to shareholders.

    With IK Partners and Monroe Capital, Wendel’s third party private asset management platform will reach c.€31 billion in AUM5, c.€ 455 million revenues, c.€160 million pre-tax FRE (c.€101 million in pre-tax FRE (Wendel share) by 2025 and is expected to reach €150 million (Wendel share) in pre-tax FRE by 2027 through double-digit organic growth.

    This evolution of Wendel’s business model is designed to enable the development, over time, of a value-creating platform with the potential to generate operational synergies.

    The third-party Asset Management platform will be developed alongside Wendel’s Principal Investment strategy, with the objective of generating double-digit Total Shareholder Return.

    Laurent Mignon, Wendel Group CEO, commented:

    “One year after announcing the acquisition of 51% of IK Partners, we are proud to announce the acquisition of 75% of Monroe Capital LLC, creating a strong partnership with a private credit leader in the U.S. lower midmarket. This acquisition marks an important step forward for Wendel’s asset management platform, which we are committed to scaling. Wendel is becoming an asset manager alongside our decades-long activity as a long-term equity investor. Monroe Capital, founded by Ted Koenig in 2004, is a terrific company that has consistently delivered strong performance across various market cycles in North America, bolstered by a surge in demand for private credit solutions and with the scale to capitalize on the growing opportunity set we see in private credit. Monroe Capital is strategically positioned to capitalize on this increasing demand, attracting both institutional and retail investors.

    Through this partnership with Monroe Capital, we are thrilled to collaborate with Ted Koenig, Chairman and CEO, Zia Uddin, President, and their talented teams to support their success and their ability to deliver robust financial performance over the coming years. It will be also a great privilege for Wendel to partner with such a renowned investor as AXA IM Prime.

    Wendel is executing its strategic plan with determination, rigor and financial discipline, as demonstrated by this transformational acquisition, while also focusing on premium assets in our principal investment activities, highlighted by the recent acquisition of Globeducate. Our transformation to a dual-strategy model is now well-grounded, with top partners in asset management such as IK Partners in private equity and now Monroe Capital in private credit. Our priority for the near future will be to build our platform and to work on the rotation of our Principal Investment assets.

    I would like to express my gratitude to the Wendel teams for their unwavering dedication and to the Supervisory Board of Wendel for its constant support in driving this ambitious strategy forward.”

    Theodore L. Koenig, Chairman & CEO of Monroe Capital commented:

    “We are excited to partner with Wendel and AXA IM on this next chapter of Monroe’s growth. Their commitment to our business will provide meaningful and stable capital to thoughtfully scale our platform and better capture the attractive and expanding opportunity in middle market private credit. Specifically, Wendel’s $1 billion commitment will accelerate our client-centric growth strategy and deliver meaningful benefits to our global investor base.”

    UBS acted as exclusive financial advisor to Wendel and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Wendel. Wendel was also assisted by Fenchurch Advisory for this transaction. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Monroe Capital, and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP acted as legal counsel to Monroe Capital.

    About Monroe Capital

    Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe”) is a premier asset management firm specializing in private credit markets across various strategies, including direct lending, technology finance, venture debt, alternative credit solutions, structured credit, real estate and equity. Since 2004, the firm has been successfully providing capital solutions to clients in the U.S. and Canada. Monroe prides itself on being a value-added and user-friendly partner to business owners, management, and both private equity and independent sponsors. Monroe’s platform offers a wide variety of investment products for both institutional and high net worth investors with a focus on generating high quality “alpha” returns irrespective of business or economic cycles. The firm is headquartered in Chicago and maintains 11 offices throughout the United States and Asia.

    About Wendel

    Wendel is one of Europe’s leading listed investment firms. The Group historically has made long-term equity investments in European and North American companies that are leaders in their field, including its current investments ACAMS, Bureau Veritas, Crisis Prevention Institute, Globeducate, IHS Towers, Scalian, Stahl and Tarkett. With Wendel Growth, Wendel also invests via funds or directly in innovative, high-growth companies. In 2023, Wendel announced its intention to build out a third-party private asset management platform to complement its principal investment activities. In the first step in advancing this dual-strategy model, Wendel in May 2024 finalized the acquisition of a 51% stake in IK Partners.

    Agenda

    Thursday, October 24, 2024

    Q3 2024 Trading update – Publication of NAV as of September 30, 2024 (post-market release)

    Friday, December 6, 2024,

    2024 Investor Day.

    Wednesday, February 26, 2025

    Full-Year 2024 Results – Publication of NAV as of December 31, 2024, and Full-Year consolidated financial statements (post-market release)

    Thursday, April 24, 2025

    Q1 2025 Trading update – Publication of NAV as of March 31, 2025 (post-market release)

    Thursday, May 15, 2025

    Annual General Meeting

    Wednesday, July 30, 2025

    H1 2025 results – Publication of NAV as of June 30, 2025, and condensed Half-Year consolidated financial statements (post-market release)

    1 As of September 2024

    2 c.€101m of FRE expected in 2025, Wendel share.

    3 committed and managed capital (as of July 1, 2024)

    4 Across fully exited companies

    5 As of September 2024

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks by Vice President Harris on the Death of Yahya  Sinwar

    Source: The White House

    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    1:13 P.M. CDT

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Today, Israel confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, is dead and justice has been served, and the United States, Israel, and the entire world are better off as a result.

    Sinwar was responsible for the killing of thousands of innocent people, including the victims of October 7 and hostages killed in Gaza.  He had American blood on his hands.

    Today, I can only hope that the families of the victims of Hamas feel a sense and measure of relief.

