NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Presses USTR Nominee for Commitments to Protect Georgia’s Green Energy Economy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock Presses USTR Nominee for Commitments to Protect Georgia’s Green Energy Economy

    During a Thursday Finance committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock questioned Jamieson Greer during his nomination to be the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
    Senator Reverend Warnock highlighted the importance of Georgia’s clean energy economy and the thousands of jobs that support it 
    Greer is a partner in the International Trade team at King & Spalding, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “I’m excited about the investments in solar energy in Georgia. I’m also proud that Georgia, in many ways, is leading the country in building electric cars entirely in the United States, employing thousands of Georgians”

    Watch video of Senator Reverend Warnock’s questioning HERE
    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, during a Senate Finance committee hearing on Jamieson Greer’s nomination to be the United States Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) pressed Greer on his commitment to protecting and bolstering Georgia’s clean energy economy.
    During Senator Warnock’s line of questions, he also highlighted the importance of the boon to Georgia’s economy that the clean energy market provides.
    “Down near my hometown where the Kia plant opened, we’ve got about 9,000 more jobs that have been created in that area. A major economic boon,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. 
    Senator Warnock has continuously fought to deliver robust clean energy investments to communities across Georgia. Last year, heannounced over $700,000 in federal investments to help farmers, ranchers, and rural business owners upgrade their energy systems with sustainable solar and electric energy alternatives to help lower their energy costs. Additionally, the Senator played an instrumental role in securing landmark investments to expand the nation’s fleet of clean electric school buses, including delivering over $60 million for electric school buses for Georgia. In the Inflation Reeducation Act, Senator Warnock secured incentives for domestic solar manufacturing, which will help create more clean energy jobs, as well his plan to promote the creation of sustainable aviation fuel. 
    Watch the Senator’s full remarks and line of questioning HERE.
    See below a transcript of key exchanges between Senator Warnock and nominee Jamieson Greer:
    Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “In our meeting, we discussed the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and its clean energy investments in Georgia. I enjoyed our conversation very much. Welcome and congratulations to you, and to your family.”
    “We talked about these provisions in the IRA. The state of Georgia has seen growth in our advanced manufacturing sector, with both domestic companies and foreign companies making significant investments, due in large measure to the IRA’s clean energy investments, bringing a lot of jobs to Georgia.”
    “One of the things I’m very proud of as a lifelong native of Georgia is that little Dalton, Georgia known as the carpet capital of the world. If you are walking on a floor anywhere, there is a good chance you are walking on something that was created in Dalton, Georgia. But who would have imagined that Dalton, Georgia would become such a leader in the manufacturing of solar panels? This is due to the Korean solar manufacturer, Qcells, bringing thousands of jobs to Georgia, creating a domestic solar industry, almost entirely free of Chinese supply chains.” 
    “However, it needs trade protections to compete against a heavily subsidized Chinese industry. If confirmed as the nation’s trade representative, how would you work to protect and grow domestic solar and clean energy manufacturing to ensure our supply chain does not depend on China?” 
    Jamieson Greer (JG): “Thank you, senator. I’m glad to hear you express concern and interest in this, these are things I am concerned about too.”
    “To the extent that there is going to be energy products manufactured and used in the United States, it would be great to have them made here. And that we’re not using panels that come from China, and in some instances might include products of subsidies or forced labor. The first Trump Administration did a safeguard tariff. The Commerce Department for many years has had other tariffs in place and I think that those can be effective tools.”
    “You have testified to this, that we have new protections in the United States. Europe did not have these protections in place and they saw their solar industry go away. I’m very interested in maintaining and exploring those possibilities to ensure we have that production here.”
    SRW: “I appreciate that, and I look forward to continuing to have that conversation. I’m excited about the investments in solar energy in Georgia. I’m also proud that Georgia, in many ways, is leading the country in building electric cars, entirely in the United States, employing thousands of Georgians. Down near my hometown where the Kia plant opened, we’ve got about 9,000 more jobs that have been created in that area. A major economic boon.” 
    “President Trump and congressional Republicans have bragged about repealing federal investments in the green economy that have created these jobs. Jobs that have bipartisan support in my state. I support what we’re doing there, the Republican Governor supports it. This is a top bipartisan economic issue in Georgia. It’s about American manufacturing.” 
    “If confirmed, how will you use your position to protect the investments and thousands of jobs, jobs that foreign car companies have brought to Georgia?” 
    JG: “My role and my jurisdiction in the administration is to negotiate trade deals where appropriate and do trade enforcement as necessary which is certainly an area where I want to make sure any manufacturing you have doesn’t have to compete unfairly with foreign product.”
    “With respect to other incentives or other legislation, that is something that I believe the Treasury Department and the Energy Department, the President and Congress will determine the path forward.” 
    SRW: “Would you agree that if we seed that space, that it is not a net positive result for American businesses?”
    JG: “We need to have advance manufacturing in the United States as much as possible whether it is traditional or electric vehicles or solar panels.” 
    SRW: “So ideology around clean energy should not stop us from doing what is necessary.”
    JG: “If we are going to have manufacturers making clean energy, that makes sense, and broader energy policy, we should be making those things here.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USINDOPACOM Commander addresses Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Twenty-six Indo-Pacific nations participated in a virtual Chiefs of Defense forum hosted by Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on February 4, 2025.  The forum focused on aligning regional threat perceptions to strengthen collective security. 

    Participants shared their unique sub-regional perspectives, recognizing the importance of understanding diverse priorities. This builds on the previous in-person conference held in Hawaii, September 2024, which emphasized collaboration, interoperability, and the role of non-commissioned officers. 

    USINDOPACOM remains committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and ensuring peace through power and, when necessary, fighting to win.

    The next in-person Chiefs of Defense Conference will be held in August in Hua Hin, Thailand, co-hosted by General Songwit Noonpakdee.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Colleagues Launch Probe Into DOGE’s Interference with Department of Education, Access to Federal Student Loan Data

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Musk’s Team May Have Obtained Access to Personal Information of Millions of Borrowers; Raises Concerns About Violations of the Law, Failure to Protect Sensitive Information

    “The millions of families who rely on the Department of Education to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information.”

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and a group of their colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Education, Denise Carter, launching a probe into recent reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has infiltrated the Department of Education (ED) and that “DOGE staffers have gained access to federal student loan data, which includes personal information for millions of borrowers.”

    There are over 40 million federal student loan borrowers in the United States. ED’s student loan database contains millions of borrowers’ highly sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, marital status, and income data. 

    “This deeply troubling report raises questions about potential exposures of Americans’ private data, the abuse of this data by the Trump Administration, and whether officials who have access to the data may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures for handling sensitive information,” wrote the senators.

    According to public reporting, “a handful of 19-to-24-year-old engineers linked to Musk’s companies, with unclear titles, could be bypassing regular security protocols” during DOGE’s infiltration of federal agencies. The senators also raised concerns that the access provided to DOGE-affiliated staff by the Department may violate the Privacy Act, which generally prohibits the disclosure of such information.

    “We are especially troubled by this reporting given President Trump’s stated pledge to abolish the Department,” concluded the lawmakers. “The millions of families who rely on ED to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information.”

    Additional reporting suggests that DOGE has “fed sensitive data from across the Education Department into artificial intelligence software to probe the agency’s programs and spending.” The 16 senators requested answers from Acting Secretary Carter about DOGE’s access to federal student loan data and any other sensitive databases by February 13, 2025.

    In addition to Luján, Warren, and Schumer, the letter was joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The full text of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to End Harmful Freeze on Health Communications and Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Senators emphasize the damage Trump’s freeze on funding has already inflicted on patient care and public health oversight

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined 34 Senate Democrats to call on Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Dorothy Fink to end the unprecedented freeze on all external communications and funding at HHS.

    This freeze has disrupted clinical trials and prevented HHS operating divisions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), from communicating with patient groups and scientific advisory committees without a plan for restoration. The directive prohibits agencies from issuing vital public health advisories, publishing scientific reports, updating websites, announcing regulatory decisions, and distributing federal grants. CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), considered the nation’s premier publication for disseminating public health updates, is delayed for the first time in over 60 years. This political interference is a threat to public health.

    “We write to express our deep concern over the administration’s recent decision to freeze external communications and suspend federal health funding at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),” wrote the senators. “The abrupt order has already disrupted patient care, public health oversight, halted medical research funding, and obstructed critical regulatory processes.”

    “This political interference in public health agencies is unprecedented and unacceptable. … The American people depend on HHS agencies to provide accurate, real-time information about disease outbreaks, medical research, and regulatory decisions. We urge you to immediately reverse this harmful decision,” the senators continued.

    The letter was led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass,), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Acting Secretary Fink:

    We write to express our deep concern over the Administration’s recent decision to freeze external communications and suspend federal health funding at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The abrupt order has already disrupted patient care, public health oversight, halted medical research funding, and obstructed critical regulatory processes.

    On January 22, all 13 HHS operating divisions – including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were told to immediately “pause” all external communications and grant disbursements until at least February 1, with no clear plan for restoration. This directive prohibits agencies from issuing public health advisories, publishing scientific reports, updating websites, announcing regulatory decisions, or conducting outreach to patient groups – unless such activity is explicitly approved by politically appointed leadership.

    With the Administration’s own deadline having passed, it remains unclear when these restrictions will be lifted. While limited exceptions exist for critical health, safety, or national security concerns, the freeze has already severely impeded essential public health and biomedical research functions.

    The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the nation’s premier publication for disseminating public health updates, was abruptly delayed for the first time in over 60 years, limiting reporting on the H5N1 bird flu outbreak and other emerging infectious disease threats. The MMWR often includes clinical recommendations for doctors, such as guidance on how to treat diseases that are currently circulating in the United States – and delaying the MMWR means that doctors may not have all the latest information they need to keep their patients healthy.

    At the NIH, new clinical trials have been delayed and external peer-review grant processes have faced disruptions. NIH study sections – which legally must review grant applications before funding can be disbursed – were initially canceled, creating uncertainty about when federal research funds will be awarded. Despite efforts by the Administration to provide clarity, it remains unclear whether the full peer-review process has resumed and how long grant funding decisions will continue to be delayed. This uncertainty has placed billions in federal research funds in limbo, directly threatening ongoing medical studies and academic research programs.

    The freeze has also blocked NIH from engaging with patient groups on ways to recruit participants into ongoing clinical trials. This means that patients with rare diseases, cancer, and other serious conditions who rely on clinical trials for treatments may be prevented from enrolling, directly jeopardizing their access to life-saving care.

    This political interference in public health agencies is unprecedented and unacceptable. While it is not unusual for a new administration to conduct brief reviews of existing programs, no past transition has implemented a blanket freeze of this magnitude.

    Accordingly, we request an immediate and detailed response to the following questions by Monday, February 10:

    Provide a full accounting of all scientific reports, disease surveillance updates, grant decisions, public health advisories, events, calls, research reviews, reports, issue briefs, inspections, surveys, and postings that have been postponed or cancelled since noon on January 20.

    Which of the postponed or cancelled items will be rescheduled or published, and by what date?

    Has the pause affected communications between HHS and other federal Departments or state agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture. If so, in what capacity?

