NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Detective Chinatown 1900’ offers witty, heartfelt look at Chinese immigration

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Dai Mo, co-director of “Detective Chinatown 1900,” spoke with China.org.cn about the film’s latest installment, highlighting its exploration of Chinatown’s origins in San Francisco and the historical challenges faced by the overseas Chinese communities in the United States.

    Director Dai Mo. [Photo courtesy of As One Production]

    The first three “Detective Chinatown” films have grossed more than 8.7 billion yuan ($1.2 billion) since the series launched 10 years ago. The films follow the boisterous private investigator Tang Ren, played by Wang Baoqiang, and his introverted, highly intelligent nephew Qin Feng, portrayed by Liu Haoran, as they tackle mystery cases in cities like Bangkok, New York and Tokyo.

    “This time, we wanted to offer audiences a story that feels both familiar and fresh, so we chose a different longitudinal time period to offer a unique perspective,” Dai said. He added that the film not only explores Chinatown’s historical roots but also illustrates the prejudices overseas Chinese faced in 1900.

    For the creative team, the year 1900 is a significant intersection in history. It was the Year of Gengzi in the lunar calendar, a year associated with misfortune in Chinese folklore. The year saw the peak of the Boxer Rebellion amid widespread chaos in China. The Qing dynasty also declared war on foreign powers but was ultimately defeated by the Eight-Nation Alliance, resulting in forced war indemnities.

    In stark contrast, the U.S. was experiencing modernization and prosperity. Chinese immigrants moved to America in search of work, including jobs in railroad construction, but faced severe discrimination, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act. At the same time, the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes gained prominence as a cultural icon. “There were many stories and inspirations from that period for us,” Dai said.

    A poster for “Detective Chinatown 1900.” [Image courtesy of As One Production]

    The leading characters are once again portrayed by Wang Baoqiang and Liu Haoran, but their new roles are entirely different from those in previous installments. Wang plays Ah Gui, a versatile Chinese descendant adopted by an Indigenous American tribe, while Liu takes on the role of Qin Fu, an extroverted practitioner of Chinese medicine. Set in San Francisco in the 1900s, the story centers on the murder of a white woman in Chinatown, for which a Chinese man is the main suspect. This shocking crime ignites public outrage, leading to demands to shut down Chinatown. The duo gets caught up in the investigation, racing against time to reveal the true murderer in a tense battle of wits and bravery.

    As a long-time collaborator with Chen Sicheng, the mastermind behind the “Detective Chinatown” franchise, Dai — director of hits like “Endless Journey” and “Fireflies in the Sun” — described their collaboration in co-directing the film as seamless, owing to the deep mutual understanding they have cultivated over the years. He fondly recalled how Chen would frequently laugh and cry behind the camera during the shoot, describing him as a deeply sensitive person.

    The most ambitious and challenging aspect of the film was constructing a 1:1 replica of San Francisco’s landmarks from over a century ago in just seven months. This replica spans 200,000 square meters at Laoling Film Studio in Shandong province. Supported by the local government and enterprises, the project showcases China’s remarkable construction capabilities. The replica is open to the public during the Spring Festival, giving visitors the chance to explore it after viewing the film.

    A replica of 1900s San Francisco at Laoling Film Studio in Laoling, Shandong province. [Photo courtesy of As One Production]

    Dai noted that the set is incredibly realistic, as the film’s production design department conducted extensive research and collected historical documents to authentically replicate every detail of the props and the set from that era. This included constructing slopes that mirrored the actual geographical features of San Francisco. He added that foreign actors, including Hollywood veteran John Cusack, who stars in the film, were in awe of the replica town during filming.

    The director expressed his hope that the film could serve as an important vehicle for promoting Chinese culture and also bring more resonance to overseas Chinese, while calling for the solidarity of Chinese communities abroad. Additionally, he hopes the film will inspire audiences to explore the history of China during that era. “When audiences engage with this history, they will see how strong we are today and gain a sense of confidence, perseverance and a commitment to continuous self-improvement,” he said.

    Dai said he was excited about the potential for future expansions in the “Detective Chinatown” universe, which could explore different timelines. “Anything is possible,” he laughed. “As long as audiences continue to enjoy their adventures, we are eager to create more.”

    A still from “Detective Chinatown 1900,” featuring the iconic actor Chow Yun-fat. [Photo courtesy of As One Production]

    “Detective Chinatown 1900,” featuring a star-studded cast that includes legendary actor Chow Yun-fat along with comedians Bai Ke, Wei Xiang and Yue Yunpeng, was released on Jan. 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year. The film premiered simultaneously in major markets worldwide, including North America, Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. The film is a notable addition to China’s profitable Spring Festival film season, which has seen record-breaking box office performances this year, bolstered by a strong lineup of releases.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreigners savor flavors of Spring Festival in China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    “Guonian,” which means “crossing the year,” is more than just a festival marking the arrival of the new year for the Chinese people.
    Though the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is now celebrated in many places worldwide, the true meaning of “Guonian” can only be fully understood by experiencing it in China.
    “The celebration is big, stretching for a month with a lot of food, fireworks and cultural events,” said Kayleen Fangbi from Belgium. “I love it.”
    Lanterns and fairy lights adorn every corner, while shops bustle with people laden with large shopping bags, as observed by a Spanish couple traveling in Beijing just days before the Spring Festival, which fell on Jan. 29 this year.
    Spotting the snake-themed decorations, they decided to look up the meanings of the Chinese zodiac online and discovered that this year is the Year of the Snake. “One of us is a Horse, and the other is a Sheep,” they noted, clearly finding it all quite fascinating.
    Invitations to join in the celebration were shared via the Chinese lifestyle app rednote, with many Chinese netizens offering tips and local authorities promoting festive activities. The surge in activity comes as the app gains many users from the United States and other countries, following the U.S. government’s threat to ban TikTok.
    With the trending hashtag “Chinese New Year,” many foreigners shared about their Spring Festival celebrations virtually from wherever they were, with some expressing the joy of savoring an authentic experience of the holiday in China.
    Beyond the traditional fireworks, decorations, dragon dances, and lion dances, Spring Festival celebrations across China feature distinct local traditions, each adding its unique flavor to the holiday. They all share common themes: family reunions and hope for good fortune in the year ahead.
    The diverse social practices throughout the Chinese New Year celebrations, recently listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, offer international visitors a rich array of experiences during this period.

    Artists perform the traditional Yingge dance in Chaoyang District of Shantou City, south China’s Guangdong Province, Jan. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
    In the Chaoshan region of south China’s Guangdong Province, the traditional Yingge dance adds a vibrant New Year atmosphere to the celebrations. Videos showcasing the dance have garnered millions of views, drawing many travelers to spend the Spring Festival in the area.
    The dancers, dressed in colorful costumes that represent ancient heroes and heroines, hold short wooden sticks and perform rhythmic movements, such as swinging the sticks, striking them together, and stamping their feet.
    “I was completely captivated by the strength and precision of their movements, the rhythmic sounds of their stomping and sticks clashing, and their powerful shouts of encouragement,” said Thanita Raemee from Thailand, after watching Yingge Dance performances.
    It’s said that when the lanterns in Yuyuan Garden light up, the Spring Festival begins in Shanghai, one of the top destinations for foreign visitors in China.

    Tourists from the Republic of Korea visit the Yuyuan Garden Mall in east China’s Shanghai, Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo by Chen Haoming/Xinhua)
    After strolling through the winding corridors and pavilions, a German tourist bought numerous Chinese New Year-themed souvenirs in Yuyuan Garden. “I want to bring the festive blessings to my friends back home,” she said.
    “A major change is that foreign tourists mostly just walked around in the past, but now they bring real spending power,” said Hu Junjie, vice president of Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart (Group) Co., Ltd., adding that they are particularly interested in the lantern displays, traditional Chinese makeup and costumes, special cuisine, and cultural products.
    Tatiana, 70, a visitor from Russia on a trip to the city of Sanya in the southern island province of Hainan, said that she and her daughter came specifically to experience the Spring Festival.
    At a local event, she eagerly took part in interactive activities. “Writing the Chinese character ‘Fu (meaning blessing)’ with a calligraphy brush was such a unique experience,” she said. They also enjoyed watching traditional Chinese cultural performances, including the unique Li and Miao ethnic folk dances of Hainan.
    Russia remains Hainan’s largest source of international tourists and a key market for Sanya’s inbound tourism. The resumption and opening of international flight routes and visa-free policy have attracted more Russian tourists to the island.
    China expects a boom in international visitors during this Spring Festival holiday. Data from Trip.com Group shows that inbound tourism orders for the 2025 Spring Festival rose over 30 percent year on year.
    Data released by the Chinese travel services platform Qunar showed that as of Jan. 28, the number of domestic flights booked during the Spring Festival by travelers with non-Chinese passports has increased by 70 percent year on year.
    This surge is driven by a series of visa-free entry and transit policies China introduced in 2024, along with continuously upgraded payment, transportation, and tourism facilities. Besides, the growing popularity of China as a travel destination on social media, fueled by early travelers sharing their experiences, has contributed to the increase.
    In 2024, cross-border trips to China by foreigners surged by 82.9 percent from the previous year, reaching 64.88 million. Of these, more than 20 million inbound foreign trips were made visa-free, marking an impressive increase of 112.3 percent year on year, according to the National Immigration Administration.

    Tourists from Vietnam wait for entry inspection at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)
    To meet an increase in visitors from neighboring countries, such as Japan and the Republic of Korea, the Beijing tourism bureau and leading tourism companies launched special itineraries offering these travelers an opportunity to experience a Beijing-style New Year celebration in just two to three days.
    These short-haul itineraries took visitors to vibrant temple fairs and traditional performances, while also giving them the chance to savor Beijing’s winter delicacies and iconic dishes, such as dumplings, hotpot, and Peking Duck.
    “The Spring Festival is a window to understand China, especially its traditional culture,” said Jiang Yiyi, an expert on leisure sports and tourism at the Beijing Sport University.
    The inscription of the Spring Festival onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list has significantly boosted its global profile. The numerous traditional cultural activities held across China provide foreign visitors with an immersive experience, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese traditional culture, according to Jiang.
    Through these diverse activities, foreign visitors can truly experience what British online influencer Shaun Gibson described in his video as a Spring Festival in China that is “warm, lively, delicious, and happy.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Compensate Artists for Radio Broadcasts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony this weekend in Los Angeles, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the bipartisan American Music Fairness Act to ensure artists and music creators are paid for the use of their songs on AM/FM radio. This legislation would bring corporate radio broadcasters in line with all other music streaming platforms, which already pay artists for their music.

    “California’s artists enrich our country’s music scene, but our laws unfairly deny them the pay they deserve for their work on AM/FM radio broadcasts,” said Senator Padilla. “As we celebrate the accomplishments of our musical artists at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles this weekend, we must also commit to treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve for the music they produce and we enjoy every day.”