    Sinwar was the mastermind of October 7, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust — a terrorist attack that killed 1,200 innocent people and included horrific sexual violence and more than 250 hostages taken into Gaza, including 7 Americans, living and deceased, who remain in captivity; a terrorist attack that triggered a devastating war in Gaza — a war that has led to unconscionable suffering of many innocent Palestinians and greater instability throughout the Middle East.
        
    In the past year, American special operations and intelligence personnel have worked closely with their Israeli counterparts to locate and track Sinwar and other Hamas leaders, and I commend their work.

    And I will say to any terrorist who kills Americans, threatens the American people, or threatens our troops or our interests, know this: We will always bring you to justice.

    Israel has a right to defend itself, and the threat Hamas poses to Israel must be eliminated.

    Today, there is clear progress toward that goal.  Hamas is decimated, and its leadership is eliminated.

    This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.  And it is time for the day after to begin without Hamas in power.

    We will not give up on these goals, and I will always work to create a future of peace, dignity, and security for all.

         I thank you all.

                                 END                  1:16 P.M. CDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Assessments – New Zealand, UK, and Australia lead global list of economies engaging in sustainable trade best practices

    Source: Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index 2024

    New Zealand has topped the Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index (STI) 2024 for the third consecutive year, with the United Kingdom (UK) following in second place and Australia securing third. 

    The Index measures how well trade contributes to mutually beneficial and balanced economic, social, and environmental outcomes among 30 trading economies. (ref. https://www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/wp/sustainable/sustainable-trade-index-2024 )

    New Zealand (first) retains its top spot for the third consecutive edition and leads the environmental dataset.

    The UK is second for the third edition in a row. However, it does perform worse than in 2023 in the economic dataset.

    Australia (third) has risen two positions since last year. Its greatest progress is in the environmental dataset.

    Crucially, building “workforce resilience” is becoming a major goal of governments and the private sector worldwide, the report signals. This means having a healthy, educated, and unexploited workforce, which allows economies to better withstand shocks and seize emerging opportunities. “National resilience” and “environmental resilience” are also key concerns.

    “Workforce resilience” is part of a broader trend to encourage “societal resilience,” the authors say. Societal resilience is the effect of investments that foster both economic and social stability. New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and Singapore do best here.

    The Index is a joint project between the Hinrich Foundation and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) and is in its third year.

    It measures 30 economies, including members and applicants of major trade alliances, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

    “The STI allows us to track how effectively trading economies are meeting the three pillars of sustainability: economic growth, societal advancement, and environmental stewardship. Achieving balanced outcomes between the three pillars is essential for resilience,” said Kathryn Dioth, CEO of the Hinrich Foundation.

    “By investing in human capital, countries can build adaptable workforces capable of thriving amid economic fluctuations and global challenges,” said Christos Cabolis, Chief Economist of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, which led the research for IMD.

    Other major findings include:

    ·         Global trade is increasingly shaped by protectionist regulations, where economies favor policies that strengthen domestic industries and secure supply chains. This shift toward industrial policy, aimed at building economic resilience, marks a long-term trend, resulting in the fragmentation of the global trading system.

    ·         Addressing climate resilience is complex because tackling climate change often requires regulatory interventions, whereas global trade flourishes with fewer barriers. The emergence of climate and trade agreements that promote trade in environmental goods and services could balance the dual objectives of open trade while addressing climate change. 

    ·         A few mid-ranking economies have shown consistent progress or stability over the last three years (2022-2024). Amongst them, Thailand gained three spots in the STI from 2022 to reach 12th place this year, Vietnam recorded a six-place rise, and Chile held a steady position at 11th across the three years.

    The Index measures 72 data points, categorized into three “pillars”: economic, societal, and environmental, considered by the researchers to be the main axes of sustainable trade. They represent economic growth, societal well-being, and environmental stewardship, respectively.

    A new indicator measuring universal health coverage (UHC) from the WHO’s Global Health Observatory (GHO) was introduced to the societal pillar in this edition.

    About the Hinrich Foundation

    The Hinrich Foundation is an Asia-based philanthropic organization that works to advance mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade. We believe sustainable global trade strengthens relationships between nations and improves people’s lives. We support original research and education programs that build understanding and leadership in global trade. Our approach is independent, fact-based, and objective. We are an authoritative source of knowledge, sharp analysis, and fresh thinking for policymakers, business, media, and scholars engaged in global trade.

    hinrichfoundation.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Hosts Leaders from Suffolk Veterans’ Community

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    ROCKY POINT, NY – Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), a Navy Veteran, held a Veterans Roundtable at the Rocky Point VFW with key stakeholders and subject-matter experts to discuss the numerous issues facing Long Island’s Veteran community.

    “As a Navy veteran, I deeply appreciate everyone who joined our roundtable in Rocky Point. Hearing directly from those on the front lines of veterans’ issues is crucial in tackling the challenges our service members face every day,” said LaLota. “I am fully committed to ensuring that those who served our great country receive the care and support they’ve earned. By working closely with local leaders and advocates, we can enhance the quality of care for veterans and make sure no one who wore the uniform is left behind.”

    Background:

    The roundtable discussed the following issues:

    • Veteran mental health, including LaLota’s Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act;
    • Improving healthcare options for Veterans, including increasing VA access and LaLota’s Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act;
    • Housing for Veterans, including the lack of affordable housing options and the high number of homeless Veterans including LaLota’s Supporting Veteran Families in Need Act;
    • Issues at the Northport VA, including ongoing construction updates and hospital conditions, and
    • State Veterans Homes issues, including the high cost of medications and the need for more specialty care.

