Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
2024 World Manufacturing Convention held in Hefei
Category: Aviation
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MIL-OSI China: 2024 World Manufacturing Convention held in Hefei
Visitors learn about a new energy vehicle at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. The 2024 World Manufacturing Convention opened Friday in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, highlighting the latest products and innovations in the manufacturing sector. Diverse new ways of travel, such as straddle-type monorail train, unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and new energy vehicles, etc., have drawn people’s attention at the convention. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors look at a model of a fully automatic hydrogen-powered train at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors learn about a BYD Yangwang U9 at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors learn about a concept car displayed at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors look at a Hongqi EH7 new energy car at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors learn about a multi-rotor electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors learn about an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors experience an unmanned sightseeing bus at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Visitors learn about a straddle-type monorail train at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] A boy looks at a model of an intelligent electric multiple unit (EMU) at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Children pose for photos on a straddle-type monorail train at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] -
MIL-OSI China: Israeli army announces new wave of strikes in Lebanon
Source: China State Council Information Office
Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli attack in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes in Lebanon on Saturday evening, targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers and other installations, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
“Dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft are currently striking terrorist targets and rocket launchers to remove the threat to Israeli civilians,” IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.
The strikes followed reports of Hezbollah’s preparations for significant rocket attacks on Israel, with Lebanese media releasing footage of large explosions.
Hagari announced new restrictions for civilians in northern Israel, extending from Haifa northward, as regional fighting intensifies. “We ask you to follow the Home Front Command guidelines,” Hagari stated. “It is possible that in the immediate time frame, rockets and other threats may be launched at Israel.”
The new guidelines, effective from 20:30 local time (1730 GMT), include limiting gatherings to 30 people outdoors and 300 indoors, permitting work only in protected spaces, and allowing educational activities to continue where safe spaces are available.
Northern Israeli cities near the Lebanese border such as Haifa, Akko, and Nahariya have reportedly closed the beaches.
These restrictions affect the Lower and Upper Galilee, Haifa Bay, Central Galilee, and parts of the Israeli-occupied southern Golan Heights.
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDIAN AIR FORCE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES EXERCISE EASTERN BRIDGE VIIAT RAFO MASIRAH
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 21 SEP 2024 4:09PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully completed Exercise Eastern Bridge VII with the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at the RAFO airbase in Masirah. The IAF contingent has returned to India after participating in a comprehensive series of training missions, which featured the participation of MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft from IAF, F-16 and Hawk from RAFO. This exercise significantly enhanced strategic relations with OMAN besides operational coordination and tactical skills between the two air forces.
Exercise Eastern Bridge VII was aimed to strengthen military cooperation and enhance the interoperability of both forces. The exercise included complex air operations, air-to-air combat drills, and mission scenarios designed to improve strategic and tactical capabilities. The IAF contingent gained valuable insights into RAFO tactics and operational philosophies, enriching combat strategies.
Beyond the tactical exercises, Eastern Bridge VII fostered camaraderie and mutual respect between the IAF and RAFO personnel. Joint briefings, debriefings, and cultural exchanges helped build professional bonds, enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation.
The successful completion of Exercise underscores the commitment of India and Oman towards maintaining regional peace and security. Both forces demonstrated their capability to operate jointly in diverse scenarios, enhancing their preparedness to face emerging security challenges.
The IAF and RAFO look forward to continuing this tradition of joint exercises, aiming for more advanced collaborations in the future.
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VK/JS/SM
(Release ID: 2057325) Visitor Counter : 80
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh appointed as next Chief of the Air Staff
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 21 SEP 2024 1:37PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has appointed Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, as the next Chief of the Air Staff, in the rank of Air Chief Marshal, with effect from the afternoon of September 30, 2024. The present Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC demits office on September 30, 2024.
Born on October 27, 1964, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh was commissioned into the fighter pilot stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1984. During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff, Instructional and Foreign appointments.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, the Air Officer is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flying experience on a variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
During his career, the officer has commanded an operational fighter squadron and a frontline air base. As a test pilot, he led the MiG-29 Upgrade Project Management Team at Moscow, Russia. He was also the Project Director (Flight Test) at National Flight Test Centre and was tasked with flight testing of the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas. He has held important staff appointments of Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. Prior to assuming the charge of Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command.
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VK/SR/Savvy
(Release ID: 2057269) Visitor Counter : 143
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDIAN AIR FORCE AIR SHOW SET TO DAZZLE CHENNAI AHEAD OF 92ND IAF ANNIVERSARY
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 21 SEP 2024 12:45PM by PIB Delhi
Towards celebrating its 92nd anniversary, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to host an immaculate air show in the skies over Tamil Nadu, on 6th October 2024. This year’s event is based on theme “Bhartiya Vayu Sena – Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar” (Potent, Powerful, and Self-Reliant), highlighting the lAF’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s airspace.
The people of Chennai will witness a thrilling spectacle on the day, with 72 aircraft from the lAF displaying mesmerizing aerobatic manoeuvres and synchronized formation flying. The event will take place at the iconic Marina Beach, starting at
11 AM. The last such spectacle was carried out over Sangam area in Prayagraj on 08 October 23, which drew lakhs of spectators. Similar response is anticipated this time.The air show will feature performances by the lAF’s elite teams Akash Ganga, renowned for their skydiving prowess, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, famed for their close formation aerobatics, and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team, known for their stunning aerial choreography.
In addition to these acclaimed teams, lAF will be showcasing flypast and aerial displays by a wide range of aircraft from its inventory, including the nation’s pride, our own indigenously manufactured state of the art Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and Heritage aircraft like Dakota & Harvard are also likely to take part.
On 6th October 2024, the grand display at Marina Beach will be open to all. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience for the audience, showcasing not only India’s military aviation excellence, but also the strength and capabilities of lAF, and its role in protecting the nation’s skies.
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(Release ID: 2057260) Visitor Counter : 60
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Statement on meeting between Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India and Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil on Cooperation between India and Brazil in the Energy Sector
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 21 SEP 2024 6:18AM by PIB Delhi
The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas of the Republic of India, H.E. Mr. Hardeep S Puri, paid an official visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil from September 19th– 21ston the invitation of the Minister of Mines & Energy of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Alexandre Silveira. H.E. Hardeep Puri was accompanied by Indian Oil & Gas Companies representing both the upstream and downstream sector.
During the visit, the sides reviewed the existing collaboration in the energy sector including Indian upstream investment, mutually beneficial relationship in bilateral trade and cooperation in sustainable fuels, particularly biofuels.
In the oil & gas sector, the sides recognised the trust reposed by Indian companies in the Oil & gas sector which has resulted in Brazil being one of the largest destinations for investments by Indian Oil & Gas companies in the world. The sides also reaffirmed their commitment to identify new possible mechanism for increasing the presence of Indian companies in the country, including through new investment opportunities in producing assets. The sides, while recognising the complementarities in the trade sector, committed to identifying ways of enhancing the trade between the two countries, including through innovative mechanisms.
As founding members of the Global Biofuels Alliance, both sides reiterated the crucial role the Alliance will play in positioning biofuels as a key component of the global energy transition, contributing not only to environmental sustainability but also to socioeconomic growth.
The Indian side congratulated the Brazilian side on the hosting of the G20 and welcomed the emphasis being placed on sustainable fuels and social dimensions of energy transition. The Indian side expressed confidence that Brazil’s leadership would further the G20’s agenda of inclusive and sustainable development, building on the momentum generated by India’s presidency in 2023.
The sides looked forward to co-hosting an India-Brazil Clean Cooking Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of India Energy Week 2025 in February 2025, which would provide an opportunity to explore collaborative pathways for enhancing clean cooking access globally.
Both sides discussed collaboration in the domain of deep and ultradeep explorations in the Indian offshore Acreages.
The two sides also initiated a discussion on cooperation in the area of critical minerals and their value chains.
Joint Statement on Biofuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
The sides noted that India and Brazil, as two leading biofuel producers, are well-positioned to collaborate on production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) , by leveraging their existing ethanol and biodiesel production infrastructure, growing aviation market and vast feedstock potential, including their agricultural resources.
In the context of SAF, the sides noted that currently SAF remains the major mature and viable pathway to decarbonise the aviation sector. At the same time, SAF only accounts for 0.3% of the current fuel use for aviation.
The sides reaffirmed that the goal of net zero in the aviation sector would require joint and collaborative action between the two countries to resolve some of the major hurdles to SAF production, namely, feedstock-related challenges, high cost of SAF compared to other technologies, infrastructure for large-scale production and efficient waste management systems, low maturity of production pathways, etc.
The sides highlighted the importance of the establishment of consistent international standards, such as the sustainability criteria defined within the scope of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA/ICAO) and reinforced the principle of technological neutrality with regards to the different technological pathways and raw materials used in the sustainable production of aviation fuels.
The sides recognised the role an India-Brazil partnership in SAF can play in the deployment and development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Sector through leveraging and catalysing of regional value chains to ramp up SAF production, trading, distribution and certification, which inter-alia will support the enhancement of availability, affordability and reliability of SAF.
The sides noted that the modes for such cooperation could include the following:
- Leverage Ethanol Production from all sources;
- Promote technology exchange, joint research, and development initiatives, in order to optimize SAF production processes;
- Share regulatory and policy experience, with a view to create frameworks that encourage investment in SAF production;
- Cooperate in RD&I with a view to enhance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of production pathways;
- Collaborate in multilateral forums, such as ICAO, in order to promote the development of SAF.
The sides acknowledged that collaboration between the two countries represents a strategic partnership in line with the sustainable development and carbon reduction goals of both countries. By combining resources, expertise, and technology, India and Brazil can lead the global transition towards lower emission aviation. This collaboration will not only address pressing environmental challenges but also open new avenues for economic and technological advancement in the biofuels sector.
The sides therefore reaffirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation between the two countries to usher in various advantages, which include economic growth, by creating jobs in the rural sector and fostering innovation in renewable energy technologies and energy security, by reducing reliance on imports. Importantly, bilateral cooperation in SAF production will contribute to global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation.
The ministers underscored that this comprehensive partnership represents a significant milestone in India-Brazil relations aligning with their shared sustainable development goals. By combining their resources, expertise, and technology, India and Brazil will not only lead the global transition towards lower emission aviation but also provide critical support to other Global Biofuels Alliance members in their decarbonization efforts, ultimately paving the way for a future with cleaner skies.
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India signs first-of-its-kind agreements focused on Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the IPEF Overarching arrangement under Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for prosperity
Source: Government of India
India signs first-of-its-kind agreements focused on Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the IPEF Overarching arrangement under Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for prosperity
Agreements to facilitate development, access, and deployment of clean energy and climate-friendly technologiesAgreements to catalyse investment and strengthen measures for anti-corruption, tax transparency etc. and improve business environment
Posted On: 22 SEP 2024 11:25AM by PIB Delhi
India signed and exchanged the first-of-its-kind agreements focused on Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the IPEF Overarching arrangement under Indo -Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) for prosperity, on 21st September, 2024 at Delaware USA, in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who is on 3-day visit to the US for the Quad Summit.
IPEF Clean Economy Agreement (Pillar-III)
The Agreement on Clean Economy intends to promote technical cooperation, workforce development, capacity building, and research collaborations; and collaborate to facilitate development, access, and deployment of clean energy and climate-friendly technologies with the aim to collectively accelerate efforts of IPEF partners towards energy security and transition, climate resilience and adaptation and GHG emissions mitigation.
This Agreement will facilitate investments, project financing including concessional financing, joint collaborative projects, workforce development and Technical Assistance and Capacity Building for industries, in particular for the MSMEs, and facilitate further integration of Indian companies in the global value chains, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. These activities will be undertaken through joint collaborative actions such as Cooperative Work Programmes, the IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund, the IPEF Accelerator etc.
IPEF Fair Economy Agreement (Pillar-IV)
The Agreement aims to create a more transparent and predictable trade and investment environment across the Indo-Pacific. To achieve these goals, the IPEF partners will collaborate to enhance their efforts in preventing and combating corruption, including bribery, and supporting initiatives to improve tax transparency, the exchange of information, domestic resource mobilization, and tax administration.
It focuses on enhancing information sharing among partners, facilitating asset recovery, and strengthening cross-border investigations and prosecutions. This will also support India’s efforts in fighting corruption, money laundering, and terror financing.
Recognizing the critical role of technical assistance and capacity building (TACB) in achieving the commitments outlined in the proposed agreement and ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption measures, the partners are committed to identifying and implementing TACB initiatives. These initiatives will strengthen anti-corruption efforts and improve the efficiency of tax administration.
Overarching IPEF Agreement
The Overarching Agreement is an administrative agreement establishing an oversight Ministerial-level mechanism. This Agreement seeks to establish a high-level political oversight framework at the Ministerial level over the various individual IPEF agreements while setting general guidance and goals, and guiding Leaders’ vision and mandate for IPEF. This Agreement primarily includes administrative and institutional provisions.
This agreement would provide identity to the group and longevity to the IPEF partnership, by creating a formal mechanism and establishing a forum for Ministerial discussions on emerging issues, etc. This agreement is expected to facilitate the effective implementation of subject agreements (Pillars II-IV), that have the potential to enhance India’s productive capacity, and integration into supply chains, and promote innovation, in line with the concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, had accorded the approval earlier this month for signing and ratification of these three agreements focused on the Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the overarching IPEF Agreement which were signed by other IPEF members on June 6, 2024 in IPEF Ministerial meeting in Singapore, however India did not formally sign the same then as the domestic approval process was still underway.
IPEF to boost investment
Investor Forum: Under Clear Economy (Pillar-III) Agreement, IPEF partners aim to catalyze investment in green technology and reduce GHG emissions through various means including annual business matching events under the Investor Forum. The First Investor Forum was held in Singapore on 5-6 June, 2024. One of such efforts was accelerated in the form of a MoU among companies from India, Singapore and Japan following which, Singapore-based Sembcorp will be investing ₹36,238 crore for state-of-the-art green ammonia plant in Thoothukudi.
At the Inaugural Forum, IPEF partners identified USD 23 Billion (₹1.91 lakh crore) of priority infrastructure projects ~USD 4 Billion (₹ 33,200 crore) from India which offered potential opportunities for investment in some Indian renewable energy companies. The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) committed a total of USD 1.5 Billion (₹12,450 crore) to support energy transition, climate investment, and digital inclusion.
Funds under IPEF: IPEF also provides platforms for technical assistance, concessional funding, and viability gap funding. The IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund, with an initial grant of USD 33 million (₹273.9 crore) from Australia, Japan, Korea, and the United States, aims to catalyze private investments totaling USD 3.3 billion (₹27,390 crore). Additionally, the PGI Investment Accelerator under IPEF has received initial funding of USD 300 million (₹2,490 crore) from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
Initiatives under IPEF
IPEF Upskilling Initiative: IPEF Upskilling Initiative was launched in September 2022 to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development by providing primarily for women and girls in IPEF emerging and middle-income partner countries with access to digital skills training. Under the initiative, as communicated by the US, 14 participating US companies and the Asia Foundation provided 10.9 million upskilling opportunities in IPEF partners, primarily for women and girls, in the last 2 years, of which India availed 4 million of these opportunities.
Critical Mineral Dialogue: This ongoing dialogue focuses on several key areas, including the comprehensive mapping of mineral resources across IPEF partners to develop an extensive database, promoting trade by mapping trade flows within the IPEF region and enhancing business engagements, and fostering technical collaboration for mineral recovery and recycling in the region. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening the critical mineral supply chain and ensuring sustainable mining practices in the region.
Tech Council: The main objectives of this initiative are coordination and cooperation on key technologies by bringing together IPEF partners to share best practices and standards, enhance the resilience of digital infrastructure, promote investment, and foster innovation through workforce development. The key areas on which IPEF partners are currently collaborating include Cyber Security, Undersea Cables and Artificial Intelligence.
Cooperative Work Program (CWP): Aim of CWP is to facilitate collaborative and cooperative efforts among the interested participating IPEF countries to advance the objectives of the Clean Economy Agreement. Till date, 8 CWP proposals, circulated by several IPEF countries, have been announced in the IPEF Ministerial meetings. These are related to hydrogen supply chains, carbon markets, clean electricity, sustainable aviation fuel, just transition, emissions intensity accounting, small modular reactors, and including India’s proposal on e-waste urban mining.
About IPEF
IPEF was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan, comprising 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and USA. The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the region.
The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I); Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). India has ratified Agreement on Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II) in February 2024 and has maintained an observer status in Pillar-I.
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Fact Sheet: The United States and India Continue to Expand Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 22 SEP 2024 8:51AM by PIB Delhi
Today, United States President Joseph R. Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, the defining partnership of the 21st century, is decisively delivering on an ambitious agenda that serves the global good. The Leaders reflected on a historic period that has seen the United States and India reach unprecedented levels of trust and collaboration. The Leaders affirmed that the U.S.-India partnership must be anchored in upholding democracy, freedom, the rule of law, human rights, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all as our countries strive to become more perfect unions and meet our shared destiny. The Leaders commended the progress that has made the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership a pillar of global security and peace, highlighting the benefits of increased operational coordination, information-sharing, and defense industrial innovation. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi expressed unrelenting optimism and the utmost confidence that the tireless efforts of our peoples, our civic and private sectors, and our governments to forge deeper bonds have set the U.S.-India partnership on a path toward even greater heights in the decades ahead.
President Biden expressed his immense appreciation for India’s leadership on the world stage, particularly Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in the G-20 and in the Global South and his commitment to strengthen the Quad to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. India is at the forefront of efforts to seek solutions to the most pressing challenges, from supporting the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to addressing the devastating consequences of conflicts around the world. President Biden commended Prime Minister Modi for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector, and on the importance of international law, including the UN charter. The Leaders reaffirmed their support for the freedom of navigation and the protection of commerce, including critical maritime routes in the Middle East where India will assume co-lead in 2025 of the Combined Task Force 150 to work with Combined Maritime Forces to secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea. President Biden shared with Prime Minister Modi that the United States supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a reformed U.N. Security Council. The Leaders voiced their view that a closer U.S.-India partnership is vital to the success of efforts to build a cleaner, inclusive, more secure, and more prosperous future for the planet.