    “As the heart of country music and the birthplace of the blues, Tennessee has produced so many songwriters and artists that have undeniably made their mark on history, whether that be on Beale Street, Music Row, or the hills of East Tennessee,” said Senator Blackburn. “The United States is the only democratic country in the world in which artists are not paid for the use of their music on AM and FM radio. This legislation would close an outdated loophole that has allowed corporate broadcasters to take advantage of artists and their songs for decades.”

    “America’s musical artists enrich our lives, yet they are denied royalties when their music is broadcast on AM/FM radio,” said Senator Booker. “This bipartisan legislation will close a loophole that keeps artists and creators from being paid for their work, while also ensuring that small and local stations are protected and preserved. Musicians bring joy and vibrancy to our country, and they should be compensated for their hard work.”

    “Artists and music creators deserve to be fairly compensated for their work,” said Senator Tillis. “For too long, FM and AM radio stations have enjoyed the benefits of playing music without compensating the artists. This commonsense legislation makes an important step towards ensuring that our nation’s artists are recognized and paid for the value that they bring to our airwaves.”

    The United States is the only democratic country in the world in which artists are not compensated for the use of their music on AM/FM radio. By requiring broadcast radio corporations to pay performance royalties to creators for AM/FM radio plays, the American Music Fairness Act would close an antiquated loophole that has allowed corporate broadcasters to forgo compensating artists for the use of their music for decades.

    Specifically, the American Music Fairness Act would:

    • Require terrestrial radio broadcasters to pay royalties to American music creators when they play their songs;
    • Protect small and local stations who qualify for exemptions — specifically those that fall under $1.5 million in annual revenue and whose parent companies fall under less than $10 million in annual revenue overall — by allowing them to play unlimited music for less than $500 annually; and
    • Create a fair global market that ensures foreign countries pay U.S. artists for the use of their songs overseas.

    In recognition of the important role of locally owned radio stations in communities across the United States, the American Music Fairness Act also includes strong protections and exemptions for small, college, and non-commercial stations.

    The American Music Fairness Act is endorsed by the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, the American Association of Independent Music, the MusicFirst Coalition, the Recording Industry Association of America, SoundExchange, and the American Federation of Musicians.

    “For more than a century, American artists and producers have been denied the basic right to earn compensation for their own creation broadcast on AM/FM Radio. The Recording Academy is grateful for the leadership of Reps. Issa and Nadler and Senators Blackburn and Padilla for introducing the American Music Fairness Act, and we urge Congress to finally pay creators for their work,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.

    “Just a few notes of a beloved song can transport you a million miles away. Popular music has helped define and reflect the culture in which we live, speaking to our evolving values and shared concerns. It’s outrageous that the recording artists, vocalists and musicians who bring it to life and enrich our lives receive no compensation from airplay on AM/FM radio. It’s downright un-American to exploit people and not pay them. The AMFA legislation will help close that loophole and restore fairness, so that artists are paid when their songs are played on AM/FM radio, just as they are in other mediums. Our gratitude to Reps Issa and Nadler and Sens. Padilla and Blackburn for taking leadership roles on this important legislation,” said Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA President.

    “The American Music Fairness Act is long overdue. The radio industry has no valid justification for refusing to compensate the recording artists who form the backbone of their business. Our laws align us with regimes like Iran and North Korea, allowing foreign broadcasters to exploit American musicians without paying them a dime. Congress must hold mega broadcasters accountable to put American musicians first. A2IM commits to working with our congressional champions to get it done,” said Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE, President and CEO, American Association of Independent Music.

    “For too long, big radio companies have had a powerful hold on Washington, D.C. It’s time for Congress to stand up for artists, not big radio companies, and ensure working musicians – backup musicians and vocalists who work 9-to-5 jobs to make ends meet – can better earn a living. That means passing the American Music Fairness Act and ensuring that artists are finally compensated when their music plays on AM/FM radio,” said Former U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, Co-Chair of the MusicFirst Coalition.

    “Radio conglomerates operating thousands of AM/FM stations across the U.S., make billions in profits, employ legions of lobbyists, and spend millions each year to influence lawmakers, all while continuing to refuse to pay the artists whose songs they play on the airwaves. This unfair double standard is the result of a loophole – one that can only be closed by Congress by passing the American Music Fairness Act so artists are paid for the work they do,” said President Michael Huppe, SoundExchange CEO.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China sees booming holiday consumption driven by longer trips, culture craze

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

    China sees booming holiday consumption driven by longer trips, culture craze

    Updated: February 1, 2025 09:31 Xinhua
    Tourists visit a Spring Festival temple fair at Ditan Park in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists select figurines of “Lord Rabbit” at Changdian temple fair to celebrate the Spring Festival in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People watch a lion dance performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, near the Ruins of St. Paul’s in south China’s Macao, Jan. 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Artists put on a performance in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 29, 2025. Various events were held across China on Wednesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A performance is staged at the Hetou ancient street scenic area in Tangshan, north China’s Hebei Province, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a flower market in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on Jan. 28, 2025 shows Zhang Qibin skiing at Jiangjunshan Ski Resort in Altay, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As families gathered nationwide for Chinese New Year celebrations, Zhang Qibin, a girl from east China’s Zhejiang Province, chose to join fellow skiing enthusiasts from across the country at the Jiangjunshan Ski Resort to celebrate the festival. This is the first time for Zhang to welcome the Chinese New Year in this unconventional way. Together with several fellow skiers she has just met at the resort, she tried to find the new charm of the festival via various ice and snow activities. In recent years, with the popularity and development of ice and snow sports in China, the skiing resorts are favored by more and more consumers during the Spring Festival holidays. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ Palestinian network advocate Janfrie Wakim praises ‘heroic Gaza’, calls for more action

    Asia Pacific Report

    One of the key early leaders of a national Palestinian solidarity network in Aotearoa New Zealand today praised the “heroic” resilience and sacrifice of the people of Gaza in the face of Israel’s ruthless attempt to destroy the besieged enclave of more than 2 million people.

    Speaking at the first solidarity rally in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau since the fragile ceasefire came into force last Sunday, Janfrie Wakim of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) also paid tribute to New Zealand protesters who have supported the Palestine cause for the 68th week.

    “Thank you all for coming to this rally — the first since 7 October 2023 when no bombs are dropping on Gaza,” she declared.

    “The ceasefire in Gaza is fragile but let’s celebrate the success of the resistance, the resilience, and the fortitude — the sumud [steadfastness] — of the heroic Palestinian people.”

    Wakim was formerly a member of Palestine Human Rights Campaign (PHRC) in Auckland which began in the 1970s. This was later absorbed into the nationwide movement PSNA at a conference in 2013.

    “Israel has failed,” she continued. “It has not achieved its aims — in the longest war [15 weeks] in its history — even with $40 billion in aid from the United States.

    “It has failed to depopulate the north of Gaza, it has a crumbling economy, and 1 million Israelis [out if 9 million] have left already.”

    Wakim said that the resistance and success in defeating Israel’s “deadly objectives” had come at a “terrible cost”.

    “We mourn those with families here and in Gaza and now in the West Bank who made  the ultimate sacrifice with their lives — 47,000 people killed, 18,000 of them children, thousands unaccounted for in the rubble and over 100,000 injured.

    Grieving for journalists, humanitarian workers
    “We grieve for but salute the journalists and the humanitarian workers who have been murdered serving humanity.”


    Janfrie Wakim speaking at today’s Palestine rally in Tamaki Makaurau. Video: APR

    She said the genocide had been enabled by the wealthiest countries in the world and the Western media — “including our own with few exceptions”.

    “Without its lies, its deflections, its failure to report the agonising reality of Palestinians suffering, Israel would not have been able to commit its atrocities,” Wakim said.

    “And now while we celebrate the ceasefire there’s been an escalation on the West Bank — air strikes, drones, snipers, ethnic cleansing in Jenin with homes and infrastructure being demolished.

    “Checkpoints have doubled to over 900 — sealing off communities. And still the Palestinians resist.

    “And we must too. Solidarity. Unity of purpose is all important. Bury egos. Let humanity triumph.”

    Palestinian liberation advocate Janfrie Wakim . . . “Without its lies, its deflections, its failure to report the agonising reality of Palestinians suffering, Israel could not have been able to commit its atrocities.” Image: David Robie/APR

    90-year-old supporter
    During her short speech, Wakim introduced to the crowd the first Palestinian she had met in New Zealand, Ghazi Dassouki, who is now aged 90.

    She met him at a Continuing Education seminar at the University of Auckland in 1986 that addressed the topic of “The Palestine Question”. It shocked the establishment of the time with Zionist complaints and intimidation of staff which prevented any similar academic event until 2006.

    Wakim called for justice for the Palestinians.

    “Freedom from occupation. Liberation from apartheid. And peace at last after 76 years of subjugation and oppression by Israel and its allies,” she said

    She called on supporters to listen to what was being suggested for local action — “do what suits your situation and energy. Our task is to persist, as Howard Zinn put it”.

    “When we organise with one another, when we get involved, when we stand up and speak out together, we can create a power no government can suppress,” she said.

    “We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”

    Introduced to the Auckland protest crowd today . . . Ghazi Dassouki, who is now aged 90.

    As a symbol for peace and justice in Palestine, slices of water melon and dates were handed out to the crowd.

    Calls to block NZ visits by IDF soldiers
    Among many nationwide rallies across Aotearoa New Zealand this weekend, were many calls for the government to suspend entry to the country from soldiers in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

    “New Zealand should not be providing rest and recreation for Israeli soldiers fresh from the genocide in Gaza,” said PSNA national chair John Minto.

    “We wouldn’t allow Russian soldiers to come here for rest and recreation from the invasion of Ukraine so why would we accept soldiers from the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel?”

    As well as the working holiday visa, since 2019 Israelis have been able to enter New Zealand for three months without needing a visa at all.

    This visa-waiver is used by Israeli soldiers for “rest and recreation” from the genocide in Gaza.

    Minto stressed that IDF soldiers had killed at least 47,000 Palestinians — 70 percent of them women and children.

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared Israeli actions a “plausible genocide”; Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have branded the continuous massacres as genocide and extermination; and the latest report from UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestine Territories Francesca Albanese has called it “genocide as colonial erasure”.

    Watermelon slices for all . . . a symbol of peace, the seed for justice. Image: David Robie/APR

    War crimes red flags
    Also, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    “All these red flags for genocide have been visible for months but the government is still giving the green light to those involved in war crimes to enter New Zealand,” Minto said.

    Last month, PSNA again wrote to the government asking for the suspension of travel to New Zealand for all Israeli soldiers and reservists.

    Meanwhile, 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails have been set free under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Seventy of them will be deported to countries in the region, reports Al Jazeera.

    Masses of people have congregated in Ramallah, celebrating the return of the released Palestinian prisoners.

    A huge crowd waved Palestinian flags, shouted slogans and captured the joyful scene with their phones and live footage shows.

    The release came after Palestinian fighters earlier handed over four female Israeli soldiers who had been held in Gaza to the International Red Cross in Palestine Square.

    The smiling and waving soldiers appeared to be in good health and were in high spirits.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell: Trump’s New Tariffs Will Drive Up Grocery & Gas Prices, Costs for American Manufacturers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    01.31.25

    Cantwell: Trump’s New Tariffs Will Drive Up Grocery & Gas Prices, Costs for American Manufacturers

    WA consumers will pay the price as Trump chooses to tax goods from Canada and Mexico up to 25%, plus a 10% tax on goods from China

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Trump administration announced plans to impose a 25% tax on many goods imported into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tax on goods imported from China, a move that will likely increase prices for consumers across the country, particularly in Washington state.

    U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) – who serves as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as senior member of the Finance and Energy and Natural Resources Committees– issued the following statement:

    “President Trump should not start trade wars that hurt American manufacturers, consumers, and farmers, especially when food prices and interest rates are so high. After two weeks in office and lots of executive orders, where are the administration’s ideas to lower costs for American families?  Let’s not put 25% tariffs that will increase consumer costs,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Canada and Mexico are already willing to partner with us to fight fentanyl and strengthen border security.  I hope the President will work with Congress on opening new markets, growing U.S. exports, and using the EXIM Bank to compete with China, instead of driving up prices at the grocery store and gas pump. I want an export strategy — one that maximizes opportunities to sell American products overseas.“

    Two out of every five jobs in the State of Washington are tied to trade and related industries. In 2023, Washington state imported $19.9 billion of goods from Canada – primarily oil, gas, lumber, and electrical power — making our northern neighbors Washington state’s largest trade partner.

    Also in 2023, Washington state imported $1.7 billion in goods from Mexico, including motor vehicles, vehicle parts, and household appliances. All of these raw materials and goods will now be subject to a 25% tariff.

    A 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico would add an estimated $144 billion a year to the cost of manufacturing in the United States.

    Sen. Cantwell has been a champion for Washington state growers and exports. Agriculture and food manufacturing generate more than $21 billion per year and employ more than 171,000 people in the State of Washington. Small and family farms are key contributors, making up 89% and 94%, respectively, of Washington’s farms. 

    Sen. Cantwell was the leading voice in negotiations to end India’s 20% retaliatory tariff on American apples, which devastated Washington state’s apple exports. In September 2023, India ended its retaliatory tariffs on apples and pulse crops following several years of Sen. Cantwell’s advocacy.

    In May 2023, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to help U.S. potato growers finally get approval to sell fresh potatoes in Japan. In June 2023, Sen. Cantwell hosted U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), then-chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, in Washington state for a forum with 30 local agricultural leaders in Wenatchee to discuss the Farm Bill.

    In 2022, Sen. Cantwell spearheaded passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law to crack down on skyrocketing international ocean shipping costs and ease supply chain backlogs that raise prices for consumers and make it harder for U.S. farmers and exporters to get their goods to the global market.

    In August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to then-Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue requesting aid funds be distributed to wheat growers. In December 2018, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the passage of the Farm Bill, which included $500 million of assistance for farmers, including those who grow wheat.

    In 2019, Sen. Cantwell helped secure a provision in the $16 billion USDA relief package, ensuring sweet cherry growers could access emergency funding to offset the impacts of tariffs and other market disruptions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Republic of Korea Acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:

    On January 30, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held an introductory call with the Republic of Korea (ROK)’s Acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho. The Acting Minister congratulated the Secretary on his appointment and the two leaders discussed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and the strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.  Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending the ROK under President Trump’s leadership and both leaders also reiterated their shared focus on maintaining a strong combined U.S.-ROK defense posture. Both the Secretary and the Minister agreed to remain in close contact moving forward.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Identity Months Dead at DOD

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Guidance from the Secretary of Defense: “Identity Months Dead at DoD”

    Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.

    Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month. Service members and civilians remain permitted to attend these events in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.

    Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos. We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.

    This guidance is effectively immediately.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Four years on from the Military Coup in Myanmar

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Joint statement by Australia, Canada, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States

    Today marks four years since the Myanmar military regime overthrew the democratically elected government in Myanmar, creating one of the largest crises in the Indo-Pacific. Since the coup, the people of Myanmar remain subject to military rule that has deprived many of their rights, democratic aspirations and, for thousands, their liberty and their lives.

    We condemn in the strongest terms the Myanmar military regime’s escalating violence harming civilians, including human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, and systematic persecution and discrimination against all religious and ethnic minorities. The military’s airstrikes are killing civilians, destroying schools, markets, places of worship and medical facilities; with almost a 25-fold increase since 2021 this represents an average of three airstrikes per day. The rise in airstrikes in areas with no active conflict has marked a clear escalation by the military.

    We call on the Myanmar military regime to immediately de-escalate violence, ensure unhindered and safe humanitarian access across the country, and we urge all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.

    As of 2025, humanitarian needs have increased twenty-fold since the coup. Over one-third of the population,19.9 million people, are now in need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. An estimated 15.2 million people are in need of food assistance and cases of preventable diseases are on the rise.  

    Increasing needs and ongoing conflict have displaced up to 3.5 million people internally – an increase of nearly one million in the last year. Many more people are forced to flee across Myanmar’s borders. Rising transnational crime, including narcotics production and trafficking, scam centres and human trafficking, harm the people of Myanmar and affect neighbouring countries, risking instability in the broader region.

    The current trajectory is not sustainable for Myanmar or the region. Now is the time for the Myanmar military regime to immediately change course. We strongly urge the Myanmar military regime to cease violence, including harming civilians and civilian infrastructure, release all political prisoners, and engage in genuine and inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders. These are essential first steps towards any peaceful, democratic transition, reflecting the will of Myanmar’s people.

    We reiterate our support for the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Five Point Consensus, including the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy, in addressing the Myanmar and resultant refugee crisis. We strongly welcome collaboration between the ASEAN and United Nations (UN) Special Envoys. We call on the international community to continue to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022). We underline the need for accountability for all atrocities committed in Myanmar, human rights must be safeguarded, violations and abuses must be prevented.

    We will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and support their vision for an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK announces additional humanitarian funding for Myanmar

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Four years on from military coup, additional UK humanitarian funding delivers healthcare to one million people in Myanmar

    • Uplift in support announced four years on from the military coup, as humanitarian needs reach record levels 

    • Despite the ongoing conflict, healthcare will be delivered to nearly one million people across Myanmar in the first half of 2025 including maternal care, nutrition support and disease treatment 

    • New climate resilience funding will help rural communities tackle extreme weather, improve water management and strengthen food security 

    Almost one million vulnerable people in Myanmar will receive essential medical care through UK aid support in the first six months of 2025, helping communities access vital healthcare services despite ongoing conflict. 

    The UK is announcing an uplift of £22.45 million in humanitarian support for 2024/25 to deliver this support, four years on from the military coup.  On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and installed a military regime. Since then, they have used violence and atrocities to maintain power and suppress opposition voices. The UK has consistently called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all those arbitrarily detained in Myanmar. 

    UK funding will provide maternal and child health services to around 107,000 women and children, while 86,000 people will be reached with crucial nutrition support. It is expected that a further 142,000 people will be able to access sexual and reproductive health services and treatment for diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. 

    The life-saving assistance comes as Myanmar faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with nearly 20 million people now requiring aid – a twenty-fold increase since the military coup four years ago. 

    Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds, said:  

    While global attention may shift, the UK will not forget the millions in Myanmar still living through a brutal conflict, creating a humanitarian crisis in a country already vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis. 

    Four years on from the military coup and amid ongoing violence, the UK is matching words with action – providing additional support to meet urgent health needs and tackle long-term climate challenges.

    Over 3.5 million people are now displaced from their homes due to the fighting, 19.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and Myanmar is now seeing a proliferation in serious and organised crime. 

    Typhoon Yagi caused devastation across South-East Asia in September 2024, severely affecting over one million people across Myanmar. Additional funding will help rural communities prepare for future climate-related disasters, through improved food systems and early warning mechanisms, including support for areas recovering from recent typhoons. 

    Agriculture is vital to Myanmar’s economy and without it, the country will find it difficult to rebuild and grow when the conflict finally ends. UK support is planting the seeds for Myanmar’s long-term recovery, restoring security and stability to make the world safer for all of us. 

    The UK continues to support ASEAN’s central role in addressing the crisis. The UK convened a UN Security Council meeting on 30 January, calling for full humanitarian access across Myanmar to help protect civilians and pressed for further action to secure a peaceful democratic future for the Myanmar people. As penholder on Myanmar at the UNSC, the UK will continue to take action to bring stability to Myanmar and the wider region, maintaining our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific in the interests of UK national security. 

    Notes to editors 

    • UK humanitarian support to Myanmar in the financial year 2024 to 2025 has increased to £66.45 million from an initial allocation of £44 million (excluding support from the UK’s Integrated Security Fund), following a decision to uplift funding due to increasing humanitarian need. By comparison, support in the 2023 to 2024 financial year began at £30.1 million and concluded at £38.83 million.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:

    On January 30, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen held an introductory call to discuss the U.S.-Japan Alliance, the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

    Minister Nakatani congratulated the Secretary on his appointment and reaffirmed his desire to work together to advance Alliance priorities.  The two officials reiterated the importance of deepening defense cooperation to strengthen deterrence and to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.  

    The two officials reaffirmed their commitment to advance ongoing work to modernize Alliance command and control and expand bilateral presence in Japan’s Southwest Islands.  Both the Secretary and the Minister agreed to remain in close contact on areas of mutual security interest.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Temporary closure of Tuen Mun Swimming Pool

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Temporary closure of Tuen Mun Swimming Pool
    Temporary closure of Tuen Mun Swimming Pool
    *******************************************

    Attention TV/radio announcers:Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 1) that due to urgent maintenance works, Tuen Mun Swimming Pool in Tuen Mun District has been temporarily closed until further notice.

     
    Ends/Saturday, February 1, 2025Issued at HKT 7:03

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bay area opportunities abound

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    There are a multitude of insole products on the market, but those designed specifically for foot shapes that cater to locals are rare. This is why Hong Kong youngster Mike Lo launched his own brand, aiming to create insoles that meet the precise needs of users.

    Mike’s vision extends beyond local development and he aspires to penetrate the vast market of Mainland cities within the Greater Bay Area.

    Encouraging entrepreneurship

    Establishing a company and developing products necessitates substantial funding.

    The Government is committed to encouraging and supporting Hong Kong youth in pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship. Recognising the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs like Mike, it launched the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area a few years ago.

    The scheme subsidises non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to implement youth entrepreneurship projects, providing seed funding for youth startups and assisting them in setting up business in both Hong Kong and cities within the bay area.

    The “StarAgent” programme launched by Po Leung Kuk is one of these subsidised projects. Through it, Mike’s company successfully secured a grant of $600,000.

    With the funding, he collaborated with a local university to conduct product development and trials, creating more suitable products for seniors suffering from conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet and diabetic foot.

    “We also used part of the funds to develop moulds and products in factories in the Mainland,” Mike said.

    After two years of trial and error, Mike ultimately launched his own version of pain-relieving insoles which help improve users’ walking and standing posture, alleviating discomfort in the feet, knees, and lower back.

    Community impact

    Having achieved success in product development, Mike remains committed to giving back to the community.

    He recently visited a public housing estate in Tuen Mun to measure the foot sizes of elderly residents, providing them with pain-relief insoles produced by his company.

    He also attended a foot health awareness event organised by Po Leung Kuk to share foot care knowledge with the elderly.

    Talking about his company’s development, Mike said he is currently planning to expand its business in the bay area.

    Field tour

    Po Leung Kuk Youth Affairs Department Supervisor Catherine Liu noted that young people venturing into other cities in the Mainland inevitably face numerous concerns, including networking issues, startup costs, and local rules and regulations.

    “Our aim is to help them overcome one hurdle after another.”

    In addition to providing up to $600,000 in funding, Po Leung Kuk offers a range of business incubation services, such as one-on-one professional consultations.

    Before young entrepreneurs enter the Mainland market in the bay area, the programme also organises various business seminars.

    Additionally, Po Leung Kuk takes them on visits to cities like Dongguan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. This helps them to familiarise themselves with startup hubs in Mainland cities of the bay area, allowing them to choose the most suitable place for their development.

    Multi-benefit case

    Tony Fung’s extended reality technology company also benefited from the programme and received funding to set up offices in both Guangzhou and Hong Kong. His Hong Kong office focuses on game development, while the one in Guangzhou handles cloud and web development, with the two complementing each other’s strengths.

    Specialised in combining various technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality to create interactive experiences for entertainment and practical use, the content developed by the company involves community education, including themes such as mental health and drug abuse prevention, as well as e-sports.

    With the help of the entrepreneurship programme, Tony is moving forward to expand the firm’s client base throughout Guangzhou and other bay area cities, and engaging with local institutions to introduce services.

    Mutually reinforcing

    The Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a three-year programme. Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung highlighted that the first round was extremely well-received.

    The authorities partnered with 16 NGOs to fund a total of 217 teams, with about 70 of them successfully establishing themselves in various innovation and entrepreneurial bases in Mainland cities. As a result, the Government has launched a second round of the scheme.

    Mr Leung said they saw a lot of young teams with a lot of ideas.

    “They put the ideas into practice. We felt that the funding scheme was very successful. That is why we have the second cohort that started last year.”

    In addition to this programme, Mr Leung added that the bureau also supports youth entrepreneurship through three other initiatives.

    These include the Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes at Innovation & Entrepreneurial Bases, which allows young people to explore startup base operations and policies.

    Another strategy involves the Youth Start-up Internship Programme working in collaboration with the Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport to provide internships at startup companies.

    One more avenue of support is led by the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area, which organises diverse activities in co-operation with institutions from Guangdong and Hong Kong.

    Collectively, the various initiatives backed by the bureau offer significant support to young entrepreneurs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Departs Thailand

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    GULF OF THAILAND  –  

    The U.S. relationship with Thailand is one of the oldest in the Indo-Pacific region. The countries have shared friendly and diplomatic relations for over 190 years. Thailand is one of five treaty allies of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific Region and continues to be a longstanding security partner and leader in Southeast Asia.

    “We are incredibly grateful to Thailand for hosting the Carrier Strike Group ONE team,” said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE. “Port visits like this are a testament to the vital importance of the U.S.-Thailand Alliance and Partnership that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. We have shared history, shared interests, and common values that will continue to unite us for the good of both of our countries.”

    The U.S. remains committed to the Kingdom of Thailand, promoting military-to-military relations, as well as advancing interoperability and coordination with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to promote regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

    “Thank you, Rear Admiral Michael Wosje and the captains and crew of the USS Carl Vinson and other ships of Carrier Strike Group ONE, for your visit to Thailand! Your time here reinforced the excellent relations between Thailand and the United States and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. We look forward to future visits,” said U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Robert F. Godec.

    During their stay in Thailand, the nearly 7,500 Sailors from Carrier Strike Group ONE participated in cultural exchanges, community relations events, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored tours to enhance cultural understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

    “I know I can speak for all of the Carl Vinson crew when I say how grateful we are to the people of Laem Chabang and Pattaya City for welcoming our Sailors with such kindness and hospitality,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). “This port visit allowed our Sailors the opportunity to recharge and prepare to approach the next stretch of our time at sea maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are committed to the U.S.-Thai friendship and look forward to future opportunities that strengthen this bond.”

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group ONE and Destroyer Squadron one, Carrier Air Wing Two, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Carrier Air Wing Two is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks.

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    For more news from Carrier Strike Group ONE and Carl Vinson visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN70

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 01/31/2025 Blackburn, Padilla, Issa, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ensure Artists Receive Fair Compensation for Their Songs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the bipartisan American Music Fairness Act to ensure artists and music creators are paid for the use of their songs on AM/FM radio. This legislation would bring corporate radio broadcasters in line with all other music streaming platforms, which already pay artists for their music.

    “As the heart of country music and the birthplace of the blues, Tennessee has produced so many songwriters and artists that have undeniably made their mark on history, whether that be on Beale Street, Music Row, or the hills of East Tennessee,” said Senator Blackburn. “The United States is the only democratic country in the world in which artists are not paid for the use of their music on AM and FM radio. This legislation would close an outdated loophole that has allowed corporate broadcasters to take advantage of artists and their songs for decades.”

    “California’s artists enrich our country’s music scene, but our laws unfairly deny them the pay they deserve for their work on AM/FM radio broadcasts,” said Senator Padilla. “As we celebrate the accomplishments of our musical artists at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles this weekend, we must also commit to treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve for the music they produce and we enjoy every day.”

    “Artists and music creators deserve to be fairly compensated for their work,” said Senator Tillis. “For too long, FM and AM radio stations have enjoyed the benefits of playing music without compensating the artists. This commonsense legislation makes an important step towards ensuring that our nation’s artists are recognized and paid for the value that they bring to our airwaves.”

    “America’s musical artists enrich our lives, yet they are denied royalties when their music is broadcast on AM/FM radio,” said Senator Booker. “This bipartisan legislation will close a loophole that keeps artists and creators from being paid for their work, while also ensuring that small and local stations are protected and preserved. Musicians bring joy and vibrancy to our country, and they should be compensated for their hard work.”

    Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives this week:

    “Now is the time for the United States to finally adopt the proven global standard of compensating our artists for music broadcast over the radio,” said Representative Issa. “AMFA represents a best effort to modernize our system and finally recognize and reward the artists for all they have given us. After significant progress last Congress, I thank my friend Senator Blackburn for her continued leadership and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and on both ends of Capitol Hill to make this overdue reform a reality.”

    AMERICAN MUSIC FAIRNESS ACT:
    • The United States is the only democratic country in the world in which artists are not compensated for the use of their music on AM/FM radio. By requiring broadcast radio corporations to pay performance royalties to creators for AM/FM radio plays, the American Music Fairness Act would close an antiquated loophole that has allowed corporate broadcasters to forgo compensating artists for the use of their music for decades.
    • The American Music Fairness Act would:
      • Require terrestrial radio broadcasters to pay royalties to American music creators when they play their songs;
      • Protect small and local stations who qualify for exemptions – specifically those that fall under $1.5 million in annual revenue and whose parent companies fall under less than $10 million in annual revenue overall – by allowing them to play unlimited music for less than $500 annually; and 
      • Create a fair global market that ensures foreign countries pay U.S. artists for the use of their songs overseas.
    • In recognition of the important role of locally owned radio stations in communities across the U.S., the American Music Fairness Act also includes strong protections for small, college, and non-commercial stations.

    Click here for bill text.

    ENDORSEMENTS:

    The American Music Fairness Act is endorsed by the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, the American Association of Independent Music, the MusicFirst Coalition, the Recording Industry Association of America, SoundExchange, and the American Federation of Musicians.

    “For more than a century, American artists and producers have been denied the basic right to earn compensation for their own creation broadcast on AM/FM Radio. The Recording Academy is grateful for the leadership of Reps. Issa and Nadler and Senators Blackburn and Padilla for introducing the American Music Fairness Act, and we urge Congress to finally pay creators for their work.” – Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy

    “Just a few notes of a beloved song can transport you a million miles away. Popular music has helped define and reflect the culture in which we live, speaking to our evolving values and shared concerns. It’s outrageous that the recording artists, vocalists and musicians who bring it to life and enrich our lives receive no compensation from airplay on AM/FM radio. It’s downright un-American to exploit people and not pay them. The AMFA legislation will help close that loophole and restore fairness, so that artists are paid when their songs are played on AM/FM radio, just as they are in other mediums. Our gratitude to Reps Issa and Nadler and Sens. Padilla and Blackburn for taking leadership roles on this important legislation.” – Fran Drescher, President of SAG-AFTRA

    “The American Music Fairness Act is long overdue. The radio industry has no valid justification for refusing to compensate the recording artists who form the backbone of their business. Our laws align us with regimes like Iran and North Korea, allowing foreign broadcasters to exploit American musicians without paying them a dime. Congress must hold mega broadcasters accountable to put American musicians first. A2IM commits to working with our congressional champions to get it done.” – Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE, President and CEO of American Association of Independent Music

    “For too long, big radio companies have had a powerful hold on Washington, D.C. It’s time for Congress to stand up for artists, not big radio companies, and ensure working musicians – backup musicians and vocalists who work 9-to-5 jobs to make ends meet – can better earn a living. That means passing the American Music Fairness Act and ensuring that artists are finally compensated when their music plays on AM/FM radio.” – Former U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, Co-Chair of the MusicFirst Coalition

    “The American Music Fairness Act takes a smart, calibrated approach towards solving a decades old problem in the radio industry. When enacted into law, AMFA will ensure recording artists and copyright owners are paid fairly for recorded music regardless of the technology used to broadcast it while carefully protecting small and noncommercial stations to preserve truly local radio our communities depend upon. This practical, compromise legislation has previously passed the House Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support and we applaud Chairman Issa and his colleagues for working to advance this important legislation.” – Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America

    “Radio conglomerates operating thousands of AM/FM stations across the U.S., make billions in profits, employ legions of lobbyists, and spend millions each year to influence lawmakers, all while continuing to refuse to pay the artists whose songs they play on the airwaves. This unfair double standard is the result of a loophole – one that can only be closed by Congress by passing the American Music Fairness Act so artists are paid for the work they do.” – Michael Huppe, President & CEO of SoundExchange

    “The American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) will fix a broken and unfair system. Musicians deserve compensation when their work is played on terrestrial radio. On this issue, the United States is out of step with the rest of the free world. AMFA will correct that.  Thank you, Reps. Issa and Nadler, for recognizing the value of our work.” – Tino Gagliardi, International President of the American Federation of Musicians

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOE Announces $7.1 Million in Support of Local Energy Project Planning, Siting and Permitting

    Source: US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of four projects totaling $7.1 million to expand a program that improves planning, siting, and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy and energy storage facilities across the United States. The collaborative teams formed through these projects, as well as 12 previously selected under the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™) program, will develop and expand statewide initiatives that provide expertise, trainings, and technical resources to local governments, Tribal governments, and communities as they plan for and evaluate large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects. 
    A significant portion of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects built in the coming years are likely to be built on private lands, where state and local authorities make permitting decisions. The state-based R-STEP collaboratives will evaluate the needs of stakeholders in their regions and develop tailored educational materials and technical assistance programs to improve planning and streamline project reviews and permit decisions. This will result in renewable energy and energy storage projects that contribute to strong local economies, resilient energy systems, and lower energy costs for households and businesses, especially in rural or underserved communities.
    The R-STEP collaboratives bring together stakeholders from all sides of the energy planning process, including state and regional agencies, universities, developers, technical experts, public service commissions, farmers unions, tribes, community organizations, and other trusted entities. 

    The four newly selected collaboratives are:

    Illinois: Led by University of Illinois Extension, the collaborative will build and maintain a cohort of trusted technical assistance providers in each county to help communities make informed decisions about renewable energy projects. The work will focus on developing education and outreach materials to support proactive decision-making by communities and local government officials. (Award amount: $1.9 million)
    Louisiana: Led by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, the collaborative will engage a diverse array of community partners in Louisiana to inform state agencies’ planning and decision-making for offshore wind facilities in state waters. (Award amount: $1.9 million)
    Minnesota: Led by University of Minnesota Extension, the collaborative will engage diverse stakeholders to assess needs, expand technical assistance services, and maintain training and educational resources to expand local officials’ capacity to engage constructively in planning, siting, and permitting for large-scale renewable energy projects. (Award amount: $1.2 million)
    Virginia: Led by the Virginia Department of Energy, the collaborative will create a centralized, stakeholder-informed hub to provide resources and access to trusted experts to increase knowledge about energy fundamentals, economic development, environmental regulations and best practices, and planning for large-scale renewable energy development. (Award amount: $1.9 million)

    DOE is currently seeking experts to provide technical assistance to the R-STEP collaboratives. Organizations with expertise on key renewable energy and energy storage planning, siting, and permitting topics are encouraged to learn more and apply by Jan. 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET.
    Learn more about the selected state-based collaboratives. 
    Learn more about large-scale renewable energy siting.
    R-STEP is funded by DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office and Wind Energy Technologies Office.
    The R-STEP program is administered by ENERGYWERX. This funding mechanism is made possible through the innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions.
    Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicant will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time. DOE award amounts are subject to change pending negotiations.

    The R-STEP program has announced state-based collaborations supporting: Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOE Invests $32 Million for Grid-Edge Technology and Smart Charge Management

    Source: US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $32 million for six selected pilot projects that will support new load growth through grid-edge innovations and the ability of energy providers to right-size grid investments for future load growth. These Connected Communities projects in eight states will also provide new strategies and tools for utilities, grid planners and operators, automakers, electric vehicle (EV) smart charge management service providers, and the communities they serve to improve resilience and reduce costs.
    “Providing low-cost, resilient, and reliable energy to all Americans is a top priority for the DOE,” said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “As our nation’s energy system faces unprecedented demand growth, it’s more important than ever to deploy solutions that maximize all our energy resources and deliver the most efficient, reliable, and affordable electricity possible. These pilot projects will leverage the latest grid-edge solutions—like energy efficiency, demand-responsive building systems, energy storage, EV smart charging, and advanced grid-planning strategies—to equip communities and utilities with the tools and data they need to confidently manage our evolving electric grid.”
    DOE continues to evaluate applications for this funding opportunity and intends to award additional projects up to a total of $65 million, as originally announced, with additional selections as reviews are completed. 
    Connected Communities 2.0 builds on the successes and lessons learned from the first cohort of Connected Communities, launched in 2020, and DOE’s original smart neighborhoods in Georgia and Alabama. The first Connected Communities projects focused on integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) to support a more variable grid. The 2.0 version aims to address growing challenges to the grid head-on, ensuring that necessary upgrades are sized correctly to accommodate increasing loads at vehicle charging locations, data centers, buildings, and industrial sites in a way that leverages the flexibility of these new loads. In the process, DOE is selecting a cohort and collecting data needed to build confidence that the grid is highly flexible and resilient.
    Connected Communities 2.0 centers on two major areas:

    Connected Communities (topic 1), focused on integrated grid-edge technical measures in buildings, industry, and transportation to prepare the electric grid for new loads and improve customer benefits and grid resilience.
    Smart Charge Management (subtopic 1A), focused on various unique urban, suburban, and rural-use cases to build confidence in smart charge management as an effective approach for EVs to provide flexibility and value to the electric grid.

    Three projects have been selected in each area.
    The Connected Communities selectees are:

    The Accelerating Community-wide Connected Electric Loads & Energy Reliability Achieved Through Integration with Nationwide Grid (ACCELERATING) Connectivity initiative (Minnesota), led by the Beneficial Electrification League, will advance a nationally scalable approach for building load management. The project will prioritize partnerships with electric cooperatives in Minnesota that advance communications to optimize residential thermal loads as grid assets. (Award amount: $5.3 million)
    Purdue University (Indiana) will demonstrate pathways for rural electric membership cooperatives to improve energy efficiency and resilience in the face of new load growth in collaboration with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Pathways include engaging with rural communities, piloting financial programs, coordinating DERs through systems, and scaling up lessons learned. (Award amount: $5.9 million)
    The Responsive Energy Communities Harnessing Advanced Grid Efficiency (RECHARGE) initiative (California), led by Pacific Gas & Electric, will target residential units, businesses and industry in the city of San Jose and in the Fresno County. RECHARGE will address the growing electric demand and distribution capacity challenges in these communities. (Award amount: $6 million)

    The Smart Charge Management selectees are:

    One Energy Enterprises (Ohio) will pioneer a community charging depot for medium- and heavy-duty truck fleets, which will integrate advanced microgrid technology and DERs to minimize charging investments, while optimizing the grid. The site will be located in Findlay, Ohio, with plans for expansion to support a larger number of class 6–8 electric trucks. (Award amount: $3.2 million)
    Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Maryland) will use a multi-faceted distributed energy resource management system to unlock grid-aware managed charging functionality. The project will feature technology that reduces residential EV charging peak loads, decreases infrastructure upgrade costs, and adjusts charging schedules to alleviate grid congestion. (Award amount: $5.9 million)
    EV.Energy (California, Florida, Alaska, Rhode Island, and Hawaii) will demonstrate and validate smart charge management solutions in five diverse utility territories across five different states. Smart charge management approaches will include optimization for renewable energy matching, reduced grid congestion, timer peak smoothing, expanded charging access for multifamily housing, and both vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid technologies.  (Award amount: $6 million)

    The six projects selected today will demonstrate the capabilities of grid-edge technologies and integrated power systems that are efficient, resilient, flexible, and affordable, along with distribution and grid-planning strategies that can be replicated across the United States.
    Integration is essential to Connected Communities, and DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and Office of Electricity are collaborating to support integrated energy system planning with a network of technology offices and industry partners. The Connected Communities 2.0 funding announcement is led by EERE’s Building Technologies Office and Vehicle Technologies Office in collaboration with the Solar Energy Technologies Office, Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office, and Geothermal Technologies Office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOE Announces Collaboration With Tribal Leaders To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Strengthen National Security

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the formation of the Tribal Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Working Group, administered by DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM). Tribes play a critical role in helping the United States meet its energy security and climate obligations while working to develop their vast energy, critical minerals and materials, and carbon management potential. As part of this collaboration, the Working Group will provide ongoing advice and expertise to DOE on the best ways to assist Tribal decarbonization efforts and utilization of their natural resources. DOE’s technical assistance will help Tribes spur local economic development; provide workforce training for local, high-wage, middle class jobs; and support Tribal technical capacity for fostering energy, economic, and community development opportunities.

    “The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes that energy is foundational to Tribal self-determination, and we are proud to have Tribal leadership in, and partnership with DOE’s efforts to expand clean energy development,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Under the Biden-Harris administration, DOE has invested more money in Tribal clean energy projects than any administration and we are excited to build on this work with a new Working Group aimed at supporting Tribal capacity-building and investments in carbon management, methane mitigation and critical minerals that benefit Tribal communities.”  

    This Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Tribal Working Group marks the fourth working group the DOE has established to collaborate with Tribes. This latest working group will initially include representation from eight federally recognized Tribes with significant fossil energy reserves and reliance on revenue from those resources, including: Jicarilla Apache; Crow Nation; Navajo Nation; Caddo Nation; Hopi Nation; Southern Ute; Arctic North Slope Iñupiat; and Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation. DOE anticipates the number of Tribes formally participating in the working group will grow over time.   

    “The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation is deeply honored to have hosted DOE and the forum participants for a site visit to our MHA Native Green Grow and Bakken operations,” said Chairman Mark N. Fox. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and the U.S. Energy Association for bringing together such an important gathering. It was a privilege to showcase our innovative initiatives and share our vision for sustainable resource development on tribal lands. The MHA Nation looks forward to continued collaboration through the Tribal Working Group and exploring new opportunities with DOE to ensure that our energy resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of future generations.” 

    “The Caddo Nation is honored to join the FECM Tribal Working Group and participate in this vital initiative,” said Chairman Bobby Gonzalez. “As stewards of our land and resources, we recognize the importance of addressing methane emissions and are exploring new opportunities for mitigation. Our Nation is particularly excited to work with FECM and other partners such as the Oklahoma University along with engineers and chemist and industry leaders on innovative solutions like converting methane to hydrogen, which aligns with our long-term energy goals and our commitment to sustainable development and lower emissions. These discussions within [the] FECM Tribal Working Group will not only benefit our Nation but also help Indian Country and the broader Oklahoma community as we look toward a cleaner, more resilient future.” 

    “The Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope is eager to participate in the Tribal Working Group in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management,” said Director of Natural Resources Doreen Leavitt. “As stewards of the vast oil and gas resources on the Alaskan North Slope, we are committed to managing these resources in a way that honors our land and our people, while ensuring the well-being of future generations. We look forward to working together with FECM to explore sustainable practices that balance economic development with environmental protection, so that our communities can thrive for years to come.” 

    “We are committed to advancing practices that will bring long-term benefits to the Navajo Nation as well as other participating Tribes,” said Interim Tribal Co-Chair William D. McCabe. “Our participation in the [Tribal Carbon Management Strategies] forum strengthened our resolve to foster sustainable, responsible management of our natural resources. The Navajo Nation looks forward to actively collaborating within the Tribal Working Group and working alongside FECM to explore and leverage the full suite of technologies under the FECM umbrella. Together, we can harness these innovations to ensure that our resources are utilized in a way that brings economic growth, preserves our lands, and supports the prosperity and well-being of the Navajo people, now and for generations to come.”

    “The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is proud to participate in the Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Tribal Working Group,” said Demi Morishige, Designated Representative. “This partnership enables us to advocate for our community’s priorities and promote sustainable energy initiatives that reflect our unwavering commitment to Tribal sovereignty. We are eager to collaborate with our fellow tribal nations and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop solutions for a safe, affordable, and reliable carbon-neutral future. Our efforts will prioritize promoting economic development across all tribal communities.” 

    “The Crow Nation extends its heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and the U.S. Energy Association for the opportunity to participate in the Tribal Carbon Management Strategies Forum held in Medora, North Dakota. We are deeply honored to engage in these meaningful discussions about the future of energy, resource management, and economic development for our people. Our Nation is blessed with significant carbon resources, and we look forward to actively participating in the Tribal Working Group, where we can explore new avenues of cooperation with FECM. Together, we can ensure that the Crow Nation continues to utilize these resources in a manner that fosters prosperity for our people and protects the well-being of future generations.” 

    The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides more than $13 billion in funding to directly support Tribal communities and makes Tribes eligible to apply for or request billions in additional funding. The Inflation Reduction Act directs $720 million in climate resilience and energy funding to Tribes, as well as provides hundreds of billions in tax credits for which clean energy and industrial projects on Tribal lands and in Tribal communities are eligible. For this reason, the initial priorities proposed for the working group are to explore technical assistance and capacity-building to leverage these funding opportunities related to FECM’s portfolio and other DOE offices:   

    • Development of carbon capture, transport and storage facilities and infrastructure; 
    • Methane mitigation;   
    • Critical minerals production and processing; and  
    • Repurposing existing energy assets slated for retirement—such as coal, oil, and/or natural gas facilities and accompanying equipment and infrastructure. 

    As a next step, FECM plans to convene representatives of the participating Tribes for a series of virtual information briefings across these identified priorities to prepare for the first formal meeting of the working group in 2025.  

    FECM minimizes environmental and climate impacts of fossil fuels and industrial processes while working to achieve net-zero emissions across the U.S economy. Priority areas of technology work include carbon capture, carbon conversion, carbon dioxide removal, carbon dioxide transport and storage, hydrogen production with carbon management, methane emissions reduction, and critical minerals production. To learn more, visit the FECM website, sign up for FECM news announcements, and visit the National Energy Technology Laboratory website. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S.-Republic of Korea Reach Provisional Agreement on Nuclear Cooperation

    Source: US Department of Energy

    U.S.-Republic of Korea Reach Provisional Agreement on Nuclear Cooperation

    Energy.gov

    November 4, 2024

    Consistent with the deep and longstanding relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the two countries reached a significant outcome on November 1, advancing their cooperation on civil nuclear energy by initialing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Principles Concerning Nuclear Exports and Cooperation. The United States and the Republic of Korea reaffirmed their mutual commitment to promoting the expansion of peaceful nuclear energy while upholding the highest standards of nonproliferation, safety, safeguards, and security. Toward this end, the parties strengthened their administration of export controls on civil nuclear technology. These further commitments will provide a springboard for the expansion of our bilateral work in combatting climate change, accelerating global energy transitions, and assuring critical supply chains while creating billions of dollars worth of new economic opportunities and the creation or maintenance of tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs for both of our industries. The MOU will proceed to final review in both countries’ capitals.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Department of Energy Invests $45 Million to Support Regional Consortia Focused on Securing Domestic Critical Minerals and Materials

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced $45 million in federal funding for six projects to create regional consortia to accelerate the development of critical mineral and materials supply chains including novel nonfuel carbon-based products from secondary and unconventional feedstocks. Realizing the value of secondary and unconventional feedstocks, such as coal and coal by-products, effluent waters from oil and gas development, and acid mine drainage will enable the United States to rebuild domestic supply chains for critical minerals and materials. By focusing on abundant American secondary and unconventional sources, these investments will support dependable and enduring supplies for American manufacturing and production of technologies essential to clean energy and our nation’s defense. 

    “Rebuilding a domestic supply chain for critical minerals and materials here at home will both safeguard our national security and support the continued development of a clean energy and industrial economy,” said Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. “DOE is investing in collaborative regional projects to help us realize our nation’s full potential for recovery of these vital resources, while creating high-wage jobs and delivering environmental benefits for communities across the United States.”

    Selected projects will build upon the work of DOE’s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative, expanding the focus from the basin scale to cover eight regions across the Nation. Teams consist of partners such as private industry; universities; local, state, and federal government; local communities; and Tribes and Tribal organizations who will develop and implement strategies that enable each U.S. region to realize its economic critical minerals and materials potential, including valuable non-fuel carbon-based products.

    • University of Alaska Fairbanks (Fairbanks, Alaska) will work with three state geological surveys from Alaska, Oregon, and Washington to better understand the geologic framework and distribution of underexplored mineral resource deposits in the Northwest.
    • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, Illinois), through the Illinois State Geological Survey, will work with the geological surveys of Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio to build the economic case for developing critical minerals and materials from coal and coal wastes in the Upper Midwest.
    • University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas) will identify resource potential in the Gulf Coast and Permian Basin areas, including from petroleum industry waste; produced water; coal, coal ash, and other coal mine related waste; and other nonfuel mine and processing wastes.
    • University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah) will evaluate critical minerals and materials and carbon associated with coal-related materials, sedimentary-hosted minerals, waste-related materials, and other potential value-added materials in the Rocky Mountain region.
    • University of Wyoming (Laramie, Wyoming) will assess the Great Plains and Interior Highlands, which consists of ten states and four basins, to develop domestic supply chains that use secondary and unconventional critical mineral resources.
    • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, Virginia) will lead a consortium of academic institutions, research laboratories, federal and state natural resource offices, and consultancies to evaluate critical minerals for potential future extraction in the Appalachian Mountain region.

    DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), under the purview of FECM, will manage the selected projects. A detailed list of the selected projects can be found here. Additional selections may be made at a later date. 

    FECM reduces emissions from fossil energy production and use and key industrial processes, while strengthening U.S. energy and critical minerals security. To learn more, visit the FECM website, sign up for FECM news announcements, and visit the NETL website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Venezuelan Man Charged With Conspiracy To Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession Of A Firearm In Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Jose Manuel Guerra-Caballero, 37, of Venezuela, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    According to the complaint, Guerra-Caballero, described by a co-conspirator as a member of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, conspired with six other individuals to provide armed protection for a drug transaction involving ten pounds of methamphetamine. Guerra-Caballero arranged the protection remotely and confirmed over the phone that his co-conspirators were armed and ready to serve in the operation.

    The drug deal was a ruse created by undercover ATF agents after Guerra-Caballero and his associates had offered their services for various illegal and violent activities. The undercover operation came on the heels of multiple purchases of firearms by ATF undercover officers that Guerra-Caballero believed would be trafficked to Mexico.

    The defendant was arrested in Indiana and made his initial appearance in front of Judge Colin H. Lindsay in the Western District of Kentucky.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations are handling the investigation.  The prosecution is being handled by the Violent Crimes and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Colorado.

    Case Number: 25-mj-17

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Assault on Woman Sends Browning Man to Prison for More Than Three Years

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to beating and then using a belt to assault a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to three years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Briar Joseph Crawford, 29, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon.

    Chief U.S District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 6, 2023, Crawford went to Glacier National Park go fishing with the victim, identified as Jane Doe. After consuming alcohol, Crawford and Doe argued, and the conflict escalated to Crawford assaulting Doe over several hours. At one point, Crawford removed his belt, wrapped it around Doe’s neck, grabbed it and lifted her weight off the ground until she blacked out. Doe suffered numerous injuries from the prolonged assault.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz Underscores Urgent Need for Uninterrupted, Strategically Critical, Life-Saving Foreign Aid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON — At yesterday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the “Malign Influence of the People’s Republic of China at Home and Abroad: Recommendations for Policy Makers,” U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) underscored the importance of U.S. leadership and global engagement in advancing American interests. Using the Philippines and Papua New Guinea as examples, Schatz asked witnesses to lay out the dire consequences of U.S. disengagement, as well as the opportunities it would create for the PRC.

    Prior to his questioning, Schatz, who also serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, addressed the chaos caused by the Trump Administration’s recent foreign aid funding freeze, stating, “We really just, on a nonpartisan basis, have to keep the pressure on the State Department to effectuate the Secretary’s policy because right now there’s a ton of confusion, and these are faraway places, and the original stop work orders are still being observed in some places and not in others. The furloughs are in some places being undone and not in others, and this is not some policy question anymore. It’s a question of executing what the Secretary has asked. So I just ask that we continue to put pressure on a bipartisan basis and just to understand the urgency of the moment. Four days ago, I asked now how bad is this, and they said ‘babies dying by the weekend’ and so this is not the kind of thing that we can get back to on Monday. We all have to exert pressure and make sure that the State Department gets this right, and I’m talking about in the next 24 hours.”

    Having recently discussed strengthening security and economic ties with the Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Schatz asked, “I want to just start with the Philippines. As you know, they’re one of our closest allies. We have economic assistance arrangements, we have life-saving support that we provide, and of course we have a security partnership that’s lasted generations. If you were a senior CCP official, how would you view this freeze in foreign aid coming from the United States?”

    Peter Mattis, President of the Jamestown Foundation, replied, “I would be looking to exploit the opportunity that is there. And over the years the political fluctuations in the Philippines have offered those opportunities. They’ve disrupted the relationship. They’ve disrupted partnership, and anything from Beijing’s perspective, or if I were… a senior official in the United Front Work Department, I would be doing everything I can to exploit whatever chaos is there in the U.S.-Philippine relationship.”

    Schatz then pivoted to the subject of Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country rich in natural resources, saying, “It’s at risk of becoming a foothold for PRC military expansion. But right now it has the highest HIV incidence in the Pacific, and it’s rising. It also has a lot of unexploded ordinance, and last year the Department of Defense signed an $864 million defense bill deal with Port Morrisby, so it seems to me that the Philippines is one question: we have a bilateral relationship that spans generations and is sturdy, like under Duterte less sturdy, but still solid even when we have a president who is an unreliable partner, but in places like PNG where to use… the domestic equivalent they’re sort of swing states they’re open for business… to being aligned with China, to being aligned with the United States, to playing both sides against the middle. I’m particularly concerned about smaller countries for whom a withholding of economic or military or life-saving support is not something they can sort of weather, and so I’m wondering if you can talk about PNG in particular.”

    Dr. Melanie Hart, Senior Director of Global China Hub at Atlantic Council, answered, “Basically we’ve given Beijing a blank check and kneecapped the United States and the entire global pro-democracy movement. If you want to talk about PNG and their need for medicine, there is very clear pattern that, during the COVID crisis, Beijing forced nations around the world… to carry out its political edicts in exchange for COVID vaccines. I have no doubt that Beijing is already showing up in capitals where the United States is pulling back and saying here is your HIV medicine and guess what: here’s the three things you need to do for me today to get it.”

    Schatz was recently named the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, which appropriates billions of dollars in funding for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other critical agencies and programs that provide humanitarian aid, global health support, and economic and security assistance, among other things to those in need around the world.

    Video of Senator Schatz’s full exchange at today’s hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 6 Things to Know About SPHEREx, NASA’s Newest Space Telescope

    Source: NASA

    Shaped like a megaphone, the upcoming mission will map the entire sky in infrared light to answer big questions about the universe.
    Expected to launch no earlier than Thursday, Feb. 27, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory will provide astronomers with a big-picture view of the cosmos like none before. Short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx will map the entire celestial sky in 102 infrared colors, illuminating the origins of our universe, galaxies within it, and life’s key ingredients in our own galaxy. Here are six things to know about the mission.
    1. The SPHEREx space telescope will shed light on a cosmic phenomenon called inflation.
    In the first billionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang, the universe increased in size by a trillion-trillionfold. Called inflation, this nearly instantaneous event took place almost 14 billion years ago, and its effects can be found today in the large-scale distribution of matter in the universe. By mapping the distribution of more than 450 million galaxies, SPHEREx will help scientists improve our understanding of the physics behind this extreme cosmic event.

    [embedded content]
    Go behind the scenes with the team working on NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope as they talk through their rigorous testing process. NASA/JPL-Caltech/BAE Systems

    2. The observatory will measure the collective glow from galaxies near and far.
    Scientists have tried to estimate the total light output from all galaxies throughout cosmic history by observing individual galaxies and extrapolating to the trillions of galaxies in the universe. The SPHEREx space telescope will take a different approach and measure the total glow from all galaxies, including galaxies too small, too diffuse, or too distant for other telescopes to easily detect. Combining the measurement of this overall glow with other telescopes’ studies of individual galaxies will give scientists a more complete picture of all the major sources of light in the universe.
    3. The mission will search the Milky Way galaxy for essential building blocks of life.
    Life as we know it wouldn’t exist without basic ingredients such as water and carbon dioxide. The SPHEREx observatory is designed to find these molecules frozen in interstellar clouds of gas and dust, where stars and planets form. The mission will pinpoint the location and abundance of these icy compounds in our galaxy, giving researchers a better sense of their availability in the raw materials for newly forming planets.

    4. It adds unique strengths to NASA’s fleet of space telescopes.
    Space telescopes like NASA’s Hubble and Webb have zoomed in on many corners of the universe to show us planets, stars, and galaxies in high resolution. But some questions — like how much light do all the galaxies in the universe collectively emit? — can be answered only by looking at the big picture. To that end, the SPHEREx observatory will provide maps that encompass the entire sky. Objects of scientific interest identified by SPHEREx can then be studied in more detail by targeted telescopes like Hubble and Webb.
    5. The SPHEREx observatory will make the most colorful all-sky map ever.
    The SPHEREx observatory “sees” infrared light. Undetectable to the human eye, this range of wavelengths is ideal for studying stars and galaxies. Using a technique called spectroscopy, the telescope can split the light into its component colors (individual wavelengths), like a prism creates a rainbow from sunlight, in order to measure the distance to cosmic objects and learn about their composition. With SPHEREx’s spectroscopic map in hand, scientists will be able to detect evidence of chemical compounds, like water ice, in our galaxy. They’ll not only measure the total amount of light emitted by galaxies in our universe, but also discern how bright that total glow was at different points in cosmic history. And they’ll chart the 3D locations of hundreds of millions of galaxies to study how inflation influenced the large-scale structure of the universe today.
    6. The spacecraft’s cone-shaped design helps it stay cold and see faint objects.
    The mission’s infrared telescope and detectors need to operate at around minus 350 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus 210 degrees Celsius). This is partly to prevent them from generating their own infrared glow, which might overwhelm the faint light from cosmic sources. To keep things cold while also simplifying the spacecraft’s design and operational needs, SPHEREx relies on an entirely passive cooling system — no electricity or coolants are used during normal operations. Key to making this feat possible are three cone-shaped photon shields that protect the telescope from the heat of Earth and the Sun, as well as a mirrored structure beneath the shields to direct heat from the instrument out into space. Those photon shields give the spacecraft its distinctive outline.
    More About SPHEREx
    SPHEREx is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the agency’s Astrophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. BAE Systems (formerly Ball Aerospace) built the telescope and the spacecraft bus. The science analysis of the SPHEREx data will be conducted by a team of scientists located at 10 institutions in the U.S., two in South Korea, and one in Taiwan. Data will be processed and archived at IPAC at Caltech, which manages JPL for NASA. The mission principal investigator is based at Caltech with a joint JPL appointment. The SPHEREx dataset will be publicly available at the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive.
    For more information about the SPHEREx mission visit:
    https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/spherex

    News Media Contact
    Calla CofieldJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-808-2469calla.e.cofield@jpl.nasa.gov
    2025-011

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways Launches ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp for Beta Testing – Final Public Launch after Trials: A One-Stop Solution for Seamless Railway Services

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Indian Railways Launches ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp for Beta Testing – Final Public Launch after Trials: A One-Stop Solution for Seamless Railway Services

    SwaRail’ SuperApp Integrates Multiple Railway Services, Reduces App Clutter and Space Usage

    ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp Provides Seamless Access to Ticket Booking, Platform Tickets, PNR Enquiries, Food Ordering, Rail Madad, and Freight Services

    Posted On: 31 JAN 2025 10:10PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Railways has introduced the SuperApp ‘SwaRail’ today, a one-stop solution offering comprehensive railway services to the public. Currently in beta testing, the app is available for download on the Google Play Store (https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.cris.aikyam) and Apple App Store (https://testflight.apple.com/join/aWFYt6et). A key focus of the App is enhancing user experience with a seamless and clean user interface (UI). It integrates various railway services, eliminating the need for multiple applications and reducing space consumption on user devices.

    Developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) the SuperApp integrates all public-facing applications of Indian Railways into a single platform. The App caters to a wide range of user needs, including:

    • Reserved Ticket Bookings
    • Unreserved Ticket and Platform Ticket Bookings
    • Parcel and Freight Enquiries
    • Train and PNR Status Enquiries
    • Food Orders on Trains
    • Rail Madad for Complaint Management

    The SuperApp of Indian Railways is slated to be released to the public shortly. This app integrates various services offered by Indian Railways, which are currently available on separate mobile apps, into a single user interface, ensuring seamless navigation.

     

    Unique Features of the SuperApp

     

    1. Single Sign-On – Users will be able to access all services using a single set of credentials. Moreover, the same credentials will be used across existing Indian Railways apps like IRCTC RailConnect, UTS Mobile App, etc.
    2. All-in-One App – Currently, different apps are available for reserved and unreserved booking. Additionally, a separate app is required to check train movement and schedules. All these services will now be accessible through a unified app.
    3. Integrated Services – Services are being integrated to deliver comprehensive information from multiple sources in a cohesive and unified manner. For example, PNR enquiry will also display associated train information.
    4. Easy Onboarding/Sign-Up – Users can onboard the SuperApp using their existing RailConnect or UTS App credentials. The sign-up process has been simplified to enhance the user experience and make the app easily accessible.
    5. Ease of Login – Multiple login options have been provided to improve user experience. Once logged in, the app can be subsequently accessed using either an m-PIN or biometric authentication.

    Focus on User Feedback

    The Ministry of Railway invites users to experience the SuperApp during this Beta phase and provide valuable feedback for its improvement. This initiative is a significant step toward leveraging technology to enhance convenience for railway users. The SuperApp provides smarter, simpler, and more efficient access to Indian Railways services. The SuperApp Beta testing phase is being closely monitored by the CRIS team to ensure timely resolution of user feedback and suggestions. After a thorough evaluation, the Ministry will plan the App’s mass launch.

    How to Get Started

    • Download the App from the Play Store or App Store as shared by CRIS.
    • Existing users of RailConnect or UTS Mobile App can log in directly with their credentials.
    • New users can register with minimal data entry requirements.

    About the SuperApp

    The SuperApp is a one-stop solution offering multiple public-facing services of Indian Railways, including Reserved and Unreserved Ticket Booking, Platform and Parcel Booking, Train and PNR Enquiries, and Help through Rail Madad.

    The App allows users to onboard using their existing RailConnect or UTS on Mobile credentials. Once registered, the same credentials apply across these platforms. The single-sign-on feature reduces the need to remember multiple passwords.

    On first login, an R-Wallet is created for every user to facilitate ticket bookings. Existing R-Wallets from the UTS on Mobile App are automatically linked. The App also provides a secure and convenient login option using a numeric m-PIN. For enquiries, users can log in as Guests via mobile number/OTP.

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

    (Release ID: 2098305) Visitor Counter : 55

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: Medical Facilities further strengthened in Prayagraj, in view of the upcoming third Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami

    Source: Government of India

    Mahakumbh 2025: Medical Facilities further strengthened in Prayagraj, in view of the upcoming third Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami

    23 hospitals with a total capacity of 360 beds set up; Emergency medical services expanded and a Medical force deployed to tackle any emergency situation

    Posted On: 31 JAN 2025 9:40PM by PIB Delhi

    To further strengthen health services for devotees during the third Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami (February 3rd, 2025), the health infrastructure in Mahakumbh Nagar is being enhanced. Starting Thursday, the medical force has been activated. A total of 23 hospitals with a capacity of 360 beds have been fully prepared to provide essential medical services. A special medical team toured the mela area to assess the effectiveness of these arrangements and carefully examined the health service preparations to ensure quick and smooth medical assistance for devotees in case of any emergency.

     

    To ensure safety of devotees, comprehensive health arrangements and sufficient medical force have been fully prepared. During the Amrit Snan, medical facilities have been expanded to handle any emergency, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art central hospital with a capacity of 100 beds. In addition, two sub-central hospitals with a capacity of 25 beds, eight sector hospitals with 20 beds each, and two infectious disease hospitals with 20 beds each have been set up to quickly address all health issues.

    To ensure immediate availability of first aid, 10 first aid posts with a single bed are operational, where a team of trained medical staff will be on duty at all times. To make emergency services more effective, ambulances and medical teams have been deployed to quickly transport patients to hospitals when needed. Furthermore, regular health checks and adherence to sanitation guidelines are being ensured under the supervision of specialist doctors in the mela area.

    To maintain smooth health services, a team of senior medical officers is continuously inspecting the mela area, taking corrective actions as necessary. The administration has ensured the availability of sufficient medicines, life-saving equipment, and medical resources at health centers to provide timely medical care to devotees in any situation. Help desks and information centers have been set up to assist the millions of devotees visiting the Mahakumbh, where medical staff will be available for health-related information and assistance. The aim of this entire setup is to provide better healthcare services to the devotees.

     

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    AD/VM

    (Release ID: 2098281) Visitor Counter : 56

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of Vice-President’s address at the 3rd National Conference of Deaf-blind on ‘Advocacy for Education and Employment’ (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India

    I must share our joy, joy of myself and Dr Sudesh Dhankhar right from the time we came here. Our energy level has gone up. Our happiness has risen. We feel blessed to be at this place. I congratulate the Institute and others that have converged to hold this third national seminar on very important subject, Deaf-Blind on advocacy for education and employment. Education and employment, both are fundamental. Boys and Girls, loss of physical vision, I have seen can be compensated. But you have that vision which matters to us. When that vision is perverted, dangers emanate.

    What I have seen here when there was an address, I was overwhelmed, not only by what I saw but the response thereof. My deep sense of gratitude to all those who have come together and thought leaders professionals, change makers to contribute to this great cause of humanity. This collective will generate inclusivity and compassion. Rights appreciation about those who are challenged or differently-abled is fundamental. They have enormous talent and potential. They have infinite capacity to contribute. They require some handholding. Let me remind you by quoting a couplet from our great epic Ramcharitmanas. The couplet is in Uttar kand “पर हित सरिस धर्म नहिं भाई। पर पीड़ा सम नहिं अधमाई॥“In translation it means it is ultimate religiosity. It is highest the Dharma, if you alleviate suffering of someone, if you minimise pain of someone, if you hand hold someone. And it is extreme painful irreligiousityअधर्म if you inflict some kind of pain in anybody. We must draw our lessons. Let all our actions be marked by empathy, compassion. I have no doubt that the enormous potential of the differently challenged or physically challenged whom the Prime Minister has rightly given a name Divyang. Divyang is expression of divinity. A greatest respect to human being. The nation will flourish with your participation. History is a proof that disability has not tamed human spirit. Human spirit that which is in you cannot be tamed, you can overcome daunting situations. Mountains have been climbed. Rivers have been crossed. Records have been set in Paralympics. I have had the good fortune to see in India International Paralympic Games.

    The talent which is there in this group, the group before me is a source of inspiration and motivation for all who think they are abled because they have vision, they can hear, they can speak. As I said you are the gifted once with the real vision that vision is a precious jewel. Let me tell you the greatest scientist of our generation who changed understanding of physics, professor, Stephen Hawkins he was challenged and who does not know Helen Keller. She had difficulty in speaking and listening, but she turned out to be one of the greatest authors. I see all around Stephen Hawkins and Helen Kellers in our country. I have seen them myself. Our mission, therefore has to be very clear and that is in our Constitution. We have to provide a life of dignity, purpose and fulfilment. Fortunately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed in mission mode to serve the cause of Divyang.

    He has got them in vote, in elections, in governance, in every walk of life. He has created policies that allow our Divyang to fully exploit their potential, their talent and realise their dreams. Let me tell you some of the schemes that make us proud, inclusive governance and Viksit Bharat is not possible without your participation. Democracy will be incomplete and suffer a great void without your satisfaction to use your talent. In 2016, as was indicated by our friend and the nation passed Rights of Person with disabilities. This was in 2016, the third year of Prime Minister‘s regime. The purpose was to facilitate their voting, special queues, voting from home, braille features on EVMs and numerous other initiatives. This has increased quality of participation in our democratic process. Election commission of India has gone a great length to enhance it. Reservation in education increased in premier institutions also from 3 to 5%. I am personally aware and delighted when a Divyang gets into Indian foreign service, Indian Administrative Service. Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre set up in 2015 and National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation in 2019 are steps in the right direction.

    Centre for disability sports is being set up at Gwalior for specially abled citizens. Boys, and girls, Paralympics that are in four categories dealing with different disabilities are now global event in which Indian participation is getting glorified. Accessible India campaign, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2015, the result is all institutions. The infrastructure has to be friendly for Divyangjans.This as a matter of fact is a social responsibility which I am happy to note is being discharged by everyone.

    We all need to converge to bring out the best in our divyangjan. This requires special educators, special curriculum and methodologies. It is time, we employ technology, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, so that this very valuable category of human resource can optimally perform.

    One of the most delightful moment which me and my wife, Dr. Sudesh had when we went to an autism school in Delhi, the school initiated by Rashmi Das. She took up the challenge in a passion mode, in a mission mode. She executed the project which is world class. It is there that I came to know that autism is a different kind of a challenge where you require a different kind of ecosystem. I have no doubt Rashmi Das Institute in Autism will soon be world class because we need to not only hand hold, emotionally hand hold. We need to give company to them. It is only a matter of time when we will find their touch of hand with us will convey energy to us. They will give us more than they will take from us.We need to be highly sensitive to their health requirements. We need to evolve a mechanism that engages in a system which is efficient, seamless, helpful, affirmative and productive for them. We must always ensure they must not have isolation. They must have company. That will be soothing either side. Sometimes they may require counseling, but who does not require counseling?And therefore, community engagement not with a sense of sympathy, but with a sense of empathy. Community engagement on a level playing field. Community engagement which allows them to express themselves in music, in art, in games, in sports and other aspects. I am sure all steps will be taken because government has provided futuristic affirmative policies to hand hold this category.

    Our journey to build inclusive Bharat, developed Bharat, A Bharat of our dreams cannot fructify unless your dreams are satisfied.On your own, you are capable to catalyze your dreams but others should not come in the way. In this great effort, NGOs have a greater role to play. The role should not be cosmetic or surface scratching. The role must be achievement oriented. CSR funds must be committed for development of this category. Let each one of us contribute because each one of us has a role to play. As policymakers, we have two distinguished Parliamentarians and Deputy Chairmen of the Rajya Sabha here. Great role as policymakers, as educators, advocates, caregivers, or simply as compassionate human beings. Let us discharge this divine obligation and ensure that the world is a good place to live for our dear Divyangjans.

    Let me conclude by a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: I quote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Unquote. Let us dedicate ourselves to the service of those who look for us, who look us for support and solidarity, not sympathy.

    On my own behalf and that of my wife, Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar I can assure you in our own way we will look for opportunities to contribute and will be in touch with this Institute.

    I wish all of you a great future because no nation in the world has risen in last 10 years as Bharat has risen. The jump that Bharat has taken by economic upsurge, infrastructure growth, deep technological penetration, and improvement in the lives of ordinary people by toilet, by gas connection, by piped water, by connectivity of rail, road, air. And this makes our Bharat at the moment most aspirational country in the world that challenge requires every human resource in the country gets opportunity of expression, your expression and dialogue with you will define a sense of our civilization. Helping this category Divyang will turn out to be nectar for the persons who are doing it.

    I am grateful. My best wishes to all of you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Notification of Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Notification of Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025

     Aadhaar Authentication expanded to government and private entities for providing various services in the public interest boosting innovation, knowledge, and public service enhancement

    Amendments to enhance the scope for residents in availing many new services seamlessly w.r.t E-Commerce, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality, and Health Services

    Amended Rules to promote the ease of living and livelihood

    Posted On: 31 JAN 2025 8:18PM by PIB Delhi

    Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025 under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 have been notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) today. This amendment has been done to help in improving transparency and inclusivity in the decision-making process.

    Expanding Aadhaar Authentication for Ease of Living

    The amendment seeks to enhance the scope and utility of Aadhaar authentication to further promote good governance, social welfare, innovation, and knowledge dissemination allowing the usage of Aadhaar for improving service delivery and thereby enhancing ease of living for residents and enabling better access to various services for them. The amendment would help people seamlessly avail the services of e-commerce, travel, tourism, hospitality and health sector etc. being provided by entities other than government entities also.

    The amendment enables both government and non-government entities to avail Aadhaar authentication service for providing various services in the public interest for related specific purposes like enablement of innovation, spread of knowledge, promoting ease of living of residents and enabling better access to services for them. This will help both the service providers as well as the service seekers to have trusted transactions.

    Streamlined approval process for Aadhaar Authentication requests

    Any entity seeking Aadhaar authentication will be required to apply with the details of intended requirements to the concerned ministry or department of the Central or the State government in a format being made available on a portal for this purpose. The applications will be examined by UIDAI and MeitY will issue the approval based on the recommendation of UIDAI. The concerned ministry or department of the Central or State Government will notify the entity for Aadhaar usage after receiving confirmation from MeitY.

    This amendment is expected to enhance access to efficient and streamlined Aadhaar-enabled services for individuals. It will encourage the development of innovative digital solutions leveraging Aadhaar authentication and strengthen partnerships between the government and other entities for improved governance solutions.

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2098223) Visitor Counter : 41

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Conference on Good Governance – Day 2 Concludes with Emphasis on Digital Transformation and Citizen-Centric Governance

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 31 JAN 2025 7:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Conference on Good Governance in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, reinforced the government’s vision of technology-driven governance, process re-engineering, and proactive public service delivery. The conference, attended by senior officials, policymakers, and governance experts from across the country, showcased key innovations and successful governance models.

    Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Shri V. Srinivas, commended the Government of Gujarat for its exemplary efforts in enhancing public service delivery through technology. He highlighted the Gujarat model of governance as a benchmark in bridging the gap between government and citizens through integrated service portals and digital innovations.

    A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of 16 award-winning projects from the Government of India and 9 award-winning projects from Gujarat, underscoring pioneering initiatives in smart governance infrastructure. Discussions focused on the implementation of integrated command and control centers, real-time urban service monitoring using IoT (Internet of Things), and AI-based predictive analytics for decision-making. These advancements are shaping the future of governance, ensuring efficient, transparent, and data-driven solutions for citizens.

    Dr. Jayanti Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), Government of Gujarat, highlighted Gujarat’s efforts in digitizing healthcare service delivery, particularly for frontline health workers. She emphasized the challenges faced by ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists), FLWs (Female Health Workers), and ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) due to manual data collection and introduced TeCHO, a mobile and web-based application aimed at real-time data capture, automated alerts for high-risk cases, and beneficiary tracking. Launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the platform has significantly improved healthcare data accuracy and coverage.

    Another key theme discussed was digital identity frameworks, including Aadhaar-based authentication, e-KYC services, and blockchain-enabled transactions, which have simplified welfare disbursements, licensing, and documentation while enhancing transparency and reducing corruption.

    In continuation of its commitment to governance reforms, the DARPG launched the biannual e-journal, ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance (Vol 1 & 2),’ showcasing National e-Governance Award-winning initiatives. Additionally, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and Gujarat’s Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, Shri Kanubhai Desai, launched the State Collaboration Initiative (SCI) Portal, furthering cooperative governance across states.

    The conference reaffirmed the Centre-State collaboration in scaling digital governance innovations for more inclusive, efficient, and technology-driven public administration. Participants emphasized the importance of replicating successful governance models nationwide to strengthen service delivery and enhance citizen engagement. With continued policy reforms, digital initiatives, and AI-driven citizen services, India is poised to emerge as a global leader in next-generation governance transformation.

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2098205) Visitor Counter : 42

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Growth Story in Numbers, Some interesting data points from the Economic Survey: Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 31 JAN 2025 7:46PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has highlighted key insights from the Economic Survey 2024-25 underscoring India’s remarkable progress in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and innovation.

    The Prime Minister said in X post;

    “Some interesting data points from the Economic Survey. Do have a look…”

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    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2098198) Visitor Counter : 9

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –