NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Views sought on building safety levy proposals

    Source: Scottish Government

    Legislation to raise funds for fixing cladding issues.

    Proposals for a tax on developers, aiming to raise funds to fix building safety issues in Scotland, have been published for public consultation.

    Views are being sought on the proposed Scottish Building Safety Levy, which will be introduced under powers due to be devolved by the UK Government later this year. The consultation will open on 23 September and run for eight weeks, closing on 18 November. 

    The levy would apply to the construction of new residential buildings, mirroring measures being introduced in England through the UK Building Safety Act. Funds raised would support the Scottish Government’s cladding remediation programme.

    Finance Secretary Shona Robison said:

    “We are keen to hear from people across Scotland about our proposals, which would raise funds from developers to help safeguard people living in buildings with unsafe cladding.

    “I know that developers share our determination to keep people safe and have continued to make significant progress. This legislation will build on that momentum, ensuring developers make a fair contribution to address building safety defects in Scotland, just as the UK Government is asking them to do in England. 

    “We are continuing our work in partnership with developers, in line with our New Deal for Business and Framework for Tax, to ensure this levy best contributes to our mission of keeping people safe.”

    Background

    Views sought on building safety levy proposals – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    The UK Government agreed in principle to devolve the powers needed for a Scottish Building Safety Levy in April . Powers secured to introduce building safety levy – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    Following the recent General Election, the new UK Government has renewed the agreement. The process to devolve powers and the necessary legislative procedures is anticipated to be completed in December 2024.

    An earlier, joint consultation sought views on the devolution proposal, including any evidence to inform consideration of the potential for the new tax to create or incentivise economic distortions and arbitrage within the UK. Consultation on devolving powers for a Scottish Building Safety Levy – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Details of how the Scottish Building Safety Levy will operate will be developed through consultation and liaison with the UK Government and residential construction sector.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor visits New York to promote London as leading destination for business, tourism and sport

    Source: Mayor of London

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is heading to New York this week for a series of meetings and events with global leaders to bang the drum for London as a place to invest, hold sporting events and promote the capital as an unrivalled destination for tourists.

    Sadiq’s visit takes place during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, where business leaders, politicians and major organisations converge on New York to discuss global issues including delivering economic prosperity and tackling climate change.

    During his visit Sadiq will promote London as an exceptional place to work and invest in, including meetings with Accordion, CLA Global, Salesforce and Thoropass. He will also use meetings to promote London as an unparalleled destination for sporting events and tourism.

     

    The Mayor will speak at a number of high-profile events, including the Concordia Annual Summit, a global affairs forum that works to address the world’s most pressing needs, the Climate Pledge Summit and the NYC Climate Week Hub.

    London faces stiff competition but is still the leading location globally for US businesses looking to expand overseas. Last year saw New York invest $1.7 billion into London climate start-ups and climate focused companies, with the capital the top city for foreign direct investment from the United States over the last 10 years, when compared to all other cities globally.

    Around 3.5 million visits were made between the US and London in 2023, surpassing pre-Pandemic levels by 12 per cent. This week’s visit to the US follows the Mayor’s announcement last week that he plans to transform oxford street into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, encouraging even more tourists to come to central London, restoring the street as the leading retails destination in the world.

    While in New York the Mayor will also meet with senior sporting officials as he fulfils his pledge to explore bringing more sports from North America and around the world to our city. London, under Sadiq’s mayoralty has great pedigree in hosting the biggest international sporting events from around the globe – and Sadiq is determined to cement our city’s reputation as the undisputed sports capital of the world. 

     

    This capital has had a fantastic summer of music and sport, with Taylor Swift performing The Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium more times than any other city in the world and London hosting Major League Baseball, Diamond League Athletics, the Champions League Final and world title heavyweight boxing. In the coming months there are more major events with the 68th BFI London Film Festival, three NFL games and the League of Legends grand final at the O2 Arena, while next summer the capital will host the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

    Sadiq will also remind global leaders that now is the time to take firm action to tackle climate change. He will speak at New York Climate Week and at the Climate Pledge Summit emphasising how cities are at the forefront of climate action, with over half of the world’s population living in them and consuming 75per cent of global energy. The Mayor will highlight London’s bold initiatives and plans for the future including his commitment to make London rivers swimmable in ten years.

     

    Sadiq is in New York in his capacity as Mayor of London and also Chair of C40 Cities – a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis, and will call on leaders to follow London’s example, turning our current global challenges into opportunities for transformative climate action.

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am looking forward to visiting New York to bang the drum for London as the perfect location for global businesses to expand, invest and to hold sporting events.

    “With so many key business leaders and politicians in New York this week, this really is the perfect time to promote London on the global stage – whether as an exciting tourist destination or the host of the world’s best sporting events.  

    “It is also an important week for global leaders to restate their commitment to tackle climate change, to learn from other cities and nations and showcase how London remains at the forefront of global action.”

    While in New York, Sadiq will also speak at the UN’s SDG Lounge event – hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships – on the need to accelerate climate action and give the keynote address at a Clinton Global Initiative opening the session on “Leveraging Technology and Nature for Equitable Urban Resilience”.

    C40 Executive Director, Mark Watts, said: “This UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week come at a pivotal time, amidst an upcoming election in the USA and following the general election here in the UK. The world will be watching to see how global leaders are addressing—or, in many cases, delaying action on the climate crisis. That is why Mayor Khan’s role this week, representing both London and C40 Cities, is so crucial. His unwavering dedication to creating healthier and greener cities sets a powerful example for city and national leaders around the globe. His presence here highlights the leading role of mayors in building a sustainable and inclusive future for all.” 

     

    Janet Coyle, Managing Director of Business Growth, London & Partners, said: “The business ties between London & North America have always been prevalent. From the future of drug discovery with Recursion to a leading cloud provider in CoreWeave, it has already been an impactful year for US expansion to London. New York and London in particular have always enhanced one another’s ecosystem to strengthen not only each other but the collective transatlantic community.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon: grave concern of explosions & Palestine/Israel: Displaced people- Security Council Briefing

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Briefing UN Security Council members today (19 Sep) on the situation in the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed his “grave concern” on the “the series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired toward Israel in recent days,” warning that these incidents add to the overall volatility. Wennesland urged all parties to “refrain from steps that will further exacerbate the situation and take immediate steps to deescalate.”

    In his briefing, Wennesland also highlighted the ongoing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. He noted that over 550 people, including 250 children, had been displaced. He said, “demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures continued… citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain.”

    The Special Coordinator also expressed alarm over provocative actions and rhetoric on both sides. Urging all parties to reject such dangerous incitements, he said, “a joint statement from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened a return to the use of suicide bombings… while an Israeli minister said, ‘Palestinian prisoners must be killed. Shot in the head.’”

    Helen Clark, a member of The Elders and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, told the Security Council that the current approach to managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has failed. She criticized member states that use their veto power to “protect allies” or “obstruct geopolitical rivals,” warning that this undermines the authority of the Council.

    Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, referred to a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, declaring Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as unlawful. “The Court reaffirmed the illegality of Israel’s settlements… stressing the obligations of the occupying Power to cease immediately all settlement activities,” Mansour said.

    Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “this Council and the world must wake up to the reality of the threat Iran poses. The dark force driving the violence we see today is not a collection of independent groups; it is Iran pulling the strings,” He said, “the Iranian proxies, Hezbollah in the North, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria, are all Iran’s attack dogs unleashed to spread death and destruction across the region.” Danon further said that Iran is not only targeting Israel but is seeking domination of the entire Middle East, while the Palestinian Authority is being “utterly weak and impotent.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONnkcIa8MYE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salazar Condemns Biden Administration for Allowing Oil Companies to Finance Maduro Regime

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) convened a hearing to condemn American and European oil companies for continuing to conduct business with the Maduro regime, even after its attempt to steal the 2024 presidential election.

    “In Venezuela, a cruel contradiction has unfolded. Maduro has intensified his brutality through jail and death since July 28th,” said Chairwoman Salazar. “In the meantime, unfortunately, American and European oil companies led by Chevron, Repsol, Eni, and Maurel et Prom have now increased their pumping and their profits—directly fueling the tyrannical machinery of oppression. Shame on them!”

    Chairwoman Salazar began her hearing by describing the current human rights situation in Venezuela, where the dictator Nicolas Maduro has unleashed an unprecedented wave of repression against the opposition and regular civilians in the weeks following the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. She identified a key weakness in the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy towards the Maduro regime: Allowing American oil companies to continue operating in Venezuela without complaint. Chevron, Repsol, Eni, and Maurel et Prom are the four companies with the largest licenses to operate within Venezuela.

    Salazar began her line of questioning by asking the top Biden-Harris State Department official on Venezuela Kevin Sullivan why his agency renewed Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela 33 days after Maduro lost the election on July 28, 2024. Sullivan insisted that the decision comes down ultimately to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Salazar reminded Sullivan that OFAC only issues policy at the direction of the State Department, so any independence in their decision-making process is simply wrong. Chairwoman Salazar also indicated that by allowing these companies to continue operating in Venezuela, the Maduro regime will retain the financial support it needs to continue its repression against the Venezuelan people.

    Next, Chairwoman Salazar asked Mr. Sullivan about the 50 companies who applied for licenses to operate in Venezuela more broadly. After deflecting and referring the Congresswoman to OFAC again, Salazar made the case that by allowing these companies to operate in Venezuela without repercussions from the U.S. government, the United States is sending a weak and ambiguous message to the international community that what Maduro is doing is ultimately acceptable. Furthermore, Chairwoman Salazar asked about the possibility that the State Department will pause these licenses. Sullivan responded that the possibility is always there as a matter of policy, but again said it was still under review.

    Chairwoman Salazar continued her opening line of questioning by asking about the Biden-Harris Administration’s refusal to recognize Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela. Sullivan responded that Gonzalez is definitely the victor in the Venezuelan elections, and that the U.S. government has called on Nicolas Maduro to release the results showing these results. Salazar reminded the State Department that anything short of recognition will be seen as a lack of support for the opposition in the eyes of the Maduro regime.

    Salazar closed her opening remarks by asking the leading officials on human rights and aid at the State Department and USAID, Mr. Enrique Roig and Mr. Greg Howell, respectively, about the impact this major policy weakness will have on migratory flows. 4 million Venezuelans said they would leave their country if the dictator Maduro refuses to hand over power. This will strain resources in neighboring South American countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador, and add to the growing national security crisis at the United States’ southern border. Salazar received no response other than that the U.S. government is working with those South American governments to strengthen their capacity to receive these migrants.

    Chairwoman Salazar ended the hearing by emphasizing the need for bipartisan support for the Venezuelan opposition at this crucial hour.

    To watch the full hearing, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: UN Secretary-General and Heads of Multilateral Development Banks to enhance collaboration

    Source: European Investment Bank

    United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and top UN officials met with the Heads of Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Group on Sunday in a joint effort to better support countries in accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

    The high-level dialogue, which included five Presidents and three Vice Presidents of the major MDBs, further advances the partnership between the UN and the MDB systems. The IMF Managing Director also attended the meeting.

    MDB Heads shared with the UN leadership their reforms to become a better, bigger and more effective system with a renewed sense of urgency and determination. The Secretary-General underscored the importance of MDB reforms as part of his call to unlock greater volumes of affordable long-term resources to close the SDG financing gap.

    UN and MDB leaders discussed enhancing collaboration at the country level, especially in fragile and conflict-affected countries, as well as their efforts to catalyze private sector resources towards sustainable investments.

    MDBs also agreed to collaborate towards the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) next year in Seville, Spain, where public, private and civil society leaders and organizations will assess progress and chart a course forward on financing for the SDGs.

    Following the working meeting, Spain, Jamaica and Canada co-hosted an open dialogue with MDB leaders, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and high-level UN Member State delegates.

    MDB leaders highlighted their progress working as a system for greater impact and scale, the key role of concessional finance to support the poorest, and their work on financial innovation. MDBs also briefed Member States on their joint work, based on concrete deliverables outlined in the “Viewpoint Note”, a joint MDB workplan released in April 2024. These wide-ranging initiatives include scaling-up MDB financing capacity, boosting joint action on climate, and enhancing development effectiveness and impact.

    MDBs also discussed how they can channel Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to significantly increase financing for the SDGs, including supporting initiatives such as the G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.

    Sunday’s meetings took place during the Summit of the Future, a unique gathering of the UN General Assembly focused on strengthening multilateral cooperation, including on international finance, to tackle shared global challenges, including climate change, poverty and inequality.

    Leaders from the following organizations attended the meeting:

    African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations, World Bank Group.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It is active in more than 160 countries and makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm dedicated to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance.  EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnership within Team Europe, alongside fellow development finance institutions, and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-NIScPR, CSIR-CFTRI, UBA, and VIBHA organised Two day “Technology Showcasing and Networking Meet”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 11:32AM by PIB Delhi

    CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), in collaboration with CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), jointly organized a two-day “Technology Showcasing and Networking Meet of CFTRI Food and Millet Technologies” at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru from 19-20 September 2024. This event showcased CSIR-CFTRI’s innovative food technologies aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods. As a pioneer in food science research, CSIR-CFTRI focuses on food processing, post-harvest technology, food safety, and nutraceuticals. Their technological advancements encompass a wide range of food products, including cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish.

    The primary objective of the event was to showcase and demonstrate the food technologies developed by CSIR-CFTRI for the benefit of stakeholders from rural areas of the country and how these technologies can be utilized to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas and promote sustainable development; to identify key challenges in food processing and agricultural productivity, and strategies to foster economic growth and food security in rural areas. The event also aimed to provide a platform where these innovations can be demonstrated to a wide range of stakeholders from all over the country, including industry professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and members from rural communities to exchange ideas for application of CSIR-CFTRI Technologies in rural areas for achieving collaborations, encouraging technology adoption, technology transfer and commercialization that can benefit both the food industry and promote sustainable development. The inaugural session was graced by Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI; Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR; Shri Sam Cherian, Chairman and Managing Director, Schevaran Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Mysuru; Prof. Virendra Kumar Vijay, National Coordinator, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA); Dr P. K Singh, Project Director UBA; Shri N.P Rajive, Executive Director Vibha Vaani; and Dr Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR.

    The event witnessed an overwhelming participation of more than 100 participants from all across the country. It commenced with the welcome address by Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI. In her address Dr. Singh highlighted that during its initial years, CSIR-CFTRI tried to address the challenge of malnutrition along with the hidden micro malnutrition in the country. She talked about the important CSIR-CFTRI technologies like infant food from buffalo milk, parboiling of rice technologies, spice and oil technologies, automation technologies for traditional food like dosa machine, idli machine, vada machine, chapatti machine, biodegradable leaf cup machine and highlighted the efforts on nutraceutical research and aiming to filling the gap of skilled manpower in the food industry through MSc course on Food technology being run in CSIR-CFTRI. She also underscored that the need of skilled manpower for wheat milling industry are being fulfilled by the CSIR-CFTRI’s International School of Milling Technology course being run by CSIR-CFTRI. CSIR-CFTRI is recognized as the nodal food laboratory for food testing in India and working with FSSAI (regulatory body in testing) and developed about 550 test to test foods.

    Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR discussed the background of CSIR- NIScPR’s on-going collaboration with UBA and VIBHA for creating livelihood and business opportunities in rural India using CSIR Technologies. She also highlighted to reverse the migration from rural to urban through creating opportunities in the rural areas itself for sustainable development. And how UBA and VIBHA networking is helping to identify the stakeholders in rural areas. She also highlighted various success stories taken place under this joint initiative.

    Prof. Virendra Kumar Vijay provided the overview of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and its collaboration with CSIR. He also highlighted the ongoing UBA initiative towards rural development.

    Project Director of UBA, NCI New Delhi Prof. P. K. Singh, in his address, mentioned about the Subject Expert Groups working in UBA and their contributions. He also highlighted the support given by UBA to implement ideas generated by stakeholders.

     Shri NP Rajive, Executive Director, Vibha Vani highlighted the event as a beginning point in identifying the technological needs of the people which can be solved through technologies available with CSIR. He also highlighted of how Vibha Vani can help in upscaling and speeding up the implementation of CSIR-CFTRI technologies at grass-root level. Dr. Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR discussed about the importance of the efforts being made jointly by these organizations to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas by using CSIR technologies. Shri Sam Cherian, Chairman and Managing Director, Schevaran Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Mysuru highlighted the CSIR-CFTRI’s efforts and contributions for food industry, food security and foot sustainability in the country.

    In the Technical session, Dr. Ashutosh Inamdar highlighted the various research activities being carried out at CSIR-CFTRI and its translation for the benefit of stakeholders through promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship, start-up ecosystem development and collaboration & partnership.

    Day two of the event began with the networking session moderated by Sh. Aashish Inamdar, where participants interacted with technology developer scientists to identify specific opportunities for CSIR-CFTRI Technology deployment. The panellists involved from CSIR- CFTRI were Dr. Umesh Hebbar H, Dr. Pradeep Singh Negi, Dr Meera M S, Dr. Attar Singh Chauhan, Dr P V Suresh, Dr Pushpa S Murthy, and Dr Ashutosh Inamdar. They highlighted various technologies developed by CSIR-CFTRI in the areas of fruits and vegetable, grain, traditional food, meat processing, making value added products using pepper, turmeric, ginger spices etc. Dr Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR highlighted the CSIR efforts towards livelihood creation through S&T intervention in rural areas.

    An interactive session moderated by Dr. Raghvendra C K, was also organised with the representatives from banking sector Government agencies responsible for implementing various Government schemes in the area of agriculture. They discussed about the funding schemes available for technology adaptation, and establishing enterprises and start-ups in the area of agriculture. The panellist involved in the discussion included Shri Chandra Kumar from KAPPEC Karnataka, Shri Chandrashekhar from Medikere; Shri Saiyad Rizvi from Union Bank of India and Shri Krishnamurti from State Bank of India, Mysuru. They talked about funding schemes like PFME, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), and Retail Asset Credit Centre (RACC) and other short term and long term funding schemes for establishing unit.

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    AG

    (Release ID: 2057733) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More green fingers for work at Elemore Country Park

    Source: City of Sunderland

    A ‘not for profit’ community interest company that helps train older, vulnerable or adults with disabilities, is receiving a boost from the City Council.

    Bishopwearmouth Co-operative is based at the Bishopwearmouth Nursery in Chester Road. It has its own garden centre, tea rooms and offers gardening and landscaping services for the public.

    In 2023 it expanded to Elemore Country Park in Easington Lane with a garden centre and coffee shop.

    A key part of its work is how the company encourages and provides work and training opportunities in horticultural, floristry and other gardening services. All the opportunities are for older people, vulnerable adults, people who may have a learning disability, physical disability, or have mental health needs.

    Sunderland City Council’s decision-making Cabinet has now backed a £125,000 grant to help provide further training and work-based placements focused on Elemore Country Park. The funding was backed at the Cabinet meeting in City Hall on Thursday 19 September. It is to help towards providing six full-time placements for day and volunteering opportunities over the next two years.

    The City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community Services, Councillor Kelly Chequer welcomed the support.

    She said: “As a council we are completely committed to supporting everyone in our communities and to reducing inequalities. The Bishopwearmouth Co-operative company continues to do great work with vulnerable adults and helping them to move on to greater independence.”

    “Alongside this important work with people, the funding helps support the ongoing investment in Elemore and our communities in the Coalfield area as we bring more improvements to this great new and still improving country park.”

    Elemore is following in the footsteps of other similar and successfully reclaimed colliery sites in and around Sunderland such as Hetton Lyons Country Park, Herrington Country Park and Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve. They are all examples of how land once set over to the coal mining industry can become new ecosystems and community assets. This summer Elemore hosted its second Family Music Festival on Saturday 24 August.

    Bishopwearmouth Co-operative CIC, currently employs 30 staff and has provided over a hundred job, training and volunteer opportunities since it was founded.

    Managing Director Shaun Donnelly said: “This is brilliant news it will allow Bishopwearmouth to build on its volunteer and day opportunities for vulnerable adults. The grant from the council will allow us to provide day opportunities and training in catering and horticulture, we will also continue to assist the community by working within Elemore Country Park and organising events. 

    “In addition to the park’s schedule of events, our team will continue working with other partners in the park assisting with tree planting and maintenance.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Taking Action to Support Auto Workers and Manufacturers, Including in  Michigan