President Biden and Prime Minister Modi applauded the success of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in deepening and expanding strategic cooperation across key technology sectors, including space, semiconductors, and advanced telecommunications. Both Leaders committed to enhance regular engagements to improve the momentum of collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and clean energy. They highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with like-minded partners, including through the Quad and a U.S.-India-ROK Trilateral Technology initiative launched earlier this year to build more secure and resilient supply chains for critical industries and ensure we collectively remain at the leading edge of innovation. The Leaders directed their governments to redouble efforts to address export controls, enhance high technology commerce, and reduce barriers to technology transfer between our two countries, while addressing technology security, including through the India-U.S. Strategic Trade Dialogue. Leaders also endorsed new mechanisms for deeper cyberspace cooperation through the bilateral cybersecurity dialogue. The Leaders recommitted to expand the manufacturing and deployment of clean energy, including finding opportunities to expand U.S.-India cooperation in solar, wind and nuclear energy and the development of small modular reactor technologies.
Charting a Technology Partnership for the Future
President Biden and Prime Minister Modi hailed a watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics for national security, next generation telecommunications, and green energy applications. The fab, which will be established with the objective of manufacturing infrared, gallium nitride and silicon carbide semiconductors, will be enabled by support from the India Semiconductor Mission as well as a strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Leaders praised combined efforts to facilitate resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains including through GlobalFoundries’ (GF) creation of the GF Kolkata Power Center in Kolkata, India that will enhance mutually beneficial linkages in research and development in chip manufacturing and enable game-changing advances for zero and low emission as well as connected vehicles, internet of things devices, AI, and data centers. They noted GF’s plans to explore longer term, cross-border manufacturing and technology partnerships with India which will deliver high-quality jobs in both of our countries. They also celebrated the new strategic partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the India Semiconductor Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in connection with the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund.
The Leaders welcomed steps our industry is taking to build safe, secure, and resilient supply chains for U.S., Indian, and international automotive markets, including through Ford Motor Company’s submission of a Letter of Intent to utilize its Chennai plant to manufacture for export to global markets.
The Leaders welcomed progress toward the first joint effort by NASA and ISRO to conduct scientific research onboard the International Space Station in 2025. They appreciated the initiatives and exchange of ideas under the Civil Space Joint Working Group and expressed hope that its next meeting in early 2025 will open additional avenues of cooperation. They pledged to pursue opportunities to deepen joint innovation and strategic collaborations, including by exploring new platforms in civil and commercial space domains.
The Leaders also welcomed efforts to enhance collaboration between our research and development ecosystems. They plan to mobilize up to $90+ million in U.S. and Indian government funding over the next five years for the U.S.-India Global Challenges Institute to support high-impact R&D partnerships between U.S. and Indian universities and research institutions, including through identifying options to implement the Statement of Intent signed at the June 2024 iCET meeting. The Leaders also welcomed the launch of a new U.S.-India Advanced Materials R&D Forum to expand collaboration between American and Indian universities, national laboratories, and private sector researchers.
The Leaders announced the selection of 11 funding awards between the National Science Foundation and India’s Department of Science and Technology, supported by a combined $5+ million grant to enable joint U.S.-India research projects in areas such as next-generation telecommunications, connected vehicles, machine learning. The Leaders announced the award of 12 funding awards under the National Science Foundation and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, research collaboration with a combined outlay of nearly $10 million to enable joint U.S.-India basic and applied research in the areas of semiconductors, next generation communication systems, sustainability & green technologies and intelligent transportation systems. Furthermore, NSF and MeitY are exploring new opportunities for research collaboration to enhance and synergize the basic and applied research ecosystem on both sides.
The Leaders celebrated that India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with National Science Foundation of the United States announced the first joint call for collaborative research projects in February 2024 to address complex scientific challenges and innovate novel solutions that leverage advances in synthetic and engineering biology, systems and computational biology, and other associated fields that are foundational to developing future biomanufacturing solutions and advance the bioeconomy. Under the first call for proposals, joint research teams responded enthusiastically and results are likely to be announced by the end of 2024.
The Leaders also highlighted additional cooperation we are building across artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and other critical technology areas. They highlighted the second convening of the U.S.-India Quantum Coordination Mechanism in Washington in August and welcomed the announcement of seventeen new awards for binational research and development cooperation on artificial intelligence and quantum via the U.S.-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (IUSSTF). They welcomed new private sector cooperation on emerging technologies, such as through IBM’s recent conclusion of memoranda of understanding with the Government of India, which will enable IBM’s watsonx platform on India’s Airawat supercomputer and drive new AI innovation opportunities, enhance R&D collaboration on advanced semiconductor processors, and increase support for India’s National Quantum Mission.
The Leaders commended ongoing efforts to build more expansive cooperation around 5G deployment and next-generation telecommunications; this includes the U.S. Agency for International Development’s plans to expand the Asia Open RAN Academy with an initial $7 million investment to grow this workforce training initiative worldwide, including in South Asia with Indian institutions.
The Leaders welcomed progress since the November 2023 signing of an MOU between the Commerce Department and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to enhance the two countries’ innovation ecosystems under the “Innovation Handshake” agenda. Since then, the two sides have convened two industry roundtables in the U.S. and India to bring together startups, private equity and venture capital firms, corporate investment departments, and government officials to forge connections and to accelerate investment in innovation.
Powering a Next Generation Defense Partnership
President Biden welcomed the progress towards India concluding procurement of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) remotely piloted aircraft and their associated equipment, which will enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of India’s armed forces across all domains.
The Leaders recognized the remarkable progress under the U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, including ongoing collaboration to advance priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems. They also welcomed efforts to expand defense industrial partnerships, including the teaming of Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering for the co-development and co-production of unmanned surface vehicle systems that strengthen undersea and maritime domain awareness. The Leaders applauded the recent conclusion of the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), enhancing the mutual supply of defense goods and services. Both Leaders committed to advance ongoing discussions on aligning their respective defense procurement systems to further enable the reciprocal supply of defense goods and services.
President Biden welcomed India’s decision to set a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5 percent on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, including on all aircraft and aircraft engine parts thereby simplifying the tax structure and paving the way for building a strong ecosystem for MRO services in India. The Leaders also encouraged the industry to foster collaboration and drive innovation to support India’s efforts to become a leading aviation hub. The Leaders welcomed commitments from U.S. industry to further increase India’s MRO capabilities, including for the repair of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Leaders hailed the teaming agreement on the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft recently signed between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, the two companies that co-chair the U.S.-India CEO Forum. Building on longstanding industry cooperation, this agreement will establish a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the readiness of the Indian fleet and global partners who operate the C-130 Super Hercules aircraft. This marks a significant step in U.S.-India defense and aerospace cooperation and reflects the two sides’ deepening strategic and technology partnership ties.
The Leaders lauded the growing defense innovation collaboration between our governments, businesses, and academic institutions fostered by the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) initiative launched in 2023, and noted progress achieved during the third INDUS-X Summit in Silicon Valley earlier this month. They welcomed the enhanced collaboration between the Indian Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and US Department of Defence’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) through the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Silicon Valley Summit. The efforts via the INDUSWERX consortium to facilitate pathways for defense and dual-use companies in the INDUS-X network to access premier testing ranges in both countries, were appreciated.
The Leaders also recognized the clear fulfillment of the shared goal to build a defense innovation bridge under INDUS-X through the launch of “joint challenges” designed by the U.S. DoD’S DIU and the Indian MoD’s Defence Innovation Organization (DIO). In 2024, our governments have separately awarded $1+ million to U.S. and Indian companies that developed technologies focused on undersea communications and maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Building on this success, a new challenge was announced at the most recent INDUS-X Summit that focused on Space Situational Awareness (SSA) in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The Leaders welcomed ongoing efforts to deepen our military partnership and interoperability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, noting that India hosted our most complex, largest bilateral, tri-service exercise to date during the March 2024 TIGER TRIUMPH exercise. They also welcomed the inclusion of new technologies and capabilities, including a first-ever demonstration of the Javelin and Stryker systems in India, on the margins of the ongoing bilateral Army YUDH ABHYAS exercise.
The Leaders welcomed the conclusion of the Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Deployment of Liaison Officers, and the commencement of deployment process of the first Liaison Officer from India in US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
The Leaders commended work to advance cooperation in advanced domains, including space and cyber, and looked forward towards the November 2024 bilateral cyber engagement to enhance the U.S.-India cyber cooperation framework. Areas of new cooperation will include threat information sharing, cybersecurity training, and collaboration on vulnerability mitigation in energy and telecommunications networks. The Leaders also noted the second U.S.-India Advanced Domains Defense Dialogue in May 2024, which included the first-ever bilateral defense space table-top exercise.
Catalyzing the Clean Energy Transition
President Biden and Prime Minister Modi welcomed the U.S.-India Roadmap to Build Safe and Secure Global Clean Energy Supply Chains, which launched a new initiative to accelerate the expansion of safe and secure clean energy supply chains through U.S. and Indian manufacturing of clean energy technologies and components. In its initial phase, the U.S. and India would work together to unlock $1 billion of multilateral financing to support projects across the clean energy value chain for renewable energy, energy storage, power grid and transmission technologies, high efficiency cooling systems, zero emission vehicles, and other emerging clean technologies.
The Leaders also highlighted the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)’s partnership with India’s private sector to expand clean energy manufacturing and diversify supply chains. To date, DFC has extended a $250 million loan to Tata Power Solar to construct a solar cell manufacturing facility and a $500 million loan to First Solar to construct and operate a solar module manufacturing facility in India.
The Leaders lauded the strong collaboration under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP), most recently convened on September 16, 2024 in Washington DC to strengthen energy security, create opportunities for clean energy innovation, address climate change and create employment generation opportunities, including through capacity building, and collaboration between industry and R&D.
The Leaders welcomed collaboration on a new National Center for Hydrogen Safety in India and affirmed their intent to utilize the new Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) to enhance collaboration on clean energy manufacturing and global supply chains, including through public-private task forces on hydrogen and energy storage.
The Leaders also announced a new Memorandum of Cooperation between the U.S. Agency for International Development and the International Solar Alliance aimed at promoting more responsive and sustainable power systems that leverage diverse renewable energy sources.
The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate the development of diverse and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals under the Minerals Security Partnership targeting strategic projects along the value chain. The Leaders looked forward to the signing of the Critical Minerals Memorandum of Understanding at the forthcoming U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue and pledged to hasten bilateral collaboration to secure resilient critical minerals supply chains through enhanced technical assistance and greater commercial cooperation.
The Leaders welcomed the progress made on joint efforts since 2023 for India to work toward IEA membership in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on an International Energy Program.
The two Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the manufacturing and deployment of renewable energy, battery storage and emerging clean technology in India. They welcomed the ongoing progress between India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide up to $500 million each to anchor the Green Transition Fund as well as encourage private sector investors to match these efforts. Both sides look forward to the expeditious operationalization of the Green Transition Fund.
Empowering Future Generations and Promoting Global Health and Development
The Leaders welcomed India’s signature and ratification of the Agreements under Pillar III, Pillar IV and the overarching Agreement on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). The Leaders underscored that IPEF seeks to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness of the economies of its signatories. They noted the economic diversity of the 14 IPEF partners that represents 40 percent of global GDP and 28 percent of global goods and services trade.
President Biden and Prime Minister Modi celebrated the new U.S.-India Drug Policy Framework for the 21st Century and its accompanying Memorandum of Understanding, which will deepen collaboration to disrupt the illicit production and international trafficking of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals, and deepen a holistic public health partnership.
The two Leaders signaled their commitment to the objectives of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs Threats and work towards combatting the threat of synthetic drugs and their precursors through mutually agreed initiatives to promote public health through coordinated actions.
The Leaders applauded the first-ever U.S.-India Cancer Dialogue held in August 2024, which brought together experts from both countries to increase research and development to accelerate the rate of progress against cancer. The Leaders applauded the recently launched Bio5 partnership between the United States, India, ROK, Japan, and the EU, driving closer cooperation on pharmaceutical supply chains. The Leaders applauded the Development Finance Corporation’s $50 million loan to Indian company Panacea Biotech to manufacture hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccines for children, reaffirming our joint commitment to advance shared global health priorities, including bolstering support for primary healthcare.
The leaders welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Small Business Administration for promoting cooperation between U.S. and Indian small and medium-size enterprises by improving their participation in the global market place through capacity building workshops in areas such as trade and export finance, technology and digital trade, green economy and trade facilitation. The MoU also provides for the joint conduct of programs for women entrepreneurs to empower them and facilitate trade partnership between women-owned small businesses of the two countries. The Leaders celebrated that, since the June 2023 State visit, the Development Finance Corporation has invested $177 million across eight projects to support Indian small businesses and drive economic growth.
The Leaders welcomed enhanced cooperation on agriculture between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, agriculture productivity growth, agriculture innovation, and sharing best practices related to crop risk protection and agriculture credit. The two sides will also enhance cooperation with the private sector through discussions on regulatory issues and innovation to enhance bilateral trade.
The Leaders welcomed the formal launch of the new U.S.-India Global Digital Development Partnership, which aims to bring together U.S. and Indian private sector companies, technology and resources to deploy the responsible use of emerging digital technologies in Asia and Africa.
The Leaders welcomed strengthened trilateral cooperation with Tanzania through the Triangular Development Partnership, led by the U.S. Agency for International Development and India’s Development Partnership Administration to jointly address global development challenges and foster prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The partnership focuses on advancing renewable energy projects, including solar energy, to enhance energy infrastructure and access in Tanzania, thereby bolstering energy cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. They also desired to explore the expansion of the triangular development partnership in areas of health cooperation, particularly for critical technical areas of mutual interest including digital health and capacity building of nurses and other frontline health workers.
The Leaders acknowledged the July 2024 signing of a bilateral Cultural Property Agreement that will facilitate implementation of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The agreement marked the culmination of years of diligent work by experts from both countries and fulfills President Biden’s and Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to enhance cooperation to protect cultural heritage highlighted in the joint statement when they met in June 2023. In this context, the leaders welcomed the repatriation of 297 Indian antiquities from the U.S. to India in 2024.
The Leaders look forward to building on India’s ambitious G20 presidency to deliver on shared priorities for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, including: bigger, better, and more effective MDBs, including by following through on Leaders’ pledges in New Delhi to boost the World Bank’s capacity to help developing countries address global challenges, while recognizing the imperative of achieving the sustainable development goals; a more predictable, orderly, timely and coordinated sovereign debt restructuring process; and a pathway to growth for high-ambition developing countries that are facing financing challenges amid mounting debt burdens by increasing access to finance and unlocking fiscal space taking into account country specific circumstances.
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(Release ID: 2057458) Visitor Counter : 70
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari lays the foundation stone for two National Highway projects in Pune, Maharashtra
Source: Government of India (2)
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari lays the foundation stone for two National Highway projects in Pune, Maharashtra
4-laning of existing 2-lane stretch from Dive Ghat to Hadapsar Section (KM 220.900 to KM 234.150 i.e 13.25Km) of Mohol -Alandi on NH-965 (Palkhi Marg Packg-VI) in Pune District(Total Project Cost Rs. 819 Cr.)
Construction of Major Bridges on Mula & Mutha Bridge on Pune Satara Section of NH-48
(Total Project Cost Rs. 80 Cr.)
Posted On: 21 SEP 2024 6:55PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for two National Highway projects in Pune, Maharashtra in presence of Sh. Devendra Fadanvis, Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra and Sh. Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Minister of State for Co-operation, Govt. of India.
These include the four-laning of a 13 km stretch from Dive Ghat to Hadapsar on the Mohol-Alandi section of NH-965 (Palkhi Marg Package VI) and the construction of major bridges on the Mula-Mutha River along with service roads from Sinhagad Road to Warje on the Pune-Satara section of NH-48.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Sh. Nitin Gadkari said that the widening and upgradation of Hadapsar to duve Ghat section of NH-965 is going to play major role in reducing congestion on this section. It will also help the devotees for a safe and pleasant journey in Palkhi Yatra. The resting places will be developed along the palkhi margs through MSIDC, he added.
He said that the construction of Major bridges along the Mula and Mutha river, widening of service road from Narhe to navale bridge and further connectivity from sinhagad road to warje will reduce the traffic congestion in these areas.
He said that NHAI has also invited the tender for elevated corridor in Nashik Phata Khed section of NH60, the project worth Rs. 7500 Cr.
Further, the DPR has been completed for the development of Ravet to Narhe elevated corridor, the project worth Rs. 5000 Cr. The project will be started in December-2024, he stated during the address. He informed that Elevated Corridors of Talegaon Chakan Shikrapur section of Nh-548D and Pune-Shirur section of NH-753F will be developed by MSIDC. The DPR for New Mumbai -Bangalore expressway has been planned to connect two cities and to reduce the travel time from Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, he further added.
These projects aim to enhance connectivity between Pune, Satara, and Solapur, providing a smoother journey for devotees travelling to the sacred temple of Lord Vitthal. Additionally, the stretches will facilitate faster travel, alleviate traffic congestion, and boost local economies.
The project is going to benefit: –
- Connecting Devotees across the Nation and beyond to “Lord Vitthal”.
- Dedicated Walkway for “Palkhi” on either side of NH.
- Hassle free and safe passage for “Devotees”.
- Relief from traffic congestion on entire stretch leading to saving of time & fuel.
- Agricultural produce and local products to get easy access to bigger market.
- Nearly 9-10 Lakh Warkaris take part in the Palkhi Yatra procession
- Will reduce the accidents in Pune Satara and Solapur district.
- Will reduce traffic congestion in urban areas of Pune.
The inauguration event was attended by Sh. Chandrakant Dada Patil, Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Textile Parliamentary Affairs, Smt. Supriya Sule, MP Baramati, Divisional Commissioner.
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(Release ID: 2057375) Visitor Counter : 84
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than 30 arrests in crackdown on Common Travel Area abuse
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A three-day crackdown against people-smuggling gangs saw 31 arrests.
A Home Office crackdown against people-smuggling gangs and people exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA) has led to the arrest of 31 people in multiple locations across the UK.