    The following individuals took part in LaLota’s Veterans Roundtable:

    • Suffolk County Legislature Majority Leader and Legislator Nick Caracappa, Chairman, Veterans Committee
    • Marcelle Leis, Director, Suffolk County VSA
    • Tom Ronayne, Former Director, Suffolk County VSA
    • Fred Sganga, Director, Long Island State Veterans Home
    • Francis Amalfitano, President & CEO, United Veterans Beacon House
    • Bill Hughes, Commander, Suffolk County VFW, District 11
    • Kenneth Dolan, Legislative Chair, Suffolk County American Legion
    • Mel Cohen, Vietnam Veterans of America
    • Rich Dellasso, Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk – Veterans Affairs
    • Nancy Tappin, Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project
    • Joe Cognitore, Commander of the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249
    • Several staff members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Hosts Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremony in Wayne County

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Victor, New York—Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today honored 40 Vietnam veterans from the Finger Lakes Region during a Vietnam War Commemorative Pinning Ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post in Lyons. 

    Tenney was joined at the event by New York State Senator Pam Helming, Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, and Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan. 

    Tenney awarded each veteran a commemorative Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin, symbolizing the nation’s heartfelt gratitude for their service. This pin, an emblem of honor, is part of a national initiative to acknowledge and thank veterans who served during the Vietnam War. In August, Tenney honored 30 Vietnam veterans at a similar ceremony in Oswego County as part of her ongoing initiative to pay tribute to the brave men and women who served during the Vietnam War and their families for their selfless sacrifice. 

    “For many Vietnam veterans, the service and the struggles they endured went unrecognized for far too long. Today, we strove to right that wrong, by showing them the respect, honor, and appreciation they have always deserved. By hosting these commemorative pining events, I hope to convey our deep appreciation for the courage and resilience of these veterans. It was an honor to present these 40 Vietnam veterans from our community with a small token of our nation’s gratitude for their selfless sacrifice. Thank you to these individuals and their families for their profound sacrifice and unwavering dedication to our great nation,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

    “For many of our Vietnam veterans, coming home meant quietly putting away memories of service. But today, as you stand together, I hope you feel the strength of connection, with fellow veterans, your families, and all of us who honor you. It’s never too late to celebrate and recognize our veterans as heroes. Our younger generations need your stories, your wisdom, and your example,” said Senator Helming. 

    “This is a great opportunity to show our Vietnam veterans the respect and appreciation that they deserve. When I think about the heroes welcome that these brave men and women didn’t receive 40 years ago, I am beyond heartbroken. I applaud Congresswoman Tenney for her actions to ensure that every Vietnam Veteran receives the recognition and support that they deserve. Today is just one of many days that we honor and recognize their bravery and heroism,” said Assemblyman Manktelow.

    “I would like to thank Congresswoman Tenney for bringing us all together to honor the brave men and women who put their lives on the line in service to our country. As a representative for New York’s Finger Lakes region, I have always been proud to recognize our Veterans and thank them for their courage and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all so deeply cherish. Unfortunately, many of our Vietnam Veterans did not receive the hero’s welcome home they deserved. The goal of this commemorative pinning ceremony is to give these Veterans that formal ‘welcome home’ and I could not be happier to be a part of such a special event,” Assemblyman Gallahan. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amid Funding Shortfall, Rep. Pettersen, Local Leaders Visit Edgewater Elementary School Kitchen, Call for Robust Federal Funding for School Nutrition Programs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)

    Amid Funding Shortfall, Rep. Pettersen, Local Leaders Visit Edgewater Elementary School Kitchen, Call for Robust Federal Funding for School Nutrition Programs

    Edgewater, October 17, 2024

    EDGEWATER – U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) visited Edgewater Elementary School with leaders from Nourish Colorado and local school nutrition officials to tour the kitchen and advocate for increased federal support for school nutrition programs.

    As a state legislator, Pettersen sponsored the referred measure that voters passed to create the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program, which provides funding to schools like Edgewater Elementary to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students in public schools. Currently, HSMA is projected to face a funding shortfall this school year. This also comes as recent federal policy proposals outlined devastating cuts to federal nutrition programs, jeopardizing children’s access to free school meals. During the visit, Pettersen discussed the School Meals Expansion Act, legislation she supports to allow more schools to provide meals to students and ensure schools can continue to provide nutritious meals to Colorado children. 

    “Having access to healthy, nutritious meals is the foundation for any child to focus on learning and to thrive in the classroom,” said Pettersen. “I’m proud to have sponsored the referred measure that voters passed to create the Healthy School Meals for All program, which has been a lifeline for families across Colorado – but we must work together across all levels of government to ensure programs like this can be successful. In Congress, I am working to support robust federal funding for school nutrition programs, so no child goes hungry in our schools.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sorensen Demands Answers from Deere & Company Regarding Layoffs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    ROCK ISLAND, IL – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) sent a letter to Deere & Company’s leadership demanding answers regarding their recently announced round of layoffs.  

    “I write to express my deep concern with the continued rounds of layoffs that have impacted more than 2,000 workers this year alone,” Sorensen wrote in the letter. “These losses hit our Quad Cities community hard. With declining sales, I recognize the challenging business climate you must operate within. However, I remain concerned that Deere & Company has not been forthcoming with your employees and the community about your plans.” 

    Read the full letter to Deere & Company CEO John C. May below. 

    John C. May  

    Chief Executive Officer  

    Deere & Company 

    One John Deere Place  

    Moline, IL 61265  

    Dear Mr. May:  

    I write to express my deep concern with the continued rounds of layoffs that have impacted more than 2,000 workers this year alone. These losses hit our Quad Cities community hard. With declining sales, I recognize the challenging business climate you must operate within. However, I remain concerned that Deere & Company has not been forthcoming with your employees and the community about your plans. 

    As a Quad Citizen, I have always been proud to share a hometown with John Deere. Every time I fly back over the corn and soybean fields of western Illinois, I look down at the landscape dotted with green John Deere tractors. On my Congressional trips around the world, I see the same. Our region feeds and fuels the world, from the men and women at Harvester Works who assemble the machines to the family farmers who drive them. This is a special place with a special way of life.   

    In my position on the House Agriculture Committee, I have done everything within my power to create favorable market conditions for our U.S. agricultural manufacturing sector, our family farmers, and our workers. I understand that times are tough with a global production slowdown, declining grain prices, and rising input costs. I know that Deere & Company must make tough decisions in a competitive market environment. At the same time, your company reported $1.3 billion in profit last quarter. As CEO, you took home $26.7 million last year, 284 times more than the average worker, and a $6 million increase over the previous year. That isn’t fair to the workers whose efforts made Deere’s profits — and your generous executive compensation package — possible.   

    I request a detailed understanding of your plans to avoid future layoffs. 

    1. What steps is Deere & Company taking to prevent future layoffs?  
    1. Understanding that the business climate demands cost-cutting measures and sacrifice, what salary and bonus adjustments does Deere & Company plan to make at the executive level?   
    1. What steps are you taking to keep jobs – both salaried and production – here in the Quad Cities?  
    1. What steps will you take to help laid off employees find new employment?  
    1. Will you commit to keeping employees and the community fully apprised of your plans moving forward? 

    I am committed to ensuring our world class workers receive the opportunities and respect they deserve. I look forward to your prompt response.  

    Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Expands Partnership with DiNapoli’s Leading Indicators, Revealing Key Strategies for Navigating Black Swan Events

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EBC Financial Group (EBC), in partnership with DiNapoli Experts, is proud to host ‘Harnessing the Power of DiNapoli Indicators to Conquer Black Swan Events,’ an exclusive gathering that brought together financial experts, traders, investors, and economic strategists to explore key strategies for navigating volatile markets. This event, part of EBC’s broader commitment to thought leadership in finance, offered critical insights not only for traders but for those seeking a deeper understanding of global financial trends, including the impacts of geopolitical tensions, inflation, and the evolving role of technology in market prediction.

    Operating across global financial hubs such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, and Sydney, EBC Financial Group is regulated by major international bodies, including the UK’s FCA, CIMA in the Cayman Islands, and ASIC in Australia. These credentials underscore the Group’s mission to deliver sound, ethical, and transparent financial services across key markets.

    With markets facing challenges from geopolitical instability, rising inflation, and shifting monetary policies, EBC’s commitment to investor empowerment and education stands firm. The discussions provided participants with exclusive insights into managing risk and seizing opportunities in global markets, and attendees engaged with some of the industry’s top experts, gaining hands-on insights into critical factors influencing today’s global markets.

    Building on the momentum from the successful signing ceremony in Thailand, where EBC Financial Group solidified its partnership with DiNapoli’s Leading Indicators, the Taiwan event marks a key milestone in EBC’s ongoing mission. Through this collaboration, EBC is empowering traders with advanced tools to navigate Black Swan events.

    Global Instabilities Threaten Market Stability: Insights from David Barrett
    David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd, issued a stark warning about the growing economic fragility facing global markets. Speaking to an audience of financial professionals, Barrett highlighted that the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cuts have unsettled bond markets, exposing deep vulnerabilities in the global financial system. While the U.S. equity market has enjoyed a brief rally, Germany’s economic downturn threatens to spiral into a wider Eurozone crisis, Barrett explained.

    Barrett emphasised that the risks extend far beyond economics. Geopolitical conflicts—from the ongoing war in Ukraine to instability in the Middle East—are now global flashpoints, disrupting energy supplies and pushing commodity markets toward dangerous levels of volatility. According to Barrett, this combination of factors could drag the global economy into deeper, more unpredictable volatility, leaving even experienced investors facing unprecedented uncertainty.

    As part of the Group’s mission to help investors navigate these turbulent markets, Barrett reiterated EBC’s focus on providing cutting-edge trading tools and educational initiatives. EBC’s partnership with DiNapoli Indicators is instrumental in equipping traders with the tools necessary to interpret market movements, especially in unpredictable environments. By combining advanced predictive tools like DiNapoli Indicators with real-time market analysis, EBC is ensuring that traders are not only informed but prepared to respond to global financial shifts.

    EBC’s expansion into emerging markets and its commitment to establishing regulated entities in new jurisdictions also reflect the Group’s dedication to offering clients access to global trading opportunities. With its rapidly growing footprint, EBC continues to lead with integrity and transparency, providing traders worldwide with the tools to manage risk effectively.

    As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Barrett warned that this divisive political battle could be another major destabilising factor for markets, as investors brace for shifting economic policies and potential political upheaval.

    “We are not just seeing market volatility; we are looking at a perfect storm where geopolitical tensions, inflation, and monetary policies are converging like never before,” Barrett cautioned. He urged investors and traders to take urgent action, adapting to this new reality with precision, foresight, and advanced tools like DiNapoli Indicators to help navigate through the uncertainty. Without this, Barrett stated, market participants risk being left behind in a financial environment that demands data-driven decision-making and the ability to manage complex risks.

    Capturing Trading Opportunities: Jason Zeng on DiNapoli Indicators
    At the event, Jason Zeng, General Manager of Fibonacci Investment Consulting, LLC, presented the critical role that DiNapoli Indicators play in helping investors identify key market retracement points and timing trades effectively. Zeng, a long-standing expert in DiNapoli-Levels trading, explained how these indicators are not just tools for predicting price movements, but vital systems for managing risk and profitability in highly volatile markets.

    Zeng focused on how the Fibonacci-based DiNapoli Levels have been successfully applied to forecast market retracements in a range of asset classes, including equities, commodities, and currencies. He cited recent examples where DiNapoli Indicators enabled traders to accurately pinpoint entry and exit points, even in the face of significant market fluctuations caused by geopolitical instability and central bank policy shifts.

    “Traders who rely on these indicators can enhance their risk management and improve trade execution,” Zeng said. He highlighted the use of real-world case studies, showing how DiNapoli’s approach has repeatedly outperformed traditional technical analysis by offering actionable insights during times of heightened uncertainty.

    Zeng stressed that in today’s fast-moving financial markets, timing is everything, and DiNapoli Indicators offer the precision necessary to navigate the complexities of modern trading environments. According to Zeng, these indicators are essential for traders and financial professionals aiming to capture opportunities while minimising exposure to unpredictable market swings.

    As EBC continues to expand its operations across emerging markets, it remains committed to providing global traders with tailored tools and educational resources, ensuring that they are equipped to navigate both local and international market dynamics.

    Capital Markets Under Pressure: Dr. Hua-Shen Pan on Geopolitical Risks and Economic Countermeasures
    Dr. Hua-Shen Pan, an esteemed economic analyst and columnist, delivered a pointed examination of the global geopolitical risks that are currently shaping capital flows and investment strategies. Addressing the audience, Dr. Pan highlighted how geopolitical volatility has become a primary driver of market instability, overshadowing traditional economic indicators.

    Dr. Pan drew attention to China’s economic trajectory, which he identified as a critical factor influencing the global financial system. As the Chinese government introduces new stimulus measures, the global financial community is watching closely to gauge the effectiveness of these policies in stabilising the world’s second-largest economy.

    He further explained how geopolitical flashpoints, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, are exacerbating energy price shocks and complicating efforts by central banks to control inflation. Dr. Pan highlighted the growing disconnect between economic fundamentals and market reactions, pointing out that traditional models of economic forecasting are struggling to account for the disruptive influence of geopolitical events.

    Dr. Pan argued that while geopolitical tensions will continue to be a source of market volatility, investors must adapt by focusing on risk management and long-term strategies that account for unpredictable economic shifts. He highlighted the importance of understanding how global policy responses—from Federal Reserve actions to China’s economic policy—will shape the investment landscape in the years to come.

    “Markets are no longer simply reacting to economic data,” Dr. Pan observed. “We are now in an era where geopolitical conflicts are driving capital decisions, and this requires a new strategic approach.”

    Navigating Post-Fed Market Reactions: Joseph AuXano’s Key Insights
    Joseph AuXano, Director of the DiNapoli Online Course (DAP), addressed one of the most pressing concerns for market participants—the aftermath of Federal Reserve rate cuts and their impact on market dynamics. AuXano demonstrated how DiNapoli Indicators can be used to accurately assess market reactions following Fed decisions, offering traders a powerful tool to anticipate volatility and make informed decisions.

    Through a detailed analysis of recent FOMC meetings, AuXano illustrated how major stocks, including Tesla and Nvidia, responded to rate cuts. He demonstrated how the MACD Predictor and DiNapoli Expansion tools provide crucial early signals, enabling traders to identify high-probability trades by spotting key support and resistance levels in advance.

    AuXano emphasised the importance of using multi-timeframe analysis, highlighting that relying solely on short-term trends leaves traders vulnerable to unpredictable market swings. By incorporating the DiNapoli Indicators, investors are better equipped to navigate both short-term fluctuations and long-term trends.

    “After each Fed decision, markets are often thrown into chaos, with unpredictable movements. But by using these tools, traders can stay one step ahead, reading market signals more effectively,” AuXano explained.

    He added, “Today’s economic forum has provided valuable insights into the various factors impacting markets, reading the markets by observing how price interacts with DiNapoli Indicators gives traders and investors an additional edge when seeking to navigate market volatility. It’s about staying disciplined and structured, especially in today’s economic and political climate, where interest rate changes and central bank policies play a key role.”

    Mitigating Algorithmic Trading Risks: Insights from Rich Wang
    Rich Wang, CTO of Provider Space, delved into the growing reliance on algorithmic trading and the risks that come with automated systems in today’s financial markets. Wang’s presentation centred on the need for robust risk management strategies that ensure consistent profitability, even as markets become increasingly volatile.

    Wang highlighted the advantages and dangers of algorithmic trading, explaining that while automation can enhance trading efficiency and speed, it also exposes traders to greater risk if not properly managed. He shared real-world examples of how market volatility can trigger automated systems to make rapid, high-stakes trades that can spiral into significant losses without adequate safeguards in place.

    Wang stressed the importance of incorporating stop-loss mechanisms and conducting thorough backtesting of algorithms to prevent systems from failing during market disruptions. He underscored that risk management needs to evolve alongside trading technology, particularly as markets become more sensitive to geopolitical events and central bank policy shifts.

    “Automation can give traders an edge, but only when combined with solid risk management frameworks,” Wang said. He demonstrated how the latest risk mitigation strategies can be integrated into automated trading systems, allowing traders to maintain control and reduce their exposure to sudden market shocks.

    Wrapping Up the Event
    The event provided a wealth of strategic insights, equipping market participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate today’s volatile financial landscape. From geopolitical risks to algorithmic trading and Fed rate-cut reactions, the symposium underscored the importance of using advanced technical indicators, like DiNapoli Levels, to manage risk and seize market opportunities.

    As the global economic outlook remains uncertain, EBC Financial Group continues to lead the conversation around financial resilience, offering investors and traders the necessary foresight to adapt to these evolving challenges.

    For more information, high-resolution images, or speaker materials, please contact:

    Media Contact:
    Angela Wu
    Global Public Relations (Taiwan)
    angela.wu@ebc.com

    Chyna Elvina
    Global Public Relations Manager (APAC, LATAM)
    chyna.elvina@ebc.com

    Douglas Chew
    Global Public Relations Lead
    douglas.chew@ebc.com

    About EBC Financial Group
    Founded in the esteemed financial district of London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its comprehensive suite of services that includes financial brokerage, asset management, and comprehensive investment solutions. EBC has quickly established its position as a global brokerage firm, with an extensive presence in key financial hubs such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, the Cayman Islands, and across emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and India. EBC caters to a diverse clientele of retail, professional, and institutional investors worldwide.

    Recognised by multiple awards, EBC prides itself on adhering to the leading levels of ethical standards and international regulation. EBC Financial Group’s subsidiaries are regulated and licensed in their local jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

    At the core of EBC Group are seasoned professionals with over 30 years of profound experience in major financial institutions, having adeptly navigated through significant economic cycles from the Plaza Accord to the 2015 Swiss franc crisis. EBC champions a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor engagement is treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

    EBC is the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, offering specialised services in regions such as Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. EBC is also a partner of United to Beat Malaria, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, aiming to improve global health outcomes. Starting February 2024, EBC supports the ‘What Economists Really Do’ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, demystifying economics, and its application to major societal challenges to enhance public understanding and dialogue.

    https://www.ebc.com/

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/564383fa-f7de-4825-8a3d-d644cd768c51
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd1d9d72-b653-4979-ba30-f35bb4ed4402
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f89d66ee-0f78-44df-8b49-fe8f8d96d3aa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Urges Iowans Impacted by Summer Floods to Apply for Relief before October 22nd Deadline

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    HULL, IOWA – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) released the following statement urging Iowa homeowners and renters impacted by the floods from June 16th through July 23rd to apply for disaster relief through FEMA before the October 22nd deadline:

    “Tuesday October 22nd is the last day that Iowans impacted by this summer’s devastating floods can apply for disaster assistance through the federal government. Resources are available to help families and homeowners rebuild their homes and replace damaged and destroyed personal property. I encourage anyone in need of support to visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 before the October 22nd deadline. Iowans can also go to my website at Feenstra.House.Gov and visit my Natural Disaster Resource Center for more information about recovery assistance.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ezell Presents Congressional Award Gold Medal to Petal Native

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)

    Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) presented Colt Bergman with a Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest Congressional honor for America’s youth. Bergman completed 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness, and a 5-day, 4-night trip over the span of 24 months to complete the Congressional Award program.

    “The Congressional Award program is the highest honor Congress gives to young Americans, recognizing their commitment to personal development, physical fitness, and community service,” Ezell said. “Through hard work and perseverance, Colt has earned this award, proudly representing Mississippi. The Congressional Award encourages participants to set and achieve challenging goals, building valuable skills and a spirit of volunteerism. I am proud to support the program and congratulate Colt on his outstanding achievement. Together, let’s continue to support our future leaders who make a positive impact in their communities and beyond!”

    Additional background on the Congressional Award:

    The United States Congress established the Congressional Award in 1979 (Public Law 96-114) to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people. It began as a bipartisan effort in both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The original bill was sponsored by Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman James Howard of New Jersey.

    The Congressional Award provides a structure for young Americans to learn the value of service, personal development, fitness, and citizenship through character-forming experiences that shape tomorrow’s leaders and our country’s future.

    The Congressional Award program is promoted throughout America by Members of Congress who share this unique opportunity with their constituents, providing today’s youth with the tools they need to thrive as adults.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connolly Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging the Administration to Take Action on Double Taxation with Taiwan

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

    Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, co-Chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and the author of the Taiwan Tax Agreement Act of 2023, led four of his colleagues in writing to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to urge the Administration to take action on the issue of double taxation with Taiwan.

    In addition to Connolly, the letter was signed by Congressman Greg Meeks (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia; Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific and a co-Chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus; and Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    “As supporters of strong commercial ties between the U.S. and Taiwan, we write to urge you to take action to remedy double taxation burdens as we await the Senate passage of Taiwan-related provisions in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024,” wrote the Members.

    “While we continue to believe legislative action in the Senate, namely the authorization included in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, is needed to conclude a double taxation agreement, we welcome the Administration’s desire to begin negotiations between the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office on said agreement,” the Members continued. “We urge that such negotiations begin in earnest and that the Departments of State and Treasury use existing statutory authority to lower these barriers to trade in order to facilitate investment, protect against tax evasion, and shield businesses and individuals in the U.S. and Taiwan from the strain that double taxation causes.”

    “Taiwan has grown to be an economic juggernaut in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. We must ensure that companies from the U.S. and Taiwan are not disadvantaged in conducting bilateral investment. Curing double taxation will be a clear reassertion of our support for a strong and prosperous Taiwan, for its own sake and as a bulwark against an increasingly aggressive China,” the Members concluded.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Secretary Blinken and Secretary Yellen:

    As supporters of strong commercial ties between the U.S. and Taiwan, we write to urge you to take action to remedy double taxation burdens as we await the Senate passage of Taiwan-related provisions in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024.

    While we continue to believe legislative action in the Senate, namely the authorization included in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, is needed to conclude a double taxation agreement, we welcome the Administration’s desire to begin negotiations between the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office on said agreement. We urge that such negotiations begin in earnest and that the Departments of State and Treasury use existing statutory authority to lower these barriers to trade in order to facilitate investment, protect against tax evasion, and shield businesses and individuals in the U.S. and Taiwan from the strain that double taxation causes.

    As one of the world’s largest economies and a major regional player, Taiwan is a critical economic partner for the United States. Taiwan is the United States’ seventh-largest merchandise trading partner, with $128 billion in total goods trade. The U.S., meanwhile, is Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner. In 2023 alone, U.S. direct investment stock in Taiwan grew to $19.3 billion, with Taiwan’s direct investment stock in the United States reaching $15.6 billion, a testament to our ever-growing bilateral economic partnership.

    We must do all we can to strengthen that partnership – including by implementing a tax agreement that removes unnecessary barriers and benefits businesses in both the U.S. and Taiwan. As we await Senate action on Taiwan-related provisions in the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, including an authorization for the American Institute in Taiwan and Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office to negotiate a tax agreement, we urge you to take interim steps to allow businesses on either side to invest without the burden of double taxation.

    Taiwan has grown to be an economic juggernaut in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. We must ensure that companies from the U.S. and Taiwan are not disadvantaged in conducting bilateral investment. Curing double taxation will be a clear reassertion of our support for a strong and prosperous Taiwan, for its own sake and as a bulwark against an increasingly aggressive China.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Demands Action on Broken Surveillance Cameras at Southern Border

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Following NBC News report that 30% of the cameras in Border Patrol’s main surveillance system are broken, Pappas demanded action from DHS to urgently address this issue to ensure border security

    Following NBC News’s reporting that 30% of the cameras in Border Patrol’s main surveillance system are broken, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) demanded that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas immediately address this security lapse to restore real-time border monitoring and ensure border security. 

    A recently circulated Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) internal memo indicated that nearly one-third, approximately 150 out of 500, of its Remote Video Surveillance Systems cameras are not functioning.

    In the letter, Pappas expressed significant concerns about the delay in addressing CBP’s broken cameras, writing, “If left unresolved, this issue could undermine CBP’s ability to safeguard our borders, impede efforts to interdict fentanyl and other illicit substances, and endanger the safety and security of communities along our borders.”

    He continued, “It is unacceptable that such a significant portion of CBP’s surveillance infrastructure is offline, and worse, that the agency is unaware of how long this situation has persisted. These gaps in surveillance create blind spots that could be exploited by terrorists, drug and human traffickers, and other threats to national security.”

    Noting Republican leadership’s refusal to allow a vote on the Senate’s bipartisan border security bill that would support CBP personnel, Pappas wrote, “Despite the urgency of the situation at the border, Republican leadership has refused to allow a vote on the Senate’s bipartisan border security bill to address the issues along the southern border, which would provide much needed resources to our border patrol personnel and support their work to restore order and address security.”

    Concluding, he demanded action from DHS, “I request a briefing within the next two weeks to discuss CBP’s internal memo, its procedures for monitoring and addressing security gaps, how these lapses are assessed for national security risks, and the agency’s plans and timeline for restoring full camera functionality.”

    Read the full letter here. 

    Background:

    Pappas has been an ardent supporter of bipartisan efforts to address America’s northern and southern border and has called on House Republican leadership to stop blocking the consideration of legislation to restore order and fix the U.S.’s immigration system that has been broken for decades. 

    Pappas is a cosponsor of the Dignity Act, which is comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to address security and infrastructure challenges at the border, hire additional border patrol personnel, establish new pathways for asylum seekers, and create a path to citizenship.

    In March, Pappas helped launch a new border security task force to focus on the need for comprehensive, bipartisan solutions to address the border and fix the broken immigration system. Later that month, Pappas helped to pass the fiscal year 2024 government funding package, which included a $3.2 billion increase in funding for Customs and Border Patrol (CPB), providing for a record 22,000 agents, including 150 counter-fentanyl officers, and needed investments in fentanyl detection equipment.

    In September 2023, Pappas called on House leadership to advance a supplemental appropriations package that expands fentanyl interdiction capacity and improves border security across the country, including along our northern border.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Black Gold Exploration Expands Acreage in Joint Venture with LGX Energy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BGX – Black Gold Exploration Corp. (“Black Gold” or the “Company”) (CSE: BGX) (FSE: P30) is pleased to announce the addition of 822 acres to the package of oil, gas and mineral leases in Clay County and Vigo County, Indiana that are subject to its ongoing joint venture with LGX Energy Corp. (“LGX”), bringing the total leased acreage subject to the JV to 911.9 acres (the “Leases”). When originally announced on August 7, 2024, the leased land package covered only 89.9 acres. This additional land package highlights LGX’s confidence in the JV and sets the stage for a strong long-term working relationship between the parties and success in these regions. The added acreage also strengthens Black Gold’s indirect foothold in one of the most promising oil-producing regions in the Midwest, where LGX is currently producing and is actively engaged in further exploration efforts.

    The acreage is strategically located near LGX’s existing production assets. LGX is utilizing its extensive proprietary 2D seismic data and has now initiated advanced 3D seismic exploration to identify high-potential drilling sites on the Leases, with the goal of significantly boosting oil and gas output in these key counties.

    Oil and Strategic U.S. Investment Opportunities

    With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the demand for stable and secure energy sources has intensified. The robust infrastructure in Clay County and Vigo County, combined with LGX’s advanced seismic technology, uniquely positions Black Gold’s joint venture with LGX to take advantage of immediate production opportunities while also setting the stage for future exploration growth. In a volatile energy market, this strategic focus on established regions highlights the potential for sustained returns and enhanced energy security, making it an appealing choice for stakeholders navigating the evolving energy landscape.

    “We are very excited with the larger lease holdings land parcel that LGX Energy Corp. has secured for our joint venture. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to providing stable, domestic energy sources in a market impacted by global instability. We hope that LGX’s advanced exploration efforts with 3D Seismic technology will ensure that we continue to identify high-potential drilling locations,” said Franciso Gulisiano, CEO of Black Gold.

    On behalf of the Company, 
    Francisco Gulisano 
    236-266-5174 
    Chief Executive Officer

    About Us

    BGX – Black Gold Exploration Corp. (CSE: BGX) (FRE: P30) is an oil and gas exploration company dedicated to creating shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas projects. BGX currently has assets in Argentina and the United States. For more information visit: https://www.bgxcorp.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

     

    The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management’s view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward- looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to statements respecting: (i) the additional leases setting the stage for a strong long-term working relationship with LGX and strengthening Black Gold’s foothold in one of the most promising oil-producing regions in the Midwest; (ii) the identification of drill targets through 2D and 3D seismic exploration at the Clay and Vigo County properties and the goal of same; (iii) the intensification of demand for stable and secure energy sources; (iv) the Company being positioned to take advantage of immediate production opportunities while also setting the stage for future exploration growth; (v) the potential for sustained returns and enhanced energy security; (vi) the Company’s commitment to providing stable, domestic energy sources in a market impacted by global instability; and (vii) the Company’s strategic focus making it an appealing choice for stakeholders navigating the evolving energy landscape. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements, or otherwise. For a comprehensive overview of all risks that may impact the Company, please see the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+.

    Neither the CSE nor the CSE’s Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accept responsibility for the accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Sues Rocket Mortgage, Appraisal Management Company and Appraiser for Race Discrimination in Mortgage Refinance Application

    Source: US State of California

    The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit alleging that Rocket Mortgage LLC; Solidifi US Inc.; Maverick Appraisal Group Inc.; and Maksym Mykhailyna discriminated against a Black homeowner by undervaluing her home based on her race in an appraisal required as part of a home mortgage refinance application. The United States also alleges that Rocket Mortgage retaliated against the homeowner and interfered with her rights by cancelling her mortgage refinance application when she reported this discrimination.

    “This lawsuit is part of our ongoing efforts to bring an end to appraisal bias which prevent Black communities and other consumers of color from accessing credit and benefitting from homeownership,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Appraisal bias exacerbates the racial wealth gap, and runs contrary to the principles of fairness, transparency and equity that we need in our housing market today. The Justice Department will continue to hold appraisers, lenders and others who discriminate against loan applicants accountable for their actions. No one should have to suffer the indignity and financial harm associated with appraisal bias.”

    “The complaint alleges racially discriminatory practices by a lender and an appraiser that harmed a homeowner. These discriminatory practices have gone on for too long in Denver,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch for the District of Colorado. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to addressing persistent inequities in housing through vigorous enforcement of federal laws prohibiting discrimination in housing and lending.”

    The Justice Department’s complaint alleges that a homeowner applied for a mortgage refinance loan from Rocket Mortgage in January 2021, and Rocket Mortgage contracted with an appraisal management company, Solidifi US Inc., to complete the required home appraisal. Solidifi retained Mykhailyna and his company, Maverick Appraisal Group, to appraise the home, which is located in a neighborhood in Denver that is predominantly white. The complaint alleges that Mykhailyna used sales from properties in further-away neighborhoods with larger Black populations instead of closer neighborhoods that were predominantly white. In fact, the complaint alleges Mykhailyna failed to consider data from sales of homes less than a mile from the complainant’s property in an adjoining neighborhood, even though a few months earlier he had used sales of homes in that same neighborhood to support an appraisal of a home with a white owner in the complainant’s neighborhood. The complaint alleges that these and other errors demonstrate Mykhailyna undervalued the property because of race and color.

    Mykhailyna appraised the property to be over $200,000 lower than an appraisal on the same property that had been completed less than a year before, a more than 25% decrease at a time of rising home values in the Denver.

    As alleged in the complaint, Mykhailyna sent his appraisal to Solidifi, which reviewed it and then forwarded it to Rocket Mortgage and the homeowner. When the homeowner received the appraisal, she contacted Rocket Mortgage and explained why she believed it was discriminatory. In response, Rocket Mortgage cancelled her refinance application. She filed a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which later conducted an investigation, determined that there was reasonable cause to conclude the defendants had violated the Fair Housing Act, and referred the matter to the Justice Department.

    “HUD applauds today’s action and remains committed to working with DOJ to ensure appraisal companies and mortgage providers are held accountable when they violate our nation’s fair housing laws.” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Diane M. Shelley of HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “It has been over 56 years since the passage of the Fair Housing Act, and it is unconscionable that Black and Brown families still face discrimination during housing transactions.”

    More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Along with several federal agencies, the Justice Department issued a letter to The Appraisal Foundation underscoring the importance of incorporating federal nondiscrimination standards into appraisal standards. More information about the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity is available at pave.hud.gov.

    Individuals may report housing discrimination to the Justice Department by calling 1-833-591-0291, emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov or submitting a report online. Individuals also may report housing discrimination to HUD by calling 1-800-669-9777 or filing a complaint online.

    MIL OSI USA News –