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    In Detroit, the White House will convene the Michigan Workforce Hub to announce new commitments to support the auto workforce and increase capital access for auto suppliers
    The American auto industry has driven the U.S. manufacturing base for generations, and the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring that the future of the auto industry is made in America by American union workers. Today, National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard is traveling to Detroit, Michigan to convene the Michigan Workforce Hub and announce a suite of new actions to support automakers and auto workers, with an emphasis on historic auto communities in Michigan. The Michigan Workforce Hub is one of nine Investing in America Workforce Hubs launched by the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure all Americans can access the good jobs created by the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda.
    Today’s announcement builds on the actions that Vice President Harris announced in May to support small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers with access to capital to expand or retool manufacturing facilities, new workforce training resources, and new technical assistance programs.
    “I believe in an economy where everyone has a chance to compete and a chance to succeed. Investing in the ambitions and aspirations of our people is the best way to grow the American economy and the middle class,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “Yet for far too long, we have seen lack of investment in communities across America and profound obstacles to economic opportunity—including in communities with historic manufacturing expertise such as Detroit. Earlier this year, I was proud to announce new support for small- and medium-sized auto suppliers in Detroit. Today’s announcements build on those investments by making sure our auto supply chains stay here in America, strengthening our economy overall by investing in historically underserved communities, and keeping more auto jobs in Detroit.”
    $1 Billion in Financing for Small- And Medium-Sized Auto Suppliers
    Auto suppliers support the majority of auto manufacturing jobs, and small- and medium-sized suppliers employ more than 250,000 workers across the country—serving as economic engines in Michigan, Ohio, and other historic auto communities.
    Today, the Department of the Treasury is announcing a $9.1 million grant to launch the Michigan Auto Supplier Transition Program to help small and underserved automotive manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers secure financing to scale and shift to supplying the electric vehicle supply chain. Made possible by Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), the Michigan Auto Supplier Transition Program will provide financial, legal, accounting, and other support services to underserved and very small businesses, including helping these firms access the over $230 million in additional lending and equity investments made available to support Michigan businesses through the American Rescue Plan’s SSBCI program. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will oversee the Auto Supplier Transition program in coordination with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. Additionally, Monroe Capital is announcing a commitment to raise up to $1 billion for a new “Drive Forward” Fund to facilitate access to lower cost capital for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers to refinance, grow, and diversify their businesses. The Drive Forward Fund builds on successful investment funds catalyzed by the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Investment Company program, which provides low-cost government-guaranteed leverage funding to lower the cost of capital for portfolio companies. The Drive Forward Fund will be advised by a council with experts from across the automotive industry to ensure that capital is directed to small and medium-sized auto suppliers with high-road labor practices and significant domestic manufacturing content. A focus will be placed on manufacturers that are well-positioned to lead in the future of the automotive industry and need additional capital and support to grow their manufacturing capacity, including companies making critical investments in the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) production to electric vehicles (EV).
    These new announcements build on investments that the Biden-Harris Administration has already made in auto manufacturers, including in Michigan. For example, under the Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grant Program, the Department of Energy announced a $500 million award to General Motors in Lansing and a $158 million award to ZF North America in Marysville to support the conversion of these legacy ICE facilities to EV production—retaining or creating over 1,000 combined jobs. Both of these facilities are UAW unionized. The Department of Energy also announced that the State of Michigan is eligible to receive over $18 million in funding to provide grants to small- and medium-sized auto suppliers converting their facilities to electric vehicle production. To protect these investments from unfair trade practices abroad, the President has taken strong and strategic action, including by raising tariffs to 100% on EVs and batteries from China.
    The Administration welcomes additional commitments and actions from stakeholders across industry to support automakers and auto workers.
    Michigan Workforce Hub Commitments
    In 2023, First Lady Jill Biden announced the Investing in America Workforce Initiative in five initial locations where the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda is catalyzing historic investments in industries of the future. In April, President Biden announced Michigan as one of four new Workforce Hubs, designed to prepare Michigan workers for the good-paying and union jobs created by these historic investments, with a focus on the auto sector. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, industry has announced $28 billion in private investment in clean energy and manufacturing in Michigan. The Hub is focused on four pillars: improving alignment between training programs and industry needs, standardizing training program guidelines for emerging occupations in the auto supply chain, promoting career readiness with a focus on underserved communities, and addressing structural barriers to employment.
    The Michigan Workforce Hub is coordinating across the Department of Labor, the Department of Energy, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, community colleges, unions, employers, philanthropy, nonprofits, and others to deliver on President Biden’s announcement. Since the launch of the Hub, the Department of Labor has invested more than $5.4 million to modernize, expand, and diversify registered apprenticeship programs in Michigan across key industries, including manufacturing, and connect workers to good-paying jobs, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has continued to leverage $25 million in American Rescue Plan funding to expand apprenticeships in the state. The Detroit Regional Partnership is also continuing to implement its $52.2 million grant from the American Rescue Plan to invest in the Detroit area’s legacy automotive industry and unite 135 local coalition members around a common vision for a collaborative and equitable regional economy; the coalition is undertaking
    To institutionalize the work of the Michigan Workforce Hub, the Department of Energy is announcing the selection of a full-time Michigan Fellow, hosted by the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute. This Fellow is part of an inaugural cohort of ten fellows and host organizations funded by the Community Workforce Readiness Accelerator for Major Projects (RAMP) program—which is designed to address workforce gaps while ensuring that historic clean energy investments lift all communities, especially those historically left behind.
    Today, the Michigan Workforce Hub is announcing a suite of new federal, state, philanthropic, nonprofit, and private sector commitments:
    Building pipelines to careers for underserved communities:
    The Department of Labor and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is announcing a new pilot program to train workers in Wayne County for over 140 high-quality jobs in the auto supply chain. The pilot will partner with local automotive employers to train workers while they earn a paycheck, addressing a major barrier to enrollment. As part of the pilot, the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) will work with employers, including Roush, and provide supportive services to address transportation, childcare, and other needs to make it easier for Detroit-area residents from underserved communities to access both training and good-paying manufacturing jobs.
    The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has partnered with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and invested $4 million to support more than 500 Michigan workers to receive the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program credential in preparation for good-paying, union jobs installing EV chargers, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Forty percent or more of the participants served will be from underserved targeted populations.
    Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) are launching an accelerated Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to Registered Apprenticeship Program pilot to expedite preparation of RAP candidates who have completed CDL training. Through collaborative efforts with Labor partners and the IBEW, leveraging innovative Apprenticeship Readiness Programs, 15 participants from traditionally underrepresented groups will receive CDL training and participate in a registered apprenticeship resulting in a good-paying union job.
    Taskforce Movement is partnering with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity to create career pathways for transitioning service members and veterans into electronic vehicle, manufacturing, and cybersecurity jobs. Transitioning service members and veterans will leverage the skills and discipline honed during military service to build a more robust workforce while providing veterans with stable, high-quality careers.
    The Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons will partner with Detroit Public Schools to launch new manufacturing career exposure programs for over 1,000 high school students, with a focus on supporting students from underrepresented and employment-distressed neighborhoods.
    Driving career readiness and standardizing training programs for good-paying jobs:
    The Department of Energy and over a dozen industry sponsors are providing $23.6 million in funding for the Battery Workforce Challenge to invest in equipment, technical support, mentorship, internships, and job placements and train up to 14,000 workers across the country for careers across the EV value chain—including technicians, electricians, skilled trades, and engineers. The program will invest more than $600,000 in colleges in Michigan to train over 300 Michiganders. Sponsors include Stellantis, Samsung SDI America, the American Battery Technology Company, AVL North America, Vector, and the Battery Innovation Center.
    The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Challenge Program, managed by Argonne National Laboratory, will create STEM talent pipelines in battery manufacturing hubs across the nation—the first being piloted in Michigan with the support of at least $400,000 in total, direct funding. Key partners in the Michigan pilot will include the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, high schools, vocational institutions, higher education, and industry. The Department of Energy will provide $200,000 in seed funding to Henry Ford Community College in Detroit to establish a state-of-the-art Battery/EV Technical Center. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will also award $200,000 to the University of Michigan-Dearborn to establish an undergraduate-level training program as well as a summer boot camp to educate undergraduate students in EV battery technology and build a talent pipeline.
    The Department of Energy and Argonne will partner with New Energy New York to develop battery and EV training and educational content, “BattTech,” to be used in the Michigan pilot and the other Battery Workforce Hubs. BattTech will provide industry-aligned educational content and training in battery technology, EV development, safety, manufacturing, and recycling—ensuring participants are equipped with the skills required for roles across the battery and electric vehicle value chain.
    As part of the Battery Workforce Challenge, the Department of Energy will provide $250,000 to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to pilot a battery manufacturing career pathway in high school career technical education courses in Michigan. The battery manufacturing career pathway will be integrated into the SME PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) program that currently is serves 110 schools and 10,000 students annually across 23 states. SME PRIME also intends to further expand its existing footprint in Michigan.
    The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative and Michigan community colleges will launch discussions for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deploy industry-approved classroom and on-the-job training with battery manufacturers and their community college partners for high-demand occupations. This training program has also been certified by the Department of Labor as the guidelines for battery manufacturing machine operator apprenticeship.
     Supporting employers in building a skilled workforce and navigating resources:
    The Michigan Workforce Hub will provide new resources to employers to attract a skilled and diverse workforce for clean energy manufacturing jobs. The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative will invest $200,000 to provide skills assessment and job task analysis to firms transitioning to EV component or clean goods production.
    Additionally, the Families and Workers Fund will partner with the Good Jobs Institute and Toyota Production System Support Center to deliver training and coaching to ten small and medium clean technology manufacturers to help them navigate workforce and operational challenges. The recruitment for the first cohort of manufacturers is now underway, and the program will formally launch in 2025.
    Leveraging American Rescue Plan funding, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and SEMCA Michigan Works! will accelerate the adoption of apprenticeship programs in Michigan, particularly for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers, by launching a Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship Michigan Event on September 25, which is designed to grow employer and industry awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in the EV and mobility sector.
    With philanthropic support and in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, NextStreet will create a digital hub to help connect small- and medium-sized suppliers in Michigan to resources to help with retooling, modernization, and economic transition.
    Supporting employers in building a skilled workforce and navigating resources:
    The Michigan Workforce Hub will provide new resources to employers to attract a skilled and diverse workforce for clean energy manufacturing jobs. The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative will invest $200,000 to provide skills assessment and job task analysis to firms transitioning to EV component or clean goods production.
    Additionally, the Families and Workers Fund will partner with the Good Jobs Institute and Toyota Production System Support Center to deliver training and coaching to ten small and medium clean technology manufacturers to help them navigate workforce and operational challenges. The recruitment for the first cohort of manufacturers is now underway, and the program will formally launch in 2025.
    Leveraging American Rescue Plan funding, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and SEMCA Michigan Works! will accelerate the adoption of apprenticeship programs in Michigan, particularly for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers, by launching a Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship Michigan Event on September 25, which is designed to grow employer and industry awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in the EV and mobility sector.
    With philanthropic support and in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, NextStreet will create a digital hub to help connect small- and medium-sized suppliers in Michigan to resources to help with retooling, modernization, and economic transition.
    Building local capacity and promoting economic development:
    With the support of up to $250,000 in funding from the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network will team up with the State of Michigan, local officials, and economic development leaders to build capacity in the historic auto communities of Saginaw and Flint as well as rural communities in the Upper Peninsula. This initiative will work to close gaps related to workforce participation, infrastructure, and poverty—driving local economic comebacks. This work builds upon place-based capacity building efforts that the Network is providing to other parts of Michigan and across the country.
    The City of Lansing will increase representation of women in construction and skilled trades through the Leveraging Infrastructure Networks for Equity Initiative, a partnership between the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and the non-profit Accelerator for America. This project has been renewed for second year with nearly $500,000 in funding to improve pathways for women to access the good jobs being created by historical investments in infrastructure.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon: grave concern of explosions & Palestine/Israel: Displaced people- Security Council Briefing

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Briefing UN Security Council members today (19 Sep) on the situation in the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed his “grave concern” on the “the series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired toward Israel in recent days,” warning that these incidents add to the overall volatility. Wennesland urged all parties to “refrain from steps that will further exacerbate the situation and take immediate steps to deescalate.”

    In his briefing, Wennesland also highlighted the ongoing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. He noted that over 550 people, including 250 children, had been displaced. He said, “demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures continued… citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain.”

    The Special Coordinator also expressed alarm over provocative actions and rhetoric on both sides. Urging all parties to reject such dangerous incitements, he said, “a joint statement from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened a return to the use of suicide bombings… while an Israeli minister said, ‘Palestinian prisoners must be killed. Shot in the head.’”

    Helen Clark, a member of The Elders and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, told the Security Council that the current approach to managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has failed. She criticized member states that use their veto power to “protect allies” or “obstruct geopolitical rivals,” warning that this undermines the authority of the Council.

    Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, referred to a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, declaring Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as unlawful. “The Court reaffirmed the illegality of Israel’s settlements… stressing the obligations of the occupying Power to cease immediately all settlement activities,” Mansour said.

    Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “this Council and the world must wake up to the reality of the threat Iran poses. The dark force driving the violence we see today is not a collection of independent groups; it is Iran pulling the strings,” He said, “the Iranian proxies, Hezbollah in the North, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria, are all Iran’s attack dogs unleashed to spread death and destruction across the region.” Danon further said that Iran is not only targeting Israel but is seeking domination of the entire Middle East, while the Palestinian Authority is being “utterly weak and impotent.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONnkcIa8MYE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graves Works to Protect Missouri Farmers from Federal Land Grabs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) introduced the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act and the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Act today. Both bills strengthen landowner rights to stop federal land seizures.

    “There are few things more sacred than our right to own property, to farm, and to provide for our families,” said Graves. “That’s why our Founding Fathers sought to protect landowners from government land grabs with the Fifth Amendment. Sadly, too many Washington bureaucrats these days just don’t get it—and that’s exactly why we need stronger laws to keep these unaccountable bureaucrats in line, protect landowner rights, and stop unjust federal land grabs.”

    H.R. 9604, the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act, reigns in the Surface Transportation Board’s Rails to Trails program, which allows the federal government to take former railroad corridors and give those corridors to third parties for use as recreational trails. This broken process violates the constitutional rights of landowners and unfairly cuts them out of the process. Graves’ legislation would require trail sponsors to get sign off from all impacted landowners and fully compensate landowners when a project moves forward.

    You can read the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act here.

    H.R. 9603, the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Act repeals provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA) signed into law by President Biden that allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to override state permitting decisions and approve eminent domain for electric transmission lines.

    You can read the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Acthere.

    As Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congressman Graves also included language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 that prohibits the United States Army Corps of Engineers from acquiring any lands or interest in lands using eminent domain under the Missouri River BSNP Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project.

    You can read the Section 331(a)(3) on pg. 269 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 here.

    What They Are Saying:

    Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins:

    “For too long, property owners have been run over by provisions of the federal Rails to Trails program, which allows the conversion of abandoned rail lines to public trails without their consent. Protecting private property rights is a priority for Missouri Farm Bureau. We are grateful to Chairman Graves for leading the charge to ensure landowners rights are protected when new trails are proposed. We look forward to working with Chairman Graves and his colleagues in Congress to move this priority initiative across the finish line.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: At United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), African Development Bank affirms standing as champion of Africa’s prosperity

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    NEW YORK, United States of America, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    As the world convenes in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), Africa’s 1.2 billion people will be counting on their participating leaders and pan-African institutions like the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) to lead the charge on matters critical to the continent’s sustainable development and prosperity.

    Issues of climate change, the reform of the global financial architecture, peace, food and health security, access to clean energy and connectivity, among others, are captured in the Bank’s High 5s (http://apo-opa.co/3BnAsrS), are advanced in the new Ten-Year Strategy (http://apo-opa.co/3ZG5u8q) and are aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, ‘the Africa we want’.

    The High-Level Segment of the 79th Session of UNGA, bringing together member states, international organizations, intergovernmental bodies, and other key stakeholders, will be held from 22-30 September 2024 under the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”

    The 2024 meetings take place against a backdrop of growing concern about the ability to meet critical targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

    The SDGS outline seventeen “goals” collectively described as “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future” and with a deadline of 2030.  They were first unveiled at UNGA 70 in 2015 which saw Dr. Akinwunmi A. Adesina’s debut appearance as the African Development Bank Group President.

    Over the last decade, the African Development Bank has ramped up efforts and investments aimed to accelerate the attainment of the SDGs, in synergy with its own High-5s agenda of Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. By focusing on these High 5s, the African Development Bank has said, Africa stands the chance of accomplishing 90 percent of its Sustainable Development Goals for Africa.

    Accompanied to New York by a high-level delegation of Bank Group executives, Adesina will helm a major push to strengthen partnerships and generate more support and commitment from key stakeholders for the continent’s development priorities.

    Adesina’s packed UNGA itinerary will kick off on Sunday, 22 September, at this year’s  ‘The Summit of the Future’ (http://apo-opa.co/3MTW2qA), scheduled for 22-23 September 2024. At the summit, Adesina will join world leaders to deliver a statement and adopt an action-oriented document to be known as “A Pact for the Future.”

    He will also take part in a closed-door meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres to discuss the critical issues of mobilizing greater private sector participation in Africa’s development, and the reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs).

    Adesina will also speak at an event entitled “The World is at a Crossroads”, which will result in a new global blueprint designed to ensure humankind embraces rapid advances in technology and science to deliver on the promise of a better, more peaceful and prosperous future for people and the planet.

    A major issue for the Bank is presenting the case for additional funds for the African Development Fund (ADF) , the Bank’s concessional lending arm, which since 2001 has been at the forefront of the Bank’s drive to advance the fragility agenda in Africa. The Bank, one of the first multilateral institutions to embed the concept of fragility and resilience into all its operations, is seeking to secure an ambitious replenishment of $25 billion for the ADF.

    A fireside chat, hosted by the broadcaster CNN, will present a platform for Adesina to highlight the Bank’s ground-breaking Desert to Power programme across the continent’s Sahel region, which aims to create the largest solar energy zone in the world and connect 250 million people to electricity by 2030.

    The bank president will also address a steering committee meeting of the Access to the Digital Economy (MADE Alliance-Africa) (http://apo-opa.co/4dibTdt) – an organization of which he is a co-chair which aims to provide digital access to 100 million people in Africa. Dr Adesina will stress how he believes the work of MADE is critical to address the ambitious and promising goal of reaching 100 million African farmers in 10 years.

    He will be joined by the Bank’s vice-presidents for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery, Finance, Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization and Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth and the Chief Economist.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sellafield apprentice nominated for prestigious award

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Lucy Jarvis is a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category at the Engineering Construction Industry Training and Development Awards.

    Lucy Jarvis, Sellafield Ltd

    Lucy, from Cockermouth, West Cumbria, is a technical degree apprentice and started at Sellafield Ltd in 2022.

    She works in a team managing quality assurance documents which ensure nuclear safety is protected when nuclear waste is packaged and stored.

    One of the highlights of her apprenticeship so far, was being involved in a project designed to overcome robot obsolescence on the Sellafield site.

    Another was representing Sellafield Ltd at the Nuclear Week in Parliament Skills and Apprenticeship Fair 2023.

    She said:

    I was quite surprised when I found out about the nomination. It was a really exciting time when I got the email and I’m looking forward to attending the ceremony.

    I’ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far. There have been lots of opportunities to network with different people and learn from subject matter experts. There’s a vast range of roles to venture into and my manager has been really supportive of my development throughout.

    The Sellafield Education and Skills team have been really supportive, they helped to arrange trips to the Vandellos reactor site in Barcelona and the CERN research centre in Switzerland as well as many national EDF sites.

    These visits have allowed me to reach my level 6 apprenticeship competencies as well as gain knowledge from other areas in the sector.

    But Lucy isn’t resting on her laurels, she already has plans for future career development.

    She said:

    Next year I will be starting my secondment in project management at Sellafield, and I will be finishing my foundation degree and starting my degree in plant engineering.

    The Engineering Construction Industry Training and Development Awards are an annual celebration of outstanding achievements in skill enhancement, highlighting exceptional young talent in the sector.

    Lucy will find out if she’s been successful at a ceremony in London on 5 November 2024.

    Her nomination is the third piece of good news for Sellafield’s apprentice scheme in as many months.

    In July, the company was named one of the top 100 apprenticeship employers in England.

    And earlier this month, another 300 vocational and degree apprentices and 150 graduates joined the business.

    The bumper intake underlined Sellafield Ltd’s commitment to investing in young careers and nurturing future talent to ensure the company continues to drive towards its century-long clean up mission.

    Michelle Lambon-Wilks, head of education and skills for Sellafield Ltd, said:

    We’re so proud of Lucy’s achievements. We’re all crossing our fingers she wins the award.

    But even if she doesn’t, she’s still a fabulous role model for other apprentices and young people considering a career in our industry.

    We’ll begin recruiting for next year’s cohort of apprentices in November 2024. Lucy is an example of how far you can go if you’re willing to take a chance and push yourself to achieve.

    Further reading

    Hundreds of new starters begin their careers at Sellafield

    Sellafield Ltd careers – graduates, placements and apprenticeships

    6 things that might surprise you about being a graduate engineer at Sellafield

    How to join our talent community

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen related to China CITIC Bank International Limited

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

         The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China CITIC Bank International Limited relating to a fraudulent website and an internet banking login screen, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
          
         The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
          
         Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or login screen concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sep 21, 2024 HandyDART Strike Over as Workers Reach Tentative Agreement

    Source: US Amalgamated Transit Union

    ATU Local 1724-Vancouver, BC, Members to Hold Ratification Vote

    Vancouver, BC – After an 18-day strike, an aggressive campaign, and months of bargaining, HandyDART workers have reached a tentative agreement with Transdev, the multinational company contracted by Translink to operate the service. The members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1724-Vancouver, BC, will hold a ratification vote in the coming days.

    On September 3, HandyDART workers launched their strike with a spirited rally attended by ATU International President John Costa, labor leaders from across the region, HandyDART riders, and allies. Since then the two sides have been holding mediated contract talks resulting in this tentative agreement.

    “It’s been a long fight for our HandyDART members, but since day one of our strike, we have stood strong and we have never been more united,” said Local 1724 President/Business Agent Joe McCann. “We nnow have a fair and just contract that narrows the gap between us and conventional transit. It also ensures a safe and reliable transit system for our HandyDART riders who rely on this critical service. We would like to thank our riders in particular, who have shown us overwhelming solidarity during these difficult 18 days.”

    The new contract includes significant wage increases that would address the staffing shortages, and the Union was also able to push back on the use of taxis through creative language on shift scheduling and reporting.

    The Union had been in contract negotiations with Transdev since November 2023. On June 27, 2024, HandyDART workers voted 95% to authorize strike action, with 87% of active members participating in the strike vote overall. Then starting on July 3, HandyDART workers engaged in partial work withdrawals as part of a steady ramp up of job actions. These have included: refusals to wear uniforms; collect fares; work overtime; fill out certain kinds of paperwork; and doing work off the clock.

    Among the other key issues were staffing shortages and high worker turnover, which had been more than double that of the rest of Translink, due to poor compensation in comparison to other transit jobs in the region. Worker shortages have been a major factor in the skyrocketing use of taxis at HandyDART, and riders have complained that taxi drivers do not have the same training nor provide the same door-to-door service. This has led to many Mayors and City Councils openly calling for Translink to bring the service in-house in order to improve safety and public accountability.

    “I am proud of our HandyDART members. On the picket lines and rallies, I saw firsthand their strength, unity, and solidarity,” said International President John Costa. “The result was a strong contract that recognizes the commitment and dedication of our HandyDART members to provide safe and reliable transportation for our seniors and people with disabilities. Our members now have a pathway to the middle class for the critical public service they provide. It was an honor to hold the line with you.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor recovers $799K in back wages, damages owed to 110 employees denied overtime by Chicago-area car care centers

    Source: US Department of Labor

    CHICAGO – A federal judge has ordered Mariusz Lekarczyk, the owner and operator of four Chicago-area We Wash Hand Wash and Car Detail Centers, and We Wash Car Care Center Inc. to pay $799,566 in back wages and damages to 110 employees and $110,990 in penalties to the U.S. Department of Labor, as part of a consent judgment and order obtained by the department. 

    On September 19, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago ordered Lekarczyk and his company to pay the back wages owed by May 1, 2025 and penalties by August 1, 2025. The employer must immediately display posters and provide information to employees about their rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

    The court’s action was spurred by the filing of a complaint in district court after an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division discovered Lekarczyk did not pay workers overtime at time and one-half their regular rate of pay for hours over 40 in a workweek or keep records of payments to workers, as required. The division found violations at the company’s Chicago locations at 2042 S. Halsted St. and 4660 W. Lawrence Ave. from at least June 23, 2020, to June 22, 2022, and at their 2744 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park and 5600 New Wilke Road, Rolling Meadows locations between Oct. 21, 2020, and Oct. 20, 2022.

    The complaint alleges Lekarczyk and his company paid workers by check for the first 40 hours they worked, then paid for overtime hours in cash at straight time without the overtime rates. 

    The Halsted and Lawrence locations were previously investigated by the division in 2013, where similar overtime violations were found.

    “The recovery of these rightfully earned wages will have a tremendous impact on the employees who earned them and sends a clear message to all employers that we will not tolerate an employer’s failure to pay overtime,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Tom Gauza in Chicago. “We appreciate the court’s support in the Department of Labor’s fight on behalf of workers and in holding employers legally accountable.”

    “The U.S. Department of Labor will take all necessary legal actions – including recovering back wages, seeking damages and assessing penalties – to hold employers who violate the law accountable,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Christine Z. Heri in Chicago.

    The department’s compliance guide explains employees’ rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

    Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division and how to file an online complaint. For confidential compliance assistance, employees and employers can call the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243), regardless of where they are from.

    Download the agency’s new Timesheet App for iOS and Android devices – available in English and Spanish – to ensure hours and pay are accurate.

    DOL v. We Wash Car Care Center Inc., d/b/a We Wash, Mariusz Lekarczyk, owner

    Civil Action No. 1:24-cv-06259

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Key Public Works and Infrastructure posts advertised to stabilise department

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Monday, September 23, 2024

    Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has taken action to stabilise the administration and governance of the department  by advertising key vacancies in the department for permanent appointment. 

    Over the weekend, vacancies were advertised for a number of positions, including the Head of Infrastructure, Supply Management Executive for the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE), Chief Director for Human Resource Management, Deputy Director of Facilities Management, Deputy Director-General of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Deputy Director-General of Policy Research and Regulation, and Chief Director for accounting and reporting. 

    “The filling of these key positions with permanent appointments is part of the actions we have been taking to bring stability and good governance to the department since my appointment more than two months ago. 

    “These positions play a critical role in the department’s functioning,” Macpherson said in a statement on Monday. 

    He encouraged all South Africans, who have the necessary skills and expertise, to apply for the positions and “join us in the work we are doing to reform the department in order for us to build a better South Africa for all our people”. 

    “With the advertising of these positions, we are laying the foundation of a professional public service within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure which has a diversity of skills and expertise to move us forward,” said the Minister.

    Individuals who meet the requisite requirements have until 18 October 2024 to apply.

    A copy of the advert and position requirements can be found at https://bit.ly/3ZzyoHn. 

    “The advertising of these positions forms part of the greater work we are doing to build a strong Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to deliver our vision of turning South Africa into a construction site. By working together we can ignite economic growth, create jobs and build a more prosperous South Africa,” said Macpherson. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.22.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 22, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:
     

    • AB 262 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Children’s camps: safety and regulation.
    • AB 460 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: civil penalties.
    • AB 672 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Civil Rights Department: community assistance.
    • AB 761 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Local finance: enhanced infrastructure financing districts.
    • AB 938 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) – Education finance: classified and certificated staff salaries.
    • AB 1005 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – In-home supportive services: terminal illness diagnosis.
    • AB 1038 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Surplus residential property: City of Pasadena: City of South Pasadena.
    • AB 1042 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Pesticide treated seed: labeling.
    • AB 1142 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: costs for using facilities or grounds.
    • AB 1246 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – Public employees’ retirement: Public Employees’ Retirement System optional settlements.
    • AB 1472 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – City of Imperial Beach: recreational vehicle parks: registration requirements.
    • AB 1511 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – State government: diverse, ethnic, and community media.
    • AB 1533 by the Committee on Utilities and Energy – Electricity.
    • AB 1768 by the Committee on Governmental Organization – Horse racing.
    • AB 1784 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Primary elections: candidate withdrawals.
    • AB 1808 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – Childcare and development services: eligibility.
    • AB 1819 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Enhanced infrastructure financing districts: public capital facilities: wildfires.
    • AB 1820 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Housing development projects: applications: fees and exactions.
    • AB 1827 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Local government: fees and charges: water: higher consumptive water parcels.
    • AB 1828 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Personal income taxes: voluntary contributions: Endangered and Rare Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Species Conservation and Enhancement Account: Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund: covered grants.
    • AB 1862 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Engineering, land surveying, and architecture: limited liability partnerships.
    • AB 1891 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Community colleges: allied health programs.
    • AB 1892 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Interception of electronic communications.
    • AB 1901 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Vehicles: total loss claim: salvage certificate or nonrepairable vehicle certificate.
    • AB 1937 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – State parks: Pedro Point.
    • AB 1946 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races: Whitney Stakes.
    • AB 1962 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Crimes: disorderly conduct.
    • AB 1984 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Pupil discipline: transfer reporting.
    • AB 1991 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Licensee and registrant renewal: National Provider Identifier.
    • AB 2015 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Nursing schools and programs: faculty members, directors, and assistant directors.
    • AB 2021 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Crimes: selling or furnishing tobacco or related products and paraphernalia to underage persons.
    • AB 2041 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign funds: security expenses.
    • AB 2046 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Educational programs: single gender schools and classes.
    • AB 2072 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Group health care coverage: biomedical industry.
    • AB 2073 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Physical education courses: alternate term schedules.
    • AB 2081 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Substance abuse: recovery and treatment programs.
    • AB 2091 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: public access: nonmotorized recreation.
    • AB 2127 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Voter registration: California New Motor Voter Program.
    • AB 2130 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – Parking violations.
    • AB 2131 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Certified nurse assistant training programs.
    • AB 2134 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) – School employees: transfer of leave of absence for illness or injury.
    • AB 2137 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Homeless and foster youth.
    • AB 2159 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Common interest developments: association governance: elections.
    • AB 2166 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Barbering and cosmetology: hair types and textures.
    • AB 2176 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Juvenile court schools: chronic absenteeism rates.
    • AB 2198 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Health information.
    • AB 2247 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Mobilehome Parks Act: enforcement: notice of violations: Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) Program: annual fee.
    • AB 2276 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Forestry: timber harvesting plans: exemptions.
    • AB 2302 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.
    • AB 2324 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Avocados: sale or donation by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
    • AB 2327 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Optometry: mobile optometric offices.
    • AB 2337 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) – Workers’ compensation: electronic signatures.
    • AB 2359 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Alcoholic beverage control: neighborhood-restricted special on-sale general licenses.
    • AB 2364 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-Sylmar) – Property service worker protection.
    • AB 2373 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Mobilehomes: tenancies.
    • AB 2387 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Mobilehome parks: additional lots: exemption from additional fees or charges.
    • AB 2399 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Mobilehome park residences: rental agreements: Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program.
    • AB 2434 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Health care coverage: multiple employer welfare arrangements.
    • AB 2453 by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) – Weights and measures: electric vehicle supply equipment.
    • AB 2457 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Sacramento Municipal Utility District: nonstock security.
    • AB 2460 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Common interest developments: association governance: member election.
    • AB 2469 by the Committee on Emergency Management – Emergency Management Assistance Compact: California Wildfire Mitigation Financial Assistance Program.
    • AB 2496 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Foster family agencies and noncustodial adoption agencies.
    • AB 2500 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Student financial aid: application deadlines: postponement.
    • AB 2511 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Beverage container recycling: market development payments.
    • AB 2522 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Air districts: governing boards: compensation.
    • AB 2543 by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) – Small Business Procurement and Contract Act: eligibility.
    • AB 2546 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Law enforcement and state agencies: military equipment: funding, acquisition, and use.
    • AB 2561 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Local public employees: vacant positions.
    • AB 2574 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment programs and facilities: disclosures.
    • AB 2599 by the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials – Water: public beaches: discontinuation of residential water service.
    • AB 2664 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Foster youth.
    • AB 2666 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Public utilities: rate of return.
    • AB 2678 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Vehicles: high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
    • AB 2712 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Preferential parking privileges: transit-oriented development.
    • AB 2817 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) – State highways: Route 1: relinquishment.
    • AB 2830 by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) – Foster care: relative placement: approval process.
    • AB 2834 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Public postsecondary education: part-time faculty.
    • AB 2887 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – School safety plans: medical emergency procedures.
    • AB 2898 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Unbundled parking: exemptions: Housing Choice Vouchers.
    • AB 2902 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Solid waste: reduction and recycling.
    • AB 2931 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: classified employees: merit system: part-time student-tutors.
    • AB 2939 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Parks: counties and cities: interpretive services.
    • AB 2951 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – Voter registration: cancellation.
    • AB 2971 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup: community college districts.
    • AB 2991 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Alcoholic beverage control: retailer payments: electronic funds transfers.
    • AB 3025 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – County employees’ retirement: disallowed compensation: benefit adjustments.
    • AB 3042 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – County penalties.
    • AB 3069 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Tied-house restrictions: advertising exceptions: City of Oceanside.
    • AB 3087 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development Program.
    • AB 3100 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Assumption of mortgage loans: dissolution of marriage.
    • AB 3116 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – Housing development: density bonuses: student housing developments.
    • AB 3119 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Physicians and surgeons, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants: continuing medical education: infection-associated chronic conditions.
    • AB 3131 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Strong Workforce Program: applicants receiving equity multiplier funding.
    • AB 3158 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Community colleges: West Valley-Mission Community College District.
    • AB 3177 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Mitigation Fee Act: land dedications: mitigating vehicular traffic impacts.
    • AB 3184 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Elections: signature verification statements, unsigned ballot identification statements, and reports of ballot rejections.
    • AB 3234 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – Employers: social compliance audit.
    • AB 3261 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races.
    • AB 3290 by the Committee on Higher Education – Public postsecondary education.
    • AB 3291 by the Committee on Human Services – Developmental services.
    • SB 98 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Education finance: local control funding formula: enrollment-based funding report.
    • SB 382 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Single-family residential property: disclosures.
    • SB 577 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Insurance.
    • SB 689 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Local coastal program: bicycle lane: amendment.
    • SB 708 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – Vehicles: off-highway motor vehicles: off-highway motorcycles: sanctioned event permit.
    • SB 778 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Excavations: subsurface installations.
    • SB 819 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Medi-Cal: certification.
    • SB 863 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Measures proposed by the Legislature.
    • SB 977 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – County of San Luis Obispo Redistricting Commission.
    • SB 978 by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) – State government: budget: state publications: format.
    • SB 1046 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations.
    • SB 1053 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Solid waste: recycled paper bags: standards: carryout bag prohibition.
    • SB 1077 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Coastal resources: local coastal program: amendments: accessory and junior accessory dwelling units.
    • SB 1106 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – The Kasem-Nichols-Rooney Law.
    • SB 1117 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Organic products.
    • SB 1130 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Electricity: Family Electric Rate Assistance program.
    • SB 1156 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Groundwater sustainability agencies: conflicts of interest: financial interest disclosures.
    • SB 1158 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program.
    • SB 1193 by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley/Burbank) – Airports: leaded aviation gasoline.
    • SB 1225 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – Real estate appraisers: disciplinary information: petitions.
    • SB 1230 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Strengthen Tobacco Oversight Programs (STOP) and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act.
    • SB 1248 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Pupil health: extreme weather conditions: physical activity.
    • SB 1251 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Mosquito abatement inspections.
    • SB 1254 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – CalFresh: enrollment of incarcerated individuals.
    • SB 1280 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.
    • SB 1304 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Underground injection control: aquifer exemption.
    • SB 1315 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – School accountability: local educational agencies: annual reporting requirements.
    • SB 1321 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Employment Training Panel: employment training program: projects and proposals.
    • SB 1324 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – California Ocean Science Trust: agreements.
    • SB 1329 by the Committee on Education – Elementary and secondary education: omnibus.
    • SB 1333 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Communicable diseases: HIV reporting.
    • SB 1336 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Department of General Services: state property: Metropolitan State Hospital.
    • SB 1367 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Agriculture: commercial feed: inspection tonnage tax: research and education.
    • SB 1399 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Transfer of real property: transfer fees.
    • SB 1410 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Pupil instruction: curriculum frameworks: mathematics: algebra. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 1429 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Education finance: emergencies: snowstorms.
    • SB 1440 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – School operations: 4-day school week.
    • SB 1441 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Examination of petitions: time limitations and reimbursement of costs.
    • SB 1450 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Elections.
    • SB 1451 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Professions and vocations.
    • SB 1452 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Architecture and landscape architecture.
    • SB 1453 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Dentistry.
    • SB 1454 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Bureau of Security and Investigative Services: sunset.
    • SB 1455 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Contractors: licensing.
    • SB 1456 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – State Athletic Commission Act.
    • SB 1465 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – State building standards.
    • SB 1468 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Healing arts boards: informational and educational materials for prescribers of narcotics: federal “Three Day Rule.”
    • SB 1476 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Political Reform Act of 1974: State Bar of California.
    • SB 1491 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Postsecondary education: Equity in Higher Education Act.
    • SB 1500 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Housing: federal waiver: income eligibility.
    • SB 1511 by the Committee on Health – Health omnibus.
    • SB 1512 by the Committee on Housing – Housing omnibus.
    • SB 1514 by the Committee on Local Government – Local Government Omnibus Act of 2024.
    • SB 1518 by the Committee on Public Safety – Public safety omnibus.
    • SB 1523 by the Committee on Governmental Organization – Gambling: lotteries.
    • SB 1526 by the Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development – Consumer affairs.
    • SB 1527 by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation – Property taxation: exemption: low-value properties and tribal housing.
    • SB 1528 by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation – California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

    The Governor also announced that he has vetoed the following bills:
     

    • AB 544 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Voting pilot program: county jails. A veto message can be found here. 
    • AB 832 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – California Transportation Commission: membership. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 884 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Elections: language accessibility. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1738 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Mobile Homeless Connect Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1817 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Homeless youth. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1834 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – Resource adequacy: Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1918 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Solar-ready and photovoltaic and battery storage system requirements: exemption. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1919 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Pupil discipline: suspension: restorative justice practices. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1947 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-Sylmar) – California state preschool programs: contracting agencies: staff training days. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1977 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Health care coverage: behavioral diagnoses. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1992 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Carbon sequestration: blue carbon and teal carbon demonstration projects. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2022 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Mobilehome parks: emergency preparedness. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2038 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – State parks: outdoor equity programs. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2088 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – K–14 classified employees: part-time or full-time vacancies: public postings. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2093 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – Community colleges: California College Promise: fee waiver eligibility. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2103 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks: real property acquisition. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2120 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Trespass. A veto message can be found here. 
    • AB 2214 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Ocean Protection Council: microplastics. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2250 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Social determinants of health: screening and outreach. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2263 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2271 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – St. Rose Hospital. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2277 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Community colleges: part-time faculty. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2330 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2401 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Clean Cars 4 All Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2448 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone: County of Riverside. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2537 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Energy: Voluntary Offshore Wind and Coastal Resources Protection Program: community capacity funding activities and grants. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2538 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: seasonal firefighters. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2586 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – Public postsecondary education: student employment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2637 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Health Facilities Financing Authority Act. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2677 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Sureties: liability. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2681 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Weapons: robotic devices. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2910 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – State Housing Law: City of Los Angeles: conversion of nonresidential buildings. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3023 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: interagency funding strategy: multiple benefit projects: grant program guidelines. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3034 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Public postsecondary education: waiver of tuition and fees: California Conservation Corps. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 571 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Fire safety: ingress and egress route recommendations: report. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 936 by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) – Department of Transportation: study: state highway system: road safety projects. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 983 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Energy: gasoline stations and alternative fuel infrastructure. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1108 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Mobilehome parks: notice of violations. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1118 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1133 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Bail. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1170 by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley/Burbank) – Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign funds. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1182 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) – Master Plan for Healthy, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Schools. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1220 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Public benefits contracts: phone operator jobs. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1292 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Electricity: fixed charges: report. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1369 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Dental providers: fee-based payments. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1375 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Workforce development: records: poverty-reducing labor standards: funds, programs, reporting, and analyses. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1383 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – California Advanced Services Fund: Broadband Public Housing Account. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1411 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Instructional Quality Commission: curriculum framework and evaluation criteria committee: higher education faculty representation. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1412 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Instructional Quality Commission: qualifications: prohibited communications. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1419 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Food Desert Elimination Grant Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1423 by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) – Medi-Cal: Rural Hospital Technical Advisory Group. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1443 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – California Interagency Council on Homelessness. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1471 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Pupil instruction: quiet reflection. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1509 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Negligent Operator Treatment (NOT) in California Act. A veto message can be found here. 

    For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

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    Sep 20, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Moving to protect the health and well-being of youth on digital platforms, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed SB 976 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), which prohibits online platforms from knowingly providing an addictive feed to a minor without parental consent. The bill also prohibits social media platforms from sending notifications to minors during school hours and late at night.

    “Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children – isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night. With this bill, California is helping protect children and teenagers from purposely designed features that feed these destructive habits. I thank Senator Skinner for advancing this important legislation that puts children’s well-being first.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “As a mother, I’m proud of California’s continued leadership in holding technology companies accountable for their products and ensuring those products are not harmful to children. Thank you to the Governor and Senator Skinner for taking a critical step in protecting children and ensuring their safety is prioritized over companies’ profits.”

    First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom 

    Today’s action builds on the enactment of bipartisan legislation in 2022 to require that online platforms consider the best interest of child users and to default to privacy and safety settings that protect children’s mental and physical health and well-being. The state continues to defend the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act from a lawsuit challenging the first-in-the-nation law.

    The Governor today also announced that he has signed the following bills:
     

    • AB 224 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Worker status: employees and independent contractors: newspaper distributors and carriers.
    • AB 551 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) – Public Utilities Commission.
    • AB 1465 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Nonvehicular air pollution: civil penalties.
    • AB 1505 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – California Earthquake Authority: closed meetings.
    • AB 1805 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Instructional materials: history-social science: Mendez v. Westminster School District of Orange County.
    • AB 1974 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Family conciliation courts: evaluator training.
    • AB 2032 by Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) – Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • AB 2062 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Credit unions.
    • AB 2069 by Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) – Sale of soju and shochu.
    • AB 2146 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Product safety: recreational water safety: wearable personal flotation devices: infants and children.
    • AB 2174 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Alcoholic beverages: beer caterer’s permit.
    • AB 2225 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Discovery: prehospital emergency medical care person or personnel review committees.
    • AB 2378 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) – Alcoholic beverage control: licensing exemption: apprenticeship program for bartending or mixology.
    • AB 2389 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Alcoholic beverages: on-sale general – eating place and on-sale general public premises: drug reporting.
    • AB 2424 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Mortgages: foreclosure.
    • AB 2589 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) – Alcoholic beverages: additional licenses: County of El Dorado and County of Placer.
    • AB 2656 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) –Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • AB 2865 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Pupil instruction: excessive alcohol use.
    • AB 2889 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Local public employee relations: the City of Los Angeles Employee Relations Board and the Los Angeles County Employee Relations Commission.
    • AB 2905 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Telecommunications: automatic dialing-announcing devices: artificial voices.
    • AB 3072 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Child custody: ex parte orders.
    • AB 3203 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Craft distillers: direct shipping.
    • AB 3276 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) – Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • SB 931 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • SB 990 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Office of Emergency Services: State Emergency Plan: LGBTQ+ individuals.
    • SB 1072 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Local government: Proposition 218: remedies.
    • SB 1111 by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) – Public officers: contracts: financial interest.
    • SB 1207 by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) – Buy Clean California Act: eligible materials.
    • SB 1317 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Inmates: psychiatric medication: informed consent.
    • SB 1445 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Governing boards: pupil members: expulsion hearing recommendations.
    • SB 1481 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) – Claims against the state: appropriation.

    The Governor also announced that he has vetoed the following bills:

    • AB 52 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Income tax credit: sales and use taxes paid: manufacturing equipment: research and development equipment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 366 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – County human services agencies: workforce development. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 457 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Beverage containers: recycling: redemption payment and refund value: annual redemption and processing fee payments. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 922 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Prepared Meals Delivery Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1792 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Emergency medical services: personal protective equipment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1950 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Task force: former Chavez Ravine property: eminent domain: compensation. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2238 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Franchise Tax Board: membership. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2313 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) – Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2339 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Medi-Cal: telehealth. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2490 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Reproductive Health Emergency Preparedness Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2549 by Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) – Patient visitation. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2670 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Awareness campaign: abortion services. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2735 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Joint powers agreements: water corporations. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2872 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) – Department of Insurance: sworn members: compensation. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2983 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Office of Emergency Services: comprehensive wildfire mitigation program: impact on fire insurance. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3045 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Birth certificate: decorative Asian Zodiac heirloom birth certificate. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3048 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: opt-out preference signal. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3156 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) – Medi-Cal managed care plans: enrollees with other health care coverage. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 636 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Workers’ compensation: utilization review. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 804 by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) – Criminal procedure: hearsay testimony at preliminary hearings. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 892 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Public contracts: automated decision systems: procurement standards. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 972 by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) – Methane emissions: organic waste: landfills. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1319 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Skilled nursing facilities: approval to provide therapeutic behavioral health programs. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1463 by Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) – Developmental services: Self-Determination Program: Deputy Director of Self-Determination. A veto message can be found here.

    For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

    Recent news

    Sep 20, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Katherine “Katie” Butler, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Butler has served as Deputy Director of the Hazardous…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: The first hearings of the special session highlighted the incentives that the oil industry has in letting gas prices spike – and that they have no interest in fixing it any time soon. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly hosted its first hearings of…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s streamlining law reduces delays caused by CEQA litigation. Under that law, an appellate court swiftly rejected a CEQA lawsuit against the Sites Reservoir project – in less than 270 days since it was filed.  SACRAMENTO –…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Special session hearings prove case for proposal to prevent gas price spikes

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 20, 2024

    What you need to know: The first hearings of the special session highlighted the incentives that the oil industry has in letting gas prices spike – and that they have no interest in fixing it any time soon.

    SACRAMENTO – The Assembly hosted its first hearings of the special session on gas price spikes this week. 

    The takeaway? Gas price spikes are preventable with additional backup supply but profit motives keep the industry from responsibly maintaining the supply necessary to protect Californians. Learn more about the Governor’s proposal here.

    Profit incentives drive decisions to let supplies dwindle, allowing prices to spike

    • “Private sector firms have [an] incentive and obligation to earn a profit, and so their decisions about how much to store for a rainy day are determined by profit incentives, and in particular, holding onto additional product so you can sell it when prices are high and drive down prices can cannibalize the money you’re already making during that period.” – Neale Mahoney, Stanford University Professor of Economics
    • “Their primary focus in that decision is what’s gonna be best for their profits. They don’t want to hold inventory and have that storage cost and all of that, unnecessarily. But if they can hold inventory because they think down the road they could be able to sell it to a higher priced market, they may make those decisions. But the decision, basically, on inventory, or one of the primary things, is simply their profits, correct?” – Assemblymember Steve Bennett
      • “That is correct, Member Bennet, these companies have an obligation to maximize profits for their shareholders.” – Neale Mahoney, Stanford University Professor of Economics

    Minimum inventories – utilizing existing storage – would prevent gas price spikes

    • “My view is [that] when we have a price spike, that a responsible system would have product on hand [and] would have anticipated the potential of there being a refinery turnaround, a refinery outage, something else. And that product could be deployed to bridge us to the point where a refinery came online or where product could come in from overseas. That decision may not be the profit-maximizing decision for firms that are trying to make the most possible money. But in terms of serving the California people by preventing budget-busting price spikes, I think that is something that would be desirable.” – Neale Mahoney, Stanford University Professor of Economics
    • “This additional supply, this additional buffer would be available when prices go up to help stabilize the market… The problem with this concentrated market with the four firms is they don’t currently have the incentive to keep inventories high enough to protect against price spikes. And I can say that the proof is before us in the price spikes that we’ve been experiencing – and so there has to be a mechanism to encourage that more responsible level of storage to prevent the price spikes.” – Tai Milder, Director of the state’s Division of Petroleum Market Oversight  
    • “I keep hearing about the need to build new tanks but this is a minimum inventory requirement. In other words, it kicks in at the time when inventories are very low so there should be plenty of capacity for storing that gasoline.” – Severin Borenstein, Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley  
    • “When refineries go down, prices go up, profits go up… There’s an intersection of inventory dipping under 15 days, the price spiking, the profit spiking.” – Jamie Court. President of Consumer Watchdog

    Industry has no interest in fixing gas price spikes

    • “We are also here to evaluate a proposal that is on the table and so if you don’t think this works, then you need to explain to this committee why it doesn’t work.” – Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris addressing the oil industry 
      • “You’ve heard a fundamental disagreement about whether refiners do or do not have enough storage capacity.* We disagree… We fundamentally believe that we’re being set up for failure.” – Eloy Garcia, Western States Petroleum Association (*fact check: there is enough storage capacity, according to CEC/DPMO analysis and outside experts)
    • “We have to realize there’s a tremendous incentive to make sure that these inventory decisions and these pricing decisions remain in the hands of industry and we don’t get involved at all to make sure that the public’s benefit is also considered… What we’ve seen for the last four weeks is a tremendous amount of confusion and misrepresentation to try to block or weaken this legislation.” – Assemblymember Steve Bennett
    • “How do we fix this problem, in your mind?” – Assemblymember Mike Gipson
      • “I don’t think you can. I think that all you can do is make it worse is one person’s humble opinion. But if you step back and understand the motivations of all of the players in the industry, they’re working every day to make the system work well, just stuff happens… I think [the system] works pretty well. We end up with price spikes, there’s no doubt about that, and we end up with some outages and we end up with some problems.” – Tom Robinson, Chairman, Robinson Oil

    Industry’s solution? Drill, baby, drill!

    The Western States Petroleum Association’s primary point was that this could all be solved if we just let them drill for more oil in California.

    It’s a tired, decades-oil talking point – and a distraction from real solutions. Never mind the fact that oil production has been on the decline in California since the 1980s. Don’t take it from us, take it from the experts:  

    • “California oil production is really unrelated to California gasoline prices. California oil production is part of the world market. I’ve been hearing this argument – there’s a new one here that maybe pipelines will shut down. But the same argument about California oil production has been made for years… I think we have to keep in mind that even the oil industry, when prices go sky high, say, ‘this isn’t us, we don’t set the price of crude oil, the world market does.’ But that same argument shows us that additional California production is not going to significantly affect California prices.” – Severin Borenstein, Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley  

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s streamlining law reduces delays caused by CEQA litigation. Under that law, an appellate court swiftly rejected a CEQA lawsuit against the Sites Reservoir project – in less than 270 days since it was filed.  SACRAMENTO –…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: A new report shows California greenhouse gas emissions declined across most sectors in 2022 – and declined a whopping 20% since 2000. The decrease in emissions took place even as the state’s economic dominance continued. SACRAMENTO…

    Sep 19, 2024

    News What you need to know: New measures will combat the misuse of digitally manipulated content, including deepfakes and sexually explicit images.  SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed three significant pieces of legislation designed to address the ethical…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 9.20.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 20, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Katherine “Katie” Butler, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Butler has served as Deputy Director of the Hazardous Waste Management Program at the Department of Toxic Substances Control since 2023. She served as Senior Health Deputy in the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn from 2021 to 2023. She was a Program Supervisor at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from 2015 to 2021. Butler was a Senior Health Scientist at McDaniel Lambert Inc. from 2008 to 2014. Butler earned a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental Epidemiology from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Notre Dame. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $211,239. Butler is registered without party preference.

    Myriam Bouaziz, of Fairfield, has been appointed Director of the Office of Tax Appeals, where she has served as Chief Deputy Director since 2020 and was Deputy Director of Legislation from 2018 to 2020. Bouaziz was a Consultant in the Office of California State Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León from 2017 to 2018. She was a Consultant for the California State Senate from 2014 to 2017 and Senior Legislative Assistant in the Office of California State Assemblymember Roger Dickinson from 2011 to 2014. Bouaziz was Access Specialist at the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability from 2009 to 2011. She was a Case Manager at the Marin Child Care Council from 2007 to 2008. Bouaziz earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $226,092. Bouaziz is a Democrat.

    Holly Holtzen, of Santa Rosa, has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. Holtzen has been Interim Program Manager, Financial Resiliency at AARP since 2024. She was State Director of AARP from 2019 to 2024. Holtzen held several positions at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency from 2009 to 2019, including Acting Executive Director from 2018 to 2019, Chief Operating Officer from 2017 to 2019, Director of Research and Strategic Planning from 2012 to 2017 and Strategic Research Coordinator from 2009 to 2012. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services Research from Old Dominion University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,512. Holtzen is registered without party preference. 

    Samantha Arthur, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Water at the California Natural Resources Agency. Arthur has been Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2023. She held several positions at Audubon California from 2014 to 2023, including Working Lands Program Director from 2019 to 2023, Conservation Project Director from 2016 to 2019 and Conservation Project Manager from 2014 to 2016. Arthur was a Land Protection Specialist with Big Sur Land Trust from 2010 to 2012. She was a member of the California Water Commission from 2020 to 2023. Arthur earned a Master of Environmental Science and Management degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Whitman College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $181,596. Arthur is a Democrat.

    Todd Ratshin, of Elk Grove, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Enforcement at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Ratshin has been Chief Board Counsel at the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board since 2017 and was Senior Board Counsel there from 2016 to 2017. Ratshin was a Labor Relations Counsel at the California Department of Human Resources from 2015 to 2016. He was an Associate at Littler Mendelson P.C. from 2011 to 2015. Ratshin was a Labor Relations Counsel at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2008 to 201l. He was an Associate at the Zumbrunn Law Firm from 2006 to 2008. Ratshin earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Oregon. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $206,700. Ratshin is registered without party preference. 

    Karen Greene Ross, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Commission on State Mandates. Greene Ross was Chief of Staff to California State Controller Betty T. Yee from 2015 to 2022. She was Assistant Chief Counsel at the California High-Speed Rail Authority from 2012 to 2014, where she was Deputy Director of Legislation from 2011 to 2012. Greene Ross served as a Deputy Controller at the State Controller’s Office from 2005 to 2007. She was Deputy Secretary for Legislation at the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency from 2001 to 2003. Greene Ross was Principal Legislative Policy Consultant in the Office of State Senator Adam Schiff from 1999 to 2000 and Principal Policy Consultant in the Office of Assembly Speaker Emeritus Cruz Bustamante in 1998. She was a Committee Consultant in the California State Assembly from 1994 to 1997. Greene Ross earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Florida. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Greene Ross is a Democrat.

    Recent news

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: The first hearings of the special session highlighted the incentives that the oil industry has in letting gas prices spike – and that they have no interest in fixing it any time soon. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly hosted its first hearings of…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s streamlining law reduces delays caused by CEQA litigation. Under that law, an appellate court swiftly rejected a CEQA lawsuit against the Sites Reservoir project – in less than 270 days since it was filed.  SACRAMENTO –…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: A new report shows California greenhouse gas emissions declined across most sectors in 2022 – and declined a whopping 20% since 2000. The decrease in emissions took place even as the state’s economic dominance continued. SACRAMENTO…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: International Peace Meeting of the Sant’Egidio Community.

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: President of the Republic of France in French (video)

    To follow the Presidency of the Republic: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elysee.fr Twitter: https://twitter.com/elysee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pr-sidence-de-la-r-publique

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 21.09.2024 Evacuation, strengthening of embankments, cleaning of the area, construction of crossings, medical assistance are the main tasks of soldiers in flood areas

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Evacuation, strengthening of embankments, cleaning of the area, construction of crossings, medical assistance are the main tasks of soldiers in flood areas 21.09.2024 We are also in towns that have already been affected by the effects of great water. Here in Szprotawa, water overflowed, and the effects affect about 60 residential buildings, including some companies. We are currently talking to the crisis management team about the actions that have been taken. I would like to thank everyone very much. Volunteer firefighters, firefighters from the State Fire Service, policemen, soldiers, residents are working. I would like to thank everyone very much for this good organization, for managing this flood action together with the local government, for protecting Szprotawa from greater effects than those we have today – said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Wrocław.

    On Saturday, the head of the Ministry of National Defense took part in the crisis headquarters in Wrocław, as well as in the headquarters operating in Wołów and Szprotawa. In the afternoon, the deputy prime minister took part in a briefing in Głogów. At the crisis headquarters, we talked to all the communes that are at risk and those that are expecting the wave to arrive. There is a huge commitment of residents, all uniformed services and there is cooperation. We thank you for this once again very much. More units have been activated, such as cadets from firefighting schools, who also joined the help in the Wołów district, to lay sandbags. Soldiers have been present from the very beginning, of course. They carried out the mission on the embankments until it was possible. Now, another line of the barrier against the water is being laid there – informed the deputy prime minister. As the head of the Ministry of National Defense pointed out, soldiers of the Polish Army are helping in many directions. Where the flood wave has passed, the areas need to be cleaned up. The areas approaching the flood wave must be monitored, and where necessary, the flood embankments must be reinforced. We have dispatched more dehumidifiers, which are needed in places affected by the flood. Providing the dehumidifiers is one of the main tasks. Pumps are still needed. Soldiers are directly involved in flood control operations today. Para bromear evacuation, protection of life and health, strengthening the embankments, tidying up the area, clearing communication routes. There is also great cooperation between the army and the Ministry of Infrastructure related to the construction and repair of road and rail connections. Reconstruction also means strengthening the embankments. For example, yesterday, the embankments were reinforced using Police helicopters in Lewin Brzeski – Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz noted. The Minister of National Defense informed about attempts to extort money on the Internet. So far, over 80 false collections have been identified and blocked by the services appointed for this purpose. The fight against disinformation is also ongoing. There are many collections in cyberspace that are dishonest. We have also engaged in the fight against this those troops related to the protection of cyberspace. The component of the Cyberspace Protection Troops is involved in the process of fighting fraudsters on the Internet. We will fight this (…) we will actively counteract these attacks – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 21.09.2024 Prime Minister: We will not save on the reconstruction of flooded areas

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    A meeting between Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the voivodes took place at the Lower Silesian Voivodship Office. It concerned the initial estimate of losses due to the flood. The voivodes presented data that had been obtained from some local governments. They will enable work on the reconstruction program. The current situation has shown that it is also necessary to create new flood protection infrastructure. Losses after the flood

    In some places it is still not possible to estimate losses, including those related to standing water, which is why the voivodes have only presented preliminary estimates of flood damage.

    We are meeting for the first briefing dedicated to the preliminary lists of losses and damages suffered by residents, local governments and state institutions in flooded areas. I emphasize that this is a provisional list. The fight against the flood is not over

    – the Prime Minister began the meeting with the voivodes. The head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Minister Jan Grabiec, presented a summary of the reports prepared by the voivodes. It shows that a state of natural disaster affected a total of 749 localities, inhabited by 2.39 million people. The number of residents who were actually affected by the flood is 57 thousand. Over 6,544 people were evacuated. Initially, 11,502 residential buildings were damaged, i.e. single-family houses, as well as multi-family buildings. 6,033 farm buildings were affected by the flood. 724 public utility buildings were damaged, including schools, kindergartens and sports facilities.

    Only in Lower Silesia, 54 schools, 10 playgrounds, 39 sports fields, 20 nurseries and 20 kindergartens have been damaged at the moment. We know that this is not complete

    – mentioned Donald Tusk. The Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration drew attention to the need to inform about the priority needs in terms of critical infrastructure when estimating losses.

    We will try to release the money for the first tranche very quickly, so as to clear the bridges in various places.

    – emphasized Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak. He also expressed understanding that the most affected localities were not yet able to provide preliminary estimates of losses.

    reconstruction program

    In local government units, the assessment of losses after the passage of the great water is underway. Bromea con necessary to be able to start the reconstruction of post-flood areas.

    We must prepare this great reconstruction plan, which is our commitment and national ambition, so that first of all we know what has been destroyed and who should receive help first, and then we can set off on a grand scale to this huge reconstruction

    – said Donald Tusk. The main challenge is still to protect endangered areas, as well as to help residents who have lost their property. This will be possible thanks to the Reconstruction plan.

    I think that the Prime Minister has outlined very clearly the task that faces all of us. […] We will have to work so that the restoration of these areas to usability is as effective and as fast as possible.

    – said Marcin Kierwiński during the meeting. At the same time, he thanked the voivodes for the collected data and the reports sent, which will enable the commencement of reconstruction work.

    Investments in post-flood reconstruction

    Thanks to government and European funds, it will be possible to help people affected by the flood and rebuild the destroyed infrastructure. On Thursday, the head of the European Commission announced that we will be able to use PLN 20 billion for this purpose.

    Para bromear sobre me something obvious, that in a situation where we will have to release billions of złoty and euros to rebuild flood areas, the situation after the flood must also be better than the situation before the flood. We are not only talking about security, but also about the entire destroyed infrastructure

    – emphasized the Prime Minister. He added that there will be no shortage of funds for the reconstruction of areas affected by the flood.

    Flood infrastructure

    The current situation has shown that it is necessary to expand and modernize flood infrastructure. The idea is to adapt it to current meteorological and hydrological conditions.

    Rational, wise – and I know that they are expensive and there will be no shortage of money for them – decisions regarding reservoirs and other infrastructure that must help us […] reduce the risk of damage in the future

    – Prime Minister said. It is crucial to protect people and their property against flooding as much as possible in the future.

    Green schools

    The Ministers of National Education are working on the “Green Schools” program, which will enable children from flood-affected areas to participate in recreation and activities in a safe place.

    Tomorrow, I hope, we will present a fairly good map of where and from where children can go immediately, with full care and food, a roof over their heads and school activities, so that we can quickly make necessary repairs in schools

    – announced the head of government. The “Green Schools” program will guarantee children the continuation of their education, and parents the possibility of eliminating the effects of the flood. In the meantime, the state will take care of the reconstruction of the school.

    Current flood risk

    The Prime Minister announced a visit to Głogów due to the continuing flood threat.

    It was very important to me that there was nothing missing there at that moment to save the city from the wave.

    – emphasized the head of government. He added that Głogów is the absolute priority today.

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar, Dingell Bill to Stop Deadly TB Outbreaks Passes Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar, Dingell Bill to Stop Deadly TB Outbreaks Passes Committee

    Today, Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s bipartisan bill, H.R. 7188, The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act, was passed by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in a 40-0 vote. The legislation would require the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct research and education campaigns to prevent outbreaks of tuberculosis (TB) from infected human cell and tissue products. Additionally, the bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to update critical guidance for tissue product providers.

    “I am grateful my legislation in honor of Shandra Eisenga passed the Committee on Energy and Commerce today with strong bipartisan support. This legislation will honor her legacy and help stop preventable TB deaths from happening again. I encourage my colleagues to pass the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act,” said Moolenaar.

    “Shandra Eisenga’s death was a preventable tragedy, and we’ve seen far too many people lose their lives due to tuberculosis infection from bone graft material,” said Dingell. “I am thankful this bill passed Committee on a bipartisan basis. We must do more to increase awareness of the risks of human cell and tissue product transplants and implement additional safeguards to protect patients from the dangers of these infections.”

    Moolenaar’s bipartisan legislation was introduced in response to the death of Shandra Eisenga on August 10, 2023, due to a tuberculosis infection that occurred through an infected bone graft. Eisenga was one of 36 patients in seven states to contract TB after receiving a bone graft from an infected donor in 2023.

    Moolenaar’s bill is co-led by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Announces Winners of Smart Awards 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has released the list of winners of its esteemed Smart Awards 2024 event, recognizing the top performers within the scope of a year in the crypto space across 5 categories. The event was held in collaboration with Bitget’s data provider — 0xScope, which ensured a transparent and fair winner selection process. 

    The highly anticipated Bitget Smart Awards 2024, which took place on September 12, concluded with the announcement of the lucky winners who outperformed the rest of the crypto market in the course of their trading activities on the platform. The prestigious online event, accompanied by a runner-up social media campaign, recognized the exceptional contributions of select individuals to the development of the crypto industry.

    The winners were dispersed across the following categories:

    • Smart Trader
    • Rising Star
    • Trading Maestro
    • Memecoin God
    • Elite Picker

    The Bitget team congratulates the winners and runners-up, as well as all those who have contributed to the development of the crypto industry through their engagement in it and the Bitget Smart Awards 2024.

    The event was hosted by two of Bitget’s outstanding KOL investors – Chris, Founder of Satoshi Stacker and SSventures, and Ran Neuner, Host of CNBC’s Crypto Trader and Founder of Crypto Banter. Among the guest presenters was also Co-founder and CEO of 0xScope – Phillip Torres.

    “We are delighted to have held this event and seen it through on such a high level of both presentation and involvement on the part of our wonderful audience. It is extremely gratifying to see the winners in their respective categories recognized for their contributions to the industry. We are certain that this will become a tradition and Bitget is sure to honor year-over-year,” as Gracy Chen, the CEO of Bitget, commented on the closing of the event.

    The collaboration with 0xScope as part of the event was meant to underscore the crucial role the company is playing in the organization of the selection process and the overall operation of the Bitget exchange. The data insights provided by 0xScope helped ensure that the awards reflected the best in crypto trading performance and identify the winners.

    The extensive advertising of the event on social media via hashtagging and the high level of engagement from the global crypto community were reflected in the success of the live ceremony, which is available on YouTube. The vibrant visuals and captivating speeches alone are reason enough to watch the ceremony through from start to finish.

    Bitget is committed to continuing the tradition in the coming years and intends to follow up with the winners to highlight their future successes. Audiences and traders alike are encouraged to stay tuned for future events and invite all users to participate in the ongoing #TradeSmarter campaign on social media by sharing their own “smart trading” experiences and stories. Six standout participants will be selected by Bitget to receive special rewards, with details of the event to be released in the near future.

    About Bitget
    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 30 million users in 100+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more. Bitget inspires individuals to embrace crypto through collaborations with credible partners, including legendary Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi and Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team).

    For more information, readers can visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    Contact

    PR
    Media
    Bitget
    media@bitget.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar Statement on Reported Investment in Michigan

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar Statement on Reported Investment in Michigan

    This week, the Detroit News reported that the state of Michigan is considering a massive incentive package for the construction of a semiconductor manufacturing facility in the state. 

    “State officials have reportedly identified an American company to partner with for a project in Michigan. They should have been focused on attracting American companies from the start, instead of giving taxpayer dollars to CCP-affiliated companies including Gotion. Now is the perfect time for them to correct their mistake and end state support for Gotion,” said Congressman John Moolenaar.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar Votes Against the Biden-Harris EV Mandate

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar Votes Against the Biden-Harris EV Mandate

    Today, Congressman John Moolenaar voted for legislation that repeals the Biden-Harris administration’s emissions rules that set a goal of having two-thirds of new cars sold in the U.S. be electric vehicles by 2032.

    “President Biden and Vice President Harris are attempting to force the production of electric vehicles the American people do not want. This hurts Michigan’s auto companies and everyone who works in our auto industry. It also plays right into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party’s plans to dominate the EV supply chain. Biden and Harris must end this policy because it hurts Michigan jobs and creates an unfair playing field for Michigan workers,” said Moolenaar.

    Demand for EVs has slowed recently, and automakers have delayed and scaled back their EV plan, according to CNBC. Ford recently ended the development of an all-electric SUV, saying consumers want hybrids. 

    Moolenaar is a co-sponsor of H.J. Res. 136. The resolution was adopted by the House of Representatives, 215 to 191.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Unlock your future: Plymouth’s biggest careers fair is here!

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Some of the city’s biggest and best-known employers are returning to take part in this year’s Launchpad Live, a two-day future careers event offering a unique glimpse into the city’s fastest-growing industries.

    Hosted at the Plymouth Life Centre, Launchpad Live will run on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 September 2024 and aims to inspire and raise aspirations of local young people and improve awareness of career choices and future progression pathways.

    Who are the employers attending?

    The event will feature a powerhouse of over 50 employers and organisations such as:

    • Babcock
    • University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
    • Plymouth City Council
    • Princess Yachts
    • Plymouth Community Homes
    • Kier BAM
    • Willmott Dixon
    • Vistry Group
    • Rowe IT
    • Theatre Royal Plymouth
    • Vospers
    • PFK Francis Clarke
    • Greenlight Safety and Training
    • Duchy College
    • HM Armed Forces
    • National Marine Park
    • City College Plymouth
    • Skills Group
    • Discovery College
    • Plymouth Manufacturers Group
    • Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub and the city’s sector skills partnerships –
    • Building Plymouth (promoting construction and the built environment)
    • Caring Plymouth (promoting health and social care)
    • Welcoming Plymouth (promoting hospitality, tourism and retail).

    These organisations are not just looking for employees, they’re looking for the future leaders of their industries.

    A hands-on experience

    With all Plymouth schools bringing along groups of students, more than 2,200 pupils will experience interactive zones, complete with the latest immersive technologies. Those attending will explore, learn, and engage directly with industry experts across Plymouth’s core sectors, including:

    • Marine, Engineering and Manufacturing
    • Health and Social Care
    • Construction and the Built Environment
    • Technology, Business, Legal and Creative Services
    • Armed Forces and Government Services
    • Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Retail
    • Green and Sustainable Careers

    Launchpad Live is where opportunity meets innovation, offering unparalleled exposure to both traditional and emerging career paths. Whether you’re a student curious about your future or a business leader looking to inspire the next generation, this event is for you.

    The event is being organised by Plymouth City Council in partnership with YMCA Plymouth, Discovery College and City College Plymouth.

    Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “This fantastic event will give thousands of young people the chance to meet employers, to learn about the exciting career opportunities available and better understand the investment and growth sectors that present future ambitious employment in Plymouth. It’s really important that we help employers and training providers, including further and higher education institutions, to showcase these opportunities directly with our young people, helping them to make better informed choices for their post-16 next steps.”

    Jonathan Keable, Chair of the Plymouth Employment and Skills Board and Leader of FSB Plymouth, said:
    “I’m incredibly proud to see over 50 of our city’s leading employers come together to not only showcase incredible opportunities but to actively inspire the next generation. This event is a testament to the commitment of our businesses and organisations in investing in Plymouth’s future workforce. Together, we are giving our young people the confidence and tools to dream bigger, reach higher, and shape their own destinies. A huge thank you to the organisers for delivering this transformative event. The line-up is outstanding, and I encourage anyone looking to take the next step to join us to explore your options and take action, because this is your chance to make it happen.”

    Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth said:

    “As a Plymouth charity that has supported young people’s aspirations in the city for 175 years, YMCA is delighted to bring this exciting careers event to life in partnership with Plymouth City Council. We believe it’s vital to showcase what fantastic opportunities are out there to young people and their parents. We’re very proud of how we have been able to make this event truly accessible for young people and the wide scope of employers and trainers, which has now made this an annual landmark event for the city.”

    Open to the Public!

    Launchpad Live will be open to the public on Thursday, 26 September, from 4pm to 6pm. Don’t miss this chance to meet employers, explore career options, and discover pathways that could change your life. All other times on both days are reserved for school bookings only.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Old School House highly commended at Building Excellence Awards

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Sunderland City Council’s project to transform a former school building into specialist homes has been highly commended at the regional LABC Building Excellence Awards.

    The awards are the largest business to business awards in the building control sector in the UK, and the Old School House in Washington was highly commended in the Best Small Social Housing Development category. 

    The awards recognised the scheme, which restored and extended the former Biddick School to create 15 specialist apartments for vulnerable adults.

    The new apartments were completed by JDDK Architects and Brims Construction after being developed by the council’s Housing Development Team as part of plans to deliver more homes for the residents most at need in the city. Under these plans, the city council is providing much-needed homes and one-storey accommodation for people living with disabilities as well as older residents.

    All apartments at the Old School House benefit from a high-quality specification developed with the end user in mind and the development boasts a landscaped courtyard for residents to enjoy, including seating designed by a local artist. 

    Councillor Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Business, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been highly commended for the housing scheme at Washington Old School.  

    “These homes have been specially designed to meet the needs of vulnerable adults, so we’re delighted that the Old School House is making such a positive difference to residents’ lives and that this has been recognised.

    “This scheme sits beautifully alongside a community of homes that we developed as a local authority in 2021. It is just the latest project we have carried out to ensure the city benefits from a wider range of properties to support the needs of vulnerable residents and those living with disabilities.”

    JDDK Architects put the project forward for the award. Speaking about the work that went into the scheme, JDDK’s Associate Director Matthew Holmes said: “Working on this scheme was a challenge but the results speak for themselves, and this is down to the great team that worked together throughout the project.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –