NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH’s enforcement operation “Pipepurge” against waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) conducted an enforcement operation, codenamed “Pipepurge”, in Wan Chai district last night (January 24) against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas.

         “During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at a bar in Wan Chai District, and issued a total of five fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to persons illegally smoking waterpipes. TACO’s investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bar who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action,” a spokesman for the DH said.

         Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.

         In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.

          “The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement action against illegal waterpipe smoking. Last year (2024), TACO conducted 162 operations against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas. A total of 162 FPNs were issued against smoking offenders, while 89 summonses were issued to staff members and operators of the bars/restaurants for other related offences,” the spokeman said.  

         The spokesman reminded the public that waterpipe is also a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

         “Due to deeper inhalation and longer smoking sessions, waterpipe users usually inhale more toxins than they would when smoking cigarettes. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Furthermore, areas in bars/restaurants where waterpipes are handled or kept have been found to be unhygienic during previous enforcement action,” he said. 

         The spokesman cautions against waterpipe smoking and the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China embraces world’s largest annual human migration

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This year’s Spring Festival travel rush is poised to set new records for travel numbers, marked by several notable changes, according to China’s transport authorities.
    The world’s busiest travel season, driven by the Chinese ritual of family reunions, kicked off on Jan. 14 this year. China is anticipating a record-breaking 9 billion inter-regional trips during this year’s Spring Festival travel rush, with significant shifts, noted Wang Xiuchun, an official with the Ministry of Transport, who joined the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.
    Participants in the 40-day travel season not only include those traveling for family visits, but also a growing number of leisure tourists, Wang said. Additionally, the rise of self drive trips and the expansion of travel modes have changed the transportation mix, Wang added.
    Air travel has become an increasingly popular choice during the Spring Festival season, driven by rising demand for higher living standards, according to Shang Kejia, an official with the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
    The number of flights and passengers are expected to reach new highs this year, Shang said. Daily flights are projected to exceed 18,500, an 8.4 percent increase compared to last year, with passenger trips surpassing 90 million.
    Additionally, the diversity of air travel routes has expanded, spurred by new demands, including the rise of “reverse Spring Festival travel,” in which people travel against the flow of typical holiday movement, and the growing tourism boom, Shang explained.
    Shang noted that more international tourists are flocking to China, marking a new highlight in this year’s Spring Festival travel rush.
    The vast railway network, the backbone of China’s transport system in handling with Spring Festival travel rush, has further improved its coverage and capacity, according to Zhu Wenzhong with the China State Railway Group.
    This year, more than 14,000 trains will be on the move each day, with over 10 million seats offered, representing an almost one-third increase in capacity compared to five years ago, Zhu said.
    When highlighting new trends for this year’s travel season, Zhu noted that passenger flow toward the northeastern region is increasing, partly driven by the thriving ice and snow economy and the upcoming Asian Winter Games, which will be held in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “America’s Best Deserves the Best” – Senator Hassan Outlines Risk Pete Hegseth Poses to U.S. National Security in Senate Floor Speech

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today outlined how Pete Hegseth’s lack of qualifications to serve as Secretary of Defense would put U.S. national security, and our men and women in uniform, at risk.
    Some key quotes from the Senator’s remarks include:
    “Unfortunately, it is clear that Mr. Hegseth does not have the skills, experience, record, or character to lead a department that has a budget of more than $800 billion, and is the largest employer of men and women in our country, and is tasked with safeguarding our nation’s security and freedom.”
    “If Mr. Hegseth could not and did not effectively manage organizations with around 100 employees, surely no one can actually believe that he is ready to manage one of 3.4 million people.”
    “In the past, when we have looked for leaders of our armed forces, we have searched for our country’s best and brightest; the most gifted minds of America’s boardrooms, the brightest stars to come out of West Point, the most revered public servants to serve in these halls… we did not need then, nor do we need now to turn to the green rooms of cable TV networks for the Secretary of Defense.”
    “Surely the armed forces of the United States of America…the victors of the Ardennes, of Gettysburg, and Midway and a thousand places in between and since…surely, they need a leader who they can have full faith in; surely America’s best deserves the best.”
    “There are strong, experienced, and able members of the President’s party whose views align with his who could be exceptional leaders of the Department of Defense. Mr. Hegseth is not one of them.”
    Click here to see Senator Hassan’s remarks, or see a transcript below:
    Mister President, I rise right now and today for the purpose of joining my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in opposing Mr. Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense. I appreciate Mr. Hegseth’s military service, indeed when evaluating his nomination, his service was what I appreciated most about his background.
    But unfortunately, it is clear that Mr. Hegseth does not have the skills, experience, record, or character to lead a department that has a budget of more than $800 billion, and is the largest employer of men and women in our country, and is tasked with safeguarding our nation’s security and freedom.
    We take pride as Americans in the fact that our military is the very best. The standard of excellence and professionalism set by the men and women of our armed forces is central to our military’s success and our country’s success.
    This high standard of competency and character, of both unmatched ability and uncommon virtue, is why America’s armed forces command the respect of our friends, the fear of our foes, and the abiding faith of freedom-loving people everywhere.
    America boasts the greatest fighting force in the history of the world…the heroes who serve in our armed forces deserve a leader who is worthy of that greatness. And Mr. Hegseth is plainly not up to that task.
    Like many of my colleagues, I have concerns regarding Mr. Hegseth’s character – the documented accusations about his excessive and uncontrolled drinking, his sexual harassment, sexual assault, and now, accusations of being abusive to his ex-wife.
    It is ironic that Mr. Hegseth and some of my colleagues have dismissed these concerns as partisan, because sadly if this wasn’t a partisan confirmation process – for example, if my Republican colleagues were considering hiring Mr. Hegseth to join their staffs – we would all agree that these accusations would immediately be disqualifying.
    Mr. Hegseth dismisses these multiple accusations from disparate people as “a coordinated smear campaign.” I don’t think that the concerns of his former colleagues, friends, and family should be quickly dismissed as smears. And many other of the nominees who are being considered by this body aren’t facing similar accusations even though there are people who vehemently oppose their confirmation. Which begs the question of why Mr. Hegseth continues to face multiple, similar accusations from different sources. But for a moment, let’s do as Mr. Hegseth asks and put aside these accusations.
    Let us say for a moment that those who occupy the highest positions in public life shouldn’t be above reproach, though indeed they should;
    Let us say that our service members do not deserve a leader whose strength of character matches their own, though I believe they do;
    And let us say for a moment that character does not count, though indeed it surely always does.
    Let us, in short, ignore everything that Mr. Hegseth demanded we ignore in his hearing. Even if we did that, I would submit that based on experience alone, Mr. Hegseth is plainly unqualified for the job as Secretary of Defense.
    The Secretary of Defense is responsible for a budget of more than $800 billion and responsible for 3.4 million employees who serve on every continent across the globe. To lead the Defense Department is a daunting task that requires leadership and managerial skills of the highest order.
    However, Mr. Hegseth’s managerial experience begins and ends with his leadership at two small nonprofits. And his tenure at both resulted in concerns about his financial mismanagement at their helm. If Mr. Hegseth could not and did not effectively manage organizations with around 100 employees, surely no one can actually believe that he is ready to manage one of 3.4 million people. 
    We live in a dangerous and uncertain world. Iran and its proxies continue to menace our forces in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin is on the march in Europe. North Korea persists in testing our allies and testing its missiles. And China…China looks with a conqueror’s gaze toward Taiwan.
    To my Republican colleagues, I understand that you wish to support President Trump. But Presidents are sometimes wrong. We are talking about our nation’s vital security. We are considering the confirmation of the person who will be entrusted to marshal our resources as the enemy approaches, attacks our cyber defenses, or invades an ally.
    It matters. It matters that we have the right person in this job. It matters that we get this one right. Surely there is someone in this great country of brilliant and brave people of all political stripes who is more capable; who has the experience and character necessary to forge under pressure the judgement that will keep us safe and free.
    This is America, we have the finest fighting force ever assembled, we have more strength and power than any fighting force has had in human history.
    And in the past, when we have looked for leaders of our armed forces, we have searched for our country’s best and brightest; the most gifted minds of America’s boardrooms, the brightest stars to come out of West Point, the most revered public servants to serve in these halls… we did not need then, nor do we need now to turn to the green rooms of cable TV networks for the Secretary of Defense.
    Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of the [end of the] Battle of the Bulge, a campaign in which my father served. In freezing temperatures, outnumbered and often undersupplied, our forces held the line against Hitler’s onslaught. Our soldiers won because they were brave, they won because they were skilled, and they won because they were well led.
    Surely the armed forces of the United States of America…the victors of the Ardennes, of Gettysburg, and Midway and a thousand places in between and since…surely, they need a leader who they can have full faith in; surely America’s best deserves the best.
    Government’s most important task is to keep America safe, secure, and free. It is a complex, fast moving, and evolving challenge. It is a job that at times presents its occupant, the Secretary of Defense, no good or easy options. It is, in short, a deadly serious job where both success and failure have enormous ramifications. It’s a job that depends on experience and character – the prerequisites for good judgement – like no other.
    No Senator should vote for someone who they can only hope will learn on the job. Not for the Secretary of Defense. No Senator should vote for a nominee on the hope that he will display more personal discipline once he gets the job.
    There are strong, experienced, and able members of the President’s party whose views align with his who could be exceptional leaders of the Department of Defense. Mr. Hegseth is not one of them. I urge my colleagues to reject this nominee, and I yield the floor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wapato Man Sentenced to Prison for Making Unlawful Sexual Contact with a 13-Year-Old Child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Yakima, Washington – United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref announced that on January 24, 2025, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Geordell Devon Arthur, age 23, of Wapato, Washington, to 12 months in federal prison on one count of unlawful sexual contact. Judge Dimke also imposed 5 years of supervised release. Arthur will be required to register as a sex offender. At sentencing, Arthur faced a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment, and he was sentenced within the applicable sentencing guidelines range for his offense.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Arthur, who was 19 at the time, made unlawful sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl at a location on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation on or around May 10, 2021. The victim explained to investigators that Arthur’s friends confronted the victim and threatened her with harm if she spoke to law enforcement.

    “The harm to victims in cases like these cannot be understated,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “It takes courage for victims to come forward, especially when an abuser attempts to silence them. My office is committed to prioritizing offenses against our community’s youngest and most vulnerable victims.”

    “Mr. Arthur assaulted and then tried to intimidate his victim into silence.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “However, she displayed courage instead of fear and now her attacker is headed to prison. I applaud her actions as well as those of the investigators who seek justice for victims of these appalling crimes.”

    The FBI and the Yakama Nation Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy prosecuted the case.

    1:24-CR-2050-MKD

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Multi-Domain Effects Cell Enhances I Corps Combat Power

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    ASAKA, SAITAMA, Japan  –  

    The I Corps Multi-Domain Effects Cell (MDEC) has served as a critical force multiplier, integrating kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities across multiple domains to achieve the commander’s objectives during training for Large Scale Combat Operations.

    “The Multi-Domain Effects Cell represents a significant evolution in how we approach modern warfare,” said Col. Melan Salas, I Corps G39 Information Warfare Directorate. “By bringing together subject matter experts from kinetic and non-kinetic disciplines, I Corps created a sophisticated capability to synchronize effects across all domains. What makes this team unique is their ability to engage in detailed technical discussions that translate directly into actionable solutions for our Corps Commander.”

    During the recent Warfighter 25-02 exercise, the MDEC team comprised of representatives from the Joint Force, including the Air Force, Navy, 5th Battlefield Coordination Detachment, 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), and ARCYBER’s 11th Cyber Warfare Battalion. Additional expertise comes from the 12th PSYOP Battalion, 56th Theater Information Operations Group, and organic Corps elements, including the I Corps’ Future Operations cell, the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade and staff representatives from Space, Information Operations, Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities.

    “The MDEC is critical to the Corps’ synchronization of national-level, joint, multinational and organic capabilities during large scale combat operations,” said Brig. Gen. Bernard Harrington, Deputy Commanding General for I Corps. “The MDEC’s capacity to align opportunities within our areas of operations and interest with the commander’s intent demonstrated the agility required in today’s complex battlefield environment. By integrating capabilities from our joint task force partners, special operations forces, space, cyber, and information warfare units, we aim to deliver precise, coordinated effects at the time and place of our choosing.”

    The cell’s innovative approach goes beyond simply layering effects. By synchronizing Joint Task Force All Domain Combat Power Pulse windows with Corps Convergence windows, the MDEC ensured both kinetic and non-kinetic effects support the commander’s priorities. This methodology allowed for rapid adaptation to changing battlefield conditions while maintaining focus on corps-level objectives. This convergence methodology aligned closely with Air Defense Command and Control Plan 2 (ADCP2) objectives, providing complementary capabilities that enhanced overall force protection and battlefield awareness.

    During the recent I Corps Warfighter 25-02 Exercise, the MDEC analyzed enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) pertaining to Army command-and-control nodes, unmanned aerial vehicles integrated air defense threat networks, and lines of communications. Following this analysis, the MDEC rapidly developed cross-domain defeat mechanisms to counter these threats. Furthermore, the MDEC disseminated these TTPs to divisions and separate brigades for proliferation and transitioned solutions to the Corps Current Operations section for repeated application.

    The MDEC’s integration efforts extend to supporting logistics operations, particularly in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE). Army logistics elements serve as a critical enabler for ACE operations, providing robust sustainment capabilities that complement the U.S. Air Force’s distributed operations concept. This mutually supporting relationship ensures sustained combat power across dispersed locations while maintaining operational flexibility for the joint force.

    Over the past year, I Corps experimented with the Multi-Domain Effects Cell concept while participating in U.S. Army Pacific’s Operation Pathways exercises. These exercises provided valuable opportunities to validate the cell’s effectiveness in coordinating multi-domain effects with multinational partners across the Indo-Pacific region. Through careful analysis and coordination, the MDEC continuously identifies opportunities and assesses risks within the I Corps’ area of operations and areas of interest. This comprehensive approach enables the team to provide agile, tailored solutions that maximize combat effectiveness across all domains.

    Moving forward, I Corps continues to strengthen interoperability and generate readiness through Operation Pathways exercises as part of the U.S. Army’s ongoing presence and unwavering commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cross-border trips to see uptick in Spring Festival

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Foreign tourists enter China at an immigration inspection station at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing on Jan 2. [Photo by Li Xin/Xinhua)

    China will see an average of 1.85 million cross-border trips every day during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, a 9.5 percent year-on-year increase, the National Immigration Administration has estimated.
    A slight increase will likely occur in cross-border trips through large international airports in China during the holiday, the administration said at a statement issued on Friday.
    These airports are expected to see a peak in the number of passengers making outbound trips for three days from Tuesday, the first day of the holiday, to Thursday, the administration said.
    They will also likely see an influx of passengers on Feb 3 and Feb 4, the last two days of the Spring Festival holiday.
    Forecasts for the average daily number of passengers making cross-border trips during the holiday from four major airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou in Guangdong province and Chengdu in Sichuan province were revealed by the administration. Shanghai Pudong International Airport will likely see as many as 95,000 such passengers on average every day, it said in the statement.
    The administration added that it has required ports across the country to strengthen monitoring of cross-border travel flows during the holiday and issue related information promptly to help people arrange their trips properly.
    It has also asked ports to deploy a sufficient number of staff and open enough passages to improve the efficiency of exit-entry procedures, saying that the ports should ensure Chinese travelers have to wait no more than 30 minutes in line before passing through.
    LY.com, a travel agency based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, said the eight-day Spring Festival holiday and the slight drop in the prices of international flight tickets compared with the same period last year have encouraged outbound travel.
    Trip.com Group, another travel agency, said in a report released earlier this month that Japan, Thailand and Malaysia were among the popular countries for outbound travel during the Spring Festival.
    Su Menghui, an intern at an internet company in Shanghai, said she will make an 11-day trip to Japan starting during the Spring Festival holiday. She will visit Wakayama and Hokkaido.
    The 23-year-old said she had planned the trip about three months in advance, as longer holidays — such as National Day and Spring Festival — are her first choice for traveling abroad, though flight tickets tend to be much more expensive than usual.
    She said she will also consider traveling to nearby countries, such as Japan and South Korea, during weekends. For example, a weekend is “totally sufficient” for a trip from Shanghai to Jeju Island in South Korea, she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Environment – First global gathering of Food and Plastics Networks to prevent devastating environmental impacts

    Source: WRAP

    Pact Network Connect 2025 – First global gathering of Food and Plastics Networks share actions to cut food and plastic waste and prevent devastating effects on planet.

    Representatives from 15 countries met in Mexico this week for Pact Network Connect 2025, a three-day programme focussed on addressing the issue of our broken food systems, and the spiralling environmental cost of plastic pollution and waste.

    Convened by global environmental action NGO WRAP, Pact Network Connect 2025 was the first time the two networks – 13 international Plastics Pacts run in conjunction with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation – and 11 Food Pacts met as one to share experiences and strategies to strengthen collaborative efforts on the two environmental crises.

    The Pacts represent collaborative action initiatives formed in country by private and public sector organisations, charities and NGOs. Representatives from the Pact Secretariats joined investors and philanthropic organisations to co-design solutions to key food and plastics triggers. Focus was on generating practical steps and actions to tackle plastics pollution within the 19 countries comprising the Plastics Pact Network – and share more widely, and address food waste and loss in the 10 countries encompassing the first Food Pact Network.

    Harriet Lamb, CEO WRAP, “The numerous Pacts are the engine rooms driving forward a new circular economy for plastics and food. They give me hope that we can correct the failures of our food and plastic systems. They show that ahead of securing global inter-governmental agreements at scale, companies, ngos and governments can get behind voluntary action as an agile and effective front runner along the road to transformation. We’re delighted to be in Mexico, bringing together leaders from the food and plastics Pacts for the first ever joint global meeting to share solutions and accelerate change.”

    Pact Network Connect 2025 built on the learnings and progress achieved in the first Plastic Pact Network meeting, held in South Africa in 2024 inspiring the move to bring together both Food and Plastics Pacts to amplify impact. The Plastics Pact Network meeting had an added sense of urgency this year, given the lack of agreement on key elements for a global treaty to end plastic pollution at INC5 negotiations in Busan 2024. To achieve this, we need ambitious regulation to complement and accelerate voluntary efforts and create a level playing field for all businesses. The Plastics Pacts are uniquely placed to inform and enable policymaking and treaty implementation through the Network’s large repository of tools, insights, guidance, and standardised definitions.

    Marta Longhurst, Pacts and Field-building Lead Ellen MacArthur Foundation, “The Plastics Pacts have proved that such a network can deliver real impact towards eliminating plastic waste and pollution. Thanks to Plastics Pacts, tens of billions of problematic or unnecessary plastic items have been eliminated; design for reusability, recyclability, and composability in practice and at scale has increased by 23%; and incorporation of recycled content back into packaging has increased by 44%. We are pleased to see the tangible impact of the Plastics Pacts, and to see this knowledge shared and applied to other sectors to accelerate the transition to a circular economy worldwide.”

    The Plastics Pact Network is a global coordinated response to the hazards plastics pose to people and the planet. Managed through a partnership between WRAP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in just six years the Plastic Pacts have led work tackling pollution and delivering impact on national and global scales. The Network includes over 900 local and global organisations across a 19-country membership. Its members have eliminated more than 360,000 tonnes of problematic and unnecessary plastics and increased recycled content in their packaging by 44% – reducing virgin plastic by 2.2 million tonnes by 2022. All Plastics Pacts align in a common vision to create a circular economy for plastics and eliminate waste and pollution.

    Alejandra Kopaitic, Directora Consumo y Producción Sustentable y Pacto Chileno de los Plásticos, “Pact Network Connect is a key event when many countries can share experiences, foster regional collaboration, and strengthen our global partnerships. It will enrich the Chilean Plastics Pact as part of this international network committed to systemic change. We are here to listen, learn, and collaborate, while showcasing the work we are doing in Chile and aligning our goals with international experience and best practices.”

    Ninel Escobar, Director of Climate Change WWF Mexico, “In México, between 38% and 58% of plastic waste is mismanaged. Resolving this problem requires us to work along the whole life cycle of plastic, using a systemic approach. We are pleased to join our Pact partners at Pact Network Connect to share our experiences of resolving these complex problems.”

    The Food Pact Network connects collaborative action initiatives within individual countries to a global community dedicated to reducing food loss and waste. This is the first time the group has joined forces in person as the Food Pact Network, and through the universal adoption of the principles of Target-Measure-Act the Pacts are changing how food is produced and consumed to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to halve global food waste by 2030.

    Notes

    The Plastics Pact Network includes: ANZPAC Plastics Pact, The Canada Plastics Pact, Polski Pakt Plastikowy – The Polish Plastics Pact, The U.S. Plastics Pact, Pacto Português para os Plásticos- The Portuguese Plastics Pact, The South African Plastics Pact, UK Plastics Pact, Pacte National sur les emballages plastiques – French Plastics Pact, Circula El Plástico – The Chilean Plastics Pact, The Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP), Colombia Plastics Pact, India Plastics Pact and Mexico Plastics Pact.

    The Food Pact Network includes: Courtauld Commitment 2030 (UK), South Africa Food Loss and Waste Initiative, Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment, Pacto Por La Comida (Mexico), GRASP 2030 (Indonesia), Brasil Sem Desperdisio  (Brazil, launching in 2025), U.S. Food Waste Pact, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling (Netherlands) , Kai Commitment (New Zealand) and the International Food Waste Coalition.

    WRAP is a global environmental action NGO catalysing policy makers, businesses and individuals to transform the systems that create our food, textiles and manufactured products. Together these account for nearly 50% of global greenhouse emissions. Our goal is to enable the world to transition from the old take-make-dispose model of production to more sustainable approaches that will radically reduce waste and carbon emissions from everyday products. To do so we examine sustainability challenges through the lens of people’s day-to-day lives and create solutions that can transform entire systems to benefit the planet, nature and people.

    Our work includes: UK Plastics Pact, Courtauld Commitment 2030, Textiles 2030 and the campaigns Love Food Hate Waste and Recycle Now. We run Food Waste Action Week and Recycle Week.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi extends Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese during inspection tour

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

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local people while visiting a food market in Shenyang, capital city of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    SHENYANG, Jan. 24 — President Xi Jinping has extended Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese during an inspection trip to the northeastern province of Liaoning from Wednesday to Friday.

    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wished all Chinese people happiness and health, and the country peace and prosperity in the upcoming Year of the Snake.

    The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, falls on Jan. 29 this year. It is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar and an occasion for family reunions.

    For more than a decade, Xi, as the Party and the state’s top leader, has made it a tradition to spend time with ordinary people, especially those in difficulties, during the holiday season.

    On Wednesday afternoon, Xi made his first stop at Zhujiagou Village, administered by the city of Huludao. Having suffered severe flooding in August last year, the village launched post-disaster reconstruction and 41 affected households moved into new residences before the start of winter.

    At the entrance to the village, Xi looked at the affected areas, asking in detail about the summer flooding and the relocation of villagers at that time, as well as the subsequent relief work. He urged local officials to ensure the villagers stay warm throughout the winter.

    During visits to two village households, the president inspected the structural integrity of their homes, checked their preparations for holiday celebrations, and asked whether government subsidies for rebuilding had been adequately provided. He also inquired about the villagers’ main sources of income.

    Noting that natural disasters had hit a number of regions across China during the past year, Xi said: “As the Spring Festival draws near, on behalf of the Party Central Committee, I extend sincere regards and festive greetings to all those affected and those working on the frontlines of post-disaster reconstruction!”

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about measures in place to optimize public services as well as details of progress made in improving people’s life while visiting a residential community in Shenyang, capital city of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    On Thursday morning, Xi went to the provincial capital Shenyang, where he talked with merchants and customers at a food market to learn about the market supply during the holiday season.

    He later visited a residential community in Shenyang, and acknowledged the significant improvements in living conditions following a general revamping there.

    At the community service center, Xi joined residents who were writing Spring Festival couplets, while children were tying Chinese knots that symbolize auspiciousness. He also enjoyed a Chinese bamboo flute performance, encouraging the performers to further promote fine traditional Chinese culture.

    Before leaving, Xi waved to the crowd and extended festive greetings. “Having a good Spring Festival means a great start to the new year,” he told the residents.

    MODERNIZATION, REVITALIZATION

    Inspecting a cold rolling mill of Bensteel Group in the city of Benxi on Thursday afternoon, Xi said that the manufacturing sector should keep pursuing higher-standard, smarter, and more eco-friendly development, and make more technology-intensive products with higher added value.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a cold rolling mill of Bensteel Group in Benxi City, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    After listening to the work report from local officials of Liaoning on Friday morning, Xi urged the province, which already has a relatively complete industrial system, to accelerate the modernization of this system.

    Traditional industries should strengthen industrial foundation reengineering and seek breakthroughs on major technologies and equipment to continuously boost core competitiveness, he said, while also highlighting the importance of ecological protection.

    The full revitalization of Northeast China relies fundamentally on reform and opening up, and more efforts should be made to strengthen the rule of law in government operations and optimize the business environment, Xi added, urging officials to improve their capabilities and performance in line with the country’s further opening up.

    Noting that Liaoning is rich in agricultural resources and has a solid foundation for development, Xi said the province should adhere to the integrated development of urban and rural areas.

    He also stressed enhancing cultural confidence and strength, unswervingly upholding the leadership of the Party and exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.

    Xi urged more efforts to care for disadvantaged groups, ensure smooth transportation, provide sufficient market supplies, enrich people’s cultural life, and strengthen workplace safety during the holiday season.

    Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: RNZ Pacific – 35 years of broadcasting trusted news to the region

    By Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor, RNZ Pacific manager

    RNZ International (RNZI) began broadcasting to the Pacific region 35 years ago — on 24 January 1990, the same day the Auckland Commonwealth Games opened.

    Its news bulletins and programmes were carried by a brand new 100kW transmitter.

    The service was rebranded as RNZ Pacific in 2017. However its mission remains unchanged, to provide news of the highest quality and be a trusted service to local broadcasters in the Pacific region.

    Although RNZ had been broadcasting to the Pacific since 1948, in the late 1980s the New Zealand government saw the benefit of upgrading the service. Thus RNZI was born, with a small dedicated team.

    The first RNZI manager was Ian Johnstone. He believed that the service should have a strong cultural connection to the people of the Pacific. To that end, it was important that some of the staff reflected parts of the region where RNZ Pacific broadcasted.

    He hired the first Pacific woman sports reporter at RNZ, the late Elma Ma’ua.

    Linden Clark (from left) and Ian Johnstone, former managers of RNZ International now known as RNZ Pacific, and Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor, current manager of RNZ Pacific . . . strong cultural connection to the people of the Pacific. Image: RNZ

    The Pacific region is one of the most vital areas of the earth, but it is not always the safest, particularly from natural disasters.

    Disaster coverage
    RNZ Pacific covered events such as the 2009 Samoan tsunami, and during the devastating 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai eruption, it was the only news service that could be heard in the kingdom.

    More recently, it supported Vanuatu’s public broadcaster during the December 17 earthquake by providing extra bulletin updates for listeners when VBTC services were temporarily out of action.

    Cyclones have become more frequent in the region, and RNZ Pacific provides vital weather updates, as the late Linden Clark, RNZI’s second manager, explained: “Many times, we have been broadcasting warnings on analogue shortwave to listeners when their local station has had to go off air or has been forced off air.”

    RNZ Pacific’s cyclone watch service continues to operate during the cyclone season in the South Pacific.

    As well as natural disasters, the Pacific can also be politically volatile. Since its inception RNZ Pacific has reported on elections and political events in the region.

    Some of the more recent events include the 2000 and 2006 coups in Fiji, the Samoan Constitutional Crisis of 2021, the 2006 pro-democracy riots in Nuku’alofa, the revolving door leadership changes in Vanuatu, and the 2022 security agreement that Solomon Islands signed with China.

    Human interest, culture
    Human interest and cultural stories are also a key part of RNZ Pacific’s programming.

    The service regularly covers cultural events and festivals within New Zealand, such as Polyfest. This was part of Linden Clark’s vision, in her role as RNZI manager, that the service would be a link for the Pacific diaspora in New Zealand to their homelands.

    Today, RNZ Pacific continues that work. Currently its programmes are carried on two transmitters — one installed in 2008 and a much more modern facility, installed in 2024 following a funding boost.

    Around 20 Pacific region radio stations relay RNZP’s material daily. Individual short-wave listeners and internet users around the world tune in directly to RNZ Pacific content which can be received as far away as Japan, North America, the Middle East and Europe.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong resident rescued from detention in Southeast Asian country to return to Hong Kong next Monday (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong resident rescued from detention in Southeast Asian country to return to Hong Kong next Monday (with photo)
    Hong Kong resident rescued from detention in Southeast Asian country to return to Hong Kong next Monday (with photo)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Security Bureau (SB) today (January 25) said that a Hong Kong resident who had been detained for illegal work in Myanmar was recently rescued and safely arrived in Thailand earlier. With the co-ordination by the SB’s dedicated task force in Thailand over the past few days and the concerted efforts by different parties, the individual will return to Hong Kong next Monday (January 27) together with the dedicated task force.     Members of the dedicated task force had met with the Hong Kong resident at a detention centre last night (January 24) after his transferral to Bangkok. The task force members expressed sympathy to the individual, who expressed gratitude for the visit to Thailand by the task force members to follow up on his case. He was also very pleased to learn that he will be able to return to Hong Kong next Monday. He was in good mental and physical conditions. The task force members immediately made arrangements for his return to Hong Kong, and will continue to follow up to investigate his case after his return.     The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, was very relieved that one more Hong Kong resident was rescued and able to return to Hong Kong to re-unite with his family before the Chinese New Year. He thanked sincerely for the support and assistance, as well as the importance attached to the case, by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai, the Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok and the relevant Thai authorities, enabling the return of the Hong Kong resident to Hong Kong within a short period of time as far as practicable. He also commended the dedicated task force for the committed efforts in following up the case and assisting the Hong Kong resident’s return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.     The dedicated task force, comprising members from the SB, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department, has been contacting and liaising with different parties since their arrival in Thailand on January 21. They met with the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police, Mr Phanthana Nutchanart; the officer-in-charge of the Immigration Detention Centre of the Royal Thai Police; the Director of Special Investigation and the Director of Human Trafficking under the Ministry of Justice of Thailand to discuss the arrangements for the rescued Hong Kong resident to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible and follow up on the remaining cases. The dedicated task force will continue to maintain close liaison with the relevant parties and proactively follow up on the remaining 10 request-for-assistance cases in which the individuals have not yet returned to Hong Kong.

     
    Ends/Saturday, January 25, 2025Issued at HKT 8:20

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Vietnam pledge to promote bilateral ties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China and Vietnam pledged to promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, as the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of their bilateral ties in Beijing on Friday.

    Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, attended a reception celebrating the anniversary, saying that the friendship between China and Vietnam has grown stronger over the past 75 years.

    Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with Vietnam to promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries, better benefiting the two peoples.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TWC:1910 Provides 24/7 Customer Support

    Source: Republic Of China Taiwan 2

    The Taiwan Water Corporation Customer Service Hotline 1910 is still on 24/7 while TWC offices will be closed during the Lunar New Year. Users with any questions,such as water using,bills,reporting water leaking,can get assistance by calling 1910.

    TWC provides a variety of convenient payment methods. Users can easily pay through the following methods during the Lunar New Year.
    1.Taiwan Water Corporation official website.
    2.Taiwan Water Corporation APP.
    3.Mobile payment:JKOPay,iPASS MONEY,TCPASS,GAMAPAY,PiAPP,icash Pay,ezPay,beePay,TaiwanPay,Easy Wallet,PXPay and PlusPAY.
    4.At convenience stores:Pay water bill at 7-11,Family Mart,Hi-Life,OK and Simple Mart. Users without water bills,can print them with KIOSK Machines,like ibon,OKGo,Fami Port,Life-ET.

    Before returning to hometown for reunions,please check the water equipment at home,TWC offices will be open on February 3rd,2025.

    Ministry of Economic Affairs Taiwan Water Company
    Spokesman:Vice President Wu, Jing-Wen
    Contact Number:04-22244191 Ext.205,Mobile Phone:0934-262835
    Email:jingwen@mail.water.gov.tw

    Business Contact:Director, Dept. of Business LIN,MENG-ZHU
    Contact Number:04-22244191 Ext.400,Mobile Phone:0952-402749
    Email:moju @mail.water.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta tourism shines on the national stage

    The eyes of the nation are once again on Alberta as the province’s tourism sector garners recognition for its industry-leading innovation and dedication to excellence. Several Albertans and Albertan businesses were nominated and won Canadian Tourism Awards for outstanding success, innovation and leadership in Canada’s tourism industry.

    The accolades highlight Alberta as a top-tier tourism destination and recognize the outstanding Albertans that elevate the province’s reputation nationally and internationally. As an advocate for Canada’s tourism sector, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada presents the Canadian Tourism Awards annually.

    “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of Alberta’s tourism operators, whose passion and innovation continue to set new standards of excellence. The individuals and businesses nominated reflect the rich variety of experiences that make Alberta unique. Their dedication and innovation are at the heart of our thriving tourism sector, and their recognition on the national stage reflects the world-class experiences Alberta offers visitors each day.”

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport

    The following Alberta-based organizations and individuals received Canadian Tourism Awards:

    • Business of the Year Award: CanaDream RV, Rocky View County
    • Business Event of the Year Award: National Gathering of Elders, Edmonton
    • Culinary Tourism Experience Award: Bar OA Farms, Strathcona County
    • Lifetime Achievement Award: Cindy Ady, former CEO of Tourism Calgary and former Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
    • Under-30 Tourism Trailblazer Award: Sierra Murray, Leduc County

    Notably, former Tourism Calgary CEO and former Alberta Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Cindy Ady received a lifetime achievement award for her commitment to Alberta’s tourism sector. As CEO of Tourism Calgary, Cindy positioned Calgary as a year-round, globally competitive destination, and as Alberta’s Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Cindy sponsored the Travel Alberta Act, establishing Travel Alberta as a provincial agency in 2009.

    “Alberta’s tourism community is remarkable, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to its success. I am truly humbled to have received this Lifetime Achievement Award, but it’s not just about me – it’s a testament to the hard work and vision of an entire community, one that has come together to position this province as a leader in the global tourism landscape.”

    Cindy Ady, former CEO of Tourism Calgary and former Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation

    In addition, Travel Alberta received recognition for its film Sky Painter, which won gold in Brand Building at the 2024 Canadian Marketing Awards and second place in the Tourism Products category at the World Tourism Film Awards. The Travel Alberta film To be Albertan won first place in the Region Promotion category at the World Tourism Film Awards. 

    In the past year, Alberta has received global recognition with a nomination for the Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World) category in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024, and Skift IDEA awards in industry innovation and travel technology. In addition, Travel Alberta films won awards at the Japan’s World Tourism Festival and in the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards.

    These achievements build on Alberta’s rich tradition of tourism excellence and highlight the significant contributions of the industry to the province’s economy. Alberta’s government remains committed to supporting its tourism operators as they continue to shape the future of Canadian tourism.

    Quick facts

    • The following Alberta organizations, events and individuals received nominations for the Canadian Tourism Awards:
      • Culinary Tourism Experience Award: Bar OA Farms, Strathcona County
      • Indigenous Tourism Award: Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions Ltd, Spruce Grove
      • Indigenous Tourism Award: Métis Crossing, Smoky Lake
      • Innovator of the Year Award: Rural Rivers, Sturgeon County
      • Tourism Employer of the Year Award: Indigenous Box, Leduc County

    Related information

    • The Canadian Tourism Awards 2024
    • World Tourism Film Awards 2024
    • Canadian Marketing Association Awards 2024

    Multimedia

    • “To Be Albertan” video entry by Travel Alberta
    • “Sky Painter” video entry by Travel Alberta

    Related news

    • Global recognition for Alberta’s tourism sector (Sept. 27, 2024)
    • Alberta’s tourism soars to new heights (Sept. 25, 2024)
    • Alberta films captivate the world (March 18, 2024)
    • Growing Alberta’s visitor economy (Feb. 14, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman Sentenced To 20 Years For Killing Sister-in-Law

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa woman was sentenced today for Second Degree Murder in Indian Country and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

    U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Alexis Danielle Flanner, 26, to 240 months followed by five years of supervised release.

    In July 2022, Tulsa Police officers were dispatched for shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found Estrella Mendoza, deceased from a gunshot wound. Officers watched security footage that showed Flanner and Estrella enter the store together. After the pair left the store, Estrella was seen crawling away from Flanner before she collapsed. Flanner was seen fleeing the scene.

    A witness stated that he tried to help Estrella. Before going unconscious, Estrella said that Flanner shot her. Officers went to Flanner’s residence, where they found the vehicle she left in that had fresh blood splatter and the firearm used.

    Flanner told officers that she was mad at her sister-in-law, Estrella because she would not return her marijuana grinder. 

    Flanner is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

    The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Jolly and Valeria Luster prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Varney & Co. on Fox Business to Discuss Debanking Conservatives, Support for Hegseth, Panama Canal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today joined Varney & Co. on Fox Business to discuss the egregious debanking of conservatives, his strong support for Pete Hegseth, and President Donald Trump’s concerns about China’s influence on the Panama Canal.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Partial Transcript
    Hagerty on banks debanking conservatives: “I certainly side with President Trump on this one because I’ve seen it myself. Look, you’ve got these big banks that have DEI and ESG narratives that they’re trying to follow. You’ve got regulators; I think that’s the most pernicious aspect of this. You’ve got regulators here in Washington, bank supervisors that don’t have to put out a written warning. What they have to do is suggest that perhaps there’s some reputational risk associated with a particular entity or a particular customer, even Barron Trump has had difficulty getting a bank account. I think President Trump has felt this in his own family. Christian ministry groups are having a difficult time. It’s absolutely amazing to me and, I think, to all Americans that the banking system isn’t open and available to everybody in America. We’re going to change that. Now that the gavel has shifted here in the Senate, the Banking Committee is under Republican control. We fully intend to take supervisory action to get a very hard look at this. And on the Executive Branch side, I can guarantee you President Trump is going to dig into this too. It’s got to come to an end.”
    Hagerty on his strong support for Pete Hegseth: “Pete is also a hometown favorite for me. He’s from Tennessee. I’ve been friends with Pete for years; I’m delighted to see him into this position. I think if anybody watched the four and a half hours of Pete’s confirmation hearing, what they’ve seen is somebody that’s patriotic, someone that’s bright, someone that’s energetic. Pete’s the type of person that’s going to be transformative at the Pentagon at a time when we really need it. Pete has been clear: he’s going to be focused on lethality and competence, not on pronouns. And he is going to be the type of person that inspires, that helps us recruit and retain the type of military personnel that we need. We’re in a great deficit right now; that’s about to change when Pete Hegseth becomes our next Secretary of Defense, which he will […] [Pete has] the warfighter’s mentality. He understands what they need, and I think he’s going to be a shot in the arm for the Pentagon. It really is going to be a good, positive move.”
    Hagerty on the Panama Canal: “David, as you well know, Chinese entities have contracts and operate on both ends of the Panama Canal. I don’t think [President] Jimmy Carter ever anticipated this when he gave the Panama Canal away. This is a strategic asset that was built with American dollars and American lives, frankly. And it’s something that we need to take very seriously. I’ve negotiated with President Trump in the past when I was U.S. Ambassador to Japan. He delivered the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement; I was deeply involved in those negotiations. And one of the things I know for sure is [that] you don’t get ahead of the president.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Winnebago Man Sentenced for Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tylan Joseph Walker, age 21, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Walker to 97 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Walker’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

    On March 30, 2024, Walker was drinking and socializing with friends. At one point, he and a female friend met up with a 19-year-old Winnebago man and spent time drinking and talking. After a minor disagreement between the two men, Walker started a fist fight and then stabbed the 19-year-old male in the upper thigh area. The victim bled profusely and was unresponsive by the time emergency services arrived on scene. Despite extensive efforts by emergency services and medical staff at two hospitals, the victim ultimately succumbed to his wounds and died on April 3, 2024. Before handing down Walker’s 97-month sentence, Judge Buescher heard testimony from several members of the victim’s family, who asked the court to consider the deep pain and trauma experienced by their family and the Winnebago community as a whole because of Walker’s actions.

    This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Senate Floor Speech, Murray Lays Out Case Against Controversial DoD Nominee Pete Hegseth, Slams Him for Refusal to Meet Prior to Confirmation Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: Murray, Duckworth Lead Senators in Introducing Resolution Recognizing the Service of Women in Combat
    ICYMI: Senator Murray Statement on Pete Hegseth Canceling Meeting with Her, Refusal to Meet Ahead of Probable Confirmation Vote
    Murray: “Our military uniforms do not say Democrat. They do not say Republican. They just don’t. You cannot be an effective commander if your people don’t trust you. But how are troops supposed to trust you to keep them safe in combat if you think half the nation is the enemy?”
    ***VIDEO of Senator Murray’s floor speech HERE***
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took to the Senate floor to lay out her strong opposition to Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Murray articulated the many grave concerns she has with Mr. Hegseth’s qualifications, positions, and his character—and slammed him for refusing to meet with her before his confirmation vote.
    On Saturday, Murray called out Hegseth for refusing to meet with her until after his confirmation vote, and today on the Senate floor, she reiterated that every nominee should be willing to meet with senators to answer basic questions about how they would approach their role if confirmed, calling it: “beneath the dignity of the role he aspires to for Mr. Hegseth to refuse to meet one-on-one with most Democrats.”
    “I mean, if Mr. Hegseth is afraid of me, how is he going to stand up to China? Meeting with members on both sides isn’t just some formality—if you are confirmed, it is part of the job,” Murray said.
    “Let’s be perfectly clear about the stakes here—we are talking about who we will put in command of the most powerful military in the world. There is nothing on Mr. Hegseth’s resume that remotely suggests he has the experience for the role,” Murray continued. “I have a deep appreciation for his service to our country—I do. But let’s not kid ourselves here. I don’t see how being a Fox TV host prepares you to lead three million servicemembers and civilians. I don’t see how bankrupting a veterans’ nonprofit through wasteful spending qualifies you to manage a budget of nearly $900 billion dollars. Moreover, we really truly have no sense of what his understanding of military policy is or what his strategic priorities would be.”
    Murray pointed out that, because senators had had to spend so much time at Mr. Hegseth’s confirmation hearing asking him basic questions about his questionable character and fitness—questions Republicans refused to ask—they had little time to ask him about how he would do his job.
    “How does he plan to reduce costs and development times for key military capabilities that are critical to our national security? How would he invest in our defense industrial base and public shipyards, like the one in my home state in Washington? How does he view the pacing threat in the Indo-Pacific and how would he work with our partners and allies to prepare for a potential conflict? Does he have any thoughts on that at all?,” Murray asked. “This is just not a serious candidate who has thoughtful positions on the challenges we face.”
    “You know what position he is serious about? What he has stated over and over again? ‘I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles.’ He said that last November,” Murray said on the Senate floor. “He has also made clear he has little regard for the Geneva Conventions. Now maybe this is a bit old fashioned of me, but I think we should have a Secretary of Defense who is firmly against war crimes. Not one who has spoken in favor of torture like water boarding, in favor of people convicted of war crimes, and questioned whether we should follow the Geneva Conventions.”
    “And let’s not forget—in addition to having no real qualifications, and many alarming positions, Mr. Hegseth also has many red flags that raise serious concerns about his character and conduct… There is no world where we should have a predator running the Department of Defense that is responsible for the wellbeing of millions of women and men in uniform.”
    Murray concluded by saying, there is no world where the person in charge of the U.S. military should see his fellow Americans as the enemy. In Hegseth’s book American Crusade, published in 2020, Hegseth wrote: “The other side, the left, is not our friend. We are not esteemed colleagues, nor mere political opponents. We are foes. Either we win or they win. We agree on nothing else.”“How are troops supposed to trust you to keep them safe in combat if you think half the nation is the enemy? How are Muslim servicemembers supposed to trust you if you think their religion is a threat to the country? How are women servicemembers supposed to trust you if you think they should be at home?,” Murray asked on the Senate floor.
    “I don’t have an answer to that. Maybe Mr. Hegseth doesn’t either—maybe that is why he won’t meet with me. And then again, maybe it’s because he thinks I’m his foe because I’m a Democrat, or maybe he doesn’t think I should have a say in the military issues because I’m a woman. But I do have a say—and I say someone like Mr. Hegseth is grossly unqualified to take on one of the most important jobs in the world,” Murray said.
    As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray helps author and negotiate defense spending each year. In Fiscal Year 2024, Murray prioritized investments in our servicemembers and military families, including by delivering on a 5.2% pay raise for servicemembers, expanding child care services, increasing funding for sexual assault prevention services, and boosting mental health and suicide prevention resources. Senator Murray also played a leading role in negotiating and delivering on a comprehensive national security supplemental in April of 2024 to extend aid to Ukraine, provide badly needed humanitarian relief, and support key partners in the Indo Pacific while deterring aggression by the Chinese government.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on the Senate floor today, are below and video is HERE:
    “Mr. President. I realize some Republicans were hoping we would cut this process short, but I have no problem coming to the floor, and having a lengthy discussion about Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to be Defense Secretary.
    “I am eager to talk about it. The only person who doesn’t seem to want to talk about the Hegseth nomination is actually Mr. Hegseth himself! Because, Mr. President, I have been trying for weeks to schedule a meeting with Mr. Hegseth prior to his confirmation vote.
    “I genuinely want a chance to ask him directly about my concerns with his character and fitness, yes, but also about the serious challenges facing our nation—whether it’s competition with China or aggression from Russia.
    “As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I help write the bill that funds the Defense Department—every year. And that bill only passes with bipartisan support. I don’t think it’s asking a lot to be able to meet with the person nominated to lead that department.
    “I’ve had the opportunity to meet with ten of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees, and I look forward to meeting with more before they are confirmed by the Senate. Conducting these meetings is the absolute bare minimum given the role of each Senator and the constituents they represent.
    “But Mr. Hegseth refused to meet with me and has refused to meet with many of my Democratic colleagues.
    “I think most Americans would agree you shouldn’t get the job if you decide you can just skip the job interview. Every nominee—every nominee—should be willing to meet with Senators, regardless of their party, to answer basic questions about how they would approach their role if confirmed.
    “It’s honestly beneath the dignity of the role he aspires to for Mr. Hegseth to refuse to meet one-on-one with most Democrats.
    “What is he afraid of? Are the questions we have to ask really that hard? I mean, if Mr. Hegseth is afraid of me, how is he going to stand up to China?
    “Meeting with members on both sides isn’t just some formality—if you are confirmed, it is part of the job. So this is a serious concern, and one of many concerns I have with Mr. Hegseth’s qualifications, his positions, and his character.
    “Let’s be perfectly clear about the stakes here—we are talking about who we will put in command of the most powerful military in the world. There is nothing on Mr. Hegseth’s resume that remotely suggests he has the experience for that role.
    “I have a deep appreciation for his service to our country—I do. But let’s not kid ourselves here.
    “I don’t see how being a Fox TV host prepares you to lead three million servicemembers and civilians. I don’t see how bankrupting a veterans’ nonprofit through wasteful spending qualifies you to manage a budget of nearly $900 billion dollars.
    “Moreover, we really truly have no sense of what his understanding of military policy is, or what his strategic priorities would be. Now thanks to Senator Duckworth, we know that he is someone who can’t name a single country in ASEAN—I mean, that ignorance is alarming.
    “Senators had just seven minutes during his confirmation hearing to ask questions—many asked the questions we knew our Republican colleagues would not, regarding Hegseth’s questionable character and fitness. Important questions, absolutely!
    “But because we had to spend so much time understanding if he even could do this job at the most basic level—we had precious little time to ask him about how he would do his job!
    “How would Pete Hegseth ensure our servicemembers and their families have the resources they need at home and abroad? How does he plan to reduce costs and development times for key military capabilities that are critical to our national security? How would he invest in our defense industrial base and public shipyards, like the one in my home state of Washington?
    “How does he view the pacing threat in the Indo-Pacific, and how would he work with our partners and allies to prepare for a potential conflict? Does he have any thoughts on that at all?
    “This is just not a serious candidate who has thoughtful positions on the challenges that we face.
    “You know what position he is serious about? What he has stated over and over again?
    “And I quote: ‘I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles.’ He said that last November. Or, ‘we need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units.’
    “Now that is infuriating, and disqualifying—I don’t have to try very hard to imagine how that kind of condescending attitude will go over with our women in uniform.
    “And after decades of comments like this denigrating the role of women in the military in ways that simply do not square with reality, Mr. Hegseth’s recent about-face on this topic is just not convincing.
    “He has also made clear he has little regard for the Geneva Conventions. Now, maybe this is a bit old fashioned of me, but I think we should have a Secretary of Defense who is firmly against war crimes. Not one who has spoken in favor of torture like waterboarding, in favor of people convicted of war crimes, and questioned whether we should follow the Geneva Conventions.
    “And let’s not forget—in addition to having no real qualifications, and many alarming positions, Mr. Hegseth also has many red flags that raise serious concerns about his character and his conduct.
    “There is the report that he and his management team pursued women on his staff.  There is the report that he took his employees to a strip club and got drunk. There is the report he got drunk in uniform, and had to be carried out of a strip club. There is the report he chanted ‘kill all Muslims’ while he was drunk.
    “And beyond reporting, there are the police records backing up the account of a woman who told a nurse she may have been drugged and then raped by Pete Hegseth.
    “Now, we couldn’t hear from that woman because Mr. Hegseth reached a financial settlement and he has now threatened to sue her for speaking out. And we almost didn’t hear about that incident at all since he didn’t even disclose it when he was vetted!
    “But there are other people we have heard from. We know his mother once wrote to her son, directly criticizing him as an abuser of women. We know his former sister-in-law, in a signed affidavit, has shared she saw Mr. Hegseth drink to excess, and understood his ex-wife feared for her safety with him.
    “And we know that same ex-wife told the FBI, ‘he drinks more than he doesn’t.’ That is an awful lot of smoke for us to be ignoring the fire.
    “There is absolutely no world where someone who has a history of running up debts at nonprofits should be responsible for overseeing half of our discretionary spending.
    “There is no world where someone with a history of failing to address his irresponsible alcohol use should be given one of the most stressful jobs imaginable, and should be making life and death decisions on a daily and an hourly basis.
    “There is no world where we should have a predator running the Department of Defense that is responsible for the wellbeing of millions of women and men in uniform. I don’t get how that is complicated.
    “Mr. President, let me just end on this: there is no world where the person in charge of our military should see his fellow Americans as the enemy.
    “But Mr. Hegseth has made clear that is his view. Regarding Democrats and Republicans, he has written, and this is him: ‘The other side, the left, is not our friend. We are not esteemed colleagues, nor mere political opponents. We are foes. Either we win or they win. We agree on nothing else.’
    “That is an especially dark view of our country. Our military uniforms do not say Democrat. They do not say Republican. They just don’t.
    “Mr. President, you cannot be an effective commander if your people don’t trust you. But how are troops supposed to trust you to keep them safe in combat if you think half the nation is the enemy?
    “How are Muslim servicemembers supposed to trust you if you think their religion is a threat to our country? How are women servicemembers supposed to trust you if you think they should be at home?
    “I don’t have an answer to that. Maybe Mr. Hegseth doesn’t either—maybe that’s why he won’t meet with me. And then again, maybe it’s because he thinks I’m his foe because I’m a Democrat. Or maybe he doesn’t think I should have a say in the military issues because I’m a woman.
    “But Mr. President, I do have a say—and I say someone like Mr. Hegseth is grossly unqualified to take on one of the most important jobs in the world.
    “And I will be voting against him. And I urge my Republican colleagues to seriously consider the message it will send to confirm someone for Secretary of Defense who has failed, time and again, to meet the most basic standards of conduct our women and men in uniform are required to live up to.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Find out which games won 2024 Xbox Excellence Awards

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Find out which games won 2024 Xbox Excellence Awards

    Store Rating Player Engagement Daily Active Users Units Sold
    Balatro Dragon Age: The Veilguard Apex Legends 7 Days to Die
    Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden Dragon’s Dogma 2 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
    Botany Manor EA Sports College Football 25 Dead Island 2 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth EA Sports FC 25 Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Dragon Age: The Veilguard
    Little Kitty, Big City F1 Manager 2024 EA Sports College Football 25 Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
    Lollipop Chainsaw RePop Farming Simulator 25 EA Sports FC 25 Dragon’s Dogma 2
    Metaphor: ReFantazio Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree EA Sports College Football 25
    Nobody Wants to Die House Flipper 2 Fallout 4 EA Sports FC 25
    Persona 3 Reload Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Fortnite EA Sports Madden NFL 25
    Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1, 2, 3 Metaphor: ReFantazio Forza Horizon 5 Farming Simulator 25
    Return to Grace MLB The Show 24 Grand Theft Auto Online Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
    Rounds NBA 2K25 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle MLB The Show 24
    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II New World: Aeternum Marvel Rivals NBA 2K25
    Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance NHL 25 Minecraft NHL 25
    Sonic x Shadow Generations Path of Exile 2 MLB The Show 24 Palworld
    Still Wakes the Deep Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Palworld Phasmophobia
    The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria Skull and Bones Roblox Star Wars Outlaws
    The Outlast Trials Star Wars Outlaws Rocket League The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
    Unicorn Overlord Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chornobyl Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 WWE 2K24 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege WWE 2K24

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addresses the inaugural function of the International Year of Cooperatives-2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addresses the inaugural function of the International Year of Cooperatives-2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cooperatives will pave the way for employment and prosperity for agriculture and rural areas in the coming days

    Under the leadership of PM Modi, the double engine government of Maharashtra will make the state a hub of cooperatives in a true sense

    Celebrating Year of Cooperatives in India will significantly expand cooperatives across the country

    During the International Year of Cooperatives, efforts will be made to increase the reach of cooperatives and to connect every person with cooperatives

    Under the leadership of PM Modi, the cooperative sector of India is moving forward with the principles of social harmony, equality and inclusiveness

    The cooperative sector running on the principle of ‘Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives’ will be economically self-reliant across the country 

    The ‘umbrella organization’ will integrate activities like digital banking, mobile banking, online transactions and trade with foreign countries with the Urban Cooperative Bank

    Soon, all cooperative banks will be equipped with the services of regular banks, which will lead to the development of cooperative banking

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed the inaugural function of International Year of Cooperatives 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated the corporate office of the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC). On this occasion, Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, along with the Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and several other dignitaries were present.

     

     

    In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the International Year of Cooperatives 2025. He mentioned that the Ministry of Cooperation has outlined a 12-month program to celebrate the Year of Cooperatives in India, which is being inaugurated today. He said that India will celebrate the Year of Cooperatives in a way that will significantly advance the cooperative movement across the country. He emphasized that during the International Year of Cooperatives, efforts will be made to expand the cooperative sector, bring transparency within it, strengthen cooperative institutions, increase the reach of cooperatives to new areas, and connect every individual in India to some form of cooperation.

    Shri Shah stated that by December 31, 2025, when the UN International Year of Cooperatives concludes, the growth of India’s cooperative movement will be both symmetric and inclusive, and the goal of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” will be largely achieved. He further noted that the cooperative sector will play a significant role in achieving the two major goals set by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: becoming the third-largest economic power in the world and transforming into a fully developed nation by 2047. He added that the cooperative sector will advance on the principles of social harmony, equality, and inclusivity.

     

     

    The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the virtual inauguration of the umbrella organization for cooperative banks, the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC), took place today. He stated that this organization will provide multidimensional benefits to the urban cooperative sector. He added that within the next three years, all our scheduled cooperative banks will be equipped with services equivalent to those offered by national and private banks, which will significantly expand the scope of their services. Along with this, the focus will also be on better utilization of resources, improving banking processes, and unifying the accounting systems of all cooperative banks. Shri Shah mentioned that India currently has a total of 1,465 urban cooperative banks, nearly half of which are located in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The country also has 49 scheduled banks and over 8.25 lakh cooperative institutions.

    Union Minister of Cooperation stated that in the coming days, the principle of ‘Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives’ will be implemented across the nation. The ‘umbrella organization’ will do the work of integrating activities like digital banking, mobile banking, online transactions and trade with foreign countries with the Urban Cooperative Bank. All transactions and financial activities of cooperative institutions will be conducted exclusively through cooperative banks. Shri Shah emphasized that once the principle of Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives is effectively grounded in all states, it will lead to significant success, enabling the cooperative sector to achieve economic self-reliance.

    Shri Amit Shah stated that the Modi government has resolved several issues concerning urban cooperative banks with the Reserve Bank of India. He mentioned that in the coming days, strengthening the umbrella organization will help increase trust and business while removing all obstacles. He also highlighted that the training program for the 10,000 M-PACS (Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies) formed under the new bylaws is starting today, marking a new beginning. He further mentioned that the goal is to establish a PACS in every village panchayat across the country. To ensure the viability of PACS, model bylaws have been created, which have been accepted by all states.

    Shri Shah stated that under the model bylaws, PACS can now engage in a variety of new activities. He mentioned that the Modi government has spent Rs. 2,500 crore to provide computers and software to each PACS and has made efforts to link these various activities with PACS. He emphasized that to make this initiative successful, technology must be adopted. He also said that by bringing professionalism into PACS, the entire cooperative sector can be strengthened through them.

    Union Minister of Cooperation emphasized the importance of involving youth proficient in modern technology to make cooperatives self-reliant, whether in banks or PACS. He expressed confidence that the combined efforts of the ‘double engine government’ led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Shri Eknath Shinde, and Shri Ajit Pawar, would transform Maharashtra into a true hub of cooperative excellence. He said that cooperatives can be a source of employment in every village.

    Shri Amit Shah highlighted the significant support extended by the Modi government to the cooperative sector, noting that the introduction of ethanol production has boosted the profitability of sugar mills. He mentioned that to ensure better prices for sugar, Prime Minister Modi recently approved the export of 10 lakh tonnes of sugar, benefiting Maharashtra’s cooperative sugar mills the most. He further stated that the Modi government is committed to advancing the cooperative sector and has introduced a ranking system to achieve this goal. The rankings will cover seven key areas: PACS, dairy, fisheries, urban cooperative banks, housing credit societies, credit cooperatives, and Khadi Village Industries. Shri Shah explained that the ranking system is based on several parameters, including audits, activities, services, financial performance, infrastructure, and branding, collectively weighted for 100 marks. This system aims to enhance transparency and reliability, ensuring that banks can confidently provide funding to PACS based on these rankings in the future.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government is advancing with the vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through cooperation) and “Samriddhi se Aatmanirbharta” , which is self-reliance through prosperity. He announced the initiation of three key projects at the event: the inauguration of the International Year of Cooperative (IYC) 2025 related event calendar, the launch of the office for the umbrella organization of Urban Cooperative Banks – NUCFDC, and the first training session for 10,000 new MPACS members. Shri Amit Shah also revealed that in the upcoming budget session, the government will announce the establishment of the Tribhuvan National Cooperative University, named after the eminent cooperative leader of Gujarat, Shri Tribhuvan Das Patel. This university will focus on producing skilled professionals for various sectors. He expressed confidence that, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the cooperative sector will drive employment and prosperity in agriculture, rural areas, and among the youth in the coming days.

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    Raj / Vivek / Priyabhanshu / Pankaj

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    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NITI Aayog launches the “Fiscal Health Index 2025” in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:30PM by PIB Delhi

    “The Fiscal Health Index report will be an annual publication focusing on the fiscal health of Indian states, offering data-driven insights that will be leveraged for informed state-level policy interventions to improve overall fiscal governance, economic resilience, and stability of the nation” – Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog.

    The Hon’ble Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Dr. Arvind Panagariya, launched the inaugural issue of NITI Aayog’s report titled “Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025” on 24th January 2025 in New Delhi, in the august presence of Shri Suman Bery, Hon’ble Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Dr. Arvind Virmani, Hon. Member, NITI Aayog; Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog; Dr. Anoop Singh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog and other senior officials. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the fiscal health of 18 major States, based on five key sub-indices: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability, along with insights into state-specific challenges and areas for improvement.

    The FHI aims to throw light on the fiscal status at the sub-national level and guide policy reforms for sustainable and resilient economic growth. The report ranks States on the basis of composite fiscal index, which is based on five major sub-indices viz, quality of expenditure, revenue mobilisation, fiscal prudence, debt index, and debt sustainability. With a cumulative score of 67.8, Odisha tops the ranking in fiscal health among 18 major States, followed by Chhattisgarh and Goa with scores of 55.2 and 53.6, respectively. The achiever States display strong fiscal health, excelling in revenue mobilization, expenditure management, and debt sustainability. Improvements are seen in states like Jharkhand, which has strengthened fiscal prudence and debt sustainability, while Karnataka faces a decline due to weaker performance in expenditure quality and debt management. These interstate disparities highlight the need for targeted reforms to address specific fiscal challenges and ensure sustainable growth.

    Hon’ble Chairman of the 16th FC, Dr. Panagariya, while launching the report, underscored the need for the States to follow a stable fiscal path for balanced regional development, long-term fiscal sustainability, and prudent governance. He mentioned that the FHI offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to measuring state-level fiscal performance and provides valuable insights into broader fiscal trends, allowing for a better understanding of fiscal health across the country. He emphasised that the FHI report helps to promote a more integrated approach to fiscal health and sustainable growth, reinforcing the shared responsibility of both levels of government in achieving national prosperity.

    Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Suman Bery emphasised that the FHI offers a roadmap for achieving fiscal consolidation, improving transparency, and fostering effective resource management. He further stated that FHI is not merely a ranking but a tool designed to assess and thereby improve the fiscal health of States. It provides a framework to evaluate the financial well-being of state economies through key fiscal indicators.

    Sh. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam highlighted that the FHI report will be instrumental in helping policymakers make informed decisions. He noted that the report provides an objective picture of the fiscal landscape across states and also offers actionable insights for strengthening fiscal resilience and ensuring sustainable economic development of the States. By focusing on major fiscal indicators, the FHI encourages states to align their fiscal strategies with national objectives, ensuring their contributions to the goal of a fiscally stable and prosperous India and, most importantly, promoting healthy competition among states. He stressed that the FHI’s findings are aligned with India’s broader vision of achieving “Viksit Bharat @2047,” where fiscal discipline at the state level plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economic transformation.

    Dr. Virmani congratulated the team and highlighted that the FHI report will underscore the critical role of cooperative federalism in strengthening India’s governance framework. He emphasized that fostering collaboration between the Centre and states is key to addressing regional disparities and driving holistic economic development.

    It is further informed that this report marks the launch of an annual series aimed at providing valuable, data-driven insights into the fiscal health of India’s states, fostering informed decision-making and policy interventions. The FHI is designed to assist policymakers by offering insights into states’ fiscal health and helping identify areas requiring intervention and strategic planning.

    The full report can be accessed at: https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-01/Fiscal_Health_Index_24012025_Final.pdf

     

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    MJPS/SR

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC, India takes suo motu cognisance of the reported death of a Lineman due to electrocution in Gurugram, Haryana

    Source: Government of India

    NHRC, India takes suo motu cognisance of the reported death of a Lineman due to electrocution in Gurugram, Haryana

    Issues notices to the Chairman, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and the Gurugram Police Commissioner calling for a detailed report in two weeks

    The report is expected to include the status of the FIR and compensation if any, granted to the next of kin of the deceased

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:23PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that a lineman with the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) died on the spot due to electrocution while working on an electricity transformer in Sikanderpur Badha, Gurugram, Haryana on 21st January, 2025. Reportedly, the electricity supply was resumed even as he was working.

    The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious violation of the human rights of the victim. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chairman, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and the Commissioner of Police, Gurugram calling for a detailed report within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the FIR and compensation if any, granted to the next of kin of the deceased.

    According to the media report, carried on 22nd January, 2025, the family members of the deceased have reportedly alleged that the death occurred due to gross negligence by the electricity department.

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    NSK

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Charts Path for Global Leadership in Frontier Technologies at “Technology Dialogue 2025”

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India Charts Path for Global Leadership in Frontier Technologies at “Technology Dialogue 2025”

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Unveils “Vision India Techade”, envisaging global leadership role for India

    Cites ANRF, Quantum Mission and AI Push

    The Minister Highlights AI Summit and UN Quantum Science Contributions

    Dr.Jitendra Singh Stresses Cross-Sector Synergies to Harness AI and Quantum for Societal Impact

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:08PM by PIB Delhi

    Addressing the “Technology Dialogue 2025”, held at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, unveiled “Vision India Techade”, envisaging global leadership role for India, particularly in innovation and technology.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that science and technology form the cornerstone of India’s vision to transform into a global hub for innovation, economic growth and solutions to pressing global issues such as climate change and public health. Highlighting the government’s initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), National Quantum Mission, and the India AI mission, he affirmed India’s commitment to making the 2020s a “Techade for India.”

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh virtually addressing the “Technology Dialogue 2025” conducted by Indian Institute of Science (IISc),  Bengaluru.

    “Strategic international collaborations are essential for India to cement its place as a global technology leader,” Dr. Jitendra Singh noted. He underscored the need to partner with like-minded nations to advance critical technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and green hydrogen.

    India’s leadership role in global technology governance was highlighted through its co-chairmanship of the Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence, set to take place in France next month, and its active contributions to the United Nations’ International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025. “Our aim is to foster equitable partnerships that address global challenges while enhancing India’s integration into the global value chain,” he said.

    The Minister also focused on integrating cross-sectoral synergies, such as combining AI with biotechnology or quantum computing with secure communication systems, to amplify societal and economic impact. Ethical technology governance, responsible innovation, and robust intellectual property protections are pivotal, he emphasized, for ensuring that technological progress benefits all.

    India’s vibrant StarUp ecosystem, with over 100 unicorns and a supportive policy environment, was described as a magnet for foreign direct investments in frontier technologies. Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the importance of strong intellectual property rights frameworks to attract global investors while fostering equitable technology sharing.

    The Indian diaspora’s vital role in strengthening international partnerships was another key point. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted initiatives like the VAIBHAV Summit and OCI Scientist Scheme, which connect Indian innovators abroad with domestic stakeholders to drive co-innovation and capacity-building.

    In conclusion, the Minister said, “India’s technological journey is about contributing meaningfully to global progress while ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.” With its talent, dynamic startups, and global partnerships, India is poised to lead the world into a future powered by transformative technologies.

    The event brought together dignitaries, industry leaders, and academics from around the world to discuss priorities for India’s International Technology Engagement Framework (ITEF).

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    NKR /PSM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hamara Samvidhan – Hamara Swabhiman Campaign

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Hamara Samvidhan – Hamara Swabhiman Campaign

     Event organised at Parmarth Triveni Pushp, Arail Ghat, Prayagraj

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The campaign of the ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Swabhiman’ is being organised to commemorate 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution and India’s establishment as a Republic. An event to mark the occasion was successfully organised today at the Parmarth Triveni Pushp, Arail Ghat, Prayagraj from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This event was fourth in the series of regional events organised as a part of a year-long nationwide campaign. This event was organised under the aegis of the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme which is implemented by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.

    The event was graced by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, who delivered the keynote address on the occasion. Shri Meghwal emphasized the importance of Constitutional awareness and legal empowerment.  H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan, attended the event as the Guest of Honor. Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, International Director, Parmarth Niketan attended program as an esteemed guest.

    Welcoming the dignitaries on the dais and the audience, Secretary (Justice) DoJ, shared about the various elements of the Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Swabhiman Campaign and the releases of three products which were launched in the event- Achievement Booklet on Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman campaign highlighting the achievements of the yearlong activities, Department of Justice’s Calendar for the year 2025 which captures the glimpses of the important events of the Department of Justice. The third release is the movie on Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman campaign showcasing the activities under the campaign.

    The event featured addresses by dignitaries, including keynote address by Hon’ble MoS (I/C) for Law and Justice and Guest of Honour.

    Highlighting the significance of the event H.H. Pujya Swami Ji reflected the Constitution of India as fundamental law of the land focussing on “Jaha sab Saman Sabka Samman, yahi hai Bharat ka Samvidhan” He stressed upon that this program is a symbolic significance of Sangam at Maha Kumbh where the message of unity is sent across the world from Sangam. He believed that a nation’s strength lies in its people and character. He also emphasised that we should not concentrate on What’s for me but focus on What’s through me. He also mentioned that we gathered here to respect the 75 glorious years of Constitution of India which have protected the respect of the nation. He also emphasised the need for all the government employees to work on the larger goal of the nation which is by turning the focus from VETAN to WATAN.  

    Sadhvi Ji highlighted the importance of India’s rich heritage, emphasising its culture, Sanskriti and Dharam, and stated that no other country embodies such profound morals and values. She emphasised “Bharat ka jo culture, Sanskriti, Dharam hai wo aur Vishwa me Kahin Nahi hai”. We must believe in ourselves by trusting the values enshrined in Sanatan and Samvidhan because here lies the ultimate beauty. Country attained Swaraj long ago, now it is time to free our minds from shackles of caste, colour, language and religion.

    Addressing the audience, Hon’ble Minister reflected that Constitution of India protects the citizens of the nation.  He further mentioned about the importance of Rashtra Gaan which was adopted on 24th January,1950. He stressed that the national flag and Rashtra Gaan though adopted on different dates, compliment and supplement each other at any formal occasion. He said that the three events of ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman’ of today, Matdata Divas(Voter’s Day) day after and Republic Day on 26th January, represents the symbolic confluence of Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati at Sangam.

    He stressed that female students should be empowered and used as a medium to spread to inherent message of Constitution among the masses by making them “Nyaya Sakhis”.  He also compared the significance of this event at Maha Kumbh is the symbolic reference to the Triveni -Sangam showcasing the convergences of three organs of the Government i.e. Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.

    Under the tenure of current Union Law Minister, one national event and three regional events have been conducted under Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman campaign. Furthermore, to take this initiative forward, the campaign will now be called as “Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Swabhiman”. A copy of the Preamble of Constitution of India as a plaque were presented to the dignitaries of the event. Shri Niraj Kumar Gayagi, Joint Secretary, Department of Justice presented a vote of thanks.

    More than 2000 participants attended the event, including Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, members of Allahabad High Court Bar Association, students and faculty of various schools, colleges, along with Central and State government representatives, devotees of Maha Kumbh and the volunteers of Parmarth Niketan. Grassroot functionaries of CSC and general public joined the event virtually which was made live on Facebook, Youtube, Doordarshan etc. In addition, several stakeholders of the Department of Justice joined the event virtually, contributing to the event’s outreach and inclusivity.

    The ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ campaign, which was officially launched by the Hon’ble Vice President of India on 24th January 2024 at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, has aimed to promote the understanding of the Indian Constitution and raise awareness about legal rights among citizens. As part of its efforts, regional events have been organized across the country, with Bikaner, Prayagraj, Guwahati already hosting successful events in the past year.

    In addition to the regional events, the campaign has also launched sub-campaigns like Sabko Nyaya Har Ghar Nyaya, Nav Bharat Nav Sankalp, and Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyaan, to simplify legal information and spread awareness about citizens’ rights. Active participation is encouraged through the ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ portal, where citizens can engage with various resources and legal services.

    The success of today’s event further strengthened the campaign’s core message: empowering citizens with the knowledge and tools to protect their rights through legal mechanisms, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility.

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    SB/

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM interacts with NCC Cadets, NSS Volunteers, Tribal guests and Tableaux Artists

    Source: Government of India (2)

    PM interacts with NCC Cadets, NSS Volunteers, Tribal guests and Tableaux Artists

    PM interacts in an innovative manner, personally engages with participants in a freewheeling conversation

    PM highlights the message of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, urges participants to interact with people from other states

    PM exhorts youth towards nation-building, emphasises the importance of fulfilling duties as key to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 7:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with NCC Cadets, NSS Volunteers, Tribal guests and Tableaux Artists who would be a part of the upcoming Republic Day parade at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today. The interaction was followed by vibrant cultural performances showcasing the rich culture and diversity of India.

    In a departure from the past, Prime Minister interacted with the participants in an innovative manner. He engaged in an informal, freewheeling one-on-one interaction with the participants.

    Prime Minister emphasized the importance of national unity and diversity, urging all participants to interact with people from different states to strengthen the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He highlighted how such interactions foster understanding and unity, which are vital for the nation’s progress.

    Prime Minister emphasised that fulfilling duties as responsible citizens is the key to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. He urged everyone to remain united and committed to strengthening the nation through collective efforts. He encouraged youth to register on the My Bharat Portal and actively engage in activities that contribute to nation-building. He also spoke about the significance of adopting good habits such as discipline, punctuality, and waking up early and encouraged diary writing.

    During the conversation, Prime Minister discussed some key initiatives of the government which are helping make the life of people better. He highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering women through initiatives aimed at creating 3 crore “Lakhpati Didis.” A participant shared the story of his mother who benefited from the scheme, enabling her products to be exported. Prime Minister also spoke about how India’s affordable data rates have transformed connectivity and powered Digital India, helping people stay connected and enhancing opportunities.

    Discussing the importance of cleanliness, Prime Minister said that if 140 crore Indians resolve to maintain cleanliness, India will always remain Swachh. He also spoke about the significance of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, urging everyone to plant trees dedicating them to their mothers. He discussed the Fit India Movement, and asked everyone to take out time to do Yoga and focus on fitness and well-being, which is essential for a stronger and healthier nation.

    Prime Minister also interacted with foreign participants. These participants expressed joy in attending the programme, praised India’s hospitality and shared positive experiences of their visits.

     

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    MJPS/SR

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Empowering Tribes: Republic Day 2025 Celebrates Inclusion with 550 Tribal Beneficiaries as Special Guests

    Source: Government of India

    Empowering Tribes: Republic Day 2025 Celebrates Inclusion with 550 Tribal Beneficiaries as Special Guests

    A special program organized at Vishwa Yuva Kendra New Delhi, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and contributions of tribal communities

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 7:33PM by PIB Delhi

     The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) extended a warm welcome to over 550 tribal beneficiaries from across the country as special guests for the Republic Day Celebrations 2025. A reception was organized  at Vishwa Yuva Kendra, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, graced by senior officials, including Joint Secretary of MoTA & NSTFDC CMD T. Roumuan Paite, Director Deepali Masirkar, Deputy Secretary Anjali Anand, and Under Secretary P. Haokip.

     

    Each year, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs invites tribal achievers, awardees, and beneficiaries of various government schemes as state guests for the Republic Day celebrations. This year, the guests included beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), and initiatives under the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC).

     

     

    Itinerary Highlights of the special guests:

    1. January 24th: Interaction with the Hon’ble Prime Minister at his official residence.
    2. January 25th: Visit to Parliament House and an experience of the Delhi Metro journey.
    3. January 26th: Attendance at the Republic Day Parade and visit to the National War Memorial.
    4. January 27th: Participation in the Prime Minister’s NCC Rally.
    5. January 28th: Meeting with the Hon’ble President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
    6. January 29th-31st: Sightseeing in Delhi, including Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and cultural exchanges.
    7. February 1st: Excursion to Agra and Mathura before their departure.

    The tribal guests, hailing from remote and far-flung regions, expressed their joy and excitement at visiting the national capital for the first time. Many participated in cultural performances, singing and dancing to showcase the vibrancy of their heritage.

    The Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, stated: “The inclusion of tribal beneficiaries in the Republic Day celebrations underscores our commitment to honoring India’s diverse heritage and the vital contributions of tribal communities. Through flagship schemes like PM JANMAN and PMVDY, the Ministry is making significant strides in improving the quality of life and fostering entrepreneurship among tribal populations. The 76th Republic Day, with the theme ‘Swarnim Bharat – Virasat aur Vikas,’ is a perfect occasion to celebrate the invaluable cultural and historical legacy of our tribal brothers and sisters while reaffirming our dedication to inclusive growth and development.”

    Shri Vibhu Nayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, emphasized the significance of the initiative: “These exposure visits provide a unique opportunity for tribal communities from 31 states and Union Territories to witness the grandeur of the Republic Day celebrations and interact with the highest dignitaries of the country. This experience not only fosters national pride but also empowers the tribes by giving them a platform to connect with India’s cultural and historical legacy. Such initiatives highlight the government’s commitment to the socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities.”

     

     

    “Swarnim Bharat – Virasat aur Vikas” Theme

    The theme for the 76th Republic Day, “Swarnim Bharat – Virasat aur Vikas,” celebrates India’s rich cultural heritage and progress. The inclusion of tribal guests underscores the government’s commitment to preserving the cultural legacy and honoring the invaluable contributions of tribal communities to India’s identity.

    The Ministry’s efforts reflect a harmonious balance between modern development and cultural preservation, fostering inclusive growth for the tribal population.

    This year’s Republic Day celebrations stand as a testament to India’s diverse heritage, vibrant tribal culture, and the government’s resolve to uplift and empower tribal communities across the nation.  

    Around 550 special tribal guests, invited by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, are attending the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. They’ll stay for 10 days, visiting key landmarks in Delhi and nearby areas while engaging in cultural exchanges.#RepublicDay2025 pic.twitter.com/YHvW6fgoA3

    — Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India (@TribalAffairsIn) January 23, 2025

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    PSF/DK

    (Release ID: 2095945) Visitor Counter : 75

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Reviews Functioning of EPFO Field Offices for Enhanced Services

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 7:08PM by PIB Delhi

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, conducted a virtual review meeting to evaluate the performance of EPFO’s Regional Offices. The meeting was attended by Smt. Sumita Dawra, Secretary (Labour & Employment), Sh. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central PF Commissioner, senior officers from the Ministry of Labour & Employment and officers from 21 Zonal and 140 Regional Offices of EPFO.

    The review focused on enhancing claim settlement efficiency, reducing claim rejections, activating Universal Account Numbers (UAN), and implementing the Pension on Higher Wages (PoHW) Scheme.

    Secretary (Labour & Employment) briefed the Minister about the recent initiatives undertaken by EPFO to improve service delivery viz. simplification of the joint declaration process, eliminating the requirement for employer for PF account transfers, removal of uploading cheque leaf for claim settlement etc.

    A detailed presentation was made by Sh. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, the CPFC, highlighting the performance of EPFO’s Zonal Offices. Officer-incharge of Zonal Offices shared their experiences and plan of action for enhanced service delivery with the Union Minister.

    Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that Pension on Higher Wages (PoHW) and grievance redressal are priority areas. Officials were instructed to expedite disposal of PoHW cases by strictly adhering to clarifications issued by EPFO recently.

    Union Minister also underscored the necessity of completing preparatory work for the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme to ensure its successful implementation. He directed officers to take all necessary steps so as that UAN activation is completed for maximum number of new members.

    Union Minister stressed that the zones and regional offices lagging in performance must focus on improving service delivery and highlighted the need for effective implementation, accountability and good governance.  He directed the senior officials of EPFO to visit field offices for review of work, preparing plan for improvement of services, etc.  This will enhance work culture of EPFO.

    He encouraged EPFO to elevate its service quality and efficiency, thereby enhancing ease of living and transparency for members. He urged officers to administer services with integrity & empathy for the members.

    The next review meeting of EPFO Field Offices is scheduled for February 2025, where progress will be further assessed.

    ***

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2095928) Visitor Counter : 53

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sacred and Spotless

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Sacred and Spotless

    Cleanliness Initiatives at Maha Kumbh 2025

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 6:59PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    The Maha Kumbh 2025 is not only a significant religious gathering but also a model of environmental conservation and cleanliness. With millions of devotees attending this festive fair, maintaining sanitation and hygiene is a top priority. The event is setting new global benchmarks in waste management, river conservation, and eco-friendly practices. The state government has implemented a comprehensive sanitation plan to ensure a “Clean Maha Kumbh.” With innovative waste management systems, strict regulations on single-use plastics, and widespread awareness campaigns, the aim is to create a greener and cleaner pilgrimage. This initiative reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship, promoting a harmonious coexistence of spirituality and sustainability during the grand gathering.

     

    Purity of the Ganga and Plastic-Free Zones

    One of the key objectives of Maha Kumbh 2025 is to maintain the purity of the Ganga. To achieve this, strict regulations have been imposed to prevent pollution, and continuous monitoring of the river is being conducted. The fairgrounds have been designated as plastic-free zones, with an absolute ban on single-use plastics. This initiative is reinforced by awareness campaigns urging pilgrims to avoid plastic waste and dispose of their garbage in designated bins.

     

    Large-Scale Sanitation Infrastructure

    To accommodate the vast influx of devotees, a robust sanitation infrastructure has been established. This includes:

    • 12,000 Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) toilets with septic tanks.
    • 16,100 prefabricated steel toilets with soak pits.
    • 20,000 community urinals strategically placed across the fairgrounds.

     

          

     

    These facilities ensure that pilgrims have access to clean and hygienic restrooms, reducing the risk of open defecation and related health hazards.

     

    Efficient Waste Management System

    A well-organized waste management system is in place to keep the event area clean and eco-friendly. Measures include:

    • 20,000 trash bins to facilitate waste segregation at the source.
    • 37.75 lakh liner bags for systematic waste collection and disposal.
    • Special sanitation teams for rapid waste clearance, particularly after major bathing rituals.

     

     

    These efforts promote recycling and reuse while minimizing environmental impact.

     

    Miyawaki Forests: A Green Initiative

    In addition to sanitation measures, the government has implemented the Miyawaki afforestation technique to improve air quality and enhance the green cover in Prayagraj. The Miyawaki technique, developed by renowned Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s, is a revolutionary method for creating dense forests in limited spaces. Often referred to as the “pot plantation method,” it involves planting trees and shrubs close to one another to accelerate their growth. Plants grow 10 times faster with this technique, making it a practical solution for urban areas. Trees planted using the Miyawaki technique absorb more carbon, grow faster, and support richer biodiversity compared to traditional forests.

    Around four years ago, in 2020-21, the Miyawaki Project was initiated in Prayagraj on a small scale. This project was significantly expanded in 2023-24 when 119,700 saplings of 63 different species were planted across a 34,200-square-meter area in Nevada Samogar, Naini Industrial Zone. Previously, this area was heavily polluted with industrial waste, as local factories routinely dumped their refuse there.

    The city’s largest garbage dumping yard, Buswar, has also undergone a remarkable transformation under the Miyawaki project. The site, once filled with waste, was cleaned, and over 9,000 square meters were utilized to plant 27,000 saplings of 27 different species. Today, these saplings have grown into a dense forest, drastically improving the environment. The Miyawaki technique has been used to create forests at 13 other locations across the city of Prayagraj.

    Key species planted under the project include mango, mahua, neem, peepal, tamarind, arjuna, teak, tulsi, amla, and ber. Additionally, ornamental and medicinal plants like hibiscus, kadamba, gulmohar, jungle jalebi, bougainvillea, and brahmi have also been incorporated. These green spaces are helping to regulate temperatures (by 4 to 7 degrees Celsius), enhance biodiversity, reduce air and water pollution, prevent soil erosion, and contribute to overall environmental conservation efforts during Maha Kumbh.

     

    Community Participation and Awareness Campaigns

     

     

    Public participation is a crucial aspect of maintaining cleanliness at Maha Kumbh. The administration has urged pilgrims not to litter in the fairgrounds and to dispose of waste at designated locations to help maintain cleanliness. Several initiatives have been launched to engage citizens and promote awareness:

    • Swachhata Rath Yatra, organized by the Municipal Corporation of Prayagraj, has traversed through various city routes to encourage cleanliness.
    • Street plays and musical performances educate pilgrims on proper waste segregation and disposal.
    • Public address systems at ghats continuously broadcast messages urging devotees to maintain cleanliness.

     

    Special Cleanliness Drives and Rapid Sanitation Teams

     

         

     

    After major bathing dates, large-scale cleaning operations are being carried out to restore sanitation across the fairgrounds. Special sanitation teams have been deployed to:

    • Clean public toilets regularly. A large-scale cleaning operation is being carried out for the public toilets used during the fair. Additional teams of sanitation workers have been deployed for this purpose. Special attention is being given to the cleanliness of toilets established from parking areas to the ghats.
    • Remove waste left behind by pilgrims. The waste is being collected and disposed of at designated locations. The collected waste is being systematically stored in black liner bags for disposal, with rapid progress being made in executing this plan.
    • Ensure systematic disposal of garbage using black liner bags.
    • Regular spraying of disinfectants and fogging.
    • Regular efforts to remove all construction materials from pilgrimage routes, along with debris, stones, bricks, and rubble.

    These swift responses reinforce the commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment throughout the event.

     

    Welfare of Sanitation Workers

    The state government has prioritized the well-being of sanitation workers, named Safai Mitras, recognizing their crucial role in maintaining cleanliness at Maha Kumbh and making the Swachh Maha Kumbh Abhiyan a huge success. Measures include:

    • Sanitation colonies to provide proper housing and amenities.
    • Primary schools for their children, ensuring access to education, uniforms and mid-day meals, through the Vidya Kumbh initiative.
    • Adequate food, accommodation, and timely salary payments for all sanitation workers.

    These efforts highlight the administration’s commitment to not only maintaining sanitation but also supporting the workers responsible for it.

     

    Green Maha Kumbh: A National-Level Environmental Discussion

    To further promote environmental awareness, Green Maha Kumbh will be held on January 31, 2025, bringing together over 1,000 environmental and water conservation experts. Organized as part of the Gyan Maha Kumbh – 2081 series organized by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, this event will focus on:

    • Issues related to nature, the environment, water, and cleanliness.
    • Balancing the five elements of nature.
    • Best practices in environmental conservation and cleanliness.
    • Strategies to engage devotees in sustainability efforts.

    The event will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and reinforcing the vision of an environmentally responsible Maha Kumbh.

     

    Conclusion

    Maha Kumbh 2025 stands as a testament to the state government’s commitment to cleanliness, sustainability, and environmental conservation. From waste management and plastic-free initiatives to the development of Miyawaki forests and sanitation worker welfare programs, every aspect of the fair has been meticulously planned to uphold hygiene and ecological balance. The initiatives undertaken not only ensure a cleaner Maha Kumbh but also set an example for future large-scale events worldwide. Through community participation, technological advancements, and policy-driven measures, Maha Kumbh 2025 is proving to be a milestone in environmental responsibility and public sanitation.

     

    References

    Department of Information & Public Relations (DPIR), Government of Uttar Pradesh

    http://www.kumbh.gov.in

    https://www.instagram.com/ddnews_official/p/DCQS50yvZ-9/?img_index=2

    https://x.com/PIBKohima/status/1881268090627145733

    https://www.instagram.com/mib_india/p/DEM0AESuVzf/

    Sacred and Spotless

    *****

    Maha Kumbh Series: 21/Explainer

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

     

    (Release ID: 2095922) Visitor Counter : 55

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses the ‘Cooperative Conference’ in Nashik, Maharashtra and launches various works related to cooperatives

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses the ‘Cooperative Conference’ in Nashik, Maharashtra and launches various works related to cooperatives

    Modi ji’s mantra of ‘Sahakar se Samriddhi’ is being realised by the Ministry of Cooperation, which is providing new opportunities for progress to the sisters and brothers associated with cooperatives

    ‘Cooperatives’ is the most beautiful definition of self-reliance and cooperatives are the powerful means to make farmers self-reliant and prosperous

    National Co-operative Organics Ltd (NCOL) is selling the organic produce of the farmers and transferring the profit directly to the farmers account

    Three new multistate cooperatives are increasing farmers’ income and ensuring their access to the global market

    There was an income tax dispute of 15 thousand crore rupees in cooperative sugar mills of Maharashtra, which Modi government ended

    The Modi government reduced the income tax of sugar mills and introduced the ethanol blending scheme, which gave economic strength to industries and farmers

    Venkateshwara Cooperative increased the income of thousands of farmers cultivating cashew under the cooperative brand, leading them to prosperity

    The state-of-the-art soil testing laboratory set up in Nashik will be beneficial to the local farmers

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 6:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today participated as the Chief Guest at the ‘Cooperative Conference’ held in Nashik, Maharashtra. During the event, Shri Shah inaugurated multiple initiatives aimed at strengthening the cooperative sector. The conference witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde.

    In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation highlighted that former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri had coined the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” emphasizing the empowerment of farmers, agricultural labourers, and the armed forces. He said that Shastri Ji had begun strengthening farmers, agricultural laborers, and the army simultaneously. He further stated that here, through a single cooperative, “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” and a soil testing laboratory have been established together, integrating “Jai Vigyan” in the same place.

    Shri Amit Shah remarked that while farming was often considered unprofitable in the past, he firmly believes that combining the cooperative movement with scientific advancements can make agriculture a lucrative business even today. He explained that farmers previously relied on traditional methods and were unaware of the specific nutrient composition of their soil. When Prime Minister Modi emphasized soil testing, it revealed that farmers were using fertilizers unnecessarily or neglecting essential nutrients. Shri Shah highlighted the benefits of the newly established state-of-the-art soil testing laboratory in Nashik, emphasizing its potential to transform local farming practices. The laboratory will provide detailed insights, such as the pH level of water used by farmers, whether sulphur needs to be added, what is the appropriate quantity of DAP, and which crops can yield higher profits. He emphasized that this facility would significantly benefit farmers by enabling informed and efficient agricultural practices.

    Union Minister of Cooperation highlighted the multiple initiatives undertaken by the Venkateshwara Society. He announced the virtual inauguration of the Venkateshwara Cashew Processing Factory in Belgaon, which will process 24 tonnes of cashews daily, ensuring fair prices for 18,000 farmers engaged in cashew cultivation. He further mentioned that over 1,500 Gir cows have been introduced to produce various products while promoting organic farming using cow dung and cow urine. These initiatives, he emphasized, will not only enhance farmers’ prosperity but also contribute to the protection of Mother Earth.

    Shri Amit Shah encouraged farmers to adopt organic farming and emphasized the importance of obtaining organic certification to secure better prices for their produce. He highlighted that National Co-operative Organic Limited (NCOL), established under the Ministry of Cooperation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is designed to directly transfer profits from the sale of certified organic produce to farmers’ bank accounts. He explained that this multinational organization purchases all certified organic produce from farmers, sells it in the market, and ensures that the profits are directly credited to the farmers’ accounts, thereby supporting their economic well-being.

    Union Minister of Cooperation stated that for many years, those involved in the cooperative sector had been demanding the creation of a separate ministry, but their plea had gone unheard. It was only 75 years after independence that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi established the Cooperative Ministry, aiming to boost farmers’ incomes across the nation. He emphasized that cooperation is the most profound expression of self-reliance. Without it, farmers cannot achieve self-reliance or prosperity. He highlighted that Prime Minister Modi has introduced the slogan “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation), and the Ministry of Cooperation has been entrusted with the responsibility of turning this vision into reality.

    Shri Amit Shah said that now apart from cashew, the cultivation of pomegranate, grapes, sapodilla (chikoo), turmeric, onion, custard, apple, saffron and mango will work to bring all the farmers at one platform so that the farmers can get a good price for their produce in the coming days.

    The Union Minister of Cooperation said that Venkateshwara Cooperative has done a commendable job of connecting farmers under solar energy, biofuel, CNG, water storage, fisheries, panchgavya agarbatti, organic farming and government brands, as well as they have worked to connect the jawans of the country. He said that jawans and farmers are the only two sections who live with Mother Earth without worrying about rain, sun, cold. He said that today both the jawans and the farmers came together through this program of cooperatives.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the Government of India has created three new Multi-state Cooperatives for exporting farmers’ products, preserving authentic sweet seeds, producing high-yielding seeds, and packaging, marketing, and branding of organic products. He said that the three cooperative institutions on the pattern of Amul, KRIBHCO and IFFCO will prove to be very important for the farmers of this country in the next 10 years. He said that all the Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) are being computerized, godowns are being built in the country through the cooperative sector and work has also been done to make the PACS multifunctional.

    The Union Minister of Cooperation said that there was a dispute over income tax of 15 thousand crore rupees in cooperative sugar mills of Maharashtra, that we resolved. He said that the Modi government also reduced new taxes worth Rs 46 thousand crores.

    He said that loans worth 10 thousand crore rupees have also been given to many cooperative sugar mills of the country through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). He also said that profitable units created through ethanol blending. Shri Shah questioned the opposition leaders for what have they done for the cooperative sector, PACS, sugar mills and farmers when their government was in power.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji formed the Ministry of Cooperation, came up with the scheme of ethanol blending for sugar mills, resolved the issue of income tax, computerized PACS, made model bylaws of PACS and linked PACS with multidimensional activities.

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    Raj/Vivek/Priyabhanshu/Pankaj

    (Release ID: 2095916) Visitor Counter : 124

    Read this release in: Hindi

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) acts on spoofed calls based on reporting of citizens on newly launched Sanchar Saathi mobile App and portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Department of Telecommunications (DoT) acts on spoofed calls based on reporting of citizens on newly launched Sanchar Saathi mobile App and portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in)

    DoT asks Indian Telcos to initiate drive against such foreign carriers/aggregators who are handing over spoofed international calls – Telcos block more than 20 such carriers

    DoT advises citizens to exercise caution when receiving calls from unfamiliar international numbers, particularly those claiming to be government authorities

    DoT urges citizens to report Suspected Fraud Communications through newly launched Sanchar Saathi mobile App and portal

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 6:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Fraudsters were earlier using international spoofed calls that displayed Indian mobile numbers (+91-xxxxx) to deceive Indian citizens and carrying out cyber-crimes and financial frauds. Though these calls appear to originate from within India, they are actually made from abroad through manipulation of the Calling Line Identity (CLI), commonly referred to as phone number.

    The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has actively intervened, launching an indigenously developed International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System, along with all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). The tool proved to be a formidable barrier that blocked 90% of all the incoming international calls which were identified as spoofed calls — approximately 1.35 crore, in just 24 hours. The spoofed calls identified and blocked with Indian numbers have now dipped to about 4 lakhs per day indicating that the system’s success in tackling the issue of cyber-crimes using spoofed calls from abroad.

    With the successful implementation of the aforementioned system, scammers abroad changed their modus operandi and now they have started spoofing using international numbers. To counter this, DoT has asked Telecom Service Providers to display “International Calls” on all calls coming from outside India. This helps the citizen to understand that since the incoming calls is an “International Call”, it cannot be from organizations like DoT, TRAI, police, RBI, customs, UIDAI etc. One of the major service providers has already implemented this in its network and others are in process of doing so.

    In order to further tackle the menace of international spoofed calls from reaching Indian citizens, DoT has asked Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to block traffic from such international carriers, which are repeatedly sending spoofed CLI call traffic to India. Abiding by DoT’s instructions various Indian International Telecom Service Providers like Airtel, BSNL, RJIL etc have blocked more than 20 such carriers/aggregators who were handing over spoofed international calls.

    In the fight against cyber-crime, citizens have also joined hands with DoT. They are not only exercising caution while receiving calls from unfamiliar international numbers, particularly those claiming to be government authorities, but are also reporting them to DoT though Sanchar Saathi mobile App and portal (http://www.sancharsaathi.gov.in).This is helping DoT to take action against such carriers/aggregators.

    The recently launched Sanchar Saathi App has placed the convenience of reporting fraudulent calls at the fingertips of the citizens. It immensely enhances the ease of reporting any suspected fraud communications by allowing citizens to report such incidents directly from their mobile phone call logs.

    DoT is steadfastly committed to preventing the misuse of telecom resources by implementing advanced solutions and working closely with various stakeholders. The aim is to ensure a secure and safe telecom ecosystem for all citizens.

    Proactive reporting by citizens on Sanchar Saathi can significantly contribute to curb fraudulent activities from international numbers. Suspected fraud calls reporting can be done through the Sanchar Saathi portal or the newly launched Sanchar Saathi mobile app, which is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Alternatively, the QR codes below can be scanned for easy access.

     

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    SB/

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LIST OF HONORARY RANKS AWARDED ON THE OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 6:28PM by PIB Delhi

    List of Honorary Commission (Honorary Captain and Honorary Lieutenant) awarded on the occasion of Republic Day 2025 is enclosed.

    Click here to see pdf 1

    Click here to see pdf 2

    Click here to see pdf 3

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    (Release ID: 2095903) Visitor Counter : 15

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