NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Save the Children – Education disrupted for sixth year for 1.5 million children in Lebanon, with half of public schools used as shelters

    Source: Save the Children

    Half of Lebanon’s public schools have been turned into shelters for forcibly displaced people in the past two weeks, disrupting children’s education for the sixth consecutive year and increasing the threat to their long-term physical and mental wellbeing, Save the Children said.
    Lebanon’s Ministry of Education said that Israeli airstrikes have forced about 40% of Lebanon’s 1.5 million pupils from their homes and postponed the start of the school year for public schools from 14 October to 4 November.
    At least 500 public schools – about half of Lebanon’s public schools – are now being used as collective shelters -, following escalating violence on 23 September that led to the displacement of over 1.2 million people, or about one fifth of the population.
    This marks the sixth year of significant disruptions to education for children in Lebanon, with the World Bankestimating that it will take Lebanon generations to recover from these successive shocks to children’s education.
    Save the Children said children in Lebanon have been hit by multiple complex crises for decades, without being able to fully recover, including the COVID19 pandemic, political instability, the Beirut port explosion, economic downturns and the teachers’ strike in 2023.
    Since October 2023, escalating cross-border hostilities have resulted in over 2,000 people being killed, including about 127 children, and at least 10,000 injured in Lebanon.
    Salim-, 45, is a father of three boys aged 12, 16 and 17 from the south of Lebanon. In the past year, his family was forced to relocate eight times. The family is now staying at a school used as a collective shelter in Bekaa, eastern Lebanon, sharing a classroom with another family. He said:
    “Every time we thought this was it, and we could settle down, take a breath, we were forced to move again. None of my children have received a proper education since 2020. Now, all they care about is making sure we’re safe and together. I never wanted this for them. I wanted them to have the freedom to dream, to chase after those dreams when the time was right, and to live their lives to the fullest. But now, all I want is for them to survive. Dreams have been replaced by basic survival. Food, education, and medication, these things have become distant luxuries.”
    Sawsan-, 27, was displaced to the same school with her two children, aged four and five. She said:
    “It’s been a year like this, a year of my children waking up to the sounds of Israeli bombs exploding around us. A year of uncertainty. We left on 26 September after our village was attacked. We spent two days on the road, desperately searching for safety and shelter until we arrived at this school. At first, my children were confused and unsure. “We’re going to live in a school?” they asked. “Does that mean we’ll study here too?”
    Erin Wall, Education Technical Advisor at Save the Children Lebanon, said:
    “Education during conflict plays a crucial role in providing a sense of normalcy and routine for children, but schools are now closed once again, and most non-formal education activities halted in the last two weeks. This only adds to the children’s distress as they lose access to the comfort of their friends and teachers, the structure of safe learning spaces and the routine support services they can find in schools. If schools stay closed, we expect compounded learning losses, with children unable to read and write, leading to a higher risk of drop-out and lower learning achievement overall, not to mention social isolation and disconnection. This will significantly affect children’s wellbeing, development, and ability to learn, limiting their opportunities for the future.”
    Save the Children is committed to ensuring children can access their right to a quality education even in times of crisis. Since hostilities escalated in October 2023, Save the Children has reached more than 2,100 displaced children through delivery of emergency learning activities, provision of critical non-specialized psychosocial support and social emotional learning activities, and distribution of educational materials.
    Jennifer Moorehead, Country Director of Save the Children in Lebanon said:
    “Countless parents are telling us that one of their top priorities is for their children to get back to school, which does not surprise us. Education is one of the most essential factors necessary for the recovery and future of children – and the country. Schools also offer an important entry point for children to be referred to other essential services like healthcare, mental health support or child protection services. Every day away from the classroom, is a growing threat to children’s long-term physical and mental wellbeing. Schools should only be used as shelters as a last resort, and for the shortest possible period. We call for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further suffering and protect children’s right to education.”
    Save the Children has been working in Lebanon since 1953. Since October 2023, we’ve been scaling up our response in Lebanon, supporting displaced Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian children and families, and now have escalated an emergency response throughout the country in 161 collective shelters. Since October 2023, we’ve supported more than 100,000 people, including 40,000 children, with cash, blankets, mattresses and pillows, food parcels, water bottles and kits containing essential hygiene items.
    Currently, Save the Children is scaling up its Education in Emergency response and related child protection support for displaced families inside and outside collective shelters, focusing on ensuring learning continuity and wellbeing support.
    Notes
    – “Collective shelters” are pre-existing buildings and structures where large group of displaced people find shelter for a short time while durable solutions are pursued. A variety of facilities may be used as collective centres – community centres, town halls, hotels, gymnasiums, warehouses, unfinished buildings, disused factories. Infrastructure and basic services are provided on a communal basis or access to them is made possible. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Toll on public service coming clearer as redundancy costs and sick leave soar – PSA

    Source: PSA

    – Redundancy costs total nearly $50m so far – highest since 2010
    – Sick leave jumps to record levels
    Annual workforce data provides a sobering snapshot of the damage the Government’s cost cutting drive is inflicting on public services and workers.
    The directive by the incoming government last year to cut costs and jobs has seen thousands of public service workers sacked or take voluntary redundancy.
    “This is such a sad snapshot of the damage being done to public services,” said Kerry Davies National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “We know there is much worse to come as the full picture of the Government’s reckless and poorly thought through cuts becomes clearer.”
    The data shows taxpayers shelled out $48.8m in redundancy payments for 865 workers, driven by cuts at MBIE, Social Development, Statistics NZ and across the public service. This is the highest payout since 2010 when the last National-led government down-sized the public service.
    “Based on what we know to date in terms of cuts, it’s likely that the cost to taxpayers will grow to the hundreds of millions of dollars, and to what end? That’s money that could be invested in our health system which is struggling to meet the health needs of New Zealanders right now.
    “This is just more evidence the Government has got its priorities all wrong.
    “The bill will also grow from here as the Government has made clear its plan to continue its ideological obsession with cutting the size of the public service.
    “The cost to New Zealand will be even higher as the public service is stripped of resources and skilled workers to meet the health needs of Kiwis, to support small businesses, to secure our borders and to meet the challenges of climate change and infrastructure.”
    The data also shows the toll that restructuring is having on workers. Sick leave was at record levels in the June year with an average of 10.2 days taken off.
    “Change is hard on workers – it causes huge stress for them and their families and disrupts the delivery of public services. This toll is only going to rise sadly.
    “However, it is heartening to see the gender pay gap continuing to fall and that it remains well below that of the private sector. That partly reflects the past Government’s commitment to improve pay for those on lower and middle incomes, many of whom are women and the great leadership shown by the public sector.
    “We hope this government’s austerity drive and the forcing of departments to meet wage increases out of base lines doesn’t turn back this hard-won progress. It’s particularly important with 62% of public service workers being female.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese’s cabinet reshuffle is a chance to reset the rhetoric on immigration and multiculturalism

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    This opinion piece by Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman appeared in The Guardian Australia.

    Australia’s leaders tout the benefits of our prosperous, multicultural society. Yet when it comes to speaking about refugees, people seeking protection and migrants, the policy framing shifts.

    This week’s federal cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of Tony Burke, who is taking on the home affairs, immigration and multicultural affairs portfolios, provides a significant opportunity to change the perceptions and attitudes which influence how we talk about migrants, refugees and people seeking protection – to foster an anti-racist approach at a time of division and to redefine what it means to be an “immigrant” in Australia.

    The Coalition’s home affairs experiment was doomed to fail. Tony Burke has a huge job on his hands
    Read more
    We routinely hear refugees and migrants blamed for the rising cost of living, lack of housing or even increased traffic, while ignoring the evidence that shows skilled migrants make a significant net positive contribution to the Australian economy over their lifetime. We don’t often hear about the farming and agricultural skills brought by many refugees and people seeking asylum.

    Public discourse routinely dehumanises refugees and people seeking protection, labelling them as “illegal immigrants”, “queue jumpers”, or “economic migrants” – even though seeking asylum is a legal right.

    Last year’s NZYQ high court decision, which ruled it illegal to indefinitely detain stateless refugees after they had completed their prison sentences imposed by a court, was a prime example.

    Following that decision, the entire cohort of refugees was branded by both sides of politics as “hardcore criminals” and “threats” to security. But labelling entire groups as a risk to community safety serves to legitimise harsh immigration regimes and dehumanise those in need.

    Australia’s history is marred by the legacy of the White Australia policy, a period marked by systemic racism and exclusionary practices designed to preserve the illusion of a homogenous society. This era exemplifies how “Australianness” has historically positioned non-white individuals as inferior “others”.

    The impact of structural racism on communities and individuals – myself included – who have resettled or sought protection in Australia is to diminish them. It forces us to shed our language, culture, customs and dress until nothing separates us from white culture and society. And of course that means we may still be the victims of racism.

    It is also a false, narrow notion of what it is to be Australian.

    From the Africans on the first fleet to Chinese migrants in the 1800s to the Afghan cameleers, there is a rich history of non-white migration to this country that is intrinsic to our identity.

    And let’s also not forget that Australia is built on the foundation of First Nations people’s ways of being, knowing and doing stretching back tens of thousands of years. As highlighted last week in the federal government’s multicultural framework review, “this emphasis on acknowledging and celebrating the cultures and languages of First Nations peoples is seen as essential for genuine reconciliation and the need to achieve equality for all, without which multiculturalism is incomplete”.

    Embracing pluralism and inclusivity strengthens the very fabric of what it means to be Australian. It is time to take decisive action against racism and discrimination, starting at the top, with our government leading by example. Political leaders, media personalities and other public figures who make comments that incite racial violence and hatred, or perpetuate negative stereotypes, must be held accountable.

    The Australian Human Rights Commission’s national anti-racism framework will be delivered to the federal government before the end of the year. It will guide government, organisations, businesses and civil society on addressing racism and the role they can play in preventing it.

    To make that a reality, our elected officials will need to lead with anti-racist words and actions as soon as people arrive in Australia – no matter what their journey was to get here.

    For families who have fled wars, new arrivals looking to settle into society, to work and rebuild their lives after fleeing persecution, for lovers who are not accepted in their home countries; for those who may visibly look different, but seek the same dignity as you or I: we have to remember language in this discourse matters.

    Giridharan Sivaraman is Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road reopens following crash near Flaxton, Waimakariri District

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    The road has reopened following an earlier crash near Flaxton in Waimakariri District.

    The crash at the intersection of Paisley Road and Mulcocks Road involved two vehicles and was reported to Police at 2.40pm.

    Two people suffered moderate injuries and one person was transported to hospital with serious injuries.

    There is reported to be significant traffic build-up in the area and motorists should expect delays while the traffic clears.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Federal electoral divisions in New South Wales formalised [10 October 2024]

    Source: Australian Electoral Commission

    AECMedia

    Updated: 10 October 2024

    The next federal election will be conducted on new electoral division boundaries in New South Wales after a notice was published today in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.

    While final names and boundaries for House of Representative seats in New South Wales were announced on 12 September 2024, today’s gazettal is the step that formally sets them in place. Today’s gazettal also provides people with further details about the boundaries.

    • Maps and geospatial data for the new electoral divisions now available.

    More detailed division maps and the final redistribution report will be available after the Minister has tabled material in both houses of Parliament.

    Editor’s notes:

    • People on the electoral roll who are affected by the redistribution will now be moved into their new federal electoral division in readiness for the election. No action is necessary.
    • While the new electoral divisions will be in place from Thursday 10 October 2024, they will only apply from the next full federal election onwards. Any federal by-election conducted before that point must be conducted on existing divisions to avoid overlap in, or missing, representation.
    • Further information about the redistribution process

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: New Minot North High School Will Help Provide Important Opportunities for Students

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    10.09.24
    MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined community and school leaders at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly opened Minot North High School. Minot North High School opened for classes on August 21, 2024, and is part of a larger reconfiguration of Minot Public Schools. The senator previously helped break ground on the new school and commended city and school officials on their efforts to meet the needs of Minot’s students.
    “A quality education is the great equalizer, helping ensure young people have the skills they need to compete in the economy of the future and live a fulfilling life,” said Hoeven. “Not only does this new high school double the square footage of Minot High, it will also help double participation in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, meaning that more students will get opportunities to participate and learn. Congratulations to Superintendent Faul, former Superintendent Vollmer, Principal Johnson, and the community as a whole, who all worked together to make today’s achievement possible.”
    As a member of the Senate, Hoeven has worked to provide resources to help prepare students for careers in industries that will be critical to the future of the state and nation’s economy. To this end, the senator is working to expand access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, including by:
    Supporting the Student Support and Academic Enrichment program, which can be used by school districts to build greater capacity for STEM education.
    Cosponsoring and helping pass legislation to expand the National Science Foundation’s STEM education initiatives for young children, including establishing new research grants to increase the participation of girls in computer science. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Flood Simulation Exercise in Lautem Marks Key Milestone in Strengthening Local Disaster Preparedness and Response

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Lautem, Timor-Leste – The Civil Protection Authority (CPA), along with municipal and suco-level disaster management teams, successfully led a flood simulation exercise in Los Palos villa, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United States Agency for International Development Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA). Over a hundred participants joined the event, which was carried out in close collaboration with civil society, and community members. The exercise aimed to enhance disaster preparedness and response, with a focus on reducing the exposure and vulnerability of Lautem Municipality to climate-related hazards.

    The exercise would not have been possible without the cooperation of every sector of the community, including local leaders, civil society organizations, women, youth and community members themselves. Civil Protection Authority President Mr. Jesuino Dos Reis De Matos Carvalho, Municipal Director of the Civil Protection Authority Mr. Casemiro Pires Assunção, Municipal Administrator Mr. Mélio de Jesus, USAID-BHA Regional Advisor Mr. Joseph Miskov, USAID-BHA Program Officer for East Asia and the Pacific Ms. Jessica Doxtater, USAID Project Management Specialist Mr. Inacio Fernandes Quintao, and IOM Timor-Leste Chief of Mission Jewel Ali as well as members from the Civil Protection Authority, Municipal Health Post, National Police of Timor-Leste, and Red Cross of Timor-Leste were also in attendance. 

    Lautem Municipality has become increasingly vulnerable to flooding due to climate change and heavy seasonal rains. A recent report on flooding in Lautem highlights the severe impact of heavy rains in July 2023, destroying several bridges and roads, displacing multiple communities, and tragically claiming the lives of four children who were swept away by the rising waters. 

    The flood simulation exercise mobilized IOM-trained at-risk community members to carry out emergency action plans and safely evacuate before emergencies and aligns with the Civil Protection Authority’s goal of enhancing disaster preparedness in Timor-Leste.

    “Disaster simulations are essential for improving readiness and response of agencies and frontline responders. The U.S. government is committed to working with Timor-Leste to reduce disaster risks and protect lives for future generations,” USAID-BHA Regional Advisor Mr. Joseph Miskov expressed.

    The flood simulation is part of the Strengthening Disaster Resilience of at-risk communities in Timor-Leste (STREAM) project, by IOM in partnership with CPA, and funding support from BHA. Through continued support, the municipal and suco disaster management committees have strengthened local disaster risk management, developed community-based action plans, and upgraded critical infrastructure to better protect residents in times of crisis. IOM and BHA also officially handed over the refurbished evacuation center with improved WASH facilities to promote dignified and safer evacuation during emergencies.

    “IOM remains committed to supporting Lautem and other at-risk communities in Timor-Leste by helping establish local disaster management structures. We will continue to work closely with local authorities and community members to address the needs of displaced communities and reduce disaster risks,” shared IOM Timor-Leste Chief of Mission Jewel Ali.

    The simulation will highlight additional steps in building Lautem’s disaster resilience and empower local actors, ensuring they lead the way in safeguarding their communities for the future.

    ***

    For more information, please contact:

    • Jewel Ali, Chief of Mission, IOM Timor-Leste, at jali@iom.int
    • Andrea Empamano, Media and Communications Officer, IOM Timor-Leste, at aempamano@iom.int

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN joins the 27th ASEAN-China Summit

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended the 27th ASEAN-China Summit, which took place this morning in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was attended by the ASEAN Leaders or their representatives, the Premier of the State Council of China, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

    The Leaders reviewed the progress of ASEAN-China cooperation and discussed its future direction, particularly on advancing the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Leaders adopted a Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation in People-to-People Exchanges, in line with the theme of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges. The Leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN joins the 27th ASEAN-China Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-Evening Report: International student caps are set to pass parliament, ushering in a new era of bureaucratic control

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University

    The federal government’s controversial plan to limit international student numbers is now almost certain to win parliamentary approval. But it looks like there will be some changes to the original bill introduced in May.

    A Senate committee, which has a Labor majority, has recommended the bill be passed with amendments. The government is expected to accept the committee’s suggestions.

    What did the committee find and what does this mean for caps on international student numbers?

    Clashing views in parliament

    In the inquiry report, Coalition senators criticised the government’s handling of international education. But they continued to support the idea of putting a limit on international students.

    The Greens’ dissenting report completely rejected the idea of caps. The Greens don’t have the Senate numbers to block them, but they may find common ground with the Coalition on some amendments to influence the final outcome.

    Changes to caps on courses

    The government’s original legislation would let the minister set international student caps by education provider, location and course.

    Caps by provider and location are meant to reduce pressure on accommodation and other services, especially in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. This is a key goal of the bill and other recent changes to international student policy.

    But course-level enrolment caps are not necessary to achieve this.

    As the inquiry report notes, most international students do not stay in Australia permanently. So they should be allowed to choose courses based on their own interests and job opportunities in their home countries.

    The report also notes significant administrative issues involved with setting and monitoring caps for the more than 25,000 courses on offer to international students.

    But the report does not take these points to the logical conclusion of recommending no caps on courses. Instead, it proposes no course caps for universities or TAFEs. Non-university higher education providers and non-TAFE vocational education providers could still be subject to course-level caps.

    After the report was released, Education Minister Jason Clare cited advice about some vocational providers offering courses that “don’t give [students] a real qualification”.

    Coalition senators may seek the full removal of course caps from the bill – in the Senate report, they criticise what they call the “appalling treatment of many private higher education and [vocational education and training] providers”. With support from the Greens, course caps could be stopped.

    A new power to exempt some categories of students

    The government has flagged it wants to exempt students from the Pacific or Timor-Leste and some students on government scholarships from the new cap regime.

    That would require amendments to the original bill, which the Senate inquiry also recommends. This change is unlikely to face any Senate obstacles.

    An earlier date for announcing caps

    The bill requires caps to be announced by September 1 in the year before the caps apply, except for this year when the deadline is December 31.

    This date was criticised because international students receive offers before September. Education providers need to know their caps before they start making offers.

    The Senate report recommends a July 1 announcement instead.

    Huge powers for the minister

    As drafted, the bill gives the minister extraordinary personal power to set international student caps. It sets no limit on the reasons for setting caps. It requires no consultation prior to setting caps, other than the minister for education consulting the minister for skills.

    The Senate report suggests improvements to this process. The education minister would also need to consult the immigration minister and the regulators for vocational education and higher education.

    The report also says education providers should be consulted on the initial setting of enrolment limits each year. With around 1,500 providers registered to offer courses to international students, this consultation may need to be with their representative groups.

    More scrutiny for the caps?

    The bill has a dual system for setting caps. One of these is via a “legislative instrument”, which the minister makes. This can be disallowed by either house of parliament and is the only limit on the minister’s power.

    But the bill also allows the minister to bypass the parliament with a “notice” to education providers. This has the same practical effect as the legislative instrument.

    The bill’s explanatory memorandum (the document to help readers understand legislation), offers a benign explanation for this. It says the minister will only exercise the power of using a notice in limited circumstances. Its examples include when the education provider has supplied additional student accommodation, or needs to expand to take students from other providers that have gone out of business.

    Nothing in the bill, however, limits the use of capping by notice.

    In a submission to the inquiry, I recommended requiring parliamentary scrutiny of the way caps are set. The legislative instrument would set out rules and formulas for calculating the cap. The notice to education providers would have to apply these rules and formulas to their specific circumstances.

    The Senate committee majority, however, recommended a much weaker form of scrutiny. It suggested replacing the notice with a “notifiable instrument”. This would ensure the provider’s cap was publicly available. The notices, by contrast, only go to to the affected education provider, the Department of Education, and the relevant regulator.

    A notifiable instrument would allow more public scrutiny of the minister’s decisions, for people who keep an eye on the government’s legislation website. But it falls well short of a system in which parliament is always directly notified of caps and given the power to intervene.

    A turning point

    The Senate inquiry partly answers some criticisms or weaknesses of the bill. It’s likely the bill will next be debated when parliament sits in November.

    But whatever views people hold on capping international students – and with the student visa holder population nearing 700,000 there is a case for moderation – we are witnessing a major turning point in higher education.

    This bill, in combination with planned controls on domestic student enrolments, signals the demise of student choice and university autonomy. A new era of bureaucratic control from Canberra is arriving.

    Andrew Norton is employed by the Australian National University, which has announced major job cuts that it partly blames on the capping of international student enrolments.

    – ref. International student caps are set to pass parliament, ushering in a new era of bureaucratic control – https://theconversation.com/international-student-caps-are-set-to-pass-parliament-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-bureaucratic-control-240988

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Ranked as a Top 5 Global Brand for the Fifth Consecutive Year with $100.8 Billion in Brand Value

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced it has been recognized by Interbrand, a global brand consultancy, as a “Global Top 5” brand for the fifth year in a row. Interbrand releases its list of “Best Global Brands” each year, and on this year’s list, it was revealed that Samsung’s brand value reached $100.8 billion and grew by 10% year-on-year.
    The significant increase of Samsung Electronics’ brand value was driven by growth in the AI industry, particularly its leadership in on-device AI and competitiveness in the semiconductor sector. Since its first top five ranking in 2020, Samsung Electronics has experienced an impressive 62% growth over four years and remains the only Asian business among the global top five brands.
    “This year’s substantial brand growth is a direct result of our holistic approach to AI and efforts to put this powerful technology into the hands of Samsung users around the world,” said YH Lee, President and Head of the Global Marketing Office at Samsung Electronics. “Moving forward, we will lean even further into the qualities that our users have come to both love and expect.”
    Company Recognized for On-Device AI, enhanced connected experiences and AI Leadership
    According to Interbrand, Samsung Electronics’ evaluation was positively influenced by the following:
    Deployment of AI technologies in key products and leadership in the on-device AI market
    Enhanced connected experiences through AI-enabled platforms and products
    AI leadership based on its competitiveness in the semiconductor sector
    Implementing a consistent brand strategy in the global market
    Ongoing commitment to a more sustainable future.
    This year, under the vision of AI for All, Samsung is expanding its portfolio of products infused with AI technologies to enhance customer experiences. With the release of the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung has been leading the mobile AI. It has also launched AI TVs equipped with AI processors and AI upscaling while introducing Bespoke AI appliances that empower user’s daily life.

    The company is expanding the SmartThings ecosystem to provide a unified connectivity experience, enabling not just its own products, but also various third-party devices. This integration offers substantial benefits that go beyond more convenience, including energy conservation and family care.
    As a leader in the semiconductor industry, Samsung is making bold investments in R&D to meet rising AI demand and — with innovative memory products like DDR5, GDDR7, HBM3E, LPDDR5X, 9th Gen V-NAND, Exynos SoC, high resolution image sensor— is proactively addressing server and on-device AI needs.
    As for brand strategy, the company has been recognized for delivering consistent brand values and build authentic relationships with customers.
    Additionally, Samsung focuses on implementing environmentally conscious activities and initiatives by adopting various recycled materials across a wide range of product categories. It has participated in global initiatives and collaborated with industry leaders with focus on goals such as reducing carbon emissions associated with device usage. Samsung Electronics’ sustainability efforts as well as fostering a diverse corporate culture have also received positive evaluations.

    Samsung’s Recognized Efforts in Each Business Division
    Mobile
    Leading the mobile AI era with Galaxy AI following the release of the Galaxy S24 series
    Making the new Galaxy AI upleveled by the unique Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 foldable experience
    Strengthening leadership in the health AI with the release of the Galaxy Ring and new Galaxy Watch series
    Networks
    Strengthening leadership in virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) and Open RAN
    Leading the technical standardization of 6G
    Consistently innovating technologies to support various 5G use cases, including streaming and gaming
    Enhancing partnerships with customer companies and communicating the sustainability aspects of Samsung’s network technology
    Visual Display
    Solidifying global leadership in the TV and soundbar markets
    Consistently innovating with products like AI TVs, MICRO LED displays, and the Music Frame
    Innovating the viewing experience with cutting-edge technologies, including AI upscaling and Active Voice Amplifier Pro
    Positioning itself as a core gaming partner through various partnerships
    Strengthening security and privacy through Samsung Knox

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The 25th ASEAN-ROK Summit agrees to establish ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, participated in the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit to Commemorate the 35th anniversary of Dialogue Relations, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, today. The Summit was attended by the ASEAN Leaders or their representatives, the President of the ROK and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

    The Summit adopted a Joint Statement on the Establishment of ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) that is meaningful, substantive and mutually beneficial. The meeting also reviewed the achievements of ASEAN-ROK relations and discussed its future direction under the newly-launched CSP.

    The post The 25th ASEAN-ROK Summit agrees to establish ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Departure from reality: ACT slams backdown on Wellington airport share sale

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT’s Finance spokesperson Todd Stephenson is slamming Wellington City Council after this afternoon’s vote to stop the sale of its 34% stake in Wellington Airport.

    “Today’s decision is a complete departure from reality. Wellington’s infrastructure is failing, rates are through the roof, and the Council’s debt ceiling is about to burst, yet the council is stuck playing sharemarket games,” says Mr Stephenson.

    “There is no good reason for a council to partially own an airport.

    “Councils must focus on delivering the basic public services they are responsible for: making sure roads are maintained, water systems work, and buses run on time. Instead, Wellington’s council is forcing higher rates onto its residents and exposing them to an unacceptable level of risk by having so much money locked up in one asset.

    “As the Council was making its decision today, brown wastewater was literally spewing into the harbour. If that isn’t sending a clear enough message to councillors about how misplaced their priorities are, then next year’s local body elections can’t come soon enough.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SITI at LSCM Logistics Summit 2024 (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SITI at LSCM Logistics Summit 2024 (English only)
    Speech by SITI at LSCM Logistics Summit 2024 (English only)
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         Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the LSCM Logistics Summit 2024 today (October 10):萬部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Wan Ning), 謝書記 (Deputy Secretary of the CPC Working Committee of Nansha Development Zone, Guangzhou Mr Xie Wei), Alan (Chairman of the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM), Professor Alan Lam), Simon (Chief Executive Officer of the LSCM, Mr Simon Wong), distinguished speakers and guests, ladies and gentlemen,     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you today again at the LSCM Logistics Summit, the annual signature event that brings together industry experts, business leaders, and academics to exchange ideas on the latest developments in innovation and technology (I&T) and to promote technology adoption.     In recent years, we have witnessed remarkable advancements in I&T that have accelerated our efforts in building a smart city and bolstering the digital economy. This Summit, themed “The New Era of Digitalisation: From Smart City to Digital Economy”, represents a much-welcome opportunity to explore how the evolving technologies are shaping and digitalising Hong Kong and the entire Greater Bay Area (GBA).      Promoting digital economy and smart city development in Hong Kong is one of our major strategic directions as set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint promulgated in late 2022. Smart Mobility and Smart Living are also key areas in smart city development. Paying heed to these strategies and priorities, the Government works closely with our key stakeholders such as the LSCM to collaborate on the I&T adventure.      The LSCM is an active partner in our endeavours on smart city development. It participates in a number of pilots and proofs-of-concept involving government bureaux and departments. A notable example is the development of the Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks. The kiosks currently support around 70 public services from the Government, covering tax, company registration, property and vehicle, among others. Setting up in various GBA Mainland cities such as Zhuhai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, these kiosks facilitate access to Hong Kong’s public services for residents and enterprises in the GBA Mainland cities, doing away with the need for in-person visits and providing significant convenience.         The LSCM’s efforts have gained wide recognition both locally and internationally, as evident by the eight awards they received at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in April this year, including the self-service kiosk I shared just now. Other award-winning solutions cover a broad range of technologies such as satellite signal monitoring and Internet of things.       All these demonstrate the strong capability and creativity of the LSCM, and represent a testimony to Hong Kong’s strengths and commitment to turning our vision of becoming an international I&T centre into reality.      I am excited to learn that the LSCM will expand its collaboration networks by signing three MOUs with three leading research institutes from Mainland China respectively covering different fields of information technology such as software and container logistics. I am confident that these collaborations will inject new impetus into the LSCM’s work to generate more breakthroughs in the areas of smart city-related solutions.      Ladies and gentlemen, the development of a smart city will remain a priority of the Government. Collaboration will be the key. We will continue to join hands with our partners in the public and private sectors to push forward the smart city development of Hong Kong.         Before I close, I wish you all a rewarding experience at the LSCM Summit 2024.  Thank you very much.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2024Issued at HKT 11:45

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Newcomers take flight in aviation advisory body

    Source: Australian Ministers for Infrastructure and Transport

    The Australian Government welcomes Mr Rob Walker as the new chair of the General Aviation Advisory Network (GAAN), with Mr Greg Tyrrell also joining the network as a new member.

    Mr Walker has more than 30 years experience in stakeholder engagement and public affairs in the aviation sector, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia.

    Mr Tyrrell also brings extensive experience to the network, including as the Executive Director of the Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems – the peak body advocating for the drone and advanced air mobility sectors in Australia, whose membership has grown to 4,500 under his leadership since 2014.

    Their expertise will build on that of the current members to support the GAAN’s role in providing advice to me on matters affecting the general aviation sector. 

    The network is also a forum where industry representatives can identify opportunities to work collaboratively to respond to pressures, trends and issues facing the general aviation sector and assist in the development of policy.

    I would like to thank Mr Andrew Andersen, the outgoing chair, for his passionate advocacy for general aviation and service in the role since 2019. 

    Mr Anderson will continue to play key roles in the sector, including as the independent chair of the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

    I also thank outgoing members Dr Reece Clothier and Ms Catherine Fitzsimons for their service on the network. 

    Dr Clothier continues to play a critical role in national and international forums shaping the regulation of the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and advanced air mobility, with Ms Fitzsimons continuing as Chief Pilot at WardAir, a flight training school in Bathurst, New South Wales.

    The new appointments are for three-year periods to 2027. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tracing the origins of Confucian inspiration

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Across the span of human history, many great thinkers have shone like bright stars, profoundly shaping civilization. Confucius is one of them. Throughout the millennia since his time around the 5th century BC, the school of thought he founded and the Confucianism that developed from it has continued to offer inspiration for people, not only in China.

    A new exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing opened on the National Day holiday to demonstrate the lasting legacy of the sage through 380 cultural relics on loan from nearly 30 institutions from home and abroad. It will run for more than three months.

    In the Meridian Gate Galleries, above the southern entry of the former Chinese imperial palace also known as the Forbidden City, When the Great Way Prevails: Special Exhibition of Confucian Culture launches a time travel spectacle resonating with ancient ritual and wisdom.

    Through the objects on display, this exhibition aims to illustrate the historical context, core concepts, and far-reaching influence of Confucian culture.

    “The agricultural civilization of China shaped the nation’s cultural genes: order, stability, humility and peace as the core values,” says Da Weijia, deputy director of department of objects and decorative arts of the Palace Museum, who is in charge of organizing the exhibition.

    “From these, Confucianism developed, and continually influenced people’s values, ways of thinking and behavioral norms, producing a distinctive Confucian culture,” she says. “It still resonates with our modern life today.”

    Exhibited ceremonial musical instruments and ritual bronze wares, showing the hierarchical social status from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC) to Confucius’ time, display his lofty pursuit.

    The authority of Zhou kings declined as feudal lords vied for supremacy, bringing devastating damage to the ritual system.

    Confucius decided that his mission was to revive the rituals in the hope of reestablishing the social order, Da explains. “At that time, many schools of thought put forward their ideas in response to the disorder and division. These greatly expanded the breath and depth of people’s thinking.”

    By “interpreting rituals with benevolence”, Confucius, a pioneering educator who also first initiated private schools in China, established an all-encompassing moral code that was closely tied to human nature.

    More than 300 years later, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), who ruled a unified country of vast territory, supported Confucian thought, with Confucius’ teachings as its key exemplar, to become the official orthodoxy.

    Exhibits ranging from figure paintings to various editions of Confucian classics show how Confucianism has been a vital source of spiritual nourishment for the Chinese nation in its continuous growth. “This culture has kept pace with the times and evolved in response to historical changes,” Da says.

    On a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) hanging scroll, Confucius Giving a Lecture, a romantic imagination on how the educator inspired his disciples was featured. In China, Confucius deserves his reputation as an exemplary teacher of any age for the moral principles and love of learning he set.

    A Tang Dynasty (618-907) portrait of centenarian Fu Sheng, whose long life spanned the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC, urges visitors to remember this brave scholar, who spent his lifetime protecting Confucianism during a time of war and social upheaval. This precious painting, on loan from Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, is often credited to Tang poet Wang Wei, a household name for Chinese people.

    Confucian classics engraved on stones, across several dynasties, demonstrated their status as the official guiding thoughts. This physical evidence may have fallen into fragments but the highlighted wisdom they recorded seem to have lasted much longer.

    “Confucianism advocates fulfilling responsibilities to the family and the state, extending moral conduct from cultivating the self and regulating the family to rightly governing the state, bringing peace to all under heaven,” Wang Guangyao, a researcher with the Palace Museum and a curator of the exhibition, explains.

    Calligraphic works left by iconic Confucian philosophers, such as Wang Shouren, also known as Wang Yangming from the Ming Dynasty, demonstrated how generations of Chinese literati pursued the ideals portrayed by the ancient sages. For the Common Good, a handwritten scroll by last century’s revolutionary pioneer Sun Yat-sen demonstrating his signature slogan, probably reflects Confucian mindset in national governance in a modern context.

    Archaeological findings also help to further record ancient people’s Confucian practices in detail. A group of displayed bamboo slips that were unearthed from a Han Dynasty tomb in Wuwei, Gansu province, usher modern people to review how those who lived in ancient times respected the elderly.

    This was a cornerstone of Confucian moral codes. In Confucianism, a goal is “to build a society where the elderly have a place to live, the strong have a place to work, the young have a place to grow, and the widowed, the orphaned, the disabled, and the sick are all taken care of”.

    As the exhibition also shows, Confucian culture has spread far and wide. In the East, Confucianism had its deep impact on neighboring Asian countries. In the West, Confucianism even inspired Enlightenment philosophers like Voltaire with its humanist and rationalist spirit.

    Sacrificial bronze wares from the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong province, also the sage’s hometown, and a group of Edo-era animal-shaped bronze vessels used for Confucius-honoring ceremonies from Tokyo National Museum are jointly displayed to provide a glimpse of a shared cultural circle.

    A Joseon Dynasty edition of ancient Chinese Confucian classic Zuo’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals and a screen with Chinese characters promoting core values of Confucian virtues, both from the National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul also reflect significance of Confucianism in people’s daily life on the Korean Peninsula.

    “To this day, the profound wisdom, ideals and moral standards of Confucian culture continue to inspire people from different civilizations around the world to understand each other and learn from each other,” Wang Guangyao says.

    This curator wants to create not only width, but also a long lineage in this review of Confucianism. That is why the time span of displayed relics started from a period much earlier than Confucius’ time. A section of the exhibition is particularly designed for many milestone relics from Neolithic period to trace the roots of the rites and ceremonies that were admired by Confucius.

    Jiahu bone flute, dating back 9,000 years, and ceremonial jade artifacts, more than 5,000 years old, may belong to different eras than Confucius’, but the ritual system and shared cultural community they contributed to build may create a foundation for his school of thought.

    “Confucius’ philosophies didn’t suddenly pop out,” Wang Guangyao explains. “These relics reflect our ancestors’ concern for virtues and order, and they explain how a united China chose Confucianism as a guiding mindset in national governance.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi extends greetings to elderly on eve of China’s Seniors’ Day

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 10 — Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended greetings to the elderly on the eve of the country’s Seniors’ Day, which falls on Friday this year.

    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed the hope that the elderly are well provided for, enjoy their lives, and continue their pursuits.

    Xi made the remarks in a letter to representatives of seniors who participate in a national voluntary initiative.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bus parade to engage with public to witness bus development and celebrate National Day

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Bus parade to engage with public to witness bus development and celebrate National Day
    Bus parade to engage with public to witness bus development and celebrate National Day
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         The Transport Department (TD) today (October 10) announced the route and details of the Bus Parade for Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China.      The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will hold the bus parade amid the National Day celebrations on October 19, engaging with the public to witness the development of bus services to celebrate the occasion. Co-organising the event, the franchised bus operators will present a total of eight retired and in-service buses with an open-top bus themed on the 75th National Day to lead the parade.      Starting at around 11am on that day, the parade buses will depart from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay for Man Kwong Street via Gordon Road, King’s Road, Causeway Road, Hennessy Road, Fleming Road and Lung Wo Road (parade route map in Annex). The route is about 6 kilometres long and will take about 30 minutes to complete. Members of the public can enjoy the parade along the route and take photos at the best viewing locations, such as Hennessy Road near Jardine’s Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, and the destination at Central Pier, to share in the joy of National Day.      During the parade, the Police will lead the convoy and implement appropriate traffic arrangements and crowd safety management measures subject to on-site traffic and crowd conditions. The TD appeals the public and motorists to follow instructions of the Police and to keep in view the latest traffic news.      For safety reasons, in case of adverse weather, the bus parade will be cancelled. The public should refer to the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) and Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk) for the latest updates.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2024Issued at HKT 12:44

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Compulsory sale ordinance amended

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today published a notice in the Gazette specifying that amendments to the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) Ordinance will come into effect on December 6.

    The Legislative Council passed the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 in July. It updates the statutory compulsory sale regime by lowering compulsory sale application thresholds, facilitating multiple adjoining-lot compulsory sale applications, streamlining the legal process for compulsory sales, and enhancing support for affected minority owners.

    The Development Bureau said the amendments aim to expedite the consolidation of private property interests, thereby facilitating the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings. It added that this will address safety risk in such buildings and improve people’s livelihood while enhancing legal protection of minority owners’ interests.

    The Government’s commencement notice will be tabled in the council for negative vetting on October 16.

    Meanwhile, the bureau’s Dedicated Office of Support Services for Minority Owners under Compulsory Sale (DOSS), and the Urban Renewal Authority’s Support Service Centre for Minority Owners under Compulsory Sale (SMOCS) have come into operation.

    The SMOCS, supervised by the DOSS, provides one-stop enhanced support services to minority owners at various stages of the compulsory sale application process to help them understand their statutory rights.

    The bureau will seek the council’s approval in due course to provide additional manpower resources to the Lands Tribunal, allowing it to cope with the increased workload arising from the implementation of the amendment ordinance, and to set up a loan guarantee scheme for eligible minority owners to obtain bank loans to engage legal and other professionals when dealing with compulsory sale litigation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai delivers 2024 National Day Address

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai delivers 2024 National Day Address
    2024-10-10

    President Lai Ching-te on the morning of October 10 attended the ROC’s 113th Double Tenth National Day Celebration in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office Building, and delivered an address titled “ Taiwan Together for Our Shared Dream.”
    A translation of the president’s address follows:
    National Day Celebration Chairperson Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Prime Minister of Tuvalu Feleti Teo and Madame Tausaga Teo, heads of delegations from diplomatic allies and friendly nations, distinguished guests from home and abroad, and my fellow citizens here in person and watching on TV or online: Good morning.
    Today, we gather together to celebrate the birthday of the Republic of China, praise the beautiful Taiwan of today, and usher in the better Taiwan for tomorrow.
    One hundred and thirteen years ago, a group of people full of ideals and aspirations rose in revolt and overthrew the imperial regime. Their dream was to establish a democratic republic of the people, to be governed by the people and for the people. Their ideal was to create a nation of freedom, equality, and benevolence. However, the dream of democracy was engulfed in the raging flames of war. The ideal of freedom had for long eroded under authoritarian rule.
    But we will never forget the Battle of Guningtou 75 years ago, or the August 23 Artillery Battle 66 years ago. Though we arrived on this land at different times and belonged to different communities, we defended Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. We defended the Republic of China.
    We will never forget the Kaohsiung Incident 45 years ago, or wave after wave of democracy movements. Again and again, people who carried the dream of democracy and the ideal of freedom, through valiant sacrifice and devotion, gave their lives to open the door to democracy. Over more than a century, the people’s desire to master their own destiny has finally been fulfilled.
    My fellow citizens, though the Republic of China was driven out of the international community, the people of Taiwan have never exiled themselves. On this land, the people of Taiwan toil and labor, but when our friends face natural disasters or an unprecedented pandemic, we do not hesitate to extend a helping hand. “Taiwan Can Help” is not just a slogan. It is a movement by the people of Taiwan to cherish peace and do good for others.
    In the past, our people, going out into the world equipped with only a briefcase, sparked Taiwan’s economic achievements. Now, Taiwan’s chip technology drives the whole world, and has become a global force for prosperity and development.
    The people of Taiwan are diverse, and they are fearless. Our own Nymphia Wind is a queen on the world stage. The people of Taiwan are truly courageous. Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷), a daughter of Taiwan, is a queen of the boxing world. At 17 years old, Taiwan’s own Tsai Yun-rong (蔡昀融) put steady hands to work and won first place for woodwork in a global skills competition. Chen Sz-yuan (陳思源), at 20, took first for refrigeration and air conditioning, using the skills passed down by his father. A new generation of “Made in Taiwan” youth is putting a new shine on an old label.
    I want to thank generation after generation of fellow citizens for coming together and staying together through thick and thin. The Republic of China has already put down roots in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. And the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan. The 23 million people of Taiwan, now more than ever, must reach out our branches to embrace the future. My fellow citizens, we have overcome challenge after challenge. All along, the Republic of China has shown steadfast resolve; and all along, the people of Taiwan have shown unwavering tenacity.
    We fully understand that our views are not all the same, but we have always been willing to accept one another. We fully understand that we have differences in opinion, but we have always been willing to keep moving forward hand in hand. This is how the Republic of China Taiwan became what it is today.
    As president, my mission is to ensure that our nation endures and progresses, and to unite the 23 million people of Taiwan. I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty.
    It is also my mission to safeguard the lives and property of the public, firmly carry out our Four Pillars of Peace action plan, strengthen national defense, stand side by side with democratic countries, jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence, and ensure peace through strength, so that all generations can lead good lives.
    All the more, my mission is to care for the lives and livelihoods of the 23 million people of Taiwan, actively develop our economy, and expand investment in social care. I must also ensure that the fruits of our economic growth can be enjoyed by all our people.
    However, Taiwan faces relentless challenges, and the world’s challenges are just as much our own. The world must achieve sustainable development as we grapple with global climate change. Sudden outbreaks of infectious diseases impact human lives and health around the globe. And expanding authoritarianism is posing a host of challenges to the rules-based international order, threatening our hard-won free and democratic way of life.
    For these reasons, I have established three committees at the Presidential Office: the National Climate Change Committee, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, and the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. These committees are interrelated, and they are closely connected by the theme of national resilience. We intend to build up a more resilient Taiwan, proactively deal with challenges, and bring Taiwan into deeper cooperation with the international community.
    We must strengthen Taiwan’s ability to adapt to the risks associated with extreme weather, continue promoting our second energy transition, and ensure a stable power supply. We must steadily advance toward our goal of net-zero transition by 2050 through the development of more forms of green energy, deep energy saving, and advanced energy storage.
    In terms of health, we must effectively fight the spread of global infectious diseases, and raise the population’s average life expectancy while reducing time spent living with illness or disability. We must achieve health equality so that people are healthy, the nation is stronger, and so that the world embraces Taiwan.
    Finally, we must strengthen resilience throughout Taiwan in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. As the people of Taiwan become more united, our nation grows more stable. As our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure, and there is also greater peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
    Taiwan is resolved in our commitment to upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and achieving global security and prosperity. We are willing to work with China on addressing climate change, combatting infectious diseases, and maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
    For a long time now, countries around the world have supported China, invested in China, and assisted China in joining the World Trade Organization, thereby promoting China’s economic development and enhancing its national strength. This was done out of the hope that China would join the rest of the world in making global contributions, that internally it would place importance on the livelihoods of the people, and that externally it would maintain peace.
    As we stand here today, international tensions are on the rise, and each day countless innocents are suffering injuries or losing their lives in conflict. We hope that China will live up to the expectations of the international community, that it will apply its influence and work with other countries toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. And we hope that it will take up its international responsibilities and, along with Taiwan, contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region and the globe.
    In an era when the international landscape is becoming increasingly chaotic, Taiwan will become more calm, more confident, and stronger; it will become a force for regional peace, stability, and prosperity. I believe that a stronger democratic Taiwan is not only the ideal of our 23 million people, but also the expectation of the international community.
    We will continue to make Taiwan stronger and promote cross-sector economic development.
    Taiwan’s economic strength is no “miracle”; it is the result of the joint efforts of all the people of Taiwan. We must strive for an innovative economy, a balanced Taiwan, and inclusive growth; we must stay on top of changes in global trends, and continue to remain a key player in supply chains for global democracies.
    Going forward, in addition to our 5+2 innovative industries plan and Six Core Strategic Industries policy, we will more vigorously develop Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors, namely semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications, and help expand their global presence. We will also promote the transformation and development of medium, small, and micro enterprises and help them develop their international markets.
    My fellow citizens, we will continue working to achieve a Taiwan that is balanced across all its regions.
    In the central government’s proposed general budget plan for next year, general grants for local governments and general centrally funded tax revenues increased significantly, by NT$89.5 billion, reaching a total of NT$724.1 billion, a record high. And our budget for flood control will be raised by NT$15.9 billion from this year, bringing the total to NT$55.1 billion. This will help municipalities across the country in addressing the challenges of extreme weather. 
    We will also expedite improvements to the safety of our national road network and create a human-friendly transportation environment. Furthermore, we will improve our mass rapid transit network and connect the greater Taipei area comprising Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan. We will roll out the new Silicon Valley plan for Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli to form a central technology cluster connecting the north with the south and launch the Smart Technology Southern Industrial Ecosystem Development Plan. We will accelerate promotion of safety in our eastern transportation network so that locals can go home on safer roads. We will also enhance basic infrastructure in the outlying island areas to raise the quality of life for locals and increase their capacity for tourism.
    My fellow citizens, we must all the more ensure the well-being of our people across the generations.
    To our young parents, we will continue to promote version 2.0 of our national childcare policy for ages 0–6. We are going even further by already increasing childcare subsidies, and we will also enhance the quality of preschool services. Children are the future of our country, and the government has the responsibility to help take care of them.
    To our young students, we will continue to provide free tuition for students of high schools and vocational high schools, and we will also continue to subsidize tuition for students of private junior colleges, colleges, and universities. And we are taking that a step further by establishing the Ten-Billion-Dollar Youth Overseas Dream Fund. Young people have dreams, and the government has the responsibility to help youth realize those dreams.
    To our young adults and those in the prime of life, next year, the minimum wage will once again be raised, and the number of rent-subsidized housing units will be increased. We will expand investment in society and provide more support across life, work, housing, and health, and support for the young and old. Raising a family is hard work, and the government has a responsibility to help lighten the load.
    To our senior citizens all around Taiwan, next year, Taiwan will become a “super-aged society.” In advance, we will launch our Long-term Care 3.0 Plan and gradually implement the 888 Program for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.
    We will also establish a NT$10 billion fund for new cancer drugs and advance the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan. We will build a stronger social safety net and provide enhanced care for the disadvantaged. And we will bring mental health support to people of all ages, including the young and middle-aged, to truly achieve care for all people of all ages throughout the whole of our society.
    I am deeply aware that what everyone cares about the most is the pressure of high housing prices, and that what they most detest is rampant fraud. I give the people my promise that our administration will not shirk these issues; even if it offends certain groups, we will address them no matter the price.
    We will redouble our efforts to combat fraud and fight housing speculation. We will expand care for renters and strike a balance with the needs of people looking to change homes. We will walk together, continuing down the path toward achieving housing justice.
    We have with us today former President Chen Shui-bian, former President Tsai Ing-wen, and leaders from different political parties. I want to thank all of you for attending. Your presence represents the strength our nation has built up over generations, as well as the values and significance of Taiwan’s diverse democracy.
    Our nation must become more united, and our society must grow more stable. I also want to thank Legislative Yuan President Han and Premier Cho for recently initiating cooperation among the ruling and opposition parties to facilitate discussion among the ruling and opposition party caucuses.
    In democratic countries, political parties internally promote the nation’s progress through competition, and externally they unite to work toward achieving national interests. No matter our political party, no matter our political stances, national interests come before the interests of parties, and the interests of parties can never take precedence over the interests of the people.
    And this is precisely the spirit upheld by those who sacrificed, who gave everything they had, in order to establish the Republic of China. This is the lesson we take from our predecessors who, generation upon generation, overcame authoritarianism, and sacrificed and devoted themselves to the pursuit of democracy. That is precisely why, regardless of party affiliation or regardless of our differences, we are gathered here today.
    Regardless of what name we choose to call our nation – the Republic of China; Taiwan; or the Republic of China Taiwan – we must all share common convictions: Our determination to defend our national sovereignty remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait remain unchanged. Our commitment to hoping for parity and dignity, and healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges between the two sides of the strait remains unchanged. Our determination, from one generation to the next, to protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged.
    I believe this is the dream that Taiwan’s 23 million people all share; it is also the shared ideal that Taiwanese society and the international community hold. The stronger the commitment of the Taiwanese people, the greater the tenacity of democracy around the world. The greater the tenacity of the Taiwanese people, the stronger the commitment of democracy around the world.
    Let’s keep going, Republic of China! Let’s keep going, Taiwan! Regardless of our differences, let’s keep going forward! Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Second Reading Speech – Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    This is a Bill to increase funding for our public schools. 
    I am a product of public education and proud of it. 
    Education is the most powerful cause for good in this country.
    It doesn’t just change lives. 
    Its impact ricochets through generations. 
    It changes communities and it changes countries. 
    It’s changed ours. 
    And it’s public education that does most of that heavy lifting.  
    More than 6,700 public primary and high schools across the country.
    Full of children from every background, every religion and every culture. 
    And mums and dads up and down the income scale.  Doing every sort of job. 
    That’s part of what makes public education special. It is for everyone. 
    But it also does something else. 
    It plays an outsized role in educating the most disadvantaged children in this country. 
    The children who are most likely to start behind or fall behind. 
    The children who need our help the most. 
    And these are the schools that are the most underfunded. 
    One in 10 children today are below the minimum standards we set for literacy and numeracy. 
    But one in three children from poor families are below that standard. 
    Most of those children are in our public schools. 
    Many never catch up. 
    And many never finish school. 
    Over the last eight years the percentage of students finishing high school has gone down not up. 
    From 85 percent to 79 percent. 
    That drop isn’t happening everywhere. 
    In non-government schools the percentage of students finishing school is either pretty flat or going up. 
    Where the drop is happening is in our public schools. From 83 percent to 73 percent. 
    And it’s happening at a time when it’s more important to finish school than ever before. 
    Where more and more jobs require you to finish school and then get a qualification from TAFE or uni. 
    This is what we have got to turn around. 
    This is what we have got to fix. 
    And this is what this legislation is about. 
    ——
    In 2011 David Gonski delivered the report that recommended a new funding formula for schools. 
    What we now call the Schooling Resource Standard – or SRS. 
    The SRS sets the estimated level of total public funding  each school should receive to fund the cost of schooling each year. 
    At the moment, the base per student amount is $13,570 for a child in primary school and $17,053 for a child in high school. 
    As part of the model that David Gonski recommended, additional funding is also provided for:
    •    Students with disability
    •    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
    •    Students experiencing socio-educational disadvantage
    •    Students with low-English proficiency; and
    •    School size and location.
    These are called loadings. 
    For most non-government schools, the base per student amount is reduced depending on the median income of the parents of the children who attend the school. 
    This means for example that at a non-government school where the median family income of the parents is very high the school only gets 20 percent of the SRS base amount.
    All of this is what’s often described as the Gonski model or needs-based funding. 
    At the moment all non-government schools are funded at the level David Gonski set all those years ago, or they are on track to get there, or they are above it and coming back down to it. 
    But most public schools aren’t. 
    The Commonwealth Government provides 80 percent of the SRS funding for non-government schools and the State and Territory Governments provide the other 20 percent. 
    For public schools it’s the reverse. 
    The Commonwealth provides 20 percent of the SRS funding and the States and Territories are supposed to provide another 75 percent. 
    Some do. Some don’t. 
    That means there is at least a five percent gap. 
    At the last election we promised “to work with all states and territories to get all public schools on a path to 100 per cent of the SRS.”
    What that means is both the Commonwealth Government chipping in more and the States and Territories chipping in more to fill that gap. 
    To do that we have to amend the Australian Education Act.
    At the moment, the Act says the Commonwealth Government will provide a maximum 20 percent of the Schooling Resource Standard to public schools.
    This Bill turns that maximum amount into a minimum. 
    It turns that ceiling into a floor. 
    It enables the Commonwealth government to ratchet up funding for public schools.
    And it makes it harder for future governments to rip that money out. 
    It means that when the Commonwealth government does a deal with a State or Territory to increase funding to public schools, that bigger Commonwealth share becomes the new floor for that State or Territory. 
    It is locked in and it can’t go backwards without changes to the Act. 
    We have done three of those deals so far this year. 
    With Western Australia, with the Northern Territory and Tasmania. 
    All of them involve the Commonwealth government chipping in more and the State and Territory governments chipping in more. 
    All of them mean more funding from 1 January next year. 
    In the case of Western Australia it means every public school there will be fully funded by 1 January 2026, just over 12 months away. 
    In the case of Tasmania it means every public school will be fully funded by no later than 2029. 
    And in the case of the Northern Territory it means something that promises to be truly transformational. 
    At the moment Northern Territory public schools receive approximately 80 percent of the funding they are supposed to get under the Gonski model. 
    Less than anywhere else in the country. 
    It means in effect that one in five children in the Northern Territory are not receiving any funding. 
    The agreement I signed this year fixes that. 
    It doubles the Commonwealth’s investment in public schools in the Northern Territory.
    It brings forward the day that all Northern Territory public schools are fully funded by more than 20 years. 
    And it means that some of the most disadvantaged public schools in this country will now be some of the best funded. 
    To make this happen though we need to pass this Bill. 
    ——
    There are some people who say that funding isn’t important. We just need practical reforms.
    And there are others who say the opposite. 
    The truth is both are required. Funding and reform. 
    As David Gonski said in his report: “resources alone will not be sufficient to fully address Australia’s schooling challenges and achieve a high quality, internationally respected schooling system. The new funding arrangements must be accompanied by continued and renewed efforts to strengthen and reform Australia’s schooling system.”
    I agree. 
    That’s why the agreements we have struck with Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory are not a blank cheque. 
    They are tied to real, practical reforms.  That includes:
    •    Phonics checks and numeracy checks in Year 1 or earlier, to identify children early who are behind and need additional support. 
    •    Evidence based teaching and catch up tutoring to help children catch up and keep up. 
    •    Funding extra mental health and well-being services in schools. Including counsellors, psychologists and full service schools. 
    •    Providing access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning for teachers and school leaders and providing quality-assured curriculum resources that have been developed in partnership with the teaching profession, and
    •    Paying experienced teachers more to work in schools that need additional support. 
    All of this is part of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement that the Commonwealth and the States and Territories have developed together. 
    It also includes targets and measures to make sure this money glows in the dark. 
    I want parents and teachers to know where this funding is going. 
    That’s why the bill and the Agreement strengthens the reporting and public transparency requirements around how taxpayer funding is invested, without placing additional burden on schools.
    The Agreement includes requirements for States and Territories to outline how the additional money is being invested in the key reform areas, and a new public reporting dashboard.
    And the Bill includes a new annual Ministerial statement to the Australian Parliament on the progress of school education reform agreements.
    _____
    This is important reform. But it is just one part of the reforms we need to make to make our education system better and fairer. 
    We need to reform higher education too. 
    That’s what the Australian Universities Accord is about.  It’s a blueprint print for reform to higher education over the next ten years and beyond. 
    What it says is we need to build a workforce by the middle of the century where 80 percent of working aged people have a TAFE qualification or a university degree. 
    And the only way to do that it says, is to help more people from poor families and more people from regional Australia get to university and help them succeed once they get there. 
    We also have to reform early education. 
    That’s what the Productivity Commission’s report that we released a few weeks ago is about. 
    What it says is that it’s these same children, children from poor families, from the regions, from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are the least likely to go to child care or pre-school, and the most likely to benefit from it. 
    And this, what we are doing here, is the critical piece in the middle. 
    Helping those same children who start behind or fall behind, to catch up, keep up and help more children finish school. 
    What the Prime Minister calls opening the door of opportunity. 
    A country where no one is held back and no one is left behind. 
    That at its core is what public education is about. 
    What it has always been about. 
    That’s what this Bill is about. 
    If you support lifting funding for our public schools you will support this Bill. 
    I commend it to the House.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: About 6.9 thousand residents of the Eastern Administrative District began resettling under the renovation program in the third quarter of this year

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    From July to September of this year, almost 6.9 thousand residents of the Eastern Administrative District began resettling under the renovation program. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of City Property Maxim Gaman.

    “In the third quarter, 6.9 thousand Muscovites in the districts of Golyanovo, Novogireevo, Vostochny, Izmailovo, Bogorodskoye, Severnoye Izmailovo, Ivanovskoye and Perovo received letters with offers of equivalent apartments. City residents are moving from 40 old houses to nine new residential complexes, as well as to other new buildings previously transferred for settlement. Today, about 5.4 thousand city residents have already decided on their choice of housing, which is about 80 percent of the total number of residents who began moving in July – September. Of these, over 3.5 thousand have signed contracts with the city for new apartments,” said Maxim Gaman.

    Another 1.9 thousand people are currently completing the necessary paperwork, while the rest are inspecting apartments offered for relocation.

    “In the east of the capital, the largest number of houses affected by resettlement are in the Severnoye Izmailovo district – there are 38 of them. Another 34 buildings are in Izmailovo and 20 in Perovo. In total, 1,062 houses are to be resettled in the Eastern Administrative District. At the moment, residents of 180 old houses are continuing to resettle or have already moved into new apartments,” added the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Resettlement under the renovation program has already affected over 176 thousand MuscovitesThey have either received new apartments or are in the process of moving.

    The renovation program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Last year alone, 59 new buildings were handed over for settlement in the capital and the resettlement of over 47 thousand people was ensured. Sergei Sobyanin instructed to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction rates and volumes. In recent years, within the framework of the federal project “Housing” of the national project “Housing and Urban Environment”The volume of construction and commissioning of residential buildings in the capital has doubled – from three to five to seven million square meters per year.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145057073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: On October 13, traffic in the center of Moscow will be temporarily closed

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The embankments and streets in the center of the capital will be temporarily closed to traffic on October 13 in connection with the 42-kilometer Moscow MarathonThe restrictions will be in effect from 10:45 to 16:30.

    Thus, it will be impossible to drive along the streets Luzhniki, Khamovnichesky Val, Smolenskaya, Krymsky Val, Koroviy Val, Bolshaya Ordynka, Balchug, Yauzskaya, Tverskoy, Mokhovaya and Okhotny Ryad, as well as Lubochny and Bolshoy Putinkovsky lanes.

    In addition, the Luzhnetskaya, Novodevichya, Savvinskaya, Rostovskaya, Smolenskaya, Nikoloyamskaya, Kostomarovskaya, Poluyaroslavskaya, Serebryanicheskaya, Moskvoretskaya, Kotelnicheskaya, Goncharnaya, Krasnokholmskaya, Kremlevskaya, Prechistenskaya and Frunzenskaya embankments will be closed to traffic.

    The restrictions will also affect Smolensky, Novinsky, Zubovsky, Yauzsky, Pokrovsky, Chistoprudny, Sretensky, Rozhdestvensky, Petrovsky, Strastnoy and Tverskoy boulevards and a number of passages – Sadovnichesky, Ustinsky, Teatralny, Kitaygorodsky.

    The Krymsky, Maly Moskvoretsky, Bolshoy Ustinsky, Astakhovskiy, Kostomarovsky, Maly Ustinsky bridges, as well as the Oktyabrsky tunnel, Smolenskaya, Lubyanskaya, Novaya and Staraya squares will be closed.

    In addition, from 00:01 on October 13 until the end of the marathon, parking will not be allowed in restricted areas.

    Motorists are advised to plan their routes in advance. Details can be found on the official website Traffic Management Center.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145058073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: “The Elder Son” and other performances. What premieres are Oleg Tabakov Theatre and Sovremennik preparing

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Artistic director of the Moscow Oleg Tabakov Theatre and Sovremennik Vladimir Mashkov spoke about plans for the new season at a meeting of both troupes. He took up the post of director of the second theatre quite recently – in June of this year.

    Premieres

    In the new season, the Oleg Tabakov Theatre will return to the stage “The Elder Son” based on the play by one of the main Soviet playwrights of the 1970s, Alexander Vampilov. The plot revolves around two young people who missed the last train from an unfamiliar city. They decided to stay the night in the first house they came across and dropped in on musician Andrei Sarafanov, who was raising his son and daughter alone. One of the uninvited guests introduced himself as his illegitimate child.

    “Director Alena Lapteva has begun rehearsals with new performers, and the work is progressing quite quickly. The play will return to the stage very soon,” said Vladimir Mashkov.

    In the near future, they will begin rehearsing a play with the working title “Callsign Silence”. The idea for it arose during the work of the Tavrida art cluster laboratory, when the author of the play Oleg Antonov, together with the director and actor Sevastian Smyshnikov, met with participants in a special military operation.

    “The performance will be staged with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. This is the first work in which artists from two theaters will take part,” the artistic director noted.

    The performance dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War will also feature actors from both troupes. They will be joined by students from the Oleg Tabakov Moscow Theatre School.

    In addition, there are plans to create a performance for the 90th anniversary of Oleg Tabakov’s birth. It will be “An Ordinary Story” – in the second half of the 1960s, the production became an important cultural event in the life of Moscow. Then, Galina Volchek transferred Ivan Goncharov’s novel to the stage of “Sovremennik”, and Oleg Tabakov played one of the main roles and received the USSR State Prize for it. Later, in 1990, he himself staged this performance – already in his own theater.

    “This production was the most important in Oleg Pavlovich’s life. It is brilliant, incredibly modern, endowed with feelings, energy, love, passion – everything that accompanies our life. I think it would be a good study,” Vladimir Mashkov noted.

    Oleg Tabakov Theatre is 35. We remember the history of the famous “Tabakerka”

    The Oleg Tabakov Theatre and Sovremennik are preparing other performances for the new season; they promise to announce details about them later.

    Exhibitions, cinema, excursions

    In December, the Sovremennik Theatre Museum, which opened this year, will open an exhibition dedicated to the showing of The Government Inspector, where Galina Volchek once shone in the role of Anna Andreyevna. On December 19, the actress would have turned 91. “Perhaps on this day, in honor of her memory, we will perform the play The Government Inspector,” said Vladimir Mashkov.

    The museum will also host a series of lectures dedicated to the founders of the theater and what it is living today. The plans also include walking tours of the theater quarter on Chistye Prudy.

    Already next year, several exhibitions dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Oleg Tabakov’s birth will be organized. They are expected to take place in Zaryadye Park, on Tverskoy Boulevard and in some other places. In addition, a documentary film dedicated to the life and work of the actor is being prepared.

    The theatre school operating at the Oleg Tabakov Theatre will now also be at Sovremennik.

    “The theatre is an organism that is constantly evolving. And its heart is the theatre school, which now exists at two theatres. The students recently staged the play ‘Guardians’ – in my opinion, it is very interesting,” said the artistic director.

    It is dedicated to famous theatre figures – Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, Mikhail Chekhov, Vsevolod Meyerhold, Maria Knebel, Yevgeny Vakhtangov, Georgy Tovstonogov and Oleg Efremov. According to Vladimir Mashkov, “The Guardians” will be shown to the audience very soon.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145047073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In Ochakovo-Matveevskoye, industrial and warehouse buildings are being reconstructed

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye district in western Moscow, industrial and warehouse buildings are being reconstructed. The Moscow Committee for Architecture and Urban Development (Moskomarkhitektura) has amended the city’s land use and development regulations in relation to the territorial zone in which the land plots are located at the following addresses: Ryabinovaya Street, Building 45, Land Plot No. 51a/10, as well as Building 45, Building 19.

    “The reconstruction of production and warehouse buildings will be carried out on a site of 5.53 hectares in the Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye district in the west of Moscow. This will allow us to modernize the infrastructure and bring it into line with modern requirements. The total floor area of the facilities will be 84.12 thousand square meters,” she said.

    Juliana Knyazhevskaya, Chairman of the Moscow Committee for Architecture.

    Reconstruction of such facilities is an important step in the development of the capital’s industrial and warehouse complex. This will improve the efficiency of territory use and create additional opportunities for logistics and storage of products.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145056073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow entrepreneurs learn about the rules of working with brand reputation

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On October 21, the State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow” (MBM), with the support of the capital’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development, will hold a conference “The Path to the Client’s Heart” for capital businessmen and anyone who wants to start their own business.

    Conference participants will learn how to manage reputation in social networks, analyze customer needs, increase their loyalty and work with the customer base. In addition, entrepreneurs will be able to receive individual expert consultations in the mentor lounge.

    The business program will begin with speeches by speakers. The deputy chief operating officer of an online reputation management agency will tell how entrepreneurs can work with brand reputation on the Internet. The head of the sales department of a social media and mass media monitoring and analysis system will explain how to build communications with clients and develop your product based on feedback.

    The event will continue with a thematic session “Customer experience for the self-employed”, a workshop “Customer base is the main asset of your business” and an individual mentoring lounge, which will take place from 17:00 to 19:00.

    The workshop will be conducted by a business coach, owner of several companies in the field of retail, services and consulting. Its participants will learn to measure the main indicators of their business, form a client base and segment it, define the goals of marketing activities for each group of clients and create promotional events for these purposes.

    Within the framework of the mentoring lounge, experts, including the founder of women’s clothing brands, the chief specialist of a consulting company, and a patent attorney, will conduct individual consultations and suggest optimal solutions to the problems facing businessmen.

    The conference will be held on October 21 from 12:00 to 19:00 in the pavilion “Art. Technograd” at the address: Prospekt Mira, house 119, building 318. Participation is free, you can register on the MBM portal. To attend the workshop and receive expert advice in the mentor lounge, you must register in advance; the number of places is limited.

    Support for businessmen is provided within the framework of the national project “Small and medium entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiative”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found here find out here.

    State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow”, subordinate To the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City, helps people open and develop their own businesses in the capital. In business service centers, everyone can learn about financial and non-financial measures of state support.

    Free educational and business events are held for entrepreneurs: forums, seminars, trainings, conferences, which help to improve professional competencies and find like-minded people.

    You can also get advice on opening and running a business and learn more about current measures to support entrepreneurs in Moscow on the MBM website and by phone: 7 495 225⁠-14⁠-14.

    Starting with coffee: entrepreneurs are invited to join the new MBM training project“MBM Business School” invites you to a course for social entrepreneursThe number of small and medium entrepreneurs in the education sector has grown by 27 percent in three years

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145021073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Competitions, lectures and master classes: the capital will host a sports festival

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Residents and guests of the capital are invited to the Moscow Fitness Festival. Those wishing to test their strength, endurance and agility will be able to take part in various competitions and win prizes. The sports festival will be held on October 12 in the Druzhba universal sports hall in Luzhniki. The grand opening will begin at 12:00.

    The festival, organized with the support of the capital Department of Sports, is becoming an annual tradition for fans of an active lifestyle. This time, guests will be treated to a new feature – an obstacle course. Trainers and visitors to fitness clubs will be able to demonstrate their athletic skills in an extreme relay race, both in individual and team competitions.

    The festival will feature mas-wrestling, arm-wrestling and fitness challenge competitions. Prizes will be awarded to winners in different weight and age categories. In addition, a sports exhibition, lectures on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, master classes, competitions and much more have been prepared for visitors.

    Among the star participants are Russian gymnast and Olympic champion Artur Dalaloyan, gymnast and Guinness World Record holder Alexander Sychugov, Olympic silver medalist and world gymnastics champion Darya Nagornaya, Olympic medalist and world champion swimmer Evgeny Korotyshkin and others.

    You can view the schedule of all events and apply for participation on the websiteThose who decide to join the festival will need personal equipment.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145043073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Facade gas pipelines repaired at 117 addresses in Moscow

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Since the beginning of the year, specialists from JSC Mosgaz have reconstructed facade gas pipelines at 117 addresses throughout the capital. The total length of the repaired networks is more than 11.8 kilometers, which is comparable to the length of several streets.

    Moscow facades serve not only as architectural decoration for the city. Important engineering networks are hidden on and behind the facades, including gas pipelines responsible for the uninterrupted supply of gas to homes.

    Repair of facade gas pipelines is not just replacing old pipes with new ones. It is a multi-stage process that includes thorough diagnostics, planning and the use of modern technologies. The work uses a four-level diagnostic system for facade gas pipelines. It allows you to accurately determine the degree of wear and the need for repairs.

    The first stage is studying the documentation. Specialists analyze all available information about the gas pipeline in order to create a clear work plan and select the necessary equipment. At the second stage, Mosgaz employees record defects and damage and determine the need for an instrumental survey, which is the third stage. Using modern equipment, specialists conduct a detailed analysis of the gas pipeline in order to identify hidden defects. Then the degree of wear of the gas pipeline is assessed, the necessary repair work is planned and the best option is selected – eliminating defects or replacing a section.

    Such detailed diagnostics of facade gas pipelines allows to determine the category of their technical condition and physical wear objectively and accurately, and also to give recommendations for designing a new gas pipe or repairing an existing one. During repairs, specialists install a bypass – a spare route for gas, which allows to avoid disconnecting consumers from the service.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145014073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Express business valuation and financial recommendations: a new online service has been launched for entrepreneurs

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A useful online service has appeared for Moscow entrepreneurs, which will help them to quickly assess the main indicators of their company and find out how they affect its financial stability. It was developed and launched by the center for assistance with financing of the Moscow Guarantee Fund. The service is intended for representatives of small and medium businesses who are going to apply to a bank for a loan or factoring, receive a bank guarantee, open a letter of credit account or arrange leasing.

    The service conducts pre-scoring — a study of indicators that banks take into account when working with applications from legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. Based on the assessment results, businessmen will receive an electronic report with recommendations on how to eliminate the identified problems.

    It is very easy to use the service. An entrepreneur needs to go to the Moscow Guarantee Fund website in the “Business” section and select the option “Request scoring”. On the page that opens, you must specify what type of loan he needs, clarify the goals and amount of financing. Information about the company and its activities will be filled in automatically from analytical sources. If necessary, this information can be specified independently.

    The application will take a few minutes to process. An electronic report will appear on the screen. It will list the main factors that affect the company’s financial stability. Among them are such parameters as industry risks, timely payment of taxes and wages, compliance with the rules for participation in procurement, and many others. The report can be downloaded and saved on your computer.

    Based on the assessment results, the businessman will also be offered to learn about city support measures that his company may qualify for. The service will automatically compile a selection of grants and benefit programs for him. It will open in a new window.

    In addition, entrepreneurs will be offered to ask questions to service specialists or leave a request for a guarantee from the Moscow Guarantee Fund. All these services can be completed online on the website. They are provided free of charge.

    Financing Assistance Center Subordinate to the Moscow Guarantee Fund To the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow. It opened in the spring of 2022. The center introduces representatives of small and medium-sized businesses to preferential lending programs and other support measures provided by the capital. Entrepreneurs can receive professional advice on issues of obtaining loans, securing transactions with sureties, and selecting a suitable form of financing. Since the opening of the center, its specialists have processed over six thousand applications from entrepreneurs.

    Information on current preferential financing programs, limits of these programs in banks and products Moscow Guarantee Fund can be obtained on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00 by phone: 7 495 926-26-95.

    Detailed information on the support measures that the city provides to entrepreneurs is available on the portal State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow”. There you can find useful online services for businessmen, choose a training seminar and read materials about current changes in legislation, financial literacy and ways to promote products.

    Support for small and medium-sized businesses is provided within the framework of the national project “Small and medium-sized businesses and support for individual entrepreneurial initiatives”. You can find out more about this and other national projects being implemented in Moscow on the website.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145049073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU Student Startup Receives Support from Innovation Assistance Fund

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The Foundation for Assistance to Innovations (Bortnik Foundation) approved the allocation of a grant in the amount of 4 million rubles under the Start Digital Technologies program to residents of the Startup Studio of the Novosibirsk State University — developers of a Telegram bot for coffee shops. The founders of the project plan to create a full-fledged service based on machine learning for building “smart” marketing.

    As the developers said, the idea for the project came to them during a conversation in line for coffee at Novosibirsk State University (NSU) and consisted of creating a service that allows you to pre-order this drink to go and not waste time waiting. This is how Cloffer was born.

    To use the service, the client logs into the Telegram bot, selects a dish with optional additives, pays for the order and monitors its preparation status. The guest receives a notification about the readiness of the drink or dish. The user of the service can also receive discounts and special offers, make a deferred order, without registering or downloading any applications.

    The authors of the project successfully completed the A:START accelerator, received a ticket for residency in Akadempark, and became the owners Startup Lynch’s Grand Prize for NSU student startups this spring. A grant from the Innovation Assistance Fund will allow them to take a new step towards the widespread implementation of their product.

    — Previously, we were developing this project in our free time from studies and work, now we have agreed to focus on the grant, to devote more time to the project. And first of all, we want to develop the service further: to apply machine learning methods to build “smart” marketing. We will collect as much data as possible, analyze how users behave, what factors influence their behavior and try to build personalized offers in such a way as to increase sales to establishments that have connected to our service, — said Ivan Morgun, head of the development team.

    The service’s appearance will also change: instead of a standard Telegram bot, it will receive a full-fledged graphical interface, in which you can look at images of goods and order them in a more convenient format. In addition, the service developers plan to expand their geography: not only to connect catering establishments in Novosibirsk, but also to Omsk and Tyumen.

    As the developers themselves note, the foundation’s support turned out to be useful both materially (which allowed them to devote more time to the project) and psychologically.

    “Winning the competition gives us additional confidence that we are moving in the right direction, because the foundation’s experts assessed that our idea is promising,” Ivan Morgun emphasized.

     

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/start-up-students-nsu-received-support-from-the-innovation-promotion-fund/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public encouraged to build mental health-friendly work environment in support of World Mental Health Day 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Public encouraged to build mental health-friendly work environment in support of World Mental Health Day 2024
    Public encouraged to build mental health-friendly work environment in support of World Mental Health Day 2024
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         The Department of Health (DH) today (October 10) supports World Mental Health Day 2024 and encourages members of the public to collaboratively create a mental health-friendly work environment inclusive of and accepting persons in mental recovery.      The World Federation for Mental Health has designated October 10 annually as World Mental Health Day to raise global awareness and mobilise efforts in support of mental health. World Mental Health Day 2024, with the theme “It is time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace”, encourages employers and employees to champion mental health in the workplace. Sixty per cent of the global population is in employment and employees spend 60 per cent of their time in the workplace. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are pervasive in workplaces globally, impacting productivity, attendance, and overall performance of employees.     Good mental health means not only the absence of mental disorders, but also the ability to cope with normal stressors in life, realise one’s potential, and contribute to society. A mental health-friendly work environment can benefit both employers and employees in many ways, including enhanced talent attraction and retention for employers, elevated work performance and productivity for employees, as well as increased public recognition and support for the company or organisation.      Employers and employees can collaboratively create a mental health-friendly workplace environment through different measures, including adjusting office hours and encouraging staff to seek early professional help if needed. Enterprises or organisations should firmly avoid discriminatory and labelling practices. After appropriate treatment, persons in mental recovery can also perform well in workplace, co-operate with colleagues and contribute to the team. The Government encourages private, public, educational and non-governmental organisations to sign the Mental Health Workplace Charter organised jointly by the Department of Health, the Labour Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council to promote mental health in the workplace in order to improve the general mental health of employees in their workplace as well as the organisation’s productivity.     Employees experiencing mental distress from depression or anxiety should seek early assistance. They can call the Government-fully-funded, one-stop Mental Health Support Hotline 18111 to obtain immediate emotional and mental health support as well as appropriate referral depending on the individual’s need. Separately, the Government launched the Healthy Mind Pilot Project at three District Health Centre (DHC)/District Health Centre Expresses in August this year to offer free initial mental health assessments to members of the public on a trial basis at the community level. Members preliminarily assessed to have mild symptoms of depression or anxiety will be referred to non-governmental organisations for further assessment and follow-up, so that they can receive appropriate support at an early stage. For details, please refer to the website of DHC (www.dhc.gov.hk/en/mental_health).     The Advisory Committee on Mental Health and the DH have jointly implemented a mental health promotion and public education initiative “Shall We Talk”, with an aim to step up public awareness of mental well-being. The “Shall We Talk” initiative provides mental health-related information through an array of channels, such as a one-stop dedicated website, social media pages and campaigns, TV and radio programmes, as well as various offline events. Apart from providing the public with information on mental health and advice on dealing with mental distress, the one-stop website also compiles a series of mental health hotlines and support services to enable those in need to seek help. For more information on mental health, please visit http://www.shallwetalk.hk.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2024Issued at HKT 13:00

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