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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Junior A hockey’s best to battle in Calgary

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    [embedded content]

    Alberta is reaffirming its status as a premier destination for major sporting events, bringing another major hockey championship to the province this May. For the first time in the event’s 54-year history, the National Junior A Championships will come to Calgary. The 2025 Centennial Cup will be held at the city’s Max Bell Centre. The event is expected to attract 50,000 spectators to the Blue Sky City, in addition to the hundreds of athletes, coaches and officials participating in the competition.

    Alberta’s government has committed $240,000 for the planning, staging and delivery of the competition. The championship is expected to inject up to $5 million into Calgary’s economy, supporting jobs and local businesses through increased dining, shopping, entertainment and accommodation bookings.

    “I’m pleased to welcome the Centennial Cup back to Alberta, and to Calgary for the first time. As someone who grew up playing every sport I could, I can tell you first-hand the impact of having elite competitions like the Centennial Cup in your community. These competitions not only benefit the local economy, they also inspire the next generation of athletes to pursue their dreams.”

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport

    Considered the toughest trophy to win in Canadian hockey, the road to the Centennial Cup involves 122 teams from nine leagues across Canada. After claiming their league titles, the nine champion teams, along with a host team, will compete for the coveted Centennial Cup. The Calgary Canucks enter the 2025 season coming off their tenth Alberta Junior Hockey League championship victory and a semifinal appearance in the 2024 Centennial Cup.

    “The Centennial Cup is the pinnacle of Junior A hockey in Canada, and the Canucks are thrilled to be bringing the Cup to Calgary. We’re grateful to the Government of Alberta for their support in hosting this event and are looking forward to winning in front of a home crowd!”

    Sandy Edmonstone, chair and president, Calgary Canucks Junior A Hockey Club

    A key feature of the Centennial Cup is giving back to the community. With each Centennial Cup, legacy projects are put in place to increase access and participation in sport in the host communities. As the legacy project for the 2025 Centennial Cup, the Calgary Canucks are proud to be investing in advancing Indigenous and at-risk youth in sport, in addition to future enhancements to Max Bell Centre. 

    “Hockey Canada is thrilled to have the support of the Government of Alberta to bring the Centennial Cup to Calgary. We believe in what the Calgary Canucks are creating as the event host and know that community hockey, Indigenous youth, local volunteers and Alberta hockey fans will benefit from the impact of this event for years to come.” 

    Dean MacIntosh, senior vice president, Hockey Canada       

    Alberta will host the Centennial Cup for the eighth time since the tournament’s inception in 1971, with Calgary joining previous host cities Edmonton (1975), Olds (1994), Fort McMurray (2000), Grande Prairie (2004), Camrose (2011), Lloydminster (2016), and Brooks (2019).

    Related information

    • Hockey Canada
    • Calgary Canucks
    • Major Sport Event Grant Program

    Multimedia

    • Video: Minister Schow announces Centennial Cup funding at Evening with Legends event in Calgary

    Related news

    • Strengthening Alberta’s sport legacy (Aug. 8, 2024)
    • Athletes aiming for gold at Alberta sport events (March 19, 2024)
    • All eyes on Alberta for winter sports (Jan. 15, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chief Engineer Dr. Donald Mendoza

    Source: NASA

    “From my earliest childhood, flight had always captivated me. I lived out in the boonies and the farmlands, so I didn’t have neighbors to go and play with. If I wasn’t working, I was left to my own devices, and often, I would just be captivated by the wildlife and in particular, the birds of prey that I would see.
    “To me, they represented a freedom of some kind or another. These birds and the view they have — they can take in so much. So, from that point on, I knew I wanted to be involved in flight and aviation.
    “I [enjoyed] all things flight, all things spaceflight. I couldn’t get enough of it. I became an avid reader, whereas before, I wasn’t much of a reader. I couldn’t get enough material to read about my heroes from flight and space. They became my role models and the path that they took involved, at some point or another, a pretty rigorous education and dedication to doing well academically, physically, or athletically. So, I threw myself into that entire sort of mindset.
    “When I was working for the Air Force, I was able to fly and work on aircraft that I would dream about, looking at in the magazines Aviation Week and Space Technology. Here they are, right in front of me.
    “… So, my career has been as close as possible to that of a flight test engineer. And then, right on the heels of being captivated by atmospheric flight, working in human spaceflight has put me over the Moon.”
    —Dr. Donald Mendoza, Chief Engineer, NASA Engineering & Safety Center, NASA’s Ames Research Center
    Image Credit: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos
    Check out some of our other Faces of NASA.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: $7.7 Million for Policing and Community Safety Initiatives in Saskatoon

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on September 27, 2024

    The City of Saskatoon will receive $6.8 million in 2024-25 through the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety’s Municipal Police Grants program to continue to fund 49 existing police officer positions in the city.

    “With the renewed support of the Municipal Police Grants program, the Saskatoon Police Service will continue delivering responsive policing services to help address social disorder concerns that are facing the community,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman said. 

    In Saskatoon, these targeted policing initiatives include: Police and Crisis Teams (PACT), a Crime Reduction Team (CRT), the Child Sexual Exploitation program, and the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT). 

    Through PACT, police officers and mental health professionals team up to answer service calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis. CRTs target gang-related criminal activity in Saskatoon, and the Child Sexual Exploitation program investigates cases involving the sexual exploitation of children. STRT works to suppress criminal activity as an intelligence-led enforcement team that investigates illegal weapons, drugs and human trafficking cases.

    Five positions with the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) initiative will also be funded by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). An additional $900,000 will be provided to the city through SGI, bringing the total for the Saskatoon Police Service Funding Agreement to $7.7 million for 54 police positions in 2024-25.

    “The challenges and complexities of policing within our current environment continue to grow,” Saskatoon Police Chief Cameron McBride said. “In order to meet these demands, the provincial government has become a critical partner for us. Within this year, the Saskatoon Police Service will receive provincial revenue totaling $7.7 million, that will support critical police work. Without this partnership, our operations would be significantly impacted.”

    Today’s funding announcement is in addition to the $4.4 million that was recently announced to support the hiring of 37 new frontline officers for the Saskatoon Police Service as part of the government’s commitment to creating safer, vibrant communities in Saskatchewan.

    Since 1998, the ministry has provided funds through the Municipal Police Grants program to police services across the province. The program currently supports 143 municipal police positions in Saskatchewan.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: $6.7 Million to Support Policing in Regina

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on September 27, 2024

    The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety will provide $5.8 million to the City of Regina in 2024-25 through the Municipal Police Grants program to continue to support 44 current municipal police positions in the city. 

    “As social disorder concerns continue to impact our communities, it is important that we provide stable funding to the Regina Police Service, so they can start planning for the upcoming fiscal year,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman said. “We are proud to support our municipal police services as we work to create safer communities in Saskatchewan.”

    This funding will continue to support the Regina Police Service’s Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Serious and Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Plan, Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) program, Missing Persons Task Force, and Police and Crisis Teams (PACT), among other targeted policing initiatives. Through PACT, officers work with mental health workers to respond to calls where individuals may be experiencing a mental health crisis, while the CRT focuses on investigating gang-related activities in the community.

    The Serious and Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Plan allows officers to work with probation officers and prosecutors to address criminal behaviours of habitual offenders between the ages of 15 and 25. The Missing Persons Task Force coordinates cases involving missing persons, and ICE investigates online child exploitation cases.

    A total of $900,000 will also be provided by Saskatchewan Government Insurance to support five police offices through the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan program. This brings the total amount for the Regina Police Service Funding Agreement in 2024-45 to $6.7 million to support 49 police positions in