    Can you confirm that all external communications, including those listed above in your answer to the first question, have already resumed or will resume by February 10? If not, please provide a detailed explanation for any continued delay.

    Has the communications and funding freeze affected the department’s ability to respond promptly to public health threats and ongoing outbreaks? If so, in what ways?

    Given that we are at the height of virus season, how has this pause affected the department’s ability to fulfill its core mission of protecting public health?

    The American people depend on HHS agencies to provide accurate, real-time information about disease outbreaks, medical research, and regulatory decisions. We urge you to immediately reverse this harmful decision.

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. We look forward to your response and to working with the Department to protect public health and ensure Americans can get the care they need.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Senate Passes Resolution to Remember the Victims of DCA Plane Crash

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to honor and remember the victims of the collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and U.S. Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25 on January 29, 2025, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

    The resolution reads:

    “The tragic collision resulted in the loss of 67 lives, including passengers, airline personnel, and members of the Armed Forces from Kansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and several countries.

     

    “The nation, and the world mourn the loss of those on board and recognize the profound impact this tragedy has on the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims.

     

    “Be it resolved, that the Senate commemorates the 67 lives lost in the tragic collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and United States Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25 on January 29, 2025; offers heartfelt condolences to the families, loved ones, and friends of the victims; and expresses gratitude to the brave law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who responded to the collision.”

    The senators spoke on the Senate floor to recognize the victims of the crash. Their remarks can be found here. Read the full text of the resolution here.

    The senators were joined by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jon Husted (R-Ohio).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Global forum suggests fresh ideas for 21st century UN peacekeeping

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    UN peacekeeping must be fit for purpose as the nature of conflict evolves in the 21st century along with new weapons technology, more than 60 nations heard this week at a global forum on the future of peace operations, taking place in Indonesia.

    “Our thinking should be grounded by the fact that we have more conflicts today than at any time since World War Two and by the evolving nature of conflict,” said Catherine Pollard, UN Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, in her opening remarks to the two-day meeting held 4 and 5 February.

    “We are seeing an increase in conflicts within and between States,” she warned. “The drivers of these conflicts are not limited by borders. Transnational organized crime, the exploitation of natural resources, non-State armed groups and terrorism overlap in many of these contexts.

    “Technology is helping to solve and exacerbate conflict, including through misinformation and disinformation.”

    UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti

    An unmanned aerial vehicle or drone is prepared for flight in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (file)

    ‘Blue Helmets’ need 21st century tools

    Delegates offered up some recommendations to give UN peacekeepers better tools they need to face multiple challenges.

    These include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by peacekeepers for situational awareness and self-defence, streamlined decision-making mechanisms, more informal briefings to the Security Council and strengthened training in urban warfare.

    In preparation for a ministerial meeting on UN peacekeeping in Germany in May, civilian, military and police experts came together at the Peacekeeping Training Centre of the Indonesian Armed Forces to help deliver on the vision of the UN Secretary-General to make peacekeeping “fit for the needs of the 21st century”.

    Today’s challenges require adapting the UN’s approach to peacekeeping and the way peacekeeping operations are put in place, panelists said.

    Defensive drones

    Such adaptation includes authorizing the use of new technologies some of which are already used by adversaries, such as UAVs that carry weapons.

    Colonel Ismael Andrés, Deputy Director of Uruguay’s National System of Peacekeeping Operations, recalled that major UN missions operating today were initially authorised to only use UAVs for surveillance and intelligence gathering. That must change, her argued.

    “We need to get Security Council authorisation for the use of drones for self-defence as well,” he added, emphasising new threats to peacekeeping linked to UAVs.

    Shamala Kandiah Thompson, executive director of Security Council Report, an independent think tank, said regular briefings to the Security Council on the challenges faced by operational missions and the availability of peacekeeping models – a sort of menu of options to fit different situations – could speed up decision making and make peacekeeping more effective.

    “There are undoubtedly geopolitical tensions that influence decision making in the Security Council, but more informal briefings and engagement could help the Council response better to realities on the ground,” she said.

    Cost-effective solutions

    The UN’s peacekeeping missions combine unique capabilities and capacities honed through decades of lessons learned from UN operations around the globe.

    Over their long history, UN peacekeeping missions have created space for political dialogue between parties to a conflict, facilitated and acted as guarantors of peace agreements, fostered regional stability by containing the spread of violence, protected civilians, built sustainable institutions of rule of law and worked with host countries to help rebuild governance structures.

    “Many studies have shown that UN peacekeeping is a very cost-effective tool to stop armed conflicts and maintain peace, particularly when complex, multidimensional missions are involved,” said El-Ghassim Wane, lead author of a study on the future of peacekeeping, commissioned by the UN Department of Peace Operations.

    “As a case in point, see what happened in countries like Haiti and Sudan after the pull out of UN peacekeeping forces.”

    Sharing ideas and adapting new models

    The global forum, co-hosted by the governments of Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States, aimed to bring together Member States and other stakeholders in advance of the ministerial meeting in Germany to share ideas and propose courses of action for adapting new models, structures, processes and responsibilities.

    The gathering also aimed to identify resources and Member State capabilities to ensure that UN peacekeeping can respond to evolving multidimensional challenges and remain fit for purpose.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Suspicious fires at Penfield

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police are investigating a series of fires in the Penfield area overnight.

    Just after midnight (8 February) police and fire crews responded to reports of a truck fire on Heaslip Road, Penfield, near the Northern Expressway.

    The truck fire was extinguished before it could spread to nearby grass.

    Emergency services were then called to two other grass fires in Robert Road, Penfield Gardens and Argent Road, Penfield.  Again, fire crews managed to quickly extinguish the flames.

    Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle leaving the scene of the fires.

    Following investigations, a short time later Police attended an Elizabeth East address and arrested a suspect.

    The 20-year-old Elizabeth East man was arrested and charged with arson and cause a bushfire.  He was refused police bail and is expected to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday.

    Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area or has any CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In North Carolina, 153,000 Families Receiving FEMA Help

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>HICKORY, N.C. – In 39 counties, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, more than 153,000 households are being helped by FEMA assistance as they recover from Tropical Storm Helene.
    Four months after the catastrophic storm, individuals and families have received rental assistance, money for basic repairs to their homes, sheltering in hotels, temporary housing in FEMA-provided mobile homes and travel trailers, funds for replacement of essential personal property, money for serious needs, and other assistance.
    Here are some ways that FEMA is working with the state of North Carolina and local communities to provide support:

    2,596 households are currently staying in FEMA-paid hotels; 10,648 have checked out.
    3,284 households have received rental assistance.
    150 households are currently living in FEMA-provided temporary housing units.
    18,000 households have received money to make basic repairs to a damaged primary home.
    5,000 households have received funds to repair private roads and bridges.
    106,000 FEMA inspections have been issued to assess damage to primary residences.
    138,000 homes have been visited by FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews.
    66,000 people have visited a Disaster Recovery Center.
    1,800 households have been provided three years of flood insurance, paid for by FEMA.

    FEMA is only one part of federal disaster recovery support for North Carolina. The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $123 million in claims resulting from Helene. The U.S. Small Business Administration has made $108.6 million in low-interest disaster loans to North Carolinians. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with the state and communities on debris removal. To date, 4 million cubic yards of debris has been removed from public rights of way, 2.8 million by state contractors and 1.2 million by federal contractors, and waterway debris removal is in full execution by the Corps of Engineers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU response to the Scirtothrips aurantii infestation and citrus fruit imports from South Africa – E-000438/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000438/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE)

    Scirtothrips aurantii is a pest that was first found in the EU in 2020. Since 2024, it has spread rapidly and is now infesting key crops such as citrus fruit, persimmon, grape and pomegranate in 325 Valencian municipalities. This pest, originally from South Africa and now found in other African countries, Australia and Yemen, most likely arrived in the EU through citrus fruit imports. It hits farmers in the pocket since the fruit now has a lower value, and increased plant health costs are currently borne by producers. Scirtothrips aurantii is included on EPPO’s A1 list and is classified as a quarantine pest in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072.

    In light of this:

    • 1.What urgent measures will the Commission take to increase plant health checks on imports of plants from countries in which Scirtothrips aurantii is endemic, such as South Africa?
    • 2.Will a mandatory refrigeration be imposed for these imports and will Scirtothrips aurantii be added to the EU’s list of priority pests to ensure a more coordinated approach?
    • 3.Which clauses in the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement will be activated to require more stringent certifications and treatments or checks at the point of origin for citrus imports?

    Submitted: 31.1.2025

    Last updated: 7 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joines Legislation to help Expand Congressional Oversight of Foreign Assistance  

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Legislation would require Director of Foreign Assistance to be confirmed by the Senate 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and their colleagues to introduce the Foreign Assistance Accountability and Oversight Act, legislation to expand congressional oversight of foreign assistance decision-making. The bill would require the State Department’s Director of Foreign Assistance to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate and for all foreign assistance funding provided to the State Department or U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to be used as directed within 90 days of its appropriation by Congress. The Director of Foreign Assistance is currently not confirmed by the Senate, and the Trump Administration has refused to publicly identify the individual currently occupying this powerful position. 
    “President Trump and Elon Musk—making wildly false and defamatory accusations— have made it clear that they could care less about the thousands of dedicated American aid workers and millions of people around the world who depend on USAID’s life-saving work. They are trying to destroy as much of USAID as they can get away with, and the fact that it’s illegal and unconstitutional is of no concern to them. We will not stand by while an agency that plays a unique and indispensable role in protecting U.S. interests and security is dismantled,” said Senator Welch. “This bill will strengthen our foreign assistance programs and help ensure that the will of Congress prevails.”  
    “Foreign assistance is not a handout. It is a critical part of our national security strategy and a key tool to keep Americans safe from disease, narcotics and instability. China has rapidly expanded its foreign assistance over the past decade, and would like nothing more than for the United States to retreat on the global stage. The Trump Administration’s recent attempts to destroy USAID and U.S. foreign assistance programs emboldens China, Russia, and Iran, makes Americans less safe, puts thousands of Americans out of work, and is already causing cause immense human suffering for millions of people around the world,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this bill to force congressional oversight of this lawless and damaging behavior.” 
    The legislation expresses the sense of Congress that foreign assistance is critical to U.S. national security, reiterates USAID’s status as a legally independent agency, specifies the exact authorities of the Office of Foreign Assistance, and creates an extra layer of review for personnel decisions within the Office of Foreign Assistance. 
    In addition to Sens. Welch and Kaine, the legislation was cosponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patti Murray (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). 
    Read the full text of the bill.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: High Commissioner for Human Rights: Civilians in the East Democratic Republic of the Congo are Trapped in a Spiral of Violence in this Crushing Conflict

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Human Rights Council Opens Special Session on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    The Human Rights Council this morning opened its thirty-seventh special session on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said since the beginning of the year, the M23 armed group, supported by the Rwanda Defence Forces, had intensified its offensive in the provinces of North and South Kivu.  If nothing was done, the worst may be yet to come for the people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but also beyond the country’s borders.  Once again, civilians were trapped in a spiral of violence in this crushing conflict.  Since 26 January, nearly 3,000 people had lost their lives and 2,880 had been wounded.  Sexual violence had been an appalling feature of this conflict for a long time and was likely to worsen in the current circumstances.  The fighting had exacerbated a chronic humanitarian crisis, which was the upshot of persistent human rights violations.  