As the government steps up its pursuit against the criminal groups abusing our borders on all fronts, Immigration Enforcement teams, alongside UK police forces and international partners, descended on locations in the UK including Belfast, Scotland, Liverpool and Luton as part of a three-day operation.
Checks were conducted at major ports, airports, and road networks across the country, targeting illegal migration and disrupting smuggling routes. Ruthless criminal gangs, operating both in the UK and internationally, often exploit vulnerable migrants, charging them thousands of pounds to enter the UK illegally, luring them with false promises of a better life.
During the operation, £400,000 of criminal cash and 10 fraudulent identity documents were seized. These documents, which are critical tools used by people-smuggling gangs, enable them to evade immigration controls. Created by criminal networks, counterfeit documents allow migrants to bypass border checks, trapping vulnerable people in further illegal activities. By exploiting these people, the gangs not only profit but also place them at risk of severe legal and personal consequences.
The multi-agency operation was led by Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigations team in Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the National Crime Agency (NCA), other UK police forces, and international partners.
This operation is part of a national effort to stop irregular migration and human trafficking at key entry points across the UK, as the government works to tackle people-smuggling gangs and bring those exploiting vulnerable people to justice.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:
This government will not stand by as criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, risking their lives and giving them false hopes of a better life in the UK. Driven by greed, these gangs have no regard for human life or safety, charging outrageous fees, preying on those desperate to escape hardship, and forcing them into illegal and dangerous situations.
We are taking the fight to them on all fronts under the leadership of our new Border Security Commander. Dismantling the business models of these gangs does not just apply to the small boats trade – we are also stamping out other routes into the UK to bring them to justice and slash their profits.”
Home Office Immigration Enforcement Inspector, Jonathan Evans, said:
This operation has been a huge success and sends a clear message that the smuggling gangs who break our laws will face serious consequences.
We are taking action day in, day out to ensure we stay a step ahead of these criminal groups, disrupting them at the earliest possible stage. We will continue working relentlessly to ensure no one abuses the Common Travel Area or the UK’s borders.
I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country, as well as our partners from the police, the National Crime Agency, and international counterparts, for their hard work and collaboration in carrying out this important operation.
Updates to this page
Published 22 September 2024 -
MIL-OSI Global: A weakened Hezbollah is being goaded into all-out conflict with Israel – the consequences would be devastating for all
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Asher Kaufman, Professor of History and Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
For almost a year, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in increasingly provocative cross-border skirmishes as onlookers warn that this escalating war of attrition could land the region in all-out conflict. The past few days have made that devastating scenario closer to a reality.
First came Israel’s pager and walkie-talkie attack, an unprecedented assault on Hezbollah’s communications that injured thousands of the organization’s operatives. It was followed by the assassination of Ibrahim Aqil, a key Hezbollah leader, who died in an airstrike that also killed other senior commanders of the militant group, as well as some civilians. Hezbollah has responded by extending the geographical range of its rockets fired at Israel, targeting both military facilities and civilian neighborhoods just north and east of Haifa.
As a scholar of Lebanon and Israel, I have followed the dynamics of this war of attrition since Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas executed an unprecedented and deadly attack on Israel, which responded by bombarding the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah then began firing rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
Despite the high rhetoric and mutual threats of destruction, until recent days neither Israel nor Hezbollah, nor the latter’s sponsor Iran, have shown an interest in a full-scale war. All parties surely know the likely destructive consequences of such an eventuality for themselves: Israel has the military power to devastate Beirut and other parts of Lebanon as it did in Gaza, while even a weakened Hezbollah could fire thousands of missiles at Israeli strategic sites, from the airport to central Tel Aviv, water supply lines and electricity hubs, and offshore gas rigs.
So instead, they have exchanged fire and blows along their shared boundary, with somewhat agreed-upon red lines concerning the geographical scope of attacks and efforts not to intentionally target civilians.
But Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon may have turned the page of this war of attrition into a new and far more acute situation, putting the region on the brink of a full war. Such a war would wreak havoc in Lebanon and Israel, and might also drag Iran and the United States into direct confrontation. In doing so, it would also fulfill the apparent of the Hamas gunmen who murdered around 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7 in the hope that a heavy-handed Israeli response would draw in more groups across the region.
A dangerous ‘new phase’
Hezbollah’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, has insisted throughout the near-yearlong hostilities that his organization would hold its fire only if a cease-fire agreement is reached between Israel and Hamas. In recent weeks, however, Israel has taken the conflict in the opposite direction.
The country’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, described the coordinated attacks on Hezbolah targets as a “new phase,” adding that the “center of gravity” in the war was moving north into Lebanon. The Israeli government has added the “return of the residents of the north securely to their homes” as an additional war goal.
The assault on Hezbollah’s communications system targeted the organization’s operatives but hit many civilian bystanders, leaving Lebanese in shock, trauma, anger and desperation.
It demonstrated Israel’s tactical military advantage over Hezbollah. The unprecedented penetration into the heart of the organization’s command and rank-and-file structures has never been seen before in any conflict or war globally. It struck Hezbollah in its most vulnerable places and even exposed its coordination with Iran – one of the injured persons from the pager explosions was the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon.
The killing of Akil two days later was another signal that the Israeli government had now decided to try to change the rules of this risky game of reprisals and counter-reprisals. It is clear that rather than the uneasy status quo that defined this war of attrition for nearly a year, Israel’s intent is now to pressure Hezbollah to concede.
Getting out of control
Nasrallah delivered a gloomy and defiant speech in the aftermath of the pager attack. While acknowledging that Hezbollah was severely undermined by this operation, he defined the Israeli attack as a continuation of “multiple other massacres perpetrated by the enemy over decades.”
By doing so, he framed it within a popular historical narrative among many Lebanese and Palestinians who regard Israel as a criminal entity that regularly carries out massacres against innocent civilians.
Nasrallah also insisted that his commitment to supporting Hamas in Gaza remains unwavering.
While stating that Israeli actions have “crossed all red lines” and could amount to a declaration of war, Nasrallah also reiterated a point he had made in previous peaks of this ongoing conflict: that retribution is coming, the only question being of timing and scale. By doing so, Nasrallah hinted that he may still not be interested in a full war.
Israel, on the other hand, appears less circumspect. After almost a full year of contained tension with Hezbollah, Israel’s leaders appear willing to risk an escalation that might get out of control.
It is hard to determine what the strategy behind Israel’s actions is: Since Oct. 7; as the Biden administration has noted, Israel has not displayed a coherent strategy with clear political goals.
Rather, critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest that he is mainly motivated by his own political survival and the retention of power as the head of state, tying Israel’s interests to his own.
Uniting the ‘axis of resistance’
So where does this leave Nasrallah as he weighs Hezbollah’s response, surely in consultation with Iran? After such devastating blows to Nasrallah’s organization, it is hard to think that Hezbollah would be willing to scale down, stop its cross-border attacks and retreat away from the Israeli border, or give up its commitment to support Hamas in Gaza.
Palestinian refugees listen to a speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah from a cafe at the entrance of the Sabra camp in Beirut.
Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty ImagesOn the other hand, opting for a full-scale war, after spending a year avoiding it, is fraught with risk – both Nasrallah and his sponsors in Tehran know well the high costs of such a war for Hezbollah, Lebanon and potentially also for Iran.
If Hezbollah went to war now against Israel, it would embark on its most consequential move since its foundation in 1982. But it would do so with crippled communications systems and without much of its leadership – some of whom had worked for decades side by side with Nasrallah, building with him the military capacity of the organization.
In some respects, Israelis under Netanyahu’s leadership, and Lebanese in a country increasingly held hostage by Hezbollah’s interests, face similar predicaments: Their well-being is being sacrificed for other priorities.
Netanayhu’s recent statements about concern for Israeli citizens in the north sound hollow after 11 months of pursuing policies that put them more in danger, as well as opposing a Gaza cease-fire deal that would also end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah has dragged the country into this war against the will of most Lebanese – a decision that has led to significant devastation in parts of a country already suffering extreme political and economic duress.
Nasrallah’s speech described Hezbollah’s predicament as that of all Lebanon – while sending a veiled threat that dissent would not be tolerated. Many Lebanese are undoubtedly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and resent Israel’s war in Gaza. But at the same time, they may balk at the idea that their own well-being has to be sacrificed in the process.
In the meantime, Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and mastermind behind the Oct. 7 massacre, may well be looking on at the unfolding events between Israel and Hezbollah with satisfaction. His plan was designed to trigger the unification of all fronts of the so-called “axis of resistance,” which includes the Houthis in Yemen as well as Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups with the hope for a regional war against Israel.
A year later, we are closer than ever to that scenario.
Asher Kaufman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. A weakened Hezbollah is being goaded into all-out conflict with Israel – the consequences would be devastating for all – https://theconversation.com/a-weakened-hezbollah-is-being-goaded-into-all-out-conflict-with-israel-the-consequences-would-be-devastating-for-all-239469
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MIL-OSI China: Israel has dealt Hezbollah blows ‘it could not have imagined’
Source: China State Council Information Office
This photo shows the smoke caused by an Israeli air raid on the course of the Litani River in Litani, Lebanon, on Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that his country landed “a series of blows” on Hezbollah in recent days that the group “could not have imagined.”
In a video statement released by his office, Netanyahu warned, “If Hezbollah hasn’t understood the message, I promise you — it will understand the message.”
He emphasized Israel’s commitment to restoring security in the north, declaring, “We are determined to return our northern residents safely to their homes … We will do whatever it takes to restore security.”
Overnight, Hezbollah expanded its rocket attacks, targeting areas near Haifa, including the headquarters of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel’s state-owned defense technology company, and a military airport in Ramat David base, both located in northern Israel.
Amid the sharp escalation, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant affirmed that the military, in response, would continue its offensive.
Gallant, speaking during his visit to an Air Force control center on Sunday morning, said Hezbollah “has begun to feel some of our capabilities,” referencing weekend airstrikes in Beirut that killed at least 37 people, including Ibrahim Akil, acting commander of Hezbollah’s Elite Radwan Force.
Israel is also believed to be behind a series of attacks earlier this week, which saw thousands of wireless communication devices explode across Lebanon, killing at least 37, including civilians, and injuring thousands.
In addition, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz released a statement saying he had spoken with “dozens” of foreign ministers, sending a clear message: if the international community does not pressure Hezbollah to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, “Israel will do so.”
Katz added that the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces is “essential” to create a security zone, allowing Israeli residents near the border with Lebanon to return to their homes.
The Israeli military announced Sunday in a statement that it is continuing airstrikes in Lebanon and has bombed 400 Hezbollah sites since Saturday. According to Lebanese military sources, at least three people were killed and four others injured on Sunday in intense Israeli airstrikes.
Amid fears that the cross-border fighting, which began in October last year, will escalate to an all-out war in the Middle East, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert warned of an “imminent catastrophe” in the region.
“With the region on the brink of an imminent catastrophe, it cannot be overstated enough: there is NO military solution that will make either side safer,” she wrote on the social media platform X.
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s address to the Indian Diaspora, New York, USA
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 3:58AM by PIB Delhi
Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
Namaste U.S.! Now even our “Namaste” has gone multinational, transitioning from local to global, and it’s all because of you. Every Indian who holds Bharat close to their heart has made this possible.
Friends,
You’ve come here from far and wide. Some faces are familiar, while others are new. Your love is a great honour for me. I recall the days when I wasn’t a PM, wasn’t a CM, wasn’t a leader at all. Back then, I used to come here as an inquisitive traveller, eager to see and understand this land, carrying many questions in my mind. Even when I held no official position, I had already toured almost 29 states in America. Later, when I became a CM, I continued connecting with you through technology. As a PM, too, I’ve received immense affection and warmth from you. In 2014, it was Madison Square; Sam Jose in 2015; Houston in 2019; Washington in 2023; and now New York in 2024, and each time, you surpass the last record.
Friends,
I’ve always recognized the strength of the Indian diaspora. Even when I held no official post, I understood it, and I understand it today. You have always been Bharat’s strongest brand ambassadors for me. That’s why I call you the ‘Rashtradoot’ (nation’s emissaries). You’ve connected America to Bharat and Bharat to America. Your skills, talent, and commitment are unparalleled. Though you’ve crossed seven seas, no ocean is deep enough to separate you from the Bharat that resides in your hearts. What Maa Bharti has taught us, we can never forget. Wherever we go, we treat everyone like family. Embracing diversity, living it, and integrating it into our lives—these are our values, embedded in our very being. We are from a country with hundreds of languages and dialects, home to every religion and sect. Yet, we move forward as one and united. In this very hall, some speak Tamil, others Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi, or Gujarati. Our languages may differ, but our spirit is one: “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Victory to Mother Bharat), the spirit of Indianness. This is our greatest strength in connecting with the world. These values naturally make us ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ (global friend). As our scriptures say, तेन त्यक्तेन भुंजीथा: meaning those who sacrifice are the ones who truly enjoy. We find happiness by doing good to others and by sacrificing. Wherever we live, this spirit remains unchanged. We contribute maximum to the societies we live in. In America, be it as doctors, researchers, tech professionals, scientists, or in other professions, you’ve soared high, and the world has witnessed it. Just a short while ago the T-20 Cricket World Cup was held here and the USA team played amazingly, and the world has also seen the contribution of the Indians living here in that team.
Friends,
For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but I believe AI stands for America-India. This America-India spirit is the AI power of the new world, elevating Bharat-America relations. I salute all of you, the Indian diaspora.
Friends,
Wherever I go in the world, I hear nothing but praise for the Indian diaspora from every leader. Just yesterday, President Biden invited me to his home in Delaware. His warmth and hospitality were truly touching. This honour is for 140 crore Indians, for your hard work, for the millions of Indians living here. I extend my gratitude to President Biden and to all of you.
Friends,
The year 2024 is crucial for the world. On one side, we see conflicts and tensions among nations, while on the other, some countries are celebrating democracy. Bharat and America are together in this celebration of democracy. Elections are upcoming here in the U.S., while Bharat has already held its elections. These elections in Bharat were the largest in human history. You can imagine: almost double the number of voters as the total population of the U.S., and more voters than the entire population of Europe! So many people cast their votes in Bharat. When we see the scale of Bharat’s democracy, it fills us with pride. A three-month-long polling process, 15 million polling staff, over a million polling stations, more than 2,500 political parties, more than 8,000 candidates, thousands of newspapers in different languages, hundreds of radio stations, TV news channels, millions of social media accounts, lakhs of social media channels—all of this makes Bharat’s democracy vibrant. It’s an era of expanding freedom of expression, and our electoral process undergoes scrutiny at this level.
And friends,
This long election process has led to something unprecedented in Bharat this time. What happened? What happened? What happened? ‘Abki Baar – ’ (This time again—), ‘Abki Baar – ’ (This time again—), ‘Abki Baar – ’ (This time again—)!
Friends,
Our government has been re-elected for the third time. This hadn’t happened in Bharat in the last 60 years. The mandate the people of Bharat has given us is huge and significant. In this third term, we have even greater goals to achieve. We must move forward with three times the strength and three times the speed. You’ll remember one word: PUSHP (flower). Yes, consider it a lotus, I have no objections. PUSHP, and I define this PUSHP. P for Progressive Bharat, U for Unstoppable Bharat, S for Spiritual Bharat, H for Humanity First Bharat, and P for Prosperous Bharat. Together, these five petals of PUSHP will shape a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Friends,
I am the first Prime Minister of Bharat born after independence. During the freedom struggle, millions of Indians dedicated their lives to Swaraj (self-rule). They didn’t think of their personal interests or comfort zones; they forgot everything and fought against the British. Some were hanged, some were shot, some endured torturous imprisonment, and many spent their youth in jail.
Friends,
We couldn’t die for our country, but we can surely live for it. Dying wasn’t in our destiny, but living is our destiny. Right from day one, my mind and mission has been clear. I couldn’t give my life for ‘Swaraj’ (independence), but I decided to dedicate my life to ‘Suraj’ (good governance) and a ‘Samridh’ (prosperous) Bharat. A large part of my life was spent wandering across the country for years. Wherever I found food, I ate; wherever I found a place to sleep, I slept. From the shores of the ocean to the mountains, from deserts to snow-covered peaks, I met people from every region, got to know and understand them. I gained first-hand experience of my country’s life, its culture, and its challenges. Though my path was different, destiny brought me into politics. I never imagined becoming a Chief Minister, but I became Gujarat’s longest-serving CM for 13 years. I remained Gujarat’s Chief Minister for 13 years and then people promoted me to Prime Minister. But the lessons I learned traveling through the country have shaped my governance model, both at the state and central levels. Over the past 10 years, the success of this governance model is evident to you and the world. And now, with great trust, the people of Bharat have given me a third term. I approach this third term with three times the sense of responsibility.
Friends,
Today, Bharat is one of the world’s youngest nations. Bharat is filled with energy and dreams. Every day, new records are being set. Every day, new news. Just today, we received great news: Bharat won gold in both men’s and women’s categories at the Chess Olympiad. But let me tell you one more thing, which will require even more applause. For the first time in nearly 100 years, this has happened! The whole country and every Indian is proud of our chess players. There’s another AI driving Bharat. And what is that? It is A for Aspirational and I for Bharat: Aspirational Bharat. This is our new energy. The aspirations of millions of Indians are driving Bharat’s growth. Every aspiration is giving rise to new achievements, and every achievement is fuelling new aspirations. In just one decade, Bharat has risen from the 10th to the 5th largest economy. Now every Indian wants Bharat to quickly become the third-largest economy. Today, a large section of Bharat’s population has seen their basic needs met. Over the past 10 years, crores of people have gained access to clean cooking gas, piped water, electricity, and toilets. These crores of people now aspire to a better quality of life.
Friends,
Now, the people of Bharat don’t just want roads; they want magnificent expressways. Now, the people of Bharat don’t just want rail connectivity; they want high-speed trains. Every city in Bharat aspires to have metro services, and every city wants its own airport. Every citizen, whether from a village or a city, wants world-class facilities, and we are seeing the results of these aspirations. In 2014, only 5 cities in Bharat had metro services; today, 23 cities have metros. Bharat now has the second-largest metro network in the world, and it is expanding every day.
Friends,
In 2014, only 70 cities in Bharat had airports; today, more than 140 cities have airports. In 2014, fewer than 100 gram panchayats had broadband connectivity; today, more than 200,000 panchayats have it. In 2014, Bharat had around 140 million LPG consumers; today, the number has risen to over 310 million. What used to take years to accomplish is now being completed in months. There is a new confidence in Bharat’s people, a determination to reach their goals. Development in Bharat is becoming a people’s movement, and every Indian is becoming an equal partner in this movement of development. They believe in Bharat’s success and in its achievements.
Friends,
Today, Bharat is a land of opportunities. Bharat no longer waits for opportunities; Bharat creates opportunities. Over the past 10 years, Bharat has prepared a new launching pad for opportunities in every sector. Look at this – just in the last decade, and this will make you proud, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty. How did this happen? It happened because we changed the old mindset and approach. We focused on empowering the poor. We connected more than 500 million people to the banking system, provided more than 550 million people with free medical treatment up to 500,000 rupees, gave over 40 million families proper housing, and through collateral-free loans, we provided millions of people with ease of credit. Many such initiatives helped people lift themselves out of poverty, and those who have emerged from poverty today form the neo-middle class, which is driving Bharat’s development at a faster pace.
Friends,
We have prioritized women-led development alongside women’s welfare. The crores of houses built by the government have been registered in the name of women. Out of the crores of bank accounts opened, more than half were in women’s names. Over the past decade, 10 crore Indian women have joined the Micro Entrepreneurship Scheme. Let me give you another example. We are making significant efforts to integrate agriculture with technology in Bharat, and today, drones are being used extensively in farming. While drones may not be new to you, what might surprise you is this: do you know who is taking responsibility for them? It’s rural women. We are training thousands of women to become drone pilots, and this remarkable technological revolution in agriculture is being driven by rural women.
Friends,
The areas once neglected have now become national priorities. Bharat is more connected today than ever before. You may be astonished to learn the current size of Bharat’s 5G market. Would you mind if I told you? Today, Bharat’s 5G market is larger than that of the United States, and this achievement has been made within just two years. Now, Bharat is working on Made-in-India 6G. How did this happen? It happened because we devised policies to advance this sector. We invested in Made-in-India technology, affordable data, and mobile phone manufacturing. Today, nearly every major mobile brand in the world is Made in India. Bharat is now the second-largest mobile manufacturer globally. There was a time, before my tenure, when we were importing mobile phones; today, we are exporting them.
Friends, Bharat no longer lags behind. Now, Bharat creates new systems and leads the way. Bharat has introduced the world to a new concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). DPI has promoted equality and become a powerful tool in reducing corruption. Bharat’s UPI is now capturing the world’s attention. While you may have a wallet in your pocket, in Bharat, people have both physical wallets and e-wallets on their phones. Many Indians no longer carry physical documents, as they now use DigiLocker. When travelling to airports, they seamlessly use DigiYatra. This has become the launching pad for digital public infrastructure, innovation, job creation, and every related technology.
Friends,
Bharat will not stop now, nor will it slow down. Bharat envisions a future where as many global devices as possible operate on Made-in-India chips. We have made the semiconductor sector the foundation of Bharat’s accelerated growth. In June last year, Bharat announced incentives for the semiconductor industry, and just a few months later, the foundation stone for Micron’s first semiconductor unit was laid. To date, five such units have been approved in Bharat. The day is not far when you will see Made-in-India chips here in America as well. This small chip will elevate Bharat’s journey towards development to unprecedented heights, and that’s Modi’s promise.
Friends,
The resolve and commitment towards reforms in Bharat today are unprecedented. Our Green Energy Transition Programme is a prime example of this. Despite accounting for 17 percent of the world’s population, Bharat’s contribution to global carbon emissions is only 4 percent. We played no part in harming the planet. In fact, compared to the rest of the world, our impact is nearly negligible. We, too, could have fuelled our growth by relying on carbon emissions, but we chose the path of green transition, guided by our deep-rooted respect for nature. As a result, we are investing heavily in solar, wind, hydro, green hydrogen, and nuclear energy. Bharat was the first country in the G20 to achieve the Paris climate goals. Since 2014, our solar energy capacity has increased by over 30 times. We are working to make every home in the country a solar-powered home. To achieve this, we have launched an extensive rooftop solar mission. Today, our railway stations and airports are transitioning to solar energy. From homes to streets, Bharat has embarked on a journey towards energy-efficient lighting. These efforts are generating a large number of green jobs in Bharat.
Friends,
21st-century Bharat is advancing through education, skills, research, and innovation. You are all familiar with the name Nalanda University. Not long ago, Bharat’s ancient Nalanda University was revived in a modern form. Today, it’s not only the university but also the spirit of Nalanda that is being reborn. We are creating a modern educational ecosystem that attracts students from across the globe to come to Bharat and study. Over the past 10 years, something remarkable has happened in Bharat. In this period, one new university has been built in Bharat every week, two new colleges have been established every day, and one new ITI has opened each day. In a decade, the number of IIITs has risen from 9 to 25, IIMs from 13 to 21, and AIIMS has tripled to 22. The number of medical colleges has nearly doubled in the same period. Today, even the world’s top universities are coming to Bharat. Bharat is now renowned. The world has long witnessed the power of Indian designers; now it will witness the brilliance of ‘Design in India’.
Friends,
Today, Bharat’s partnerships are expanding globally. Previously, Bharat followed a policy of Equal Distance, but now it embraces a policy of Equal Proximity. We are also becoming a strong voice for the Global South. You may have noticed that, due to Bharat’s initiative, the African Union was granted permanent membership at the G20 Summit. Today, when Bharat speaks on the global stage, the world listens. Not long ago, when I said, “This is not the era of war,” the gravity of the statement was understood worldwide.
Friends,
Whenever there is a crisis anywhere in the world, Bharat is one of the first to respond. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we sent vaccines and medicines to over 150 countries. Whether it was an earthquake, a cyclone, or a civil war, we were among the first to offer assistance. This is a reflection of the values and teachings passed down by our ancestors.
Friends,Bharat is emerging as a new catalyst on the global stage, and its influence will be felt across all sectors. Bharat’s role will be crucial in accelerating global growth, promoting global peace, advancing climate action, closing the global skills gap, driving innovation, and stabilising the global supply chain.
Friends,
For Bharat, power and capability are symbolised by “ज्ञानायदानायचरक्षणाय”, meaning knowledge is for sharing, wealth is for caring, and power is for protecting. Therefore, Bharat’s priority is not to impose its dominance but to enhance its influence. We are not like fire that burns; we are like the sun’s rays that provide light. We do not seek to dominate the world but to contribute to its prosperity. Whether it’s promoting yoga, advocating for superfood millets, or championing the Mission LiFE vision (Lifestyle for the Environment), Bharat is prioritizing human-centric growth alongside GDP-centric growth. I urge you all to promote Mission LiFE as much as possible here. Small changes in our lifestyle can have a significant positive impact on the environment.
You may have heard, and perhaps some of you have already participated, in a movement that’s gaining momentum in Bharat. Across the country, people are planting a tree in honour of their mothers (Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam). If your mother is alive, plant a tree along with her. If she is no longer with us, plant a tree in her memory – carry a picture of her with you and plant a tree. This movement is taking place in every corner of Bharat, and I encourage all of you to initiate a similar campaign here. This will not only honour the mothers who gave us life but also our Mother Earth.
Friends,
Bharat today dreams big and pursues those dreams with determination. The Paris Olympics concluded just a few days ago, and the next host will be the USA. Soon, you will also witness the Olympics being held in Bharat. We are making every possible effort to host the 2036 Olympics. Whether in sports, business, or entertainment, Bharat has become a centre of global attraction. Today, Indian leagues like the IPL rank among the world’s top leagues, and Indian films are making waves internationally. Bharat is also soaring in global tourism. There is a growing interest in celebrating Indian festivals across different countries. I notice that people in cities everywhere are now learning Garba for Navratri—this reflects their love for Bharat.
Friends,
Today, every country seeks to learn more about Bharat. I have something else that will bring you joy. Just yesterday, America returned 300 ancient inscriptions and statues to Bharat, some as old as 1,500 to 2,000 years, which had been stolen from Bharat So far, the United States has returned around 500 such artefacts to Bharat. This is not just about the return of a few items; it is a tribute to our rich heritage spanning thousands of years. It is a matter of pride for Bharat and for all of you. I am deeply grateful to the US government for this gesture.
Friends,
The partnership between Bharat and the United States is growing stronger by the day. Our collaboration is for the benefit of the world. We are enhancing cooperation across all sectors, and your convenience has been taken into account as well. Last year, I announced that our government would open a new Consulate in Seattle, which has now become operational. I had also sought your suggestions for the opening of two more consulates, and I am pleased to inform you that, based on your feedback, Bharat has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles.
I am also delighted to announce the establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair for Tamil Studies at the University of Houston. This will further help in propagating the philosophy of the great Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar to the world.
Friends,
This event of yours has truly been remarkable. The cultural programme that took place here was fantastic. I have been informed that thousands of people wished to attend this event, but the venue proved to be too small. I apologise to those whom I couldn’t meet today. I look forward to meeting all of you next time, at another venue on another day. However, I know the enthusiasm will remain the same, and the passion will remain undiminished. May you all stay healthy and prosperous, and continue to strengthen the India-US friendship. With these wishes, I extend my heartfelt thanks to you all!
Join me in saying:
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Many thanks.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered
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MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks At the Naming Ceremony of the U.S.S. Baltimore (SSN-812) Aboard the U.S.S. Constellation, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland (As Delivered)
Source: United States Department of Defense
Good morning, everyone. Secretary Del Toro, Senator Cardin, Mayor Scott — thank you for your leadership, for your support of the finest and fiercest fighting force in the world, and of course for being here today.
I am incredibly honored to be the sponsor of the future U.S.S. Baltimore.
Baltimore, and Maryland, have deep meaning for me.
Some of my earliest childhood recollections are from living in Annapolis, just a few hours’ sail down the Chesapeake.
And some of my fondest memories are from being back in the Old Line State, for graduate school. It’s where I met my husband, after all — we are fellow Terps. And we’ve spent time here over the years at this very harbor and throughout Baltimore’s neighborhoods. So Charm City will always hold a special place in my heart, and now even more so as the Baltimore‘s sponsor.
And America’s submarine force, well, she’s just in my blood.
You see, I grew up in a submarine family. The origin story began 73 years ago this past summer, when my father, Jerry Holland, left his landlocked hometown of Iowa City, Iowa, for the western shores of Maryland, to attend the U.S. Naval Academy.
He’s never told me exactly why he was drawn to the Navy, but he is a prolific writer, and in one book he observed that “dreams of life at sea can appear at a very young age, and almost always grow in the presence of a ship model, at a museum, on a lake or a pond, or even in a bathtub.”
So, anything’s possible.
But we do know that for many midshipmen in those nascent days of the Cold War, submarines were the vanguard of the future.
It was the birth of America’s nuclear navy. Just a few months before my dad commissioned from Annapolis, the U.S.S. Nautilus went “underway on nuclear power,” making headlines and breaking records for speed and endurance.
Meanwhile, Run Silent, Run Deep was one of the year’s hottest novels, and would soon be a film starring none other than Clark Gable, the so-called “King of Hollywood.”
All the star-studded attention was well deserved.
Think about what it means to serve on a nuclear submarine.
To willfully seal yourself inside a metal canister along with scores of other human beings.
Propelled through the inky black depths of the sea by power generated from the splitting of atoms.
Sensing your environment not by sight, but by sound.
And to do so for weeks if not months at a time, traversing thousands of miles from open sea to crowded ports, without being heard by other ships even if they’re steaming right above you.
It takes a special combination of brains, heart, courage, and cool-under-pressure that many admire, but only a few possess. And that’s partly why those who join the silent service are consummate quiet professionals.
They don’t necessarily brag about being the “best of the best.”
They just are.
And my dad was no exception. Like all prospective nuclear submariners in those days, he was personally interviewed by Admiral Rickover, the father of the nuclear navy, to see if young Ensign Holland was up to snuff — and my dad’s decades of service as a submariner, retiring as a Rear Admiral, are testament that he was.
Throughout that career, the submarine community was more than just his professional home.
It was a family support system, one in which my mother, Anne Holland, was a leader. One that played an important role for me and my six older brothers and sisters.
It was a community I was born into.
For my siblings and me, submarines were more than just where dad went to work. Like other kids, we played with train sets and paper dolls, but we also played with toy submarines.
[Laughter]
And the real ones were docked down the street, discussed at the dinner table, and a part of our family identity.
It is especially fitting — and I am so grateful — that both of my parents are with us here today.
And as the sponsor of the future U.S.S. Baltimore, SSN-812, I will continue to carry our family’s legacy of service, and commitment to the submarine force.
And what a force it is.
As Deputy Secretary of Defense, I’m focused on ensuring America’s military has the capabilities required to defend our nation, our allies and partners, and our interests. America’s submarines are vital contributors to those goals.
The United States maintains significant overmatch in undersea warfare compared to our pacing challenge, the People’s Republic of China. And we’re going to keep it that way, even as the PLA Navy continues to modernize. Submarines like Baltimore are a big part of how we’re staying in the lead — and not only ahead of the PRC, but also ahead of Russia.
Indeed, years ago my dad wrote in Proceedings that our submarines are “invisible, nearly invulnerable, and capable of operating close to shore to provide large volumes of fire.” That’s why they’re so important to joint force design, and a deterrent to any who might threaten us.
And when we invest together with our allies in advanced conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capabilities — like we’re doing through our AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom — it’s a win-win for everyone, from Gare Loch to Groton to Garden Island. In fact, Australian sailors completed maintenance on a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine in Australian waters for the first time just this month.
Now, today’s boat naming is the beginning of a long journey for the Baltimore: from laydown to launch, shakedown to commissioning, and then a 30-plus-year service life.
And it’s built, assembled, outfitted, and evaluated — and as it does so — it will be touched by the hands of a world-class workforce: machinists, welders, pipefitters, systems engineers, technicians, testers and more.
It’s a workforce that is benefitting from the Biden-Harris administration’s historic investments, in partnership with Congress, to bolster and accelerate the productivity of America’s submarine industrial base: so it can support our military and our AUKUS commitment with our Australian and British allies. Over four years of defense budgets and supplemental appropriations, it’s about a $10-billion-dollar investment in the future strength and lethality of the silent service.
And when Baltimore joins the fleet, with a world-class crew, it will be among the most agile, lethal, resilient, and capable conventional nuclear-powered submarines we’ve ever made.
When I think about the boats my father served on and skippered — submarines that patrolled from the North Atlantic to the western Pacific, outfoxing the Soviet Navy time and again — I’m reminded that the Baltimore belongs to a continually-modernized class of attack submarines that are not only larger, more powerful, and more lethal. They also run quieter, deeper, and faster.
It would take over two-and-a-half of those earlier-generation submarines to equal the submerged displacement of a single Virginia-class sub like the Baltimore.
Virginia-class reactors also produce two-and-a-half times more megawatts than the reactors my dad trained on — that’s enough electricity to power tens of thousands of Maryland households today — and their turbines also generate over three times more shaft-horsepower for propulsion. That’s effectively a 20 percent higher thrust-to-weight ratio.
And compared to the subs my dad commanded, the most lethal Virginia-class submarines coming off the line today can carry two-and-a-half times more munitions, including dozens of anti-ship missiles like the Maritime Strike Tomahawk. And they have 11 times more torpedo and missile tubes.
As my dad once wrote, “the submarine provides a flexibility that presents our leaders with many options. Superior both offensive[ly] and defensive[ly].” In that way, Virginia-class subs are a Swiss Army Knife of naval capabilities:
- They’re capable of anti-surface and strike missions, plus anti-submarine warfare.
- They can support special operations.
- They can provide more inputs into our multi-domain awareness.
- They’re interoperable with U.S. allies’ and partner forces.
- And they’re built to be upgraded for even more, with technologies and capabilities that we’re still developing today, and even with those that we haven’t yet imagined.
Of course, our submarine force is still the ‘silent’ service. Even with the passage of time since my dad retired from the Navy, there are still aspects of subs and their missions that he and I cannot share publicly, that remain classified for their ongoing relevance to U.S. national security. And that will be the case for many years to come — just as it will be true for the Baltimore and its future crews.
But make no mistake about Baltimore‘s purpose. Like all of our submarines, conventional and otherwise, we build them not to provoke war, but rather to prevent wars, through deterrence.
When our would-be adversaries consider the risks of aggression, sometimes they will see the ‘big stick’ of U.S. and allied military assets, like the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt and our other aircraft carriers. They certainly send a signal, and they have the firepower to back it up.
But other times, there may be advantage in not sending a signal. And for those times, you need something that the other side can’t see.
U.S.S. Baltimore — with its stealth, endurance, lethality, and speed — will be just such an asset, part of our unseen advantage. And the only thing the adversary will hear is the sound of silence.
Just over 25 years ago, when the first submarine my father commanded was being decommissioned, he had the opportunity to tour that boat, U.S.S. Pintado. It was “astonishing,” he later wrote, to find the sub “in nearly as perfect condition as when she was commissioned.”
For over two-and-a-half decades, that submarine had patrolled the seas, helping ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce, so that Americans, our allies, and many more people around the world could sleep soundly at night, live free, and prosper.
Dad, to you and all your shipmates past: thank you for having the watch. Mom, thank you for everything you did to lead pier-side, from running Family Service Centers to running the family.
America is grateful for the service you both gave, and the sacrifices you both made, on all of our behalf. And I am grateful.
[Applause]
Thank you.
Today, and every day, I’m thankful to those who built that submarine, who served aboard it, and who supported them and their families — just as I’m grateful to those who will do the same for the U.S.S. Baltimore.
Someday not too far off, I’ll be honored to welcome the future Baltimore‘s crew as an extended part of that family. I’ll be proud to know it will be the best submarine our country’s ever made: beautiful and deadly. It won’t be built overnight, but it will be built to last.
A quarter of a century from now, in 2049 and long beyond, the U.S.S. Baltimore will still be standing guard, out on patrol, so that we all — Americans, our allies, and hopefully the world — can sleep soundly at night, live free, and prosper.
Thank you.
[Applause]
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MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: U.S Navy to Christen Future USNS Lucy Stone
Source: United States Navy
The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, will deliver the ceremonial principal address. Remarks will also be provided by the Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Vice Adm. Jeffery T. Jablon, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics, and David J. Carver, President, General Dynamics NASSCO. In the time-honored Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsors and U.S. Navy ship introduction specialists who have helped bring to life over 100 ships in the past 20 years, Alicia Aadnesen and Debbie Simmons, will christen the ship with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne on the ship’s bow.
The ship is named for American suffragist Lucy Stone, who joined other notable advocates such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Ernestine Rose, and Antoinette Brown Blackwell to petition for suffrage and abolition in the 19th century. Her efforts as a founder of the Women’s National Loyal League were essential to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery.
“Lucy Stone’s legacy of leadership and advocacy for equality reflects the values we uphold in the U.S Navy,” said Secretary Del Toro. “USNS Lucy Stone stands as a testament to our commitment to operational excellence and is a proud moment as we continue to build and strengthen our maritime capabilities.”
The future USNS Lucy Stone will be the fifth Lewis-class fleet replenisher oiler and will be operated by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The oilers feature a substantial volume for oil, significant dry cargo capacity and aviation capability. T-AOs provide additional capacity to the Navy’s Combat Logistical Force and become the cornerstone of the fuel delivery system.
PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, auxiliary ships, special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.
Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. More information on the Fleet Replenishment Oilers can be found at: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2222909/fleet-replenishment-oilers-t-ao/
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MIL-OSI Security: 625 STOS completes SELM test
Source: United States Strategic Command
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. –
Airmen and Sailors from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb., 576th Flight Test Squadron, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., the 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D., and the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing 1, Offutt AFB, completed a simulated electronic launch minuteman (SELM) test at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Sept. 17.
Twice a year, SELM tests the Minuteman III in its deployed environment at various missile wings without an actual launch occurring.
“SELM tests the selected ICBMs from day-to-day operation to issuance of the first stage ignition signal,” said Maj. Raun Carnley, assistant director of operations, 625th STOS. “Commands up to and including launch commands are sent to the test configured launch facility from test configured launch control centers and the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) onboard a Navy E-6 Mercury.”
SELM tests are vital to the health of the ICBM fleet as it ensures the system will do what it is commanded to do if needed and provides sustainment data to Air Force Global Strike Command and U.S. Strategic Command.
“As updates to software and hardware are fielded, testing helps verify the system continues to work as designed,” said Carnley. “A SELM test validates the combat capability of our fielded ICBM weapon system…while saving the taxpayer money, and without the risk of escalatory messaging that the equivalent number of operational test launches would require to accomplish the same task.”
From the 576th FTS running the tests to the 91st MW providing ground operations and maintenance support to SCW-1 providing the aircraft and aircrew, each organization plays a pivotal role to ensure the launch process is reliable and ready.
A major player in a SELM test is the 625th STOS. The squadron is aligned under the 8th Air Force and provides everything from the targeting package on the missile, to the systems that simulate the flight of the projectile, to the launch track and range safety coordinates, to the training that prepared the team and the ALCS operators that provided the key turn.
“We ensure the ALCS is able to fulfill its role as the backup to the launch control centers and ground crews in the case it is ever needed,” said Carnley.
With so many moving parts, scheduling these tests doesn’t occur overnight, they are planned out years in advance.
“We are currently on a five-year construct,” said Carnley. “Specific preparations on the side of the 625th STOS start approximately four months in advance to coordinate our pieces of the mission. With two tests a year, as soon as one is complete, planning and preparation for the next one begins.”
Although a SELM test isn’t as visible as an operational test launch, it provides a great deal of value to the various organizations supporting the mission.
One such supporting organization is the Joint-Nuclear Operations Center (JNOC) at Barksdale AFB, La.
The JNOC has six divisions and the ICBM division monitors and observes each SELM test and assists as necessary explained Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Tobey, JNOC senior enlisted leader.
“Ensuring the sustainment and capabilities of our nuclear forces not only allows U.S. citizens to sleep soundly at night but provides global stability which also helps foster economic prosperity,” said Carnley. “It’s also a message to our Allies and adversaries: The ICBM leg of the nuclear triad is viable and ready at a moment’s notice to defend our freedoms and those of our Allies.”
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MIL-OSI Security: Air Force provides B-21 Raider program updates
Source: United States Strategic Command
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) –
Department of the Air Force leaders and industry partners provided updates on the B-21 Raider, the Air Force’s newest bomber, during a panel at the Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 18.
The B-21 will incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers to become the backbone of the Air Force’s flexible global strike capability. The airframe is a long-range, highly survivable stealth bomber capable of delivering a mix of conventional and nuclear munitions and will be the “air leg” of the nuclear triad, critical to deterring conflict.
Panelists who provided updates included Gen. Thomas Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike Command commander; Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander; William Bailey, Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director; and Thomas Jones, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector president.
Bailey and Jones provided updates about how the B-21 program is progressing.
“We’re really starting to strike up quite a cadence [and] generate two flight test flights in a given week,” Jones said. “When we started this journey, we made a vow that we were going to design this system to be a daily flyer. It’s been a phenomenal year of progress, and we hope to continue that through the next year.”
The panelists also described a significant milestone in which the B-21 completed its static test on the G-1 asset, a ground-based test article used to evaluate the structural integrity of the aircraft. This test was essential to “confirming the structural design of the aircraft is sound and validated confidence in the digital models,” Bailey said.
The aircraft is now going through a fatigue testing campaign.
Armagost discussed how the B-21 program is preparing for the delivery of the aircraft to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, to include laying the foundation for AFGSC squadrons to be sufficiently equipped, trained, and certified for aircraft delivery, while Bailey spoke to the teamwork that has been essential to the program’s development.
“We’re very clear as a team what the priorities are day after day,” Bailey said. “That collaboration between operators and acquirers has been a key component of this success … that has got to be a consideration [in Great Power Competition].”
Bussiere addressed current strategic threats posed by adversaries and the necessity of the bomber force, and the future capabilities the B-21 will provide, to keep pace with those threats.
“We are the free world’s only bomber force. We’re probably not going to see a decreased demand signal from our regional combatant commands on bomber task forces,” Bussiere added. “That demand signal, in my opinion, is only going to go up in the years ahead. As we transition from legacy to new, the B-21 fleet will provide great comfort to our allies and should provide great pause to any potential adversary.”
He added, “Nobody on the planet can do what we’re doing right now. Nobody on the planet can build an exquisite, technologically-advanced platform like the B-21, and quite frankly, nobody on the planet can hold at risk what we can hold at risk at a time and place of our choosing.”
Bailey echoed Bussiere’s comments about the adaptability of the B-21 systems, which were “designed with flexibility in mind.”
“Agility and flexibility — they can’t just be buzzwords. These are the kind of things that you need to be able to demonstrate over time. Why? Because it’s going to be changing on you, and we’ve had the benefit of employing a lot of those strategies on this program,” Bailey concluded.
The B-21 program has a production goal of a minimum of 100 aircraft.
When the B-21 enters the service, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, will be the first B-21 main operating base and location of the formal training unit. The Air Force recently announced the second and third basing locations for the B-21: Whiteman AFB, Missouri; and Dyess AFB, Texas, in that order.
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MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: CNO Remarks at Lone Sailor Awards Dinner
Source: United States Navy
Good evening, everyone! Wow – what a fantastic video highlighting out Navy in action!
It is an honor to be here with such a distinguished group of leaders, members of Congress, Industry partners, Department of the Navy civilians, Flag and General Officers, MCPONs lots of MCPONs, veterans, and our servicemen and women – here to celebrate our Navy – and most importantly, our people – tonight.
Let me start by saying thank you very much to Admiral John Nowell and to the Navy Memorial team for putting together this spectacular event year after year. And thank you for bringing to life our Navy story and the stories of all our Sailors and all the people in the sea services day in and day out at the Navy Memorial, which is the home to one of the largest maps in the world, the “Granite Sea,” where you already heard that I danced with many veterans from the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and I had a really good time thanks to them and the Navy Band.
If you haven’t seen the “Granite Sea” or been to the Navy Memorial, I encourage you to do so. The Granite Sea,” it’s a map and it really show the sheer size, the expansiveness and the interconnectedness of the world’s oceans. And the sheer responsibility we have to keep them free and open for all.
Tonight, we are here to celebrate the contributions of Sailors, past and present and let me say right upfront there is a lot to celebrate. After visiting our Navy team around the world and then just watching them again in that video I am filled with pride. I could not be more proud of our active and Reserve Sailors, our civilians, our Navy – Marine Corps team that is out there executing our Navy’s mission every single day – operating far forward, from seabed to space to deter aggression, to promote our Nation’s prosperity and security, and provide options to our Nation’s decision makers.
So, tonight, it is both an honor and a privilege for me to be here to recognize the bold and daring actions of our Sailors the ones you just saw in the video from Carrier Strike Group TWO. There are Sailors from – the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower the aircraft carrier – Carrier Air Wing 3 and its nine squadrons. We have The Philippine Sea a guided missile cruiser. Destroyers from Destroyer Squadron Twenty Two – the Gravely, the Mason, the Laboon, and USS Carney. USS Florida, a guided missile submarine. All joined by a full complement of logistics ships run by our amazing civilian mariners – USNS Supply, Kanawha, and Alan Shepard – who did their part to deliver fuel, supplies, munitions, other goods, and of course mail to sustain our people and our Fleet at sea. How about a big round of applause for all those Sailors out there.
Every one of them played a critical role in what I like to call a “Deployment of Firsts”: The first shoot down of an anti-ship ballistic missile; the first SM-6 engagement. the first air-to-air engagement of a hostile Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; and, the first employment of a hellfire against naval surface threats in combat.
And while I could go on and on and on about their contested straits transits and the number of threats intercepted, but I instead want to tell you about the story of this amazing team as I saw it.
For nine months our incredible Sailors prevailed operating inside an adversary Weapons Engagement Zone with an intensity not seen since WWII. They were saving lives, preventing the escalation of conflict, escorting merchants, ensuring the free flow of commerce, defending and working alongside our Allies and partners, and standing up for the values that we all hold so dear.
For nine months, they demonstrated to the American people that naval power is – and will continue to be – an essential element of our nation’s security.
And for nine months, these Sailors proved to our adversaries that we are truly the world’s preeminent fighting force and that no other Navy can train, deploy and sustain such a lethal, combat force at the scale and the tempo that we do.
These Sailors are truly America’s Warfighting Navy.
And again, I could not be more excited to recognize some of those courageous IKE Strike Group Sailors here with us tonight teammates please stand. Please join me in giving them a round of applause.
The story of the IKE Strike Group and the story of these warfighters is one of many stories across America’s Warfighting Navy it’s a Navy that works around the globe and around the clock. And tonight, thousands more of our Navy Sailors, our Marines, our Coast Guardsmen and actually all of our servicepeople are operating far forward at risk in multiple weapons engagement zones around the world.
From the Eastern Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, and everywhere in between our Sailors are standing the watch in every domain ready to preserve the peace, to respond in crisis, and if necessary, win decisively in war.
So, as we recognize the outstanding achievements of these Sailors here tonight, of our Lone Sailor Award recipients I ask that we also take a moment to reflect on all of our Sailors, our Marines, our service members, and their families. They serve everyday with Honor, Courage, and Commitment and it is because of their selfless service to our Nation that we can be here tonight to enjoy this wonderful evening.
Thank you very much.
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MIL-OSI USA: NREL Research Points Path to Higher Blends of Biodiesel
Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory
NREL researchers have identified strategies to blend more biomass-based diesel fuel into petroleum diesel. Photo from National Biodiesel Board, NREL
Barriers that are currently preventing the use of greater percentages of biomass-based diesel fuel blended into petroleum diesel have been identified, along with strategies to overcome them, according to researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
The bio-derived diesel fuel in use today is blended into petroleum diesel at a relatively low percentage, typically from 5% to 20%. An NREL team investigated the performance of much higher blends of biodiesel into both renewable diesel and petroleum diesel. They specifically examined blends of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. A switch to using higher percentages of biomass-based diesel fuels would reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by the transportation sector. Biodiesel is an oxygenate made from fats, oils, and greases. Renewable diesel is made from the same feedstocks but processed to be a hydrocarbon chemically similar to petroleum diesel.
“It’s amazing to me, but there are thousands of papers published every year on biodiesel, and almost nobody looks at blends over 20%,” said NREL Senior Research Fellow Robert McCormick, corresponding author of the newly published research paper “Properties That Potentially Limit High-Level Blends of Biomass-Based Diesel Fuel,” which appears in the journal Energy & Fuels. “This research addresses a major data gap about biodiesel blends, both because it looks at high-level blends and because it looks at blends with renewable diesel as well as petroleum diesel. Biodiesel blends with renewable diesel are 100% renewable.”
The paper was coauthored by researchers Gina Fioroni, Nimal Naser, and Jon Luecke, all also from NREL.
The researchers examined biodiesel produced from soybean oil, which is the most common feedstock used in the United States to make the fuel. They pointed out that a detailed understanding about the properties of biodiesel blended at levels above 20% is lacking.
Heavy-duty long-haul trucks and off-road equipment, marine shipping, and commercial aircraft are expected to continue requiring liquid fuels even as electrification of smaller vehicles ramps up. These fuels will need to be low-net greenhouse gas emissions—such as biodiesel and renewable diesel—and compatible with existing engines. The use of biodiesel and renewable diesel is forecast to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions from 40% to 86% compared to petroleum diesel, depending upon the feedstock used.
McCormick said with a biodiesel blend greater than about 50%, “you start to have property differences with petroleum that that could be problematic.” At less than 50%, the differences do not pose much of a challenge.
Challenges with biodiesel blends greater than 50% can be mitigated, however. For example, diesel fuels must be reformulated in winter months to ensure that the cloud point—the temperature where wax begins to form—is below the expected ambient temperature. Wax can cause fuel filter clogging such that the engine cannot operate. Biodiesel cloud point can be as low as 20°F but for soy biodiesel is around 32°F, making the use of 100% biodiesel problematic in areas with colder winters.
“This issue can be managed by reducing the blend level or by blending the biodiesel into different hydrocarbon blendstocks with a lower cloud point during the winter months—as is commonly done today for B20 [a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel],” McCormick said. “A similar strategy could be used to mitigate the high boiling point of biodiesel, which is near the top of the diesel boiling range.”
A hydrocarbon blendstock with a lower boiling point, such as kerosene, could be used for biodiesel blends over 50%, alleviating challenges in cold starting the engine, accumulation of fuel in the engine lubricant, and potentially failure of emission control catalysts to “light-off” or achieve high enough temperature.
The research, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, also examined other fuel properties such as density, oxidation stability, and water content to determine whether these might limit the blending of biodiesel. Oxidation stability, for example, may be reduced as more biodiesel is blended, but the problem can be overcome by using higher levels of antioxidant additives.
Significant future research is needed to address the challenges of high level biodiesel blends, particularly on how they impact diesel engine emission control systems. The NREL paper serves as a research road map for addressing these challenges.
Learn more about NREL’s sustainable transportation and mobility research. Sign up for NREL’s quarterly transportation and mobility research newsletter, Sustainable Mobility Matters, to stay current on the latest news.
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MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Navy to Christen Future USNS Lucy Stone
Source: United States Department of Defense
The U.S. Navy will christen the future USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) during an 11 a.m. PST ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 21, in San Diego.
The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, will deliver the ceremonial principal address. Remarks will also be provided by the Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Vice Adm. Jeffery T. Jablon, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics, and David J. Carver, President, General Dynamics NASSCO. In the time-honored Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsors and U.S. Navy ship introduction specialists who have helped bring to life over 100 ships in the past 20 years, Alicia Aadnesen and Debbie Simmons, will christen the ship with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne on the ship’s bow.
The ship is named for American suffragist Lucy Stone, who joined other notable advocates such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Ernestine Rose, and Antoinette Brown Blackwell to petition for suffrage and abolition in the 19th century. Her efforts as a founder of the Women’s National Loyal League were essential to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery.
“Lucy Stone’s legacy of leadership and advocacy for equality reflects the values we uphold in the U.S Navy,” said Secretary Del Toro. “USNS Lucy Stone stands as a testament to our commitment to operational excellence and is a proud moment as we continue to build and strengthen our maritime capabilities.”
The future USNS Lucy Stone will be the fifth Lewis-class fleet replenisher oiler and will be operated by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The oilers feature a substantial volume for oil, significant dry cargo capacity and aviation capability. T-AOs provide additional capacity to the Navy’s Combat Logistical Force and become the cornerstone of the fuel delivery system.
PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, auxiliary ships, special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.
Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. More information on the Fleet Replenishment Oilers can be found at:
https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2222909/fleet-replenishment-oilers-t-ao/ -
MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Secures Nearly $12 Million DCIP Grant to Establish Grand Sky, GFAFB Fire Station
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
09.20.24
EMERADO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he has secured an $11.6 million grant to establish a fire station serving Grand Sky and the Grand Forks Air Force Base. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to advance the award under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which the senator has supported through annual appropriations legislation. Hoeven also made the case for the project to Department of Defense (DoD) officials, including General Kenneth Wilsbach, Commander of the Air Combat Command, who the senator hosted in Grand Forks earlier this year. In particular, the senator stressed to DoD officials:
The need to reduce the current 20-minute response time for local fire services to reach the base, particularly operations in the southern portion of the base.
The importance of providing adequate emergency services for:
The critical space and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities housed in Grand Forks, which support DoD missions around the globe.
The more than $4 billion in DoD assets at Grand Sky, including the Test Resource Management Center’s (TRMC) Range Hawk Program.
General Atomics’ MQ-9 training services for NATO partners operating that aircraft.“This nearly $12 million grant to establish fire protection facilities at Grand Sky and the Grand Forks Air Force Base supports our ongoing work to expand the existing Air Force, DoD and Space Development Agency operations in this region, as well as secure future missions and partnerships for the base, the tech park, private industry and institutions like the University of North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “By building a fire station that is dedicated to serving the base as well as Grand Sky, we are providing greater certainty for these critical missions. At the same time, we are helping position Grand Forks to continue growing as a key player in missions around the globe, supporting operations from the ground all the way up into space.”
This comes as the latest in Hoeven’s efforts to strengthen existing missions at, and bring new operations to, Grand Forks Air Force Base and the adjacent technology and business park, Grand Sky. The fire protection station will serve as a vital asset helping ensure the security of current missions, while ensuring the base has the resources needed to support the growth of future operations. Among other priorities, Hoeven is working to:
Secure future ISR missions for Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Forge further partnerships between the Air Force and institutions like the University of North Dakota and Grand Sky to:
Strengthen U.S. counter-unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) capabilities.
Demonstrate and validate UAS applications for the military through Project ULTRA.
Maximize the value of Grand Sky’s Enhanced Use Lease with the base.Expanding the Space Development Agency (SDA) satellite mission with Advanced Fire Control (AFC) operations at the base.
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MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, CONTINUING HIS PUSH TO LAND NEW SKI-BIRD FLEET AT SCHENECTADY COUNTY’S STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, BRINGS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION DIRECTOR TO U.S. CAPITOL TO BUILD SUPPORT IN THE…
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Schumer Made Major Breakthrough After Visiting Stratton Air National Guard Base Earlier This Year Securing $229M In Senate Approps, But In Order For $$ To Become Law The House Needs To Agree To This Measure, Which Is Currently Not Included In Their Bill
Schumer Brought NSF And NY National Guard Top Brass, Who Rely On These Planes For Scientific Research And Maintaining American Competition With China And Russia, To Capitol To Discuss Need For New Ski-Bird Planes To Ensure We Can Continue Missions To Arctic And Antarctic For National Security
Schumer: We Are The Closest We’ve Ever Been To Landing New Ski-Birds For The 109th Airlift Wing & We Need Everyone To Get On Board To Support This Funding
After securing $229 million in the Senate’s FY2025 defense appropriations bill to replace the 109th Airlift Wing’s (AW) two oldest LC-130H aircraft, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this week brought National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan and Major General Ray Shields, Adjutant General for the State of New York, to the U.S. Capitol to build support and describe the need for the House to follow the Senate and back funding to recapitalize the Ski-Bird fleet for the Stratton Air National Guard in Schenectady County.
“Upgrading the 109th Airlift Wing’s Ski-Bird fleet based in Schenectady is critical for our national security and the National Science Foundation’s polar research mission. That is why I personally brought NSF Director Panchanathan and Major General Ray Shields to the Capitol to highlight the need to land new Ski-Birds in the Capital Region ASAP. Stratton Air National Guard and the 109th Airlift Wing is the only military unit in the world that flies these aircraft and they need the House to back up the funding I was able to secure in the Senate,” said Senator Schumer. “For more than thirty years, the old LC-130H planes have been in service in harsh environments, but now their state of disrepair is threatening aircrew safety and the 109th AW’s mission success. I landed $229 million in federal funding in the Senate’s FY2025 Defense Appropriations bill so now we need the House to follow suit. The brave men and women of the 109th Airlift Wing cannot wait, and I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail for the inclusion of this funding in end-of-year appropriations so we can finally bring brand new J model LC-130s to the Capital Region.”
At the meeting Schumer convened at the U.S. Capitol they had a wide range of panelists who highlighted the tremendous need for upgrading the ski-bird fleet including: Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director, National Science Foundation; Major General Ray Shields, Adjutant General, New York National Guard; Dr. Jean Cottam Allen, Acting Director, Office of Polar Programs at the NSF; Stephanie Short, Section Head, Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics at the NSF; Jennifer Mercer, Section Head, Arctic Sciences at the NSF; Brig. Gen. Gary Charlton II, Assistant Adjutant General (Air), NYANG; and Col Steve Slosek, 109th Airlift Wing, NYANG. Then, panelists covered how the 109th AW’s Ski-Bird mission is crucial to both scientific research and national security, discussing the significant and immediate consequences it would yield if Congress fails to recapitalize the fleet and the aircraft enters restricted flight status. Now, Schumer and these top leaders are advocating for the House to match the Senate Defense Appropriations bill and support its inclusion in the final FY25 appropriations package.
National Science Foundation Director Dr. Panchanathan said, “The U.S. National Science Foundation’s leadership in both polar regions not only keeps the U.S. at the forefront of critical areas of science and innovation, it also maintains the United States as the dominant global year-round presence in the Arctic and Antarctic. This would not be possible without the LC-130H aircraft and the brave and dedicated servicemembers of the New York Air National Guard and the 109th Air Lift Wing. Together, they provide a unique and invaluable service that allows us to reach the most remote parts of the polar regions. Without this capability, our leadership and presence would be at risk, and the world-class science we invest in, from glaciology to astrophysics would not be possible. I am grateful to Sen. Schumer, the New York delegation, and Congress for continued support to make sure the United States remains the global leader in the Arctic and Antarctic.”
“Today Senator Schumer hosted a meeting and panel discussion to address the urgent need to recapitalize the New York Air National Guard’s aging fleet of LC-130H Ski Birds. The event included the Director of the National Science Foundation as well as key leaders from their Office of Polar Programs. Senator Schumer was instrumental in securing $229 million in the Senate’s FY-2025 appropriations bill. The panel and the discussion continued the efforts of Senator Schumer and New York’s Congressional delegation to ensure the critical mission of the 109th Air Wing and their vital National Security and science support missions have the aircraft required. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s steadfast support and commitment to our recapitalization efforts,” said Major General Shields.
Schumer explained that with these planes quickly approaching the end of their service life—and following his successful efforts to authorize funding for the procurement of two new J model LC-130 aircraft in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), securing this funding in the final end-of-year appropriations bills is a national security priority for New York. The senator explained that the $229 million in the Senate bill will support the procurement of two LC-130J Ski-Birds, as well as essential engineering work to accelerate the design and development of the J model’s capabilities.
Earlier this year, Schumer wrote to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to urge the Air Force to prioritize recapitalizing the LC-130H fleet and in April, he personally visited the 109th Airlift Wing—the only U.S. military unit in the world that flies these aircraft—in person to double down on the urgent need to recapitalize the LC-130H fleet and formally launch his push to secure federal funding for the procurement of two new LC-130Js in the FY25 appropriations cycle. As he explained during his visit and with the top leaders during the meeting he convened in the Capitol this week, this funding is critical for protecting U.S. national security interests, enhancing U.S. competitiveness with Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), maximizing aircrew safety, and continuing to support cutting-edge research in the polar regions which includes finding solutions to limit global warming and combat climate change.
“As I have repeatedly said, we need to ensure that we deliver new Ski-Birds for the 109th as soon as possible. Now that we’ve secured more than $200 million for LC-130H recapitalization in both the FY25 Senate NDAA and defense appropriations bill, the House needs to follow suit so that new planes can land in the Capital Region. The National Science Foundation and the NY National Guard both agree, and we are closer than we have ever been. ” added Schumer.
Schumer explained that after more than 30 years, these planes—several of which were built in the 1970s and operate on technology developed in the 1950s—are rapidly approaching the end of their service life, jeopardizing mission success, aircrew and operator safety, and U.S. national security. Schumer said the airplanes often suffer reliability issues and high maintenance costs, with only five planes out of the ten total in the fleet being mission-capable at any given time. Additionally, nearly all of the aircraft in the fleet have parts that require total replacement, but the 109th AW is unable to make the necessary fixes because those parts are no longer in production due to the aircraft’s age and commodity. With both U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which oversees the polar airlift mission, and 109th AW, which supports the NSF’s polar science research missions and is the only U.S. military unit in the world that flies these planes, expressing the urgent need to recapitalize, Schumer took action to push for this major federal funding and upgrade the fleet to support U.S. national security and scientific research.
The LC-130 is also a necessity for maintaining and strengthening the United States’ presence, operations, and research in the Arctic and Antarctica. The Arctic is a region of growing strategic importance, and to compete on a global scale, especially with China and Russia who are expanding their presence in the region, it is vital that the U.S. has the advanced capabilities needed to expand its presence in the region. -
MIL-OSI China: Lufthansa hoping to increase China capacity
Source: China State Council Information Office
The German carrier Lufthansa has said the airline is looking to further expand capacity to China, after restoring capacity to Shanghai to pre-COVID levels.
“For Lufthansa, China is one of the most important markets in the world outside Europe. We are pretty happy that we already received pre-pandemic capacity here in Shanghai,” said Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines. “Hopefully in the next couple of years we can extend our network also here in China.”
Having a strong connection and close relationship between Germany and China, Lufthansa will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, as well as the carrier’s first connection between the two countries.
“I think it is a great relationship we have here for almost 100 years. There’s a strong connection between the fourth-biggest economy in the world Germany and the second-biggest economy China,” Ritter said. “We are pretty proud of our strong connection. We truly believe in the recovery of air travel between Germany and China for the next years.”
Currently operating the most flights to China among all European carriers, Lufthansa offers 40 weekly direct connections between the German cities of Frankfurt and Munich to the Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing in the summer time.
“In comparison to last year, we increased our capacity by over 70 percent,” added Ritter. “Hopefully next year with the introduction of new aircraft we can increase this capacity further.”
The expanding capacity is accompanied with a rapid recovery in the passenger load factor, “especially during the summer time with a seat factor of more than 90 percent,” Ritter said.
“We are looking forward to further development and we are pretty sure that we will come back to pre-pandemic capacity here between Europe, Germany and China,” said Ritter.
Plus, in a bid to boost the China travel market during the holiday season and further enhance the customer experience onboard, Shanghai was the airline’s first Asian destination, as well as the fourth worldwide following Vancouver, Toronto and Chicago, to introduce the carrier’s brand-new cabin products on a daily basis since Aug 14.
Under the name, Lufthansa Allegris, the completely new travel experience is available on select long-haul routes for passengers of economy, premium economy, business and first class.
“We truly believe that people do not want a standard product anymore, they would like to have more choices, more exclusivity and they would like to have more individuality,” explained Ritter. “I think also the Chinese people would like to have a choice. One standard product does not fulfill the needs of the requirements for the premium sector of Chinese people. They would like to have more individuality, more possibility for exclusivity and they would like to choose. We are pretty happy to introduce our new Allegris product because we definitely believe that this will fulfill the needs of our Chinese customers.”
Confidence in the Chinese market is based on the optimistic outlook of China’s economy, the strong economic ties between China and Germany, and China’s visa-free policies.
“Germany has a strong connection with China, because so many companies are based from Germany here in China,” Ritter said. “It is a long-lasting relationship and we truly believe in those two economies and we need to tie them.”
Figures provided to the Financial Times by Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, show that Germany’s direct investment in China totaled 2.48 billion euros ($2.76 billion) in the first three months of 2024, and the figure rose substantially to 4.8 billion euros in the second quarter.
“I think this represents a strong relationship between our two economies,” said Ritter.
In the meantime, China’s visa-free policy presents new opportunities for carriers such as Lufthansa, as eligible ordinary passport holders from countries including Germany can enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.
Thanks to the collaborated efforts of Civil Aviation Administration of China and related government divisions, international passenger flights have been restored to nearly 80 percent of the 2019 level during the first week of July, and passenger flights to 30 countries, including the UK and UAE, surpassing the 2019 level, according to Xu Qing, an official with the CAAC.
“The expansion of China’s visafree policy to more countries has created an incentive effect on the aviation market,” Xu said.
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MIL-OSI Banking: Huawei and du Commercially Deploy the First Indoor 5G-Advanced Network in the Middle East
Source: Huawei
Headline: Huawei and du Commercially Deploy the First Indoor 5G-Advanced Network in the Middle East
[Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 21, 2024] Huawei, in partnership with du, from the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), have deployed the first indoor 5G-Advanced Network in the Middle East. Making use of Three Carrier Aggregation (3CC) technology, the network relies on Huawei’s LampSite X ‘Digital Indoor Solution.’ Delivering a peak data rate of 5.1Gb/s, this network further strengthens du’s leading position in the 5G user experience market.
This joint innovation aims to significantly enhance the capabilities of mobile networks by improving connectivity in indoor spaces such as shopping malls, hotels, airports, and residential buildings. It builds on the previous 5G collaborations between Huawei and du. In 2021, du and Huawei had pioneered the first ubiquitous indoor gigabit-per-second network in the Middle East.
As a leading player in the 5G market, du has seen remarkable results from its commitment to innovation. 5G user traffic now accounts for over 60% of total mobile traffic, surpassing the combined traffic of 4G and 3G networks. The widespread adoption of 5G services demonstrates the success of du’s network, and the deployment of three TDD large-bandwidth carriers with aggregation promises users an unmatched network experience. A technology in use since the LTE era, carrier aggregation lets network operators combine multiple frequencies to boost the data rate. In the 5G era, 3CC can be harnessed to deliver 5G-Advanced.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, stated: “We are committed to providing a high-quality user experience to our customers. Since the introduction of 5G in 2019, we have launched numerous innovative services. Among these, 5G home wireless services have been widely welcomed, and our market share in this area is far ahead. Introducing 5G Three Carrier Aggregation in our In-Building Solution (IBS) Network is a crucial step in ensuring a leading 5G user experience. It has enabled us to enhance our network’s capabilities and quality, greatly improving customer satisfaction.”
Eric Bao, President of Huawei’s Wireless Digital Indoor System Product Line, commented, “With the rapid development of 5G networks, user experience is greatly improved, and applications based on functions such as low latency and indoor precise positioning are rapidly developing. The era of innovation represented by smart electric vehicles, humanoid robots, cloud mobile phones, and glass free 3D has arrived. It is a must for operators to provide indoor networks with higher capacity, higher performance, and higher energy-saving efficiency. As an industry-leading indoor solution, LampSite X assists operators in building indoor networks that offer both intelligence and extraordinary performance to meet the explosive growth in service demand.”
du HQ in UAE -
MIL-OSI Banking: Huawei and du Commercially Deploy the First Indoor 5G-Advanced Network in the Middle East Sep 21, 2024
Source: Huawei
Headline: Huawei and du Commercially Deploy the First Indoor 5G-Advanced Network in the Middle East
Sep 21, 2024[Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 21, 2024] Huawei, in partnership with du, from the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), have deployed the first indoor 5G-Advanced Network in the Middle East. Making use of Three Carrier Aggregation (3CC) technology, the network relies on Huawei’s LampSite X ‘Digital Indoor Solution.’ Delivering a peak data rate of 5.1Gb/s, this network further strengthens du’s leading position in the 5G user experience market.
This joint innovation aims to significantly enhance the capabilities of mobile networks by improving connectivity in indoor spaces such as shopping malls, hotels, airports, and residential buildings. It builds on the previous 5G collaborations between Huawei and du. In 2021, du and Huawei had pioneered the first ubiquitous indoor gigabit-per-second network in the Middle East.
As a leading player in the 5G market, du has seen remarkable results from its commitment to innovation. 5G user traffic now accounts for over 60% of total mobile traffic, surpassing the combined traffic of 4G and 3G networks. The widespread adoption of 5G services demonstrates the success of du’s network, and the deployment of three TDD large-bandwidth carriers with aggregation promises users an unmatched network experience. A technology in use since the LTE era, carrier aggregation lets network operators combine multiple frequencies to boost the data rate. In the 5G era, 3CC can be harnessed to deliver 5G-Advanced.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, stated: “We are committed to providing a high-quality user experience to our customers. Since the introduction of 5G in 2019, we have launched numerous innovative services. Among these, 5G home wireless services have been widely welcomed, and our market share in this area is far ahead. Introducing 5G Three Carrier Aggregation in our In-Building Solution (IBS) Network is a crucial step in ensuring a leading 5G user experience. It has enabled us to enhance our network’s capabilities and quality, greatly improving customer satisfaction.”
Eric Bao, President of Huawei’s Wireless Digital Indoor System Product Line, commented, “With the rapid development of 5G networks, user experience is greatly improved, and applications based on functions such as low latency and indoor precise positioning are rapidly developing. The era of innovation represented by smart electric vehicles, humanoid robots, cloud mobile phones, and glass free 3D has arrived. It is a must for operators to provide indoor networks with higher capacity, higher performance, and higher energy-saving efficiency. As an industry-leading indoor solution, LampSite X assists operators in building indoor networks that offer both intelligence and extraordinary performance to meet the explosive growth in service demand.”
du HQ in UAE -
MIL-OSI Security: Former FAA Contractor Indicted for Illegally Acting as an Agent of the Iranian Government
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
Note: View the indictment here.
Former Federal Aviation Administration contractor, Abouzar Rahmati, 42, a naturalized U.S. citizen and resident of Great Falls, Virginia, was indicted for acting and conspiring to act as an agent of the Iranian government in the United States without prior notice to the Attorney General. He made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia today this afternoon.
According to the indictment, from at least December 2017 through June 2024, Rahmati conspired with Iranian government officials and intelligence operatives to act on their behalf in the United States, including by meeting with Iranian intelligence officers in Iran, communicating with coconspirators using a cover story to hide his conduct, obtaining employment with an FAA contractor with access to sensitive non-public information, and obtaining open-source and non-public materials about the U.S. solar energy industry and providing it to Iranian intelligence.
“As alleged, the defendant conspired with Iranian officials and intelligence operatives, even lying to obtain employment as a U.S. government contractor only to then share sensitive government materials with Iran,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “When undisclosed agents of Iran or any other foreign government seek to infiltrate American companies or government agencies, the Justice Department will use every available tool to identify them and bring them to justice.”
“This defendant is charged with infiltrating a U.S. agency with the intent of providing Iran with sensitive information vital to our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Thanks to the great work of the FBI and the FAA’s investigators, this defendant was stopped in his tracks and a known adversary’s plot was exposed.”
“This indictment describes the reprehensible actions of an individual who allegedly betrayed his country by transferring sensitive U.S. information to a foreign power. This alleged betrayal not only undermines our national security but also puts U.S. jobs and livelihoods at risk,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “We will not tolerate any actions that compromise U.S.-based sensitive information and are committed to ensuring that justice is served swiftly and decisively.”
According to the indictment, from June 2009 to May 2010, Rahmati served as a First Lieutenant in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — an Iranian military and counterintelligence organization under the authority of the Supreme Leader of Iran. After being discharged from the IRGC, Rahmati lied to the United States government regarding his military service with the IRGC in order to, among other things, gain employment as a U.S. government contractor.
In August 2017, Rahmati offered his services to the Iranian government through a senior Iranian government official who previously worked in Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and with whom Rahmati had previously attended university. Four months later, in December 2017, Rahmati traveled to Iran, where he met with Iranian intelligence operatives and government officials and agreed to obtain information about the U.S. solar energy industry, to provide that information to Iranian officials, and to conduct future communications under a cover story based on purported discussions about research with fellow academics.
After Rahmati returned to the United States in December 2017, he obtained various non-public and open-source materials related to the U.S. solar energy industry and provided them to an Iranian government official. Rahmati also applied for multiple positions with private companies and U.S. government entities that would provide him with access to sensitive information, eventually obtaining a position with U.S. Company 1 supporting the FAA on a contract related to the power and electrical architecture of the FAA’s National Airspace System (NAS). After Rahmati obtained the position, he informed an Iranian intelligence officer that he was “in the process of moving to and joining a new company” and that they could “work more effectively if it is finalized.”
In response to tasking from Iranian officials, and in furtherance of his agency relationship with the Government of Iran, Rahmati exploited his employment with U.S. Company 1 by downloading sensitive non-public U.S. Company 1 documents related to the FAA, storing them on removable media, and taking them to Iran, where he provided the documents to the Government of Iran in April 2022. These included documents related to the NAS that would give a person unfamiliar with NAS facility engineering a reasonable understanding of how the NAS power and electrical architecture is configured.
After he returned to the United States in April 2022, in response to tasking from Iranian government officials, Rahmati sent additional information relating to solar energy, solar panels, the FAA, U.S. airports, and U.S. air traffic control towers to his brother, a co-conspirator, so that he would provide those files to Iranian intelligence on behalf of Rahmati.
The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case. FAA’s Office of Counterintelligence and Technical Operations provided significant assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Tortorice and Kimberly Paschall for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Beau Barnes and Alexander Wharton of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia provided significant assistance.
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MIL-OSI USA: FEMA, the Federal Interagency, Private and Nonprofit Partners Continue to Support Hurricane Helene Response Efforts
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: FEMA, the Federal Interagency, Private and Nonprofit Partners Continue to Support Hurricane Helene Response Efforts
FEMA, the Federal Interagency, Private and Nonprofit Partners Continue to Support Hurricane Helene Response Efforts
President Biden approved South Carolina’s request for an emergency declaration yesterday, enabling FEMA to provide federal resources to the state for emergency protective measures like reimbursement to keep people safe and aid initial response and recovery efforts.
WASHINGTON — FEMA is coordinating a whole of community response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene while preparing for additional impacts as the storm travels North. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida overnight as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, causing major damage and leaving more than 4 million homes without power. Tropical Storm Helene is now posing a significant flood threat in several states with heavy rain continuing. FEMA continues supporting immediate response efforts in the area as Administrator Deanne Criswell travels to Florida to survey damage alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other government officials.
As the storm continues inland, FEMA urges people in its path to heed the warnings of local officials, evacuate immediately if told to do so and check on neighbors if conditions allow. People further inland should also take immediate action to protect themselves as the storm approaches, bringing damaging winds over portions of Georgia and the Carolinas today. People in these areas should be prepared for the possibility of long-duration power outages.
Additionally, potentially life-threatening flash flooding is expected across portions of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Numerous significant landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians. The threat of tornadoes continues in the region.
Storm Safety Tips
Residents in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina can find a list of state, tribal and local resources such as evacuation, shelter and important storm updates on FEMA.gov.
Stay out of floodwater. Walking, swimming or driving through flood waters is extremely dangerous. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as wild or stray animals, human and livestock waste and chemicals that can lead to illness. Never drive through flood water. Turn Around. Don’t Drown™.
Have several ways to receive alerts. People in areas along Florida’s Panhandle, west coast and into Alabama and Georgia should follow the forecast carefully and instructions of state and local officials by monitoring local radio or television stations for updated emergency information. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which require no sign up. You can also download the free FEMA App available in English and Spanish languages to receive real-time weather alerts and find local emergency shelters in your area.
Power outage and generator safety. If you lose power, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting. If using a generator, remember to always use them outdoors and keep it at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Additionally, make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding.
Responding to Hurricane Helene is a Whole-of-Government and Community Effort
The federal interagency response efforts remain focused on providing lifesaving and life-sustaining measures. More than a dozen federal agencies and departments have been mobilized to assist state, local, tribal, nonprofit and private sector partners to help people of the Southeast from the effects of Hurricane Helene.
- FEMA is coordinating a federal force of more than 1,500 personnel including more than 300 deployed FEMA staff to support states affected by the hurricane.
- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the Surge Capacity Force (SCF). The SCF makes rostered federal employees available to support FEMA’s response and recovery missions.
- Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) has deployed a total of 14 teams (940 personnel) to affected states. In Florida, eight US&R teams with two Mission Ready Packages are positioned to respond, all are equipped with Swift Water Rescue Capabilities. In Georgia, two Type 3 teams with water capability have been deployed to support rescue operations. In North Carolina, four teams all equipped with Swift Water Rescue Capabilities are in place.
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) crews will continue to respond with vessels and aircraft to assist search and rescue activities. Approximately 8,000 personnel are working Coast Guard response. They will continue to respond to urgent distress calls to save lives and assist those impacted by the storm. They have begun to conduct post-storm assessments to support rapid reopening of the impacted ports and provide support to interagency, state and local partners.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has two teams prepositioned to provide temporary emergency power, with additional personnel deployed and other are prepared to deploy if needed. In addition to temporary emergency power, personnel will assist the states with infrastructure assessments, debris management and temporary roofing assistance as needed. They have activated six emergency operation centers in the region to coordinate operations.
- Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida and Georgia to address the health impacts of Hurricane Helene. The declaration gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Their staff on the ground have begun initial assessments of the public health and health care infrastructure, working with federal and state partners to meet the needs on the ground. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) prepositioned approximately 200 medical responders who can move to impacted communities in the region. These personnel include Health Care Situational Assessment teams and National Disaster Medical System’ (NDMS) Disaster Medical Assistance Teams along with several tons of medical equipment and supplies to provide medical surge support.
- Department of Energy (DOE) has activated the Energy Response Organization (ERO) and is closely monitoring for power, fuel and supply chain interruptions. The ERO and field responders are in contact with industry partners and local officials. DOE has responders deployed to the Florida Emergency Operations Center, Georgia Emergency Operations Center.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working closely with federal, state, local and Tribal partners to help water systems, prepare for debris management and ensure facilities, including Superfund sites, maintain critical public health and environmental protections. The agency has personnel on the ground in regional and national operations centers who are offering technical assistance and guidance to those affected by Helene.
- American Red Cross (ARC) has more than 450 Red Cross responders deployed to affected areas, another 306 responders are traveling today. As of Friday morning, reporting indicates that at least 9,400 people are in approximately 130 evacuation shelters. These numbers expected to increase as the full impact of the storm is realized. There are more than 30 Emergency Response Vehicles active and ready to support this event. Red Cross focus today on the ground across Florida is impact assessment, sheltering and life-sustaining feeding. ARC is prepared to support mass fatality and reunification efforts as well as emergency feeding. Anyone who needs a safe place to go can find information on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
- Salvation Army has their Emergency Disaster Services Director/State Liaison deployed to the Florida Emergency Operations Center and a liaison at the Georgia Emergency Operations Center. An Incident Management Team (IMT) has been staged in Lakeland, Florida along with seven mobile feeding units and crews, with additional mobile feeding units ready to deploy. Florida IMT in Live Oak has ready-to-serve meal boxes for immediate service delivery. In Georgia, The Salvation Army is supplying food services to a Valdosta, Georgia Emergency Shelter in Lowndes County. Additionally, the Bainbridge Salvation Army will provide feeding for Decatur County Critical Workforce.
- USA.gov published a one-stop-shop for hurricane information.
erika.suzuki
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MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: SECNAV Del Toro Announces Sponsor of the Future Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine USS Long Island (SSN 809)
Source: United States Navy
KINGS POINT, N.Y. – Secretary Del Toro announced Ms. Iris Weinshall, the Chief Operating Officer of the New York Public Library and wife of U.S. Senator of New York Chuck Schumer will serve as the sponsor of the future USS Long Island (SSN 809), during a ship naming celebration at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy today, Sept. 27, 2024.
Sponsors are selected by the Secretary of the Navy and hold a unique role by maintaining a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.
“I am honored to announce, surrounded by members of the Long Island community, that the ship sponsor of the future USS Long Island is Ms. Iris Weinshall,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Ms. Weinshall has dedicated her life to public service and improving the lives the people in the community. She continues to make significant contributions to New York. I am thankful for her commitment to the future USS Long Island.”
“I am honored to part of a tradition that connects us to the brave men and women who protect our shores. As a mother and grandmother, this role resonates deeply with me, as I understand the importance of watching over those we care for. In calm waters and stormy weather, we must always look out for each other,” said Ms. Weinshall. “And as a lifelong New Yorker, I am especially honored to represent Long Island. My husband, Senator Chuck Schumer, and I cherish our time on the Island with our family and dear friends.”
Announced on the deck of USS Wasp (CV-7) in May 2023 during New York Fleet Week, the name honors Long Island, the densely populated island in the southeastern region of the state of New York, and the crews of two U.S. naval vessels previously named Long Island.
“New York has been a Navy town since our Nation’s founding. Today, over 200,000 veterans are spread across the five boroughs with over 50% living on Long Island in Brooklyn and Queens,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Long Islanders themselves have always answered the call to service to our Nation, serving in every major conflict in United States’ history—from the Revolutionary War to the present day and I was proud to name the future USS Long Island last year during New York Fleet Week.”
The first USS Long Island was a steam trawler that was originally built as a civilian vessel but was then purchased by the Navy in 1917 and given the designation of SP 572. It served as a minesweeper, harbor patrol ship, and an icebreaker until after the First World War and decommissioned in 1919.
The second ship to bear the name Long Island was an escort carrier with the designation of CVE 1and was the first of its class. Originally it bore the designation of AVG 1 and then AVC 1, it was the first of the Navy’s prototype aircraft carriers which launched squadrons of attack aircraft in assistance with the Pacific theatre in World War Two. Having fought at the Battle of Guadalcanal, USS Long Island launched Marine Corps dive bombers in assistance with the Guadalcanal campaign. After the war, USS Long Island trained pilots and assisted in returning American troops home from the Pacific front during Operation Magic Carpet.
Throughout the day, Secretary Del Toro held several engagements at the academy, including a wreath laying at the WWII War Memorial, dining with the Regiment and meetings with Academy leadership, prior to the naming celebration.
“The United States Merchant Marine Academy is proud to welcome Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro for the announcement of the Navy’s newest submarine, the USS Long Island (SSN 809),” said Vice Adm. Joanna M. Nunan. Superintendent, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “This event, which honors the region we call home, acknowledges the relationship forged between the Navy and Kings Point in the Second World War, and it symbolizes our shared commitment to strengthening America’s status as a maritime nation.”
Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces (SOF); carry out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
More information on attack submarines can be found here. -
MIL-OSI USA: Following Brown’s Push, Air Force Selects Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base as Finalist for New KC-46A Operating Base
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following his push, U.S. Senator Sherod Brown (D-OH) announced that the United States Air Force selected the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus as one of seven finalists to become the main operating base for the new KC-46A. Between the proven performance of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) and its two 12,000-foot runways, Rickenbacker Air Guard Station (AGS) is well-positioned to accept the new eight KC-46A aircraft.
“Ohio has a long tradition of innovation and aerospace leadership, and the 121st Air Refueling Wing supports critical missions throughout the country and around the globe,” said Brown. “The Columbus Community and all of Ohio proudly supports the 121st. Rickenbacker’s outstanding facilities and proven performance and wealth of experience makes it an ideal location for the KC-46A operating base.”
The KC-46A provides aerial refueling support to the U.S. military and is the next generation of refueling and hauling capabilities. Due to the 121st ARW’s proven track record of exemplary performance in the air refueling mission, Rickenbacker is the ideal location to be the main operating base for the KC-46A.
Last week, Brown also secured $8,994,283 for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority to help rehabilitate Runway RL-23R at Rickenbacker to provide first responders closer access to the runway, improving rapid response capabilities and supporting the 121st’s missions. Brown advocated for this investment in the government funding package.
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MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene
Source: US State of Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie in Perry and Cedar Key to provide updates on recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene impacted Florida’s Big Bend region. As of this afternoon, approximately 828,548 Floridians are without power. The State of Florida has already restored 1,573,907 accounts.Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 on September 24, amending EO 24-208 and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties.
To learn more, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide. For updates on county resources available visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.
State Preparedness Effort
- The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 on Tuesday, September 24, and is leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team.
- The State Emergency Response Team is engaged in over 1,500 missions to assist counties in their preparation efforts. These missions accomplish vital tasks like staging response resources, protecting critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals and utility stations, and coordinating personnel statewide.
- Seven Urban search and rescue task forces are deployed.
- The Florida National Guard (FLNG) has mobilized nearly 3,900 Soldiers and Airmen in preparation for Hurricane Helene.
- The FLNG has rescued 30 residents throughout the impacted area. We have mobilized 15 route clearing teams and have 13 rotary wing aircraft prepared to provide SAR and/or damage assessment support. Mississippi is providing an additional 3 rotary wing aircraft later today.
- The FLNG is providing logistics support, law enforcement support, route clearance, search and rescue, commodity distribution, flood mitigation, aviation and other support as needed by the state.
- The Florida State Guard (FSG) is standing by with the following:
- 250+ Soldiers ready to deploy.
- 10 shallow water vessel boat teams
- 7 flat-bottom-flood rescue skiffs
- 2 amphibious rescue vehicles
- 2 K-9 search and rescue teams
- 12 UTV’s
- 15 Cut and toss crews
- 7 search and rescue teams
- 2 UH-60 Blackhawk for daytime aerial assessment and logistics missions
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Mutual Aid team is coordinating law enforcement missions including search and rescue and fuel for first responders.
- FDLE is conducting status calls with DMS to ensure State SLERS radio communications systems are operative for law enforcement.
- FDLE’s Aviation Unit conducted an aerial survey of impacted counties in coordination with the Air Operations Branch. FDLE has flown seven missions with five aircraft.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has more than 100 officers and support staff responding to areas of Florida impacted by Hurricane Helene.
- Two Special Operations Group (SOG) teams, totaling 15 officers, from the NW Region responded to western coastal areas of the impacted area such as Franklin and Gulf counties, assisting residents in need and moved onto harder hit areas once areas were clear.
- FWC officers are conducting welfare checks and search and rescues in coastal communities in Dixie, Levy and Taylor Counties with shallow draft vessels and specialized high-water vehicles.
- A team of officers from the Southwest region assisted Pasco County law enforcement with high water evacuations due to storm surge conditions on Thursday night. Approximately seven people were rescued by FWC teams. Additionally, FWC officers rescued eleven people and six pets in Charlotte County due to high water conditions.
- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has over 2,100 FDOT team members working directly on storm response.
- Damage assessment teams are active in the field and are surveying impacts.
- 61 Cut and Toss crews have worked since 3 a.m. and have completely cleared I-10.
- Cut and Toss Operations
- 577 crews are active in the field and have already cleared over 8,300 miles of roadway.
- 129 Bridge Inspectors have inspected 1,200 bridges across the impacted areas.
- FDOT is directly coordinating Cut & Toss Crews with Utility Response Crews to aid in swift utility restoration.
- Westbound Gandy Bridge has reopened. One lane of eastbound Gandy Bridge has reopened.
- Southbound Howard Frankland Bridge has reopened.
- Sunshine Skyway Bridge is now open in both directions.
- A 10-mile stretch of State Road 789 in Sarasota County and Manatee County has experienced extreme damage and the roadway is inaccessible. Crews are working to assess the entire corridor and have implemented an emergency contract to quickly perform repairs.
- State Road 24 heading into Cedar Key was heavily damaged earlier this morning. Crews have completed repairs and reopened the roadway.
- Crews are working to repair damage from erosion at Courtney Campbell Causeway.
- Crews are working to clear sand and debris from the roadway on Gulf Blvd in Pinellas County.
- Crews have reviewed over 7,000 traffic signals statewide. 255 signals across the impacted areas are not operational, however, crews are actively working to restore power to these locations.
- Debris pick up has begun in South Florida- 42 crew members are FDOT has committed to perform debris pick up within fiscally constrained counties.
- FDOT Secretary issued FDOT Emergency Order on September 23, 2024.
- FDOT has lifted weight restrictions and is allowing bypass of weigh stations for emergency response vehicles, including utility vehicles staging for rapid response.
- FDOT’s Post-Storm Statewide Response Efforts include:
- Road Ranger service has been expanded to assist motorists along critical roadways.
- Resources deployed in the field or available as needed:
- Over 858 generators
- Nearly 49 pumps
- Over 70 pieces of heavy equipment and trucks are actively in the field for response efforts
- 43 Drone team members staged to make assessments where needed
- 5 ITS trailers
- FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated.
- Remember to never drive through flooded areas. The area of the roadway beneath the water may be washed out or may conceal debris or even power lines. Turn Around; Don’t Drown.
Transportation Modes
Seaports- Port Panama City, Port of Port St. Joe, Port Tampa Bay, SeaPort Manatee, Port St. Pete, Port of Fernandina, and JAXPORT are closed waterside while awaiting Coast Guard Channel survey.
Airports
- All airports have reopened.
- Please check with airlines directly on the specific status of flights.
Rail
- Passenger Rail:
- Amtrak is operating. Please check with Amtrak directly for service impacts.
- SunRail service has resumed with some service delays due to power outages.
- Freight Rail:
- Railroads in the impacted areas are assessing damage and conducting inspections.
Transit
- Transit agencies in the impacted areas are assessing conditions and resuming service where possible. Please check directly with local agency providers for service impacts.
State-Owned Roads Closures (As of 2:30 p.m., 9/27/24)
State Road closures listed below. For real-time updates, Check FL511.com.
Bridge Closures- Closures
- Northbound Howard Frankland
- Courtney Campbell Causeway
- One lane of eastbound Gandy Bridge
- Alachua County
- Debris on Roadway on NW 34th Blvd Northbound at NW 24th Ter. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-222 Both Directions from NE 27th Ave to NE 52nd St. All lanes closed.
- Object on roadway on SR-26 / Newberry Rd East, at NW 66th St. 2 Right lanes blocked.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-121 Northbound at NW 24th Ave. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-26 Both Directions at NE 27th Ave. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on us-441 Northbound at NW 104th Ln. 1 Right Lane closed.
- Baker County
- Debris on Roadway on US-90 Both Directions at Tiger Lake Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-90 Eastbound at Arnold Rhoden Rd. All lanes closed.
- Charlotte County
- Flooding on E Olympia Ave Eastbound at Nesbit St. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on E Marion Ave Westbound at Cooper St. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on US-41 North, before West Marion Ave. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on US-17 East, at Nesbit St. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on US-17 West, at Cooper St. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on McCall Rd Northbound at Myakka River. All lanes closed.
- High Winds on Tamiami Trl Southbound at Main St. All lanes closed.
- High Winds on Tamiami Trl Northbound at Harborside Ave. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on SR-776 North, before El Jobean Bridge. All lanes closed.
- Columbia County
- Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at Oyster Shell Lane. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions at US-41. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-441 Both Directions at NE Sunny Brook St. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-441 Both Directions at NW Ernest Greene Gln. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-10A Westbound at US-41. All lanes closed
- Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at SW Tamarack Loop. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions near CR-240. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions at SW Marvin Burnett Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-441 Both Directions from I-10 Eastbound to Georgia State Line. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-100 Both Directions at SE Douglas Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at SW Norris Ave. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-247 Both Directions at SW Dairy St. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Both Directions at SW Watson Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on S US Highway 441 Northbound at CR-240. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-90 Westbound at SW Koonville Ave. All lanes closed.
- Object on roadway on US-90 / Lake City East, at Sisters Welcome Rd. All lanes closed.
- Object on roadway on US-90 / Lake City West, at Sisters Welcome Rd. All lanes closed.
- Object on roadway on I-75 North, before MM 416. Right shoulder blocked.
- Debris on Roadway on S US Highway 441 Both Directions at CR-18. All lanes closed.
- Dixie County
- Debris on Roadway on US-19 Southbound at NE 824th St. All lanes closed.
- Duval County
- Debris on Roadway on Emerson St Westbound at Rosemary St. All lanes closed.
- Gilchrist County
- Debris on Roadway on SR-26 Eastbound at TL Johnson Blvd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-47 Northbound at NE 40th Ct Rd. All lanes closed.
- Hillsborough County
- Flooding on SR-618 West, ramp to 22nd St.
- Flooding on SR-618 East, at 22nd St.
- Bridge Closed in Hillsborough County on SR-60 West, at Ben T Davis Beach. All lanes closed.
- Jackson County
- Flooding on Caverns Rd Both Directions at Russell Rd. All lanes closed.
- Jefferson County
- Debris on Roadway on Still Rd Southbound near N Jefferson St.
- Debris on Roadway on W Washington Hwy Both Directions near Creekside Ct. All lanes closed.
- Lafayette County
- Debris on Roadway on E US 27 Northbound near CR-450. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on S SR-51 Both Directions at SW Van Buren Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Both Directions at CR-536. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Both Directions at NW Griffin Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Eastbound near SW Gary L Thomas Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on W US 27 Northbound at CR-350. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-27 Northbound at SW Truman Ln. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on E Main St Southbound at NE Willis Ave. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-349 Northbound at SR-27. All lanes closed.
Debris on Roadway on SR-349 Northbound at CR-500. All lanes closed.
- Lee County
- Flooding on US-41 Business North, at Edison Bridge. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on Edison Bridge Northbound 0.48 Miles Beyond 2nd St. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on SR-80 / First St West, before Park Avenue. All lanes closed.
- Flooding in Lee County on SR-865/ San Carlos Blvd North, at Matanzas Pass Bridge. All lanes closed.
- Flooding in Lee County on SR-865/ San Carlos Blvd South, at Matanzas Pass Bridge. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on US-41 South, beyond N Key Dr.. All lanes closed.
- Levy County
- Debris on Roadway on SR-345 Both Directions near NW 53rd Ln.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-345 Both Directions at SE 4th St. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on NE Highway 27 Alt Both Directions at CR-339. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-19 Northbound at NW 140th St. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-41 Southbound at NE 75th St. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-121 Northbound at NE 50th St. All lanes closed.
- Madison County
- Debris on Roadway on SR-53 Both Directions near SR-14. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-53 Northbound at SR-10. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-221 Both Directions at I-10 Eastbound. All lanes closed.
- Manatee County
- Flooding in on SR-684 / Cortez Rd W East, at Gulf Dr. N (SR-789).
- Flooding on SR-684 / Cortez Rd W West, at Gulf Dr N (SR-789). All lanes closed.
- Flooding on SR-64 / Manatee Ave East, at Gulf Dr.. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on SR-64 / Manatee Ave West, at Gulf Dr.. All lanes closed.
- Pinellas County
- Emergency vehicles on I-275 North, at Roosevelt Blvd. All lanes closed.
- Emergency vehicles on I-275 North, ramp from EB Ulmerton Rd. On-ramp closed.
- Emergency vehicles on I-275 North, ramp from NB 4th St N. On-ramp closed.
- Bridge Closed on SR-60 East, at Dr. Kiran C. Patel Blvd. All lanes blocked.
- Bridge Closed on SR-600/Gandy Blvd East, beyond MM 3. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on I-275 South, ramp from EB Ulmerton Rd.
- Flooding on N Pinellas Ave Both Directions at Anclote Rd.
- Flooding on S Pinellas Ave Southbound at W Lime St.
- Flooding on S Pinellas Ave Northbound at E MLK Dr.
- Flooding on Bayshore Blvd Northbound at San Christopher Dr. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on Bayshore Blvd Southbound at Causeway Blvd. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on Pasadena Ave Southbound at Sunset Dr S. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on 75th Ave Northbound near Mangrove Ave. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on Edgewater Dr Southbound from President St to Locklie St. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on S Pinellas Ave Southbound at Meres Blvd. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on I-275 North, beyond 4th St N.
- Flooding on I-275 South, ramp to 54th Ave S.
- Flooding on SR-688 East, beyond Roosevelt Blvd N.
- Flooding on SR-688 West, before Roosevelt Blvd N.
- Debris on Roadway on Pinellas Bayway Southbound at Palma del Mar Blvd S. All lanes closed.
- Sarasota County
- Flooding on SR-789 North, at Sunset Drive. All lanes closed.
- Flooding on SR-789 South, at Sunset Drive. All lanes closed.
- Suwannee County
- Debris on Roadway on US-90 Eastbound at 149th Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-90 Both Directions at CR-137. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-90 Westbound at 185th Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-90 Westbound at 63rd Dr. All lanes closed.
- Taylor County
- Debris on Roadway on S Jefferson St Both Directions at S Byron Butler Pkwy. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on SR-51 Both Directions near US-19 Southbound. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-19 Both Directions at Kelly Grade. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-27 Westbound at Granger Rd. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-27 Eastbound at CR-296. All lanes closed.
- Debris on Roadway on US-98 Westbound at Dice Rd. All lanes closed.
- The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7/365 for virtual care and tele-emergency care and support to Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care in Florida. 1-877-741-3400. Visit https://department.va.gov/integrated-service-networks/visn-08 for more information.
- Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City lost power and is currently on generator.
- Volunteer Florida: Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers: 833-514-2940
- Samaritan’s Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234 free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work and Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
- 2-1-1 is open and ready to receive calls. Individuals can call for up-to-the-
- Red Cross Hotline is open to assist: 1-800-Red Cross
- Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123. Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work, and muckouts.
- Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386
Health and Human Services
- The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) has shifted to recovery efforts and has begun post storm calls and wellness checks with clients, providers, partners, and staff in affected areas verifying status and ask about immediate needs caused by the storm and develop plans to resolve.
- APD operated facilities in Marianna and Chattahoochee maintained power through the storm, while the Gainesville facility is without power and operating on generators. All residents, clients, and staff have reported they are safe.
- 14 evacuated APD licensed Group Homes have also reported they are safe, and APD will continue to work with providers to see about storm damage and potential needs.
- APD is mapping Group Homes, clients in Supported Living Facilities, and clients living in family homes in affected areas for priority follow up and wellness checks by APD teams and provider staff.
- APD is working with partners and the State Emergency Response Team to ensure the functional and access needs of disaster survivors are met.
- APD Hope Florida Navigators and APD emergency recovery teams standby ready for deployment to affected areas to serve disaster distribution centers as needed.
- The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) is deploying over 470 emergency response vehicles. Staging is currently in Leon, Liberty, Osceola, Pinellas, and Polk counties.
- At this time, one Boil Water Notice has been reported for Marion County as a result of Hurricane Helene.
- DOH has Special Needs Shelters available in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. A press release has been sent statewide for additional information on special needs shelters. To find a shelter near you, please visit the county emergency management page here.
- DOH and the Agency for Health Care Administration initiated Patient Movement Mission to support medical transport and evacuations of health care facilities.
- The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-002, which:
- Waives competitive procurement requirements in order to procure commodities, goods, and services expeditiously in response to the emergency.
- Permits emergency medical transportation services to operate across county lines.
- Permits Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Medical Directors, as defined by Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or districts to practice in Florida in response to the emergency without penalty.
- Authorizes a reporting extension for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
- Authorizes an extension of the upcoming licensure renewal deadlines for Nursing Home Administrators, Radiological Personnel, and Athletic Trainers until October 31, 2024.
- DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-209. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers.
- The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has activated reporting in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS) and has requested that all health care providers report their census, available beds, evacuation status, and generator status information. This information allows AHCA to assist health care providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that health care providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
- AHCA has made 40 phone calls to health care facilities in the impacted area, to check their status.
- As of 3 p.m., 92 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This includes:
- 46 assisted living facilities
- 29 nursing homes
- 6 hospitals
- 1 hospital emergency department
- 5 residential treatment facilities
- 2 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
- 2 adult family care home, and 2 intermediate care facility for developmentally disabled
- 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
- As 3 p.m., there are 158 health care facilities on generator power across the state. This includes:
- 3 hospitals
- 77 assisted living facilities
- 43 nursing homes.
- 5 adult family care home
- 2 hospices
- 5 hospital emergency department
- 5 intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled
- 10 residential treatment facilities
- 1 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
- 7 crisis stabilization and short-term rtf
- The Agency has waived all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services until further notice.
- AHCA has conducted 39 onsite post-incident assessment visits.
Infrastructure, Roads and State Closures
- The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) cut teams and FDOT road clearing teams are providing aid to areas impacted by the storm.
- FHP continues to mobilize drone assets to help assess post-storm damage and assist with rescue and recovery efforts in areas impacted by the storm.
- FHP Troopers are assisting with escorting critical restoration and recovery vehicles from around the state to areas impacted by the storm.
- FHP is mobilizing Quick Response Force team members to deploy to affected areas of Florida to assist with recovery efforts.
- FHP and FDOT cut teams cleared all trees and debris from Interstate 10 and Interstate 75 and traffic flow has been restored.
- FHP drone assets and fixed-wing aircraft are actively assisting with search and rescue efforts and storm damage assessment.
- FHP mobilized high-water vehicles to areas affected by the storm to assist with search and rescue efforts.
- FHP is providing security at storm response fuel sites.
- FLHSMV has 3 Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobiles on standby to provide mobile credentialing services in impacted areas and to those affected by the storm.
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued Emergency Order 24-05, in support of Executive Order 24-209 which: waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief; and waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.
- The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has contacted over 2,000 families and group homes to ensure all children and families served are safe and to determine needs.
- The HOPE LINE has been activated at 8 a.m. today to assist those in need of resources or other assistance after the storm. It is now available 24/7 for the next two-plus weeks at 833-GET-HOPE.
- Activate Hope has been deployed to help connect Floridians impacted by the storm with needed resources like food, supplies, home repairs, and more. Serving as the emergency response component of the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope connects the private sector, nonprofits, and government to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here to get help.
- DCF has contacted over 5,500 licensed providers in impacted areas to check for needs after the storm.
- The State Mental Health Treatment Facilities are fully operational.
- Through ESF 6, DCF provided staffing and emergency supplies to 32 shelters and meals to 1,000 first responders.
- The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) continues to contact all Area Agencies on Aging partners to receive updates. Post storm call downs to clients are ongoing and there are currently no unmet needs.
- The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has been contacting school districts and state colleges following Hurricane Helene and is addressing needs to reopen as quickly as possible. Districts, colleges, and universities are conducting damage assessments following the storm. Currently, 48 school districts, 19 state colleges, and 8 universities remain closed as of Friday, September 27, 2024.
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is actively working to provide assistance to drinking water, wastewater and hazardous waste facilities. Outreach to these facilities to determine operational status is ongoing.
- DEP’s online portal WaterTracker is now live for drinking and wastewater facilities to report their operational status.
- DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
- DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association and other response agencies to dispatch generators, fuel and pump trucks and other resources to assist drinking and wastewater facilities.
- DEP and response agencies are working 1-on-1 with partially- and non-operational drinking and wastewater facilities to get them back to operational status as quickly as possible to meet the immediate service needs of the communities they serve. Areas under boil water advisories can be found at https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/boil-water-notices/index.html.
- DEP is working in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard to identify oil spills and hazardous material releases in coastal and inland waterways.
- 94 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been authorized to operate for Hurricane Helene. These sites are a critical component of expediting clean-up and reducing environmental and public health impacts post-storm and meeting federal reimbursement requirements.
- 12 Florida State Parks strike teams have been assembled to assist with assessment and recovery efforts at impacted parks.
- More than 60 state parks have reopened following Hurricane Helene. DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
Resources for Employees, Businesses and Consumers
- The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has partnered with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to encourage more than 71,000 Florida-licensed lodging establishments to relax pet policies and waive pet fees for evacuees.
- DBPR has proactively communicated with more than 137,000 restaurant and lodging licensees to provide storm preparation and food safety resources.
- DBPR has proactively contacted more than 2,300 prescription wholesale stakeholders to provide information on emergency provisions under Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 24-211 that will help mitigate supply chain difficulties with prescription drugs and medical gas.
- The Florida Disaster Contractors Network has been activated to connect homeowners with licensed contractors and suppliers to perform emergency repairs.
- DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who provide post-storm construction-related services to register with its Florida Disaster Contractors Network at DCNOnline.org.
- DBPR has distributed FloridaCommerce’s Business Damage Assessment Survey to nearly 1,000,000 licensees in impacted counties and encouraged them to report damages using the survey.
- DBPR’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants has begun disaster assessments in impacted areas. Emergency Response Teams across the state are completing outreach to impacted businesses to reinforce food safety protocols after the storm.
- FloridaCommerce activated the private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
- Updates on business closures and business resources are updated at FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.
- FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu.
- FloridaCommerce is working with the Florida Chamber, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and other private sector partners to consistently update business open/close status on FloridaDisaster.biz. FloridaCommerce staff have made more than 300 calls to rural and small businesses to help with this effort.
- Walmart has donated $500 gift cards to shelters in Hamilton, Madison and Suwannee Counties for the purchase of pet food.
- Lowes has deployed their Tool Rental Truck to assist in recovery efforts providing a rental option for power tools from chainsaws and pressure washers, to fence post augers and compressors. The truck is also staffed with small engine mechanics to support local communities with power.
- VISIT FLORIDA Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia, Priceline and Booking.com will remain available to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors.
- Visit website for CareerSource openings: careersourceflorida.com
- Comcast has opened more than 52,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Florida. The free and public hotspots are open for all, including non-Xfinity customers. For more information, click here.
- CVS Health created pop-up pharmacies in impacted areas.
- The Florida Department of State, Division of Elections, has contacted the United States Postal Service (USPS) about election information and vote-by-mail ballots. The Division of Elections recommended that Supervisors of Elections t contact their local district USPS to discuss a mitigation plan for ballot mailing, delivery, and return.
- The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) worked with Florida’s ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available, and with Florida’s agricultural partners so producers have adequate resources. The Florida Forest Service staged equipment, like high-water vehicles.
- The Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, has approved an Emergency Order temporarily suspending the intrastate movement requirements for animal transportation. In addition, the following states have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets, horses, and livestock leaving the state: Alabama, Georgia (does not include livestock), Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
- Commissioner Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency rule authorizing out-of-state licensed security guards to protect people and property in Florida and has approved an emergency rule to aid the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas to disaster response and recovery operations.
- Fuel inspectors are responding to impacted areas to ensure retail fuel dispensers are working properly and testing the quality of fuel.
- Floridians are encouraged to visit complaints.fdacs.gov or call 1-800-HELP-FLA to report water-contaminated fuel issues to the department.
- Food safety inspectors are responding to impacted areas to conduct damage assessments and ensure the safe operation of over 12,000 potentially impacted food establishments.
- Agricultural partners can request critical assistance for livestock and animals in critical need, please complete this form then send it to DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov, or call 863-993-5460.
- UF/IFAS is studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Helene. Producers can share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation here.
- Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program for Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – or to remove vegetative debris.
- FDACS is securing and providing critical resources to our agricultural producers, such as generators, fencing, feed/water, and veterinary supplies.
- The Department of Revenue (FDOR) has issued Emergency Order 24-001: Taxing Authority Millage and Budget Hearings to assist local taxing authorities with altering their plans for annual budget hearings because of Helene. Department of Revenue bulletin PTO 20-07 provides further instructions for local taxing authorities during declared emergencies.
- The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is posting updates publicly and in real-time at FDC.myflorida.com/weather-updates.
- The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) have finalized storm preparations to ensure the safety and security of staff and youth in our care. This includes fueling all vehicles, moving vehicles in low-lying and flood-prone areas to higher ground, testing and ensuring adequate fuel supplies for generators in the event of loss of power, and ensuring food, medicine, and emergency supplies are stocked and ready.
For previous updates see below:
9/24/2024
9/25/2024
9/26/2024Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Hurricane Helene.
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