    Mr. Türk called on all parties to lay down their weapons and resume dialogue within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi processes.  In the meantime, all parties to the conflict must respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law.  The M23, Rwandan forces and all those supporting them must facilitate access to humanitarian aid.  Air, land and lake routes must be reopened to establish humanitarian corridors and guarantee the safety of humanitarian actors.  In these circumstances, it was crucial to establish the facts and bring the perpetrators to justice.  An independent and impartial investigation must be opened up into human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, committed by all parties 

    Surya Deva, Chair of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures, said the intensification of hostilities, particularly in North Kivu, following the renewed offensive by the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group, had led to widespread violence, forced displacement and serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.  The scale and severity of the violence had reached unprecedented levels.  The humanitarian consequences were devastating.  Mr. Deva called for all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law; for the immediate cessation of attacks against civilians; for the protection of civilian infrastructure; and for unimpeded access for humanitarian actors to deliver assistance to those in need.  

    Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chief of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), said this conflict had continued for 30 years, and the population continued to live in fear.  The attacks and pillaging against the United Nations and the Blue Helmets were condemned.  It was urgent to restore peace and allow for a lasting rebuilding of the region.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda must pursue diplomatic negotiations, particularly in the context of the Luanda process.  Unless compelling measures were taken to cease the escalation of violence, there would be grave consequences.  Ms. Keita hoped the session would pave the way to an end to the conflict and inclusive and sustainable development.

    Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, Minister of Communication and Media of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaking as a country concerned, expressed deep gratitude to the Human Rights Council for holding the Special Session, a response to the urgent situation and massive human rights violations and attacks on civilians in North and South Kivu.  Acts of unacceptable brutality compounded by unspeakable brutalities, like attacks against civilians, forced displacement, murders, rape, forced conscription of children and others were the responsibility of Rwanda as it supported its proxies.  Peacekeeping forces, as well as humanitarian facilities, had been targeted, undermining their ability to protect civilians.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo called for the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to investigate the human rights violations in the country, establish the truth as to who was responsible, and issue recommendations for holding them to account.  

    James Ngango, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office at Geneva, speaking as a country concerned, said the current session was called for at a time when the situation was evolving rapidly.  A chance should be given to regional initiatives to bear fruit before taking up the situation in the United Nations.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo had unilaterally decided to expel the East African Community Force, a peacekeeping force, replacing it with the Southern African Development Community Mission with an offensive mandate.  The current situation was due to imposing a military solution to a political problem.  Rwanda opposed the attempts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at portraying Rwanda as being responsible for the instability in that country, as this was a well-known deflection tactic used to escape being accountable for the atrocities Kinshasa and its allied armed forces were perpetrating against its own citizens.  Rwanda would respond appropriately to the actions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    Speaking in the discussion, some speakers said they were deeply concerned about the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and urged the M23 to stop its advance and withdraw immediately.  Alarm was expressed about reports of widespread violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law by multiple actors, including sexual and gender-based violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and extrajudicial executions.  Innocent civilians, including women and children, were enduring extreme suffering due to widespread violence, displacement, and deprivation of essential services such as food, water, and healthcare.  Many speakers spoke in support of the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate serious human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law. 

    Speaking in the discussion were Sweden on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, European Union, Morocco, Kenya, France, North Macedonia, Spain, Ghana, Germany, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Belgium, Costa Rica, Burundi, Japan, Brazil, Republic of Korea, China, Ethiopia, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Algeria, Gambia, Kyrgyzstan, Bulgaria, Malawi, Bolivia, Colombia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Ireland, Russian Federation, Republic of Moldova, United Kingdom, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Italy, Holy See, Austria, Ukraine, Cameroon, Uruguay, Uganda, Canada, Australia, Paraguay, Türkiye, Guatemala, Zambia, Pakistan, India, Mauritania, Angola, Malta, Peru, Zimbabwe, Timor-Leste, Slovenia, Tanzania, and South Sudan. 

    Also speaking were Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, World Organization against Torture, Rencontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme, Interfaith International, Centre du Commerce International pour le Développement, Amnesty International, International Bar Association, International Federation of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture), International Catholic Child Bureau, International Human Rights Council, and TRIAL International. 

    The session was called for by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was supported by 27 Member States of the Council and 21 Observer States.

    The next meeting of the special session of the Human Rights Council will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, 7 February, when it will conclude the session after adopting a resolution on the situation of human rights in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    Keynote Statements

    VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said his Office had long been sounding the alarm about this crisis, and he was deeply disturbed to see the violence escalate once again.  Since the beginning of the year, the M23 armed group, supported by the Rwanda Defence Forces, had intensified its offensive in the provinces of North and South Kivu.  If nothing was done, the worst may be yet to come, for the people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but also beyond the country’s borders.  There had been attacks by the M23 and their allies, with heavy weapons used in populated areas, and intense fighting against the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their allies.  This raised serious concern in terms of respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. 

    Once again, civilians were trapped in a spiral of violence in this crushing conflict.  Since 26 January, nearly 3,000 people had lost their lives and 2,880 had been wounded.  Sexual violence had been an appalling feature of this conflict for a long time and was likely to worsen in the current circumstances.  According to judicial authorities, during the prison break from Muzenze Prison in Goma on 27 January, at least 165 female prisoners were raped.  Most of them were subsequently killed in a fire, the circumstances of which remain unclear.  The High Commissioner said his team was also currently verifying multiple allegations of rape, gang rape and sexual slavery throughout the conflict zones.  Hundreds of human rights defenders, journalists and members of civil society had reported that they had been threatened or were being pursued by the M23 and Rwandan forces.  

    Mr. Türk was also very concerned about the proliferation of weapons and the high risk of forced recruitment and conscription of children.  The fighting had exacerbated a chronic humanitarian crisis, which was the upshot of persistent human rights violations.  More than 500,000 people had been displaced since the beginning of January, in addition to the more than 6.4 million already displaced.  The risk of violence escalating throughout the sub-region had never been higher.  All those with influence over the parties involved, be they States or non-state actors, must step up their efforts to avert a conflagration and to support peace processes. 

    Mr. Türk called on all parties to lay down their weapons and resume dialogue within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi processes.  In the meantime, all parties to the conflict must respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law.  The M23, Rwandan forces and all those supporting them must facilitate access to humanitarian aid.  Air, land and lake routes must be reopened to establish humanitarian corridors and guarantee the safety of humanitarian actors. 

    In these circumstances, it was crucial to establish the facts and bring the perpetrators to justice.  An independent and impartial investigation must be opened up into human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, committed by all parties.  The military path was not the answer to the roots of this conflict.  States must ensure that any support, financial or otherwise, did not fuel serious human rights violations.  All those with influence must act urgently to put an end to this tragic situation.

     SURYA DEVA, Chair of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures, said the intensification of hostilities, particularly in North Kivu, following the renewed offensive by the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group, had led to widespread violence, forced displacement, and serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.  The scale and severity of the violence had reached unprecedented levels.  The humanitarian consequences were devastating, as those displaced often found themselves with no access to shelter, water, sanitation, food, medical care or education.  Women and children were particularly at risk, facing heightened exposure to gender-based violence and trafficking for purposes of sexual slavery. There was also concern for the devastating impact on children, who were at serious risk of all six grave violations against children in armed conflict.

    Mr. Deva called for all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law; for the immediate cessation of attacks against civilians; for the protection of civilian infrastructure; and for unimpeded access for humanitarian actors to deliver assistance to those in need.  All parties involved in the conflict should refrain from supporting or using mercenary-related actors, as they would prolong the conflict. 

    The international community had a moral and legal obligation to act decisively. Member States should increase humanitarian funding to ensure the continued provision of essential services and assistance to displaced populations.  Coordinated diplomatic efforts must be intensified to support peace negotiations and to hold accountable those responsible for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. 

    The international community should step up efforts to support humanitarian operations, ensuring that adequate resources were allocated to assist displaced populations and those affected by violence.  Women should be fully included in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. There must be independent investigations into all reported human rights violations, including attacks on civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, and other abuses perpetrated during the conflict. 

    BINTOU KEITA, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chief of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), said this conflict had continued for 30 years, and the population continued to live in fear.  The attacks and pillaging against the United Nations and the Blue Helmets were condemned.  Since the beginning of the year, an unprecedented advance of the M23 and the Rwandan forces had been seen, preceded by violent clashes between the two sides, injuring thousands, and with alarming mid- and long-term consequences.  The risks of gender-based violence and violence against children were of great concern.  Violations and abuse of human rights had increased, and the humanitarian situation declined.  Agricultural and mining activities were paralysed. 

    Fighting impunity against the serious crimes committed could be impeded due to the damage done to the judicial forces in Goma.  It was urgent to restore peace and allow for a lasting rebuilding of the region.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda must pursue diplomatic negotiations, particularly in the context of the Luanda process.  Unless compelling measures were taken to cease the escalation of violence, there would be grave consequences. 

    The clashes in densely settled areas, including Goma, had had devastating consequences on the human population, with an increase in crime and violence.  Civil society actors and human rights defenders were a major population at risk.  The suspension of social networks was an infringement of the right to information. In a region with a sensitive history, ethnically motivated attacks remained a serious concern.  The humanitarian situation in Goma was catastrophic.  The international community must advocate for humanitarian access to Goma immediately. Ms. Keita hoped the session would pave the way to an end to the conflict and inclusive and sustainable development. 

    Statements by Countries Concerned

    PATRICK MUYAYA KATEMBWE, Minister of Communication and Media of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaking as a country concerned, expressed deep gratitude to the Human Rights Council for holding the special session, a response to the urgent situation and massive human rights violations and attacks on civilians in North and South Kivu, the result of attacks and offenses by the Rwandan Defence Forces and their M23 and AFC proxies. Indiscriminate attacks had deliberately targeted the vulnerable, a flagrant violation of international obligations.  Areas of shelter had been turned into military targets, imperilling the lives of thousands of innocent people.

    Acts of unacceptable brutality compounded by unspeakable brutalities, like attacks against civilians, forced displacement, murders, rape, forced conscription of children and others were the responsibility of Rwanda as it supported its proxies.  Peacekeeping forces, as well as humanitarian facilities, had been targeted, undermining their ability to protect civilians.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo called for the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to investigate the human rights violations in the country, establish the truth as to who was responsible, and issue recommendations for holding them to account. 

    It was vital to strengthen early-warning mechanisms and prevent further escalations of violence.  There must be immediate and unfettered humanitarian access to evacuate the injured and reduce the risk of the spread of epidemics. The Council must hold Rwanda accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.  It was vital that international pressure be applied to Rwanda so that it ceased to support the armed groups and withdrew from Congolese territory. 

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo remained ready to work with all regional and international actors to put a stop to this crisis and an end to the suffering in the east of the country, calling on Rwanda to act responsibly and take immediate measures to cease supporting armed groups. 

    JAMES NGANGO, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office at Geneva, speaking as a country concerned, said the current session was called for at a time when the situation was evolving rapidly.  A chance should be given to regional initiatives to bear fruit before taking up the situation in the United Nations.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo had unilaterally decided to expel the East African Community Force, a peacekeeping force, replacing it with the Southern African Development Community Mission with an offensive mandate.  The current situation was due to imposing a military solution to a political problem. This was due to the preservation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda that had perpetrated genocide in Rwanda and then fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they continued to spread their genocidal ideology, and also to the marginalisation of the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities, particularly Tutsi, by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    There had been no condemnation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo leadership.  There was no special session of the Human Rights Council when a Special Rapporteur had warned about war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo previously.  Rwanda opposed the attempts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at portraying Rwanda as being responsible for the instability in that country, as this was a well-known deflection tactic used to escape being accountable for the atrocities Kinshasa and its allied armed forces were perpetrating against its own citizens.  Rwanda would respond appropriately to the actions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    Discussion

    Some speakers said they were deeply concerned about the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and urged the M23 to stop its advance and withdraw immediately.  Rwanda must cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its armed forces.  Rwanda’s military presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was strongly condemned as a clear violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    Alarm was expressed about reports of wide-spread violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law by multiple actors, including sexual and gender-based violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and extrajudicial executions.  Innocent civilians, including women and children, were enduring extreme suffering due to widespread violence, displacement, and deprivation of essential services such as food, water, and healthcare.  Reports of explosive weapons used in populated areas and attacks on internally displaced person sites were particularly alarming.

    Some speakers said all sides must prioritise the protection of civilians, ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and fully respect their obligations under international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian law.  For decades, the area had witnessed instability and conflict, for a range of causes.  Reports of grave human rights violations, including summary executions, demanded immediate attention.  The attacks on peacekeepers constituted violations of international law.  The Rwandan Government must respect the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which latter must cease cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. 

    All parties must reopen negotiations, respect international law, and honour their commitments made under the Nairobi and Luanda process, committing fully to the peace process.  All allegations of human rights violations and abuses must be investigated, and perpetrators held accountable for their crimes.  An independent fact-finding mission must be established to investigate all accounts.  Acts of violence targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure were condemned, and must come to an end. 

    The role of the Blue Helmets was essential, speakers said, and they must be protected, with several speakers expressing condolences to the families of those Blue Helmets who paid the ultimate price in defence of the fundamental rights of the Congolese people.  The United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) must ensure the protection of civilians, and a speaker called for its mandate to be supported and renewed further. The international community must strengthen its support for peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance. A sustainable solution demanded coordinated efforts, including dialogue, reconciliation, and development initiatives that fostered stability and social cohesion.

    A number of speakers said this was a critical juncture in the region, with a potential for over-spill in the region as a whole. Dialogue and cooperation must be encouraged and supported, including through the Luanda and Nairobi processes. The deliberations in the Council must not undermine these, and instead support a return to peace, with the discussions aimed at building consensus and agreement.  Political fragmentation must be addressed in Rwanda, with an end put to public negative ethnic discourse, and the international community must work together to build a just and peaceful world.  The Council must address the challenges under its mandate.  Members of the Council must work to ensure that there was no further deterioration of the situation. 

    The M23 must immediately withdraw from the territories under its control, a speaker said, and there must be a return to the negotiating table: all efforts must be made to put an end to the humanitarian disaster. All those involved in the conflict must put an end to human rights violations and protect the rights and lives of civilians.  The population was exhausted from the decades of suffering.  Rwanda must withdraw its support for the M23, which must immediately cease its attacks and withdraw. 

    Some speakers said the sovereignty and territoriality of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be protected and supported, and many speakers supported this, urging all sides to respect it and for the international community to support it.  All armed groups must lay down their weapons and withdraw from the sovereign territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and respect the United Nations Charter, engage in dialogue, and work towards re-establishing peace and stability in the country.  There was a risk of this igniting the Great Lakes region, a speaker said, supporting the peaceful coexistence of nations. 

    Many speakers spoke in support of the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate serious human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law committed in North and South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as stipulated in the proposed resolution.  The humanitarian community must rally support to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population, in particular women and children.   The fact-finding mission must be fully funded and staffed appropriately, a speaker urged.  Given the sheer scale of human suffering, the Council could not afford to turn a blind eye to the earnest appeal of the country concerned to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes were held accountable.

    Profound alarm was expressed with regard to the increasing risk of violence against women and girls and the recruitment of children into the conflict.  It was imperative that those responsible for human rights violations and atrocities were brought to justice.  There was no military solution to the crisis, and only a political, negotiated solution could bring an end to the situation.  Those who put their economic interests above human dignity must cease to do so.  Peace and security must be brought to the region. 

    At this critical juncture, all parties must exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and prioritise dialogue to prevent further loss of life, uphold international humanitarian law and human rights, ensure the protection of civilians, and safeguard fundamental freedoms.  It was vital to ensure immediate and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population. 

    It was crucial that the Human Rights Council provided necessary support for thorough investigations into grave human rights violations and abuses, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring comprehensive accountability.  A sustained and inclusive dialogue was crucial to achieving a long-term and peaceful resolution to the crisis.  Diplomatic negotiations were, a speaker said, the only way to resolve the situation. All parties must respect international humanitarian law, and must support the mediation efforts made both internationally and regionally.  A political solution must be found that respected the independence and territoriality of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    The need for the Council to make efforts to alleviate the sufferings of victims of human rights violations and abuses was crucial, and all parties involved must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.  There must be an immediate end to hostilities and a permanent solution found through peaceful means and inclusive dialogue among all parties concerned, and speakers pointed out the need for “African solutions to African problems”, supporting the Luanda and Nairobi processes.  African regional solutions were fully supported by several speakers, who spoke of the efforts of the Southern African Development Community Mission. 

     

     

    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.

     

    HRC25.002E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM chairs an extensive meeting of the Advisory Board of WAVES, the global summit that brings together the world of entertainment, creativity and culture

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 11:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired an extensive meeting of the Advisory Board of WAVES through Video Conference today. WAVES is a global summit that brings together the world of entertainment, creativity and culture.

    In a post on X, he wrote:

    “Just concluded an extensive meeting of the Advisory Board of WAVES, the global summit that brings together the world of entertainment, creativity and culture. The members of the Advisory Board are eminent individuals from different walks of life, who not only reiterated their support but also shared valuable inputs on how to further enhance our efforts to make India a global entertainment hub.”

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2100933) Visitor Counter : 65

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ANR Garu is the pride of India and his iconic performances will continue to enthral generations to come: Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 11:38PM by PIB Delhi

    Hailing Shri Akkineni Nageswar Rao as the pride of India, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today remarked that his iconic performances will continue to enthral generations to come. He expressed his satisfaction to meet Shri Nagarjuna Akkineni and his family. 

    Responding to a post by Shri Nagarjuna Akkineni on X, Shri Modi said:

    “It was indeed a delight to meet you Nagarjuna Garu along with your family. ANR Garu is the pride of India and his iconic performances will continue to enthral generations to come.”

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2100932) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CEDD saddened by passing of worker

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         A spokesman of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) said that a male worker of a sub-contractor felt unwell yesterday (February 7) while working at a work site under Site Formation and Infrastructure Works for Public Housing Developments at Tuen Mun Central Phase 2. He was sent to hospital and passed away in the afternoon.
          
         About 11am yesterday, the man and four other workers were carrying out tree removal works. He suddenly felt unwell and was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital by the sub-contractor. At around 4pm, he passed away. The CEDD expressed its deepest condolences to the deceased’s family, and has requested the contractor to provide appropriate assistance to the deceased’s family.
          
         The CEDD and the contractor will render assistance to the Labour Department in the investigation of the incident.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: DG (Akashvani) reviews MIB’s exhibition at Prayagraj Mela; Interacts with journalists at the Media Center

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 8:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Director General, Akashvani, Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, reviewed the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s multimedia exhibition titled ‘Janbhagidari se Jankalyan’, at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, today. The exhibition is displaying the programmes, policies, schemes and achievements of the Government of India over the past 10 years.

     

    The DG termed the digital photo exhibition as quite interesting and informative as it showcases the beneficial schemes of the Union Government. Further, she noted that it also depicted the significance of the Mahakumbh and its historical importance in a very engaging way. Visitors to the exhibition experienced a fascinating blend of mythology and modernity. During her visit, Dr. Gaur also reviewed the stalls related to the PM Internship scheme, the Publication Division of MIB, and the NDRF.

    Earlier, the DG visited the temporary Akashvani and Doordarshan center at Sector 4. She reviewed the news bulletins and programmes being broadcast on Akashvani and Doordarshan, while holding a review meeting with the officials. She informed that through these programmes, listeners were kept informed about the minute-to-minute developments at the Mahakumbh. Akashvani’s Special FM Channel ‘Kumbhvani’ (FM 103.5 MHz) was being used to share information related to the Mahakumbh. Additionally, the FM radio broadcasts were linked to the public address system at the Mahakumbh, benefiting the devotees.

    Dr. Gaur also visited the Media Center at the Mela area where she interacted with the journalists and assessed the facilities provided to them.

    *****

    AD/VM

    (Release ID: 2100828) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Revision of divisional jurisdiction under the proposed South Coast Railway zone at Vishakhapatnam by retention of truncated Waltair division

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 8:46PM by PIB Delhi

    The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today gave its ex-post facto approval to the following:

      i.   Partial modification of the earlier decision of the Cabinet dated 28.02.2019 to retain Waltair division in truncated form and rename it as Vishakhapatnam division.

     ii. Thus, one part of Waltair division, comprising approximately of the sections between stations Palasa-Vishakhapatnam- Duvvada, Kuneru – Vizianagaram, Naupada Jn – Paralakhemundi, Bobbili Jn. – Salur, Simhachalam North – Duvvada bypass, Vadalapudi – Duvvada and Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant – Jaggayapalem (around 410 Km), will be retained as Waltair division under new South Coast Railway. It would be renamed as Vishakhapatnam division because Waltair name is a colonial legacy that needs to be changed.

     iii.    The other part of the Waltair division, comprising approximately of the sections between stations Kottavalasa – Bacheli, Kuneru – Theruvali Jn., Singapur Rd. – Koraput Jn. and Paralakhemundi – Gunpur (around 680 Km), will be converted into a new division with head-quarter at Rayagada under East Coast Railway.

    Retention of Waltair division even in its truncated form, will meet the demand and aspirations of the people of the area.

     *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2100853) Visitor Counter : 72

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Inaugural Event to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of the National Sample Survey (NSS) Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi – 7th February 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 8:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India celebrated the 75th anniversary of the National Sample Surveys (NSS) with a special event at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 7th February 2025. This milestone marks the start of a series of initiatives across the country, aimed at highlighting the vital role NSS data plays in evidence-based policymaking, raising awareness about the importance of data for nation-building, and engaging stakeholders from all walks of life.

    The event started with welcome address by Smt. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director General (NSS), followed by testimonials from eminent personalities, Dr. C. Rangarajan, Former RBI Governor, Dr. Rajiv Laxman Karandikar, National Statistical Commission (NSC) Chairman and Dr. S.P. Mukherji, Centenary Professor, University of Calcutta. A documentary was presented, highlighting the journey of NSS surveys over the past 75 years and its evolution.

    The event was inaugurated by Rao Inderjit Singh, Hon’ble MoS for Statistics & PI. In his inaugural speech, Hon’ble Minister, highlighted how crucial NSS has been in shaping India’s development through data-driven policymaking. He pointed out how NSS surveys have influenced key areas like employment, consumption, health, and education, driving critical policy decisions. He emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to advancing NSS, integrating new technologies, and ensuring it remains relevant in the years to come. The Minister also called for more innovation and collaboration within the statistical system for more inclusive, data-driven policy formulation.

    Shri Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, delivered an inspiring keynote address on celebrating NSS’s 75 years of impact on India’s growth. He emphasized the importance of data in driving informed policymaking and national progress. Shri Kant highlighted how NSS data has shaped India’s economic and social policies and called for continued innovation in the statistical field to keep data a powerful tool for growth, inclusivity, and competitiveness. He urged that innovation and adoption of new technologies will make India globally more relevant.

    In the opening remarks, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary of MoSPI congratulated NSS for its role in providing the reliable data that drives India’s policymaking. He recognized the National Statistical Office (NSO) for its tireless efforts in improving data access and reducing delays in survey results. Dr. Garg highlighted the major initiatives of NSO, MoSPI, like generating monthly labour market indicators from PLFS and incorporating provision for providing data at district level. Also initiative of short duration surveys for catering the specific needs of various stakeholders was also emphasized.

    During the event, the Hon’ble Minister unveiled two Diamond Jubilee publications on the Journey of NSS 75 Years for Household/Enterprise Surveys.  These publications highlight the evolution of survey methodologies and are invaluable resources for researchers, policymakers, and academics. The event also recognized outstanding performers from the National Statistics Office (NSO) with the Karmayogi awards. A Nukkad Natak performed by the NSS team has given the glimpses of field work for NSS surveys

    After the inaugural session, the event featured expert-led discussions on two important topics. The first panel, titled “Future Ready Indian Statistical System for Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” was moderated by Dr. Dalip Singh, ADG, ESD, MoSPI with panelists: Prof. Chetan Ghate, Director, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), Dr. Shalabh, Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, IIT Kanpur, Ms. Aditi Chaubal, Associate Professor, IIT Bombay and Mr. Marcin Piatkowski, Program leader, Prosperity, The World Bank. The discussion tackled key issues like data gaps, the role of AI and Machine Learning in surveys, real-time data generation, and the need for stronger public-private sector partnerships. From the discussion it is emerged that NSS should adopt newer technologies in the field of survey and explore alternative data to leverage demographic dividend to achieve the target of Viksit Bharat.

    The second discussion, “The Importance of Alternative Data Sources in Shaping Economic Policies,” was moderated by Shri. Praveen Srivastava, Former Secretary & CSI, MoSPI with panelists Ms. Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog, Dr. Ashish Kumar, Former DG, MoSPI, Dr. Himanshu, Associate Professor, JNU, Prof. Abhiroop Mukhopadhyay, ISI, Delhi and Dr. Rajesh Shukla, MD&CEO, PRICE. The discussion explored the growing role of alternative data in policymaking and how it can be integrated into India’s national statistical system. The discussion emphasized the importance of creating a centralized architecture to integrate data from various stakeholders. It also highlighted the need to improve engagement with academic institutions and researchers. For better data utilization, the focus was on enhancing the interoperability of different data sources. Additionally, there was a suggestion to enrich the NSS (National Sample Survey) data by calibrating it with alternative data sources.

    Around 1200 participants attended the event, including policymakers, researchers, officers from State DES, NSS officers including field officials from across India and representatives from international organizations. The event truly showcased how crucial NSS data is to India’s statistical framework and its role in shaping the nation’s path toward becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

    Suggestions and feedback are welcome at nssocpd.coord@mospi.gov.in

    ****

    Samrat/Dheeraj

    (Release ID: 2100818) Visitor Counter : 107

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: THEATRE LEVEL OPERATIONAL READINESS EXERCISE (TROPEX-25)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 7:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The 2025 edition of Indian Navy’s capstone Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX), is currently underway in the Indian Ocean Region. This operational level exercise is conducted biennially with participation by all operational Indian Naval units along with substantial participation of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard assets. TROPEX 25 is aimed at validating Indian Navy’s core warfighting skills, and ensuring a synchronised, integrated response to preserve and protect national maritime security interests in a contested maritime environment against conventional, asymmetric as well as hybrid threats.

    TROPEX 25 is being conducted over a duration of three months from Jan – Mar 25. The exercise is being conducted in various phases – both in Harbour and at Sea, integrating various facets of combat operations, cyber and electronic warfare operations, live weapon firings during Joint Work Up Phase and Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX).

    During the exercise, the combined fleets comprising approximately 65 Indian Naval Ships, 09 Submarines and over 80 Aircrafts of different types, are put through complex maritime operational scenarios to validate and refine the Navy’s Concept of Operations including forward deployed sustenance and interoperability with other Services.

    TROPEX 25 is witnessing participation of platforms like indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant, state-of-the-art Visakhapatnam and Kolkata Class destroyers, Kalvari Class submarines and aircraft fleet comprising MiG 29K, P8I, HALE Sea Guardian and MH-60R helicopters.

    Towards enhancing synergy and jointness amongst the Services, IA, IAF and Indian Coast Guard have also been integrated into the exercise, with participation of Sukhoi-30, Jaguar, C-130, Flight Refueller, AWACS aircraft, an Infantry Brigade with over 600 troops, and more than 10 ICG ships and aircraft.

    Having grown in scope and complexity over the years, TROPEX 25 Is a step forward in coordinated planning, precise targeting, combat effectiveness and credible joint operations in a dynamic environment, towards safeguarding India’s national maritime interests, Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow.

    ****

    VM/SPS    

    (Release ID: 2100813) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE attends welcome banquet and opening ceremony of 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, began their visit to Harbin today (February 7). They attended a welcome banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan for international dignitaries attending the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025, and attended the opening ceremony of the Games at the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center in the evening.

         Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong, China Delegation participating in this Asian Winter Games is the largest ever, with 74 Hong Kong athletes taking part in various events, namely alpine skiing, curling, ice hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating and speed skating. He hoped that the Hong Kong, China Delegation can achieve brilliant results in the Games and that the athletes can perform their best on the field and enjoy every competition.

         “The Asian Winter Games is the largest comprehensive winter sports event in Asia. It is the third time that the country has hosted this major sports event, gathering elite athletes from the region to compete with one another. I wish this Asian Winter Games every success,” Mr Lee said.

         While the Chief Executive attended official activities, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, and other officers watched the curling and short track speed skating events this morning held at the Harbin Pingfang District Curling Arena and the Heilongjiang Ice Training Center respectively, showing support for the Hong Kong athletes participating in the events.

         Mr Lee and the other officials will continue their visit tomorrow (February 8). They will meet with members of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the Asian Winter Games and watch competitions at the Games. They will also visit and learn more about local cultural and tourism facilities.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: London ETO welcomes Year of Snake with joyous celebrations (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    London ETO welcomes Year of Snake with joyous celebrations (with photos)
    London ETO welcomes Year of Snake with joyous celebrations (with photos)
    ************************************************************************

         ​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) greeted the Year of the Snake in the United Kingdom (UK) by hosting an evening reception in London on February 6 (London time) and supporting a large-scale London Chinatown celebration at Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, and Charing Cross Road on February 2.     The Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, welcomed over 450 guests at a Year of the Snake reception on February 6 at The Orangery, Kensington Palace, in London. Among the guests were UK government officials, parliamentarians, borough mayors in London, senior diplomats, leading figures in the business sector, academics, media representatives, and members of the Chinese community.           Speaking at the reception, Mr Law introduced the latest developments in Hong Kong on its economic and cultural fronts. Mr Law elaborated, “Hong Kong continues to flourish as a global business hub. Ranked the world’s freest economy, the city welcomed a record 9 960 non-local companies last year, including 720 from the UK, surpassing pre-COVID levels. This reaffirms Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super connector’ for British businesses. Beyond the economic sphere, we also saw the bilateral ties between Hong Kong and the UK reinforcing and deepening, from enhanced government-to-government dialogue to cultural and creative collaboration.”     On February 2, the London ETO supported the grand annual Chinese New Year celebration in London’s Chinatown, drawing audiences in the hundreds in some places and in the thousands in others, along the streets of Central London. Mr Law, alongside esteemed guests such as the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice of London, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard; Member of Parliament for the Cities of London and Westminster Ms Rachel Blake; and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Robert Rigby, greeted the crowds in London from an open-air double-decker bus and onstage. Furthermore, a range of cultural and music performances took place at Trafalgar Square.           The London ETO will organise further events to celebrate the Year of the Snake in the countries under its purview in the coming weeks.

     
    Ends/Friday, February 7, 2025Issued at HKT 22:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh called on States to establish BioE3 cells as part of India’s Biotechnology revolution and realize Bio-Vision in Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh called on States to establish BioE3 cells as part of India’s Biotechnology revolution and realize Bio-Vision in Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Science and Technology Minister Dr. Singh releases booklet on Establishment of BIOE3 cells for Biomanufacturing Implementation

    Reiterates PM Modi’s Whole of Government approach, calls for a strong Centre-State partnership for successful implementation of the BioE3 Policy

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 7:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh called on states to establish BioE3 Cells as part of India’s biotechnology revolution, with the aim of realizing Bio-Vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047. During the Centre-State Partnership Conclave on the BioE3 Policy, held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Dr. Singh emphasized the significance of strengthening Centre-State collaboration to advance India’s bioeconomy.

    He highlighted the need for state governments to leverage their unique strengths, resources, and economic priorities to propel India’s biomanufacturing sector forward. Notably, he pointed out the importance of marine resources, the Himalayan region’s resources, and other region-specific bio-resources that could help usher in a new biotech revolution.

     

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (I/C) for Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership for approving the BioE3 Policy within the government’s first 100-day agenda. He mentioned other key initiatives, such as Mission Mausam, funding for Space Startups, and the National Research Foundation (NRF).

    To ensure the success of the BioE3 Policy, Dr. Jitendra Singh urged states to establish ‘BioE3 Cells’ in collaboration with the Centre through the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These BioE3 Cells will serve as interconnected knowledge hubs, linking state and national stakeholders to facilitate the effective implementation of the BioE3 Policy. Established at the state level, these cells will act as central platforms for knowledge exchange, policy coordination, and technology adoption in the biomanufacturing sector.

    On this occasion, Dr. Singh released a booklet on the Establishment of BioE3 Cells for Biomanufacturing Implementation, which aims to catalyze Centre-State partnerships to drive biotech innovations. In releasing the booklet, he highlighted that the primary goal of the BioE3 Cells is to ensure biomanufacturing initiatives are closely aligned with each state’s specific priorities, resources, and strengths, while also staying connected to broader national objectives. He emphasized that by establishing a nationwide network of BioE3 Cells, the government aims to facilitate the integration of emerging technologies, innovative research, and sustainable biomanufacturing practices across regions, ensuring a cohesive and efficient approach to biotechnology development in India.

    Reiterating PM Modi’s “Whole of Government” approach, Dr. Singh called for a strong Centre-State partnership to ensure the successful implementation of the BioE3 Policy. He stressed the need to stop working in silos and instead collaborate on various fronts, with clear demarcation between industry, academia, and entrepreneurship. He also referred to IN-SPACe and BIRAC as successful; platform to usher collaborations with private sector.

    Furthermore, Dr. Singh pointed out notable advancements in India’s biotechnology sector, including the indigenous DNA vaccine developed by the Department of Biotechnology during the pandemic, the development of the antibiotic ‘Nafithromycin’, and successful gene therapy trials at CMC Vellore. He also emphasized that India remains open to private sector collaboration, aiming to replicate the successes seen in the space sector and nuclear energy.

    Highlighting the government’s commitment, Dr. Singh referred to the allocation of resources for Bio Foundries and Biomanufacturing in the latest budget, which marked a shift from typical populist priorities to a focus on science and technology under PM Modi’s leadership.

    Dr. Singh also provided examples of successful Centre-State collaboration. For instance, his Department of Administrative Reforms has paired states with similar issues to address challenges effectively. He noted the central government’s funding for cleaning lakes like Loktak Lake and Dal Lake. Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTP) during the Kumbh Mela, showcasing how science and biotechnology can play a critical role in addressing daily challenges and ensuring sustainable development.

    Dr. Rajesh Gokhale. Secretary Department of Biotechnology addressed the conclave on opportunities in Biotech Sector for Viksit Bharat. Dr. Alka Sharma, Senior Advisor DBT summarized the deliberations which took place throughout the day with states. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, founder, Biocon joined the conclave through virtual mode. Mr. R. Subramani, Founder, Fermbox Bio, Bangalore also marked his presence along with senior representatives from almost all states. Dr. Jitendra Kumar, MD, BIRAC shared BIRAC’s effort towards building strong industry linkages, paving the way for the establishment of BioE3 cells.

    The conclave provided a valuable platform for senior representatives from various states to deliberate on biotechnology initiatives, ensuring these efforts are aligned with each state’s unique strengths and resources while staying true to the overarching goals of the BioE3 Policy.

    *****

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2100800) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Embark on a transformative story-telling journey with the Animation Filmmakers Competition – “WAVES ORIGINALS: A platform where creativity meets opportunity

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Embark on a transformative story-telling journey with the Animation Filmmakers Competition – “WAVES ORIGINALS: A platform where creativity meets opportunity

    From Vision to Reality: Students, amateurs and professionals to get a chance to showcase their projects to film and TV producers, investors, and industry leaders

    Overwhelming response received with over 1,200 registrations & 400 creative submissions from more than 15 countries; Winning projects to get cash prizes of up to 5 lakhs

    Advancing Talent: Over 75 storytellers shortlisted for Round 2 of AFC, set to Join WAVES 2025 with Masterclasses from Global Cinema Icons

    Promoting Women in Animation: WAVES featuring talented women participants whose creative works are reshaping storytelling norms

    WAVES – International Animation Filmmakers Competition (AFC) sets new benchmark in Global Animation Community Engagement

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 7:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The inaugural edition of the WAVES – International Animation Filmmakers Competition (AFC) has emerged as a groundbreaking initiative, offering a global platform for creators across animation, VFX, AR-VR, and virtual production.

    Animation Filmmakers Competition – “WAVES ORIGINALS”

    Launched on September 8, 2024, as part of the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), the competition has captivated participants and industry leaders alike, solidifying its reputation as a leading destination for creative storytelling and technological innovation.

    The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has partnered with Dancing Atoms for Animation Filmmakers Competition, the flagship event of the upcoming World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES). This marks a historic collaboration, paving the way for a new era in India’s creative industry and heralding the beginning of Create in India Season 1.

    Overwhelming participation

    Since its launch, AFC has received overwhelming participation, with over 1,200 registrations and over 400 creative submissions from more than 15 countries.

    Crafting Pathways for Creative Excellence and Opportunity

    The true essence of this initiative is to empower participants by giving them exposure and the wings to bring their stories to life. AFC has created an ecosystem where creativity meets opportunity, enabling storytellers to craft compelling narratives and transform their visions into reality.

    This is achieved through:

    1. Online Masterclasses: Led by renowned industry experts like Pilar Alessandra, Sergio Pablos, and Saraswathi Buyyala.
    2. In-Person and Hybrid Workshops: Conducted at premier institutions across India, covering essential skills such as creative pitching, personal development, effective networking, and understanding the evolving creative economy. In recent months, Saraswathi Buyyala, Writer, Creative Director, and Founder of Dancing Atoms, conducted storytelling sessions for students and professionals at premier institutions like IIT Hyderabad, JNAFAU Hyderabad, IIT Mumbai, IIMC Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi, and NFDC Mumbai. These sessions covered essential skills such as creative pitching, personal development, effective networking, and understanding the evolving creative economy.

     

     

    Hybrid events featured interactive workshops where participants learned how to navigate the global animation landscape, pitch their ideas confidently and explore transmedia storytelling — transforming stories into toys, games, comic books, and more. These initiatives underscore AFC’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded creators who can thrive across multiple entertainment formats.

     

    1. Global Presence and Unparalleled Networking Opportunities: AFC’s active participation in prestigious events, both domestically and internationally, has further amplified its mission and provided invaluable networking opportunities for participants. . In India, AFC made its presence felt at Mela Mela in Delhi, Comic Con Hyderabad, the VFX Summit, IGDC, Cinematica, AGIF in Mumbai, and IFFI Goa.

    On the global stage, AFC showcased its vision at the Writers Retreat and Producers Workshop in Spain, Lightbox Expo in Pasadena, Animation World Summit in Los Angeles, Unreal Fest 2024 in Seattle, Siggraph 2024 in Denver, the Ottawa International Film Festival 2024 in Canada, and MIPCOM & MIP.JR 2024 in Cannes. These events and roadshows led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in Los Angeles and San Francisco have positioned AFC as a pivotal initiative within the global media ecosystem.

     

    Selection of Top Creators for WAVES Summit 2025

    As the competition advances to Round 2, AFC proudly announces the selection of over 75 shortlisted candidates. These top storytellers will be further shortlisted and invited by the MIB to attend the physical WAVES Summit 2025.

    All selected creators will gain access to an exclusive series of masterclasses featuring some of the world’s most renowned industry figures, including:

    • Peter Ramsey, Oscar-winning director
    • Guneet Monga, Oscar-winning producer
    • Shobu Yarlagadda, visionary producer of the Baahubali movies
    • Arnau Olle Lopez, Director of Character Animation from Skydance Animation Studios
    • Kris Pearn, director of acclaimed animated films
    • Anu Singh Chaudhary, celebrated writer and many more.

    This phase aims to equip participants with invaluable insights and tools to refine and pitch their projects at the highly anticipated WAVES Summit 2025.

    From IDEA to IMPACT – Bridging the Gap

    Winners of the competition will present their creative concepts to top producers and leading OTT platforms in India and internationally. With the MIB team aggressively bridging the gap from IDEA to IMPACT and IDEA to INVESTMENT, AFC is creating unparalleled opportunities for creators to collaborate with global entertainment giants.

    Empowering Women and Promoting Diversity

    Dancing Atoms, led by Saraswathi Buyyala, has been at the forefront of promoting diversity and empowering women in the animation and AVGC sectors. Through targeted initiatives, the studio has supported women creators, providing them with platforms to showcase their talents and contribute meaningfully to the industry. The WAVES AFC competition proudly features numerous talented women participants whose creative works are reshaping storytelling norms.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2100796) Visitor Counter : 74

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Railways Boost Recruitment: Over 5 Lakh Vacancies Filled in the Last Decade, Annual Calendar Introduced

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Railways Boost Recruitment: Over 5 Lakh Vacancies Filled in the Last Decade, Annual Calendar Introduced

    Retired Railway Employees Re-engaged to Meet Operational & Functional Needs

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 6:58PM by PIB Delhi

    Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of operation. Adequate and suitable manpower is provided to cater to the regular operations, changes in technology, mechanization and innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements.

    After easing of restrictions imposed on account of COVID 19, two major examinations involving more than 2.37 crore candidates had been conducted successfully during 2020 to 2022.

    Exam

    Candidates

    Cities

    Centres

    Days

    Shifts

    L2 – L6

    1.26 cr

    211

    726

    68

    133

    L1

    1.1 cr

    191

    551

    33

    99

     

    Based on these exams, 130581 candidates have been recruited in Railways.

    The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature entailing large scale mobilization of men and resources and training of manpower. Railway overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the recruitment in a transparent manner following all laid down guidelines. No instance of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during the entire process.

    Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-2014 vis-à-vis during 2014-2024 is given as under:-

    Period

    Recruitments

    2004-2014

    4.11 lakh

    2014-2024

    5.02 lakh

     

    Further, as system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced a system of publishing the annual calendar from 2024 for recruitment to various categories of Group ‘C’ post. The introduction of the annual calendar will benefit the aspirants in the following manner:

    • More opportunities for candidates;
    • Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year;
    • Certainty of exams;
    • Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments

    Accordingly Ten Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies have been notified during January to December 2024 for filling up of posts of Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF), Junior Engineers (JEs)/ Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA), Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) and Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate), Ministerial & Isolated Categories and Level-1.

    For four notifications, Computer Based Tests (CBTs) have been completed from 25.11.2024 to 30.12.2024. The details are as under:-

    Exam

    Candidates

    Cities

    Centres

    Days

    Shifts

    1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP (18,799 vacancies)

    18,40,347

    156

    346

    5

    15

    CBT for the post of RPF-SI (452 vacancies)

    15,35,635

    143

    306

    5

    15

    1st Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies)

    11,01,266

    146

    323

    3

    9

    CBT for the post of Technician (14,298 vacancies)

    22,83,812

    139

    312

    9

    27

     

    However, sometime in order to meet exigencies, retired Railway employees are re-engaged against the vacant posts temporarily based on competency; experience etc. to ensure smooth progress of the developmental and other works. 

    This information was given by Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

    For more press releases & official information, follow PIB Railway’s Channel 

    (Release ID: 2100785) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Timely acknowledgement and responses to correspondence of Members of Parliament to be ensured under the guidelines and protocols of CSMoP

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 6:57PM by PIB Delhi

    As per inputs provided by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, the Government has laid down procedures for secretariat work, in Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, in the form of Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMoP), wherein the guidelines and protocols are in place for ensuring timely acknowledgement and responses to correspondence of Members of Parliament.

    It is laid down in CSMoP that communications received from Members of Parliament should be attended to promptly. Where a communication is addressed to the Minister, it should, as far as practicable, be replied to by the Minister himself. Each communication received from the Members of Parliament will be acknowledged within 15 days, followed by a reply within the next 15 days of acknowledgement sent. Where any delay is anticipated in sending a final reply, or information has to be obtained from another Ministry or another office, an interim reply will be sent within 15 days (from the date of receipt) indicating the possible date by which a final reply can be given.

    Normally information sought by a Member should be supplied unless it is of such a nature that it would have been denied to him even if asked for on the floor of the Houses of Parliament. A separate register has to be maintained for watching the communications received from Members of Parliament. A special watch should be kept on speedy disposal of communications received from Members of Parliament. Mechanisms are laid down for reporting and monitoring MP references by senior functionaries.

    For disposal of pending references from MPs and other matters such as pending PGs, VIP References, State Govt. Reference, PMO Reference etc. Special Campaign is conducted from October 2 to 31 every year. As a sequel, all Ministries are advised to dedicate three hours for disposal of pending matters and monitor the same at the level of Secretary of the Department. The instructions contained in the CSMoP are also reiterated from time to time stressing on the need of following the provisions mentioned for disposal of MP References. The progress of MP references pending in Ministries/Departments are monitored through a dedicated portal and a report titled ‘Secretariat Reforms’ is released on monthly basis.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L. Murugan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    SS/ISA

    (Release ID: 2100784) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 to kick off in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 7th to 11th February 2025

    Source: Government of India

    BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 to kick off in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 7th to 11th February 2025

    Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Inaugurate BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025

    Mera Yuva Bharat Initiative to Be Highlighted at BIMSTEC Youth Summit

    Youth Leaders to Share Insights on Global Challenges and Youth-Led Initiatives at BIMSTEC Summit

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 6:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, is organizing the BIMSTEC Youth Summit from 7th to 11th February 2025 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will formally inaugurate the event, marking the beginning of the BIMSTEC Youth Summit.

    During the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu on 30th -31st August 2018, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India announced the hosting of a three-day BIMSTEC Youth Summit, aimed at bringing together the youth of BIMSTEC nations on a unified platform to exchange experiences and insights on youth-led initiatives undertaken by member states.

    The primary objective of the BIMSTEC Youth Summit is to facilitate the exchange of experiences and youth-led initiatives among member countries. Centered around the theme “Youth as a Bridge for Intra-BIMSTEC Exchange,” the summit seeks to harness the collective energy of young leaders to advance the region’s shared goals. The Government of India aims to channel this youthful energy towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

    The summit will provide an invaluable platform for dialogue on the progress and advancement of SDGs, bringing together 70 delegates from BIMSTEC nations. Each member country will be represented by 10 youth delegates, selected for their expertise in key areas, fostering targeted discussions that will contribute to meaningful outcomes from the summit.

    The key objectives of the inaugural BIMSTEC Youth Summit are as follows:

    a. To inspire young leaders from member countries to actively engage in addressing pressing global challenges, economic and social issues, and youth-related development agendas.

    b. To foster a constructive exchange of perspectives on strategic issues that empower youth

    c. To generate innovative ideas and solutions that contribute to creating a brighter and more sustainable future for the region and beyond.

    A session on “Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue X BIMSTEC” will also be held, offering a platform for young leaders to showcase key youth development initiatives from their respective countries. Additionally, the summit will feature a session on Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), an initiative announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. This initiative represents a comprehensive institutional mechanism powered by technology for youth development and youth-led progress. Mera Yuva Bharat aims to provide equitable access to opportunities for youth, helping them realize their aspirations and contribute to building an Amrit Bharat by 2047. The session will also demonstrate how the Government of India is utilizing technology to support youth welfare, offering valuable insights to delegates from other BIMSTEC nations.

    The delegates will also have the opportunity to explore key cultural and modern landmarks. They will visit Dandi Kutir, India’s largest and only museum dedicated to the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, as well as Sabarmati Ashram, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi and a center for promoting his principles of non-violence and self-reliance. They will also visit the Sabarmati Riverfront, and GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), India’s first operational smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). GIFT City is designed to drive global financial services, technology, and innovation. The visit to GIFT City will offer youth delegates a firsthand experience of India’s aspirations to become a global financial and technology hub, showcasing cutting-edge smart city innovations and the dynamic landscape of global commerce. This experience will inspire delegates to shape the future of their own economies and communities.

    The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising seven member states: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. BIMSTEC focuses on tackling shared challenges like climate change, poverty, and sustainable development, while strengthening political, security, and economic cooperation among the countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2100771) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Surajkund International Crafts Mela realizing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’ – Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

    Source: Government of India

    Surajkund International Crafts Mela realizing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’ – Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

    India is presently hosting two major events that are drawing global attention Maha Kumbh Mela and the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which showcases India’s unity, culture and artistic heritage – Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

    Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Inaugurates the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 6:33PM by PIB Delhi

    The 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela was inaugurated today with great grandeur in Surajkund, district Faridabad. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat graced the occasion as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the event.

     

    Haryana Chief Minister, Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Shri Vipul Goel, Social Justice, Empowerment, Scheduled Castes & Backward Classes Welfare and Antyodaya (SEWA) Minister, Shri Krishan Kumar Bedi, Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Shri Rajesh Nagar and Minister of State for Sports attended the opening ceremony.

     

    The Surajkund International Crafts Mela will be organized from February 7th to February 23rd showcasing extraordinary art, craftsmanship, and talent from artisans and artists across India and the world.

     

    Speaking on this occasion, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India is presently hosting two major events that are drawing global attention that is the Maha Kumbh Mela and the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which showcases India’s unity, culture and artistic heritage. He emphasized that Surajkund Mela is not just a marketplace for crafts but a significant platform for craftsmen and artisans to showcase their ancient skills. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the vision of Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat that we envision is being realized through this fair.

    Shri Shekhawat said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has transformed in the past decade, transforming its old image of poverty and underdevelopment. With the successful implementation of various welfare schemes at the grassroot level, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has brought 25 crore people out of below poverty line. Today, India is the world’s fastest-growing economy, he added.

    He further said that the cultural and creative economy are now formally recognized worldwide as the “Orange Economy.” He believes that the Surajkund Mela will help Indian craftsmen find new opportunities in both domestic and international markets. The minister said that India’s tourism industry is reaching new heights, with a boost in both domestic and international travel.

    Immense Potential of MICE tourism in Haryana

    The Union Minister said that Haryana has advantage due to its proximity to Delhi and has its potential to become a hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. He said that the state should explore this opportunity to the fullest. He also suggested further expanding Surajkund Mela’s reach via digital marketing. Inviting YouTubers, photographers, and social media influencers to cover the Mela could significantly enhance its global appeal and provide artisans with new business opportunities.

    The minister said that India will emerge as a developed nation in the next 25 years and urged the younger generation to take pride in contributing to the country’s progress. Surajkund Mela is a reflection of India’s Cultural Identity and Global Brotherhood

    Speaking on the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini said that Surajkund and the ongoing International Crafts Mela have become a unique symbol of not just Haryana but the entire nation. The mela exemplifies the ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and provides a platform to showcase Indian crafts and culture to the world.

    He extended best wishes to the Haryana Tourism Department, the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministries of Textiles, Culture, and External Affairs, and the Surajkund Mela Authority for successfully organizing this grand event.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2100768) Visitor Counter : 43

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Reducing Coal Imports and Increasing Domestic Production in Focus of Coal Ministry: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

    Reducing Coal Imports and Increasing Domestic Production is the focus of the Coal Ministry, said Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today, minister said that coal ministry is progressing in the path of achieving ‘Atmanirbharta’ in the sector. Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General, PIB Shri B Narayanan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal Smt Vismita Tej and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal Shri Sanjiv Kumar Kassi were also present at the Press Conference.

    The coal sector remains a cornerstone of India’s energy security, playing a vital role in the country’s industrial and economic growth. With the fifth-largest geological coal reserves globally and as the second-largest consumer, coal continues to be an indispensable energy source, contributing to 55% of the national energy mix. Approximately 74% of power generation in India relies on Thermal Power Plants (TPPs), reaffirming the need for a robust and sustainable coal sector, said the Minister. Addressing the media, minister highlighted the progress made by the Ministry.

    Reducing Imports and Strengthening Domestic Production

    Coal Ministries efforts has significantly reduced reliance on imported coal. Between April and November 2024, coal imports declined by 5.35%, saving approximately $3.91 billion (₹30,007.26 crore). Notably, coal imports for domestic power plant blending fell by 23.56%.

    The Ministry’s ‘Mission Coking Coal’ aims to increase domestic coking coal production to 140 MT by FY 2029-30, thereby reducing dependency on imports in the steel sector.

    Record-Breaking Production and Policy Reforms

    India’s coal production has reached an all-time high of 997.82 million tonnes (MT) in FY 2023-24, marking a significant rise from 609.18 MT in FY 2014-15, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.64% over the past decade. In FY 2023-24 alone, production has surged by 11.71% compared to the previous year.

    A landmark policy reform came with the introduction of commercial coal mine auctions in 2020, encouraging private sector participation and modern technological adoption. As of January 2025, the Ministry of Coal has allotted 184 mines, with 65 blocks receiving Mine Opening Permissions. Total production from these blocks has reached 136.59 MT, registering a 34.20% year-on-year increase. This is expected to exceed 170 MT target in FY 2024-25.

    Coal Sector’s Contribution and Growth

    Among the eight core industries, coal has exhibited the highest growth rate, recording a 5.3% increase in December 2024 compared to the previous year. Additionally, the coal sector accounts for about 50% of freight revenue for Indian Railways and provides direct employment to nearly 4.78 lakh individuals.

    State Governments also benefit significantly from coal revenues, with royalty, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) contributions, and State GST collections amounting to ₹31,281.7 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24.

    Strengthening Coal Supply Chains

    To ensure uninterrupted coal supply, robust institutional mechanisms have been put in place, including an Inter-Ministerial Committee and coordination meetings with Railways and power sector stakeholders. As a result, coal stock at TPPs now stands at 49 MT—sufficient for nearly 21 days, even amidst logistical restrictions during the Maha Kumbh period.

    To further enhance supply efficiency, the Ministry has launched the First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiative, commissioning 39 projects with a total capacity of 386 MTPA. Additionally, the Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR) mode has successfully doubled coal movement from 28 MT in FY 2022 to 54 MT in FY 2024.

    Sustainability and Diversification Efforts

    The coal sector is embracing sustainability with large-scale afforestation efforts, with over 54.06 lakh saplings planted across 2,372 hectares in 2024. Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, over 1 million saplings were planted at 332 locations in 11 states.

    Additionally, 4,695 hectares of land have been identified for Accredited Compensatory Afforestation, and a total of 18,513 LKL of treated mine water has been provided to over 18.63 lakh people across 1,055 villages over the past five years.

    Technological Advancements and Future Readiness

    Coal gasification is emerging as a key strategy for energy security, with a target of 100 MT by 2030. The Government has approved an ₹8,500 crore incentive scheme to support coal gasification projects across public and private sectors. The introduction of the National Coal Mine Safety Report Portal and the Mine Closure Portal ensures responsible and transparent mining practices.

    The Ministry is also considering the establishment of a Coal Trading Exchange to create a competitive and transparent market, further modernizing the sector.

    Commitment to Responsible Growth

    The coal sector’s transformation is marked by policy-driven reforms, sustainable initiatives, and technological advancements, ensuring energy security while prioritizing environmental responsibility. Through these efforts, India is paving the way for a resilient, self-sufficient, and sustainable future in coal production and energy supply.

    The Ministry of Coal is committed to ensuring a robust, efficient, and sustainable coal sector that supports India’s economic growth and energy security. Through policy reforms, production enhancements, and environmental initiatives, the Ministry continues to drive progress towards a self-reliant coal industry.

    *****

    Shuhaib T

    (Release ID: 2100763) Visitor Counter : 65

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet approves extension of the tenure of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for three years beyond 31.03.2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 8:43PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the extension the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond 31.03.2025 (i.e. upto 31.03.2028).

    The total financial implication for the extension for three years of the NCSK would be approximately Rs.50.91 crore.

    IT would help in facilitating socio-economic upliftment of sanitation workers, improving the working conditions in the sanitation sector and aiming to achieve zero fatalities while performing hazardous cleaning.

    Mandate of the NCSK is to:

    (a)   recommend to the Central Government specific programmes of action towards elimination of inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities of Safai Karmacharis;

    (b)   study and evaluate implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and economic rehabilitation of Safai Karmacharis and scavengers in particular;

    (c)   investigate specific grievances and take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of (i) programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karmacharis, (ii) decisions, guidelines etc. aimed at mitigating the hardships of Safai Karmacharis; (iii) measures for the social and economic upliftment of Safai Karmacharis etc,

    (d)     study and monitor the working conditions, including those relating to health safety and wages of Safai Karmacharis,

    (e)     make reports to the Central or State Government on any matter concerning Safai Karmacharis, taking into account any difficulties or disabilities being encountered by Safai Karmacharis; and

    (f)      any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.

    Under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013), NCSK shall perform the functions namely:

                 i.        to monitor the implementation of the Act;

                ii.        to enquire into complaints regarding contravention of the provisions of this Act and to convey its findings to concerned authorities with recommendations requiring further action;

               iii.        to advice the Central and State Govt for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act; and

               iv.        to take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of this Act.

    Background:

    The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993, was enacted in September, 1993 and a statutory National Commission for Safai Karmcharis was first constituted in August, 1994.

    *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2100849) Visitor Counter : 87

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet Approves Continuation and Restructuring of Skill India Programme

    Source: Government of India

    Cabinet Approves Continuation and Restructuring of Skill India Programme

    Programme to Strengthen Workforce Development & Make skilling the backbone of country’s economic growth

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 8:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the continuation and restructuring of the Central Sector Scheme ‘Skill India Programme (SIP)’ till 2026 with an overlay outlay of Rs.8,800 crore from the period 2022-23 to 2025-26.

    This approval underscores the government’s commitment to building a skilled, future-ready workforce by integrating demand-driven, technology-enabled, and industry-aligned training across the country.

    Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme – the three key components, are now combined under the composite Central Sector Scheme of “Skill India Programme”.   These initiatives aim to provide structured skill development, on-the-job training, and community-based learning, ensuring that both urban and rural populations, including marginalized communities, have access to high-quality vocational education. Under the three flagships schemes of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, there are more than 2.27 Crore beneficiaries till date.

    Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0:

    PMKVY 4.0 scheme provides NSQF aligned skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) including Special Projects (SP) and reskilling and upskilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) with its target beneficiary being 15-59 years of age. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0) has undergone transformational changes to make skill development training industry oriented, aligned with national priorities with increased accessibility. A key shift under the scheme is the integration of On-the-Job Training (OJT) within short-term skilling programs, ensuring that trainees gain real-world exposure and industry experience. To keep pace with evolving industry demands and advent of new age technology, 400+ new courses on AI, 5G technology, Cybersecurity, Green Hydrogen, Drone Technology, have been introduced, focusing on emerging technologies and future skills.

    The blended and flexible learning model now incorporates digital delivery, making training more flexible and scalable. To provide targeted, industry-relevant skills, enabling learners to upskill, reskill, and enhance employability in high-demand job roles, the program introduces micro-credential and National Occupational Standards (NoS)-based courses ranging from 7.5 to 30 hours.

    To maximize cross utilization of existing infrastructure and to expand access to quality training, Skill Hubs have been established across premier academic institutions, including IITs, NITs, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), PM Shri Schools, Toolrooms, NILET, CIPET etc. PMKVY 4.0 ensures industry-aligned training with curriculum available in multiple regional languages, making skilling more inclusive and accessible. Over 600 trainee and trainer handbooks have been translated into eight regional languages to enhance learning outcomes.

    To strengthen quality training and assessments, a national pool of one lakh assessors and trainers is being developed, ensuring standardization and expertise across training centers. Industry partnerships ensure access to employment opportunities through Recruit Train Deploy (RTD) training.

    Additionally, the scheme places a strong emphasis on international mobility, ensuring Indian workers are equipped with globally recognized skills. Ministry has Mobility Partnership Agreements (MMPAs) and MoUs with various countries and has conducted necessary sectorial skill gap studies. Under the scheme, enablement of training in domain skills, joint certifications, language proficiency, and soft skills have been initiated to enhance the international mobility opportunities for our workforce.

    Under PMKVY 4.0, a whole-of-government approach has been adopted to drive inter-ministerial convergence, ensuring the seamless execution of skilling initiatives across sectors. The scheme caters to the skilling components of various skill development and entrepreneurship schemes, maximizing impact and resource efficiency. Key collaborations include PM Vishwakarma under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, NAL JAL Mitra etc.

    To enhance efficiency, procedural changes have been introduced, including the realignment of the demand assessment strategy to better identify sectoral skill gaps and industry needs. A key reform in PMKVY 4.0 is the “Ease of Doing Business” approach, which has significantly reduced the compliance burden, making participation in the scheme more streamlined and efficient.

    PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS):

    The National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India. Apprenticeship training can play a major role for on-the-job vocational training where youth can acquire skills by working at actual workplace and earn some stipend, at the same time, to financially support himself. Apprenticeship is considered, globally as well, as the best model for skill acquisition and earning while learning.

    The Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) supports seamless transition from education to work, ensuring apprentices gain industry-specific skills through real-world exposure. To support both apprentices and establishments in India, 25% of the stipend, up to Rs.1,500 per month per apprentice, will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) during the training period, provided by the Central Government. The scheme is designed for individuals aged 14 to 35 years, ensuring inclusive access to skill development opportunities across various demographics.

    NAPS encourages apprenticeship opportunities in prevailing manufacturing including emerging fields such as AI, robotics, blockchain, green energy, and Industry 4.0 technologies. This aligns skilling initiatives with futuristic job markets and industry trend. The scheme also encourages enrolment of apprentices in small establishments especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and those located in the underserved areas such as aspirational districts and North-East Region.

    Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme:

    The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme is a community-centric skilling initiative designed to make vocational training accessible, flexible, and inclusive, particularly for women, rural youth, and economically disadvantaged groups and caters to the age group of 15 -45 years of age. By delivering low-cost, doorstep training with flexible schedules, JSS ensures that skilling opportunities reach those who need them the most, fostering both self-employment and wage-based livelihoods. Beyond skill development, the program plays a vital role in social empowerment, creating awareness on health, hygiene, financial literacy, gender equality, and education within communities JSS is linked with key initiatives of the Government like: PM JANMAN, Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS), etc. to promote inclusive skilling.

    Aligned with national frameworks, all certifications under the Skill India Program are mapped to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and seamlessly integrated with DigiLocker and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), ensuring formal recognition of skills and enabling smooth transitions into employment and higher education.

    With the continuation of the Skill India Programme, the government seeks to reinforce its commitment to lifelong learning, recognizing the importance of continuous upskilling and reskilling in today’s rapidly changing employment landscape. The initiative will directly contribute to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, ensuring that workforce development policies remain aligned with economic and industrial trends.

    The Skill India Programme plays a crucial role in equipping India’s workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. By integrating industry-relevant training, emerging technologies, and international mobility initiatives, the program aims to create a highly skilled and competitive workforce. As a key driver of economic empowerment, Skill India contributes to employment generation, entrepreneurship, and productivity enhancement across sectors. The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) remains committed to strengthening vocational education, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and fostering lifelong learning, ensuring that India’s workforce is future-ready and positioned as a global leader in skill-based employment.

    (For more details, visit: https://www.skillindiadigital.gov.in/home)

    *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2100847) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IMPACT OF UNSEASONAL RAINFALL AND EXTREME WEATHER ON AGRICULTURE

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 6:30PM by PIB Delhi

    As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the primary responsibility for disaster management, including disbursal of relief assistance on ground level, rests with the State Governments concerned. The State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal, in accordance with Government of India’s approved items and norms. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments and provides requisite logistics and financial support. Additional financial assistance is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, in case of disaster of ‘severe nature’, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation.

    Data regarding crop losses due to any natural calamities is not maintained centrally. However, as per information received from States, the details of crop losses due to hydro-meteorological disasters during 2024-25 are at ‘Annexure’.

    The details of funds allocated and released under SDRF/NDRF during the current financial year i.e. 2024-25 available at the website of this Ministry i.e. www.ndmindia.mha.gov.in.

    Government has introduced yield-based Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) from Kharif 2016 to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of natural calamities, adverse weather incidence and to stabilize the income of farmers etc.    Comprehensive risk insurance is provided under the scheme from pre-sowing to post-harvest losses.

    The PMFBY/RWBCIS scheme is being implemented on Area Approach basis and claims are worked out as per designated formula based on the season end yield data submitted by the concerned State Government irrespective of reasons of crop loss/ claims. Claims are required to be paid within 21 Days from calculation of claims on NCIP irrespective of whether Insurance Companies have raised the demand for 2nd or final tranche of premium subsidy and whether the verification and Quality Check has been completed by Insurance Companies. Failing which, penalty shall be auto calculated and levied as per relevant provisions through NCIP.

    Since inception of the schemes in 2016, the amounts of claims paid under PMFBY and RWBCIS is Rs. 172138 crores to 19.59 crore no. of farmer applications.

    Details of damages as reported by State/UT due to hydro-meteorological disasters during the year 2024-25

    Provisional (as on 27.01.2025)

     

    S. No.

    State

    Cropped Area affected (in lakh ha.)

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    0.11

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    –

    3

    Assam

    1.38

    4

    Bihar

    –

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    –

    6

    Goa

    –

    7

    Gujarat

    –

    8

    Haryana

    –

    9

    Himachal Pradesh

    –

    10

    Karnataka

    2.86

    11

    Kerala

    –

    12

    Madhya Pradesh

    –

    13

    Maharashtra

    –

    14

    Manipur

    0.01

    15

    Meghalaya

    0.01

    16

    Mizoram

    0.21

    17

    Nagaland

    0.03

    18

    Odisha

    0.22

    19

    Punjab

    –

    20

    Rajasthan

    –

    21

    Sikkim

    –

    22

    Tamil Nadu

    4.00

    23

    Telangana

    –

    24

    Tripura

    –

    25

    Uttar Pradesh

    3.95

    26

    Uttarakhand

    0.05

    27

    West Bengal

    1.38

    28

    Delhi

    –

    29

    Jammu & Kashmir

    0.02

    30

    Puducherry

    0.01

     

    Total

    14.24

     

    This information was given by Minister of State the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ******

     MG/KSR

    (Release ID: 2100762) Visitor Counter : 66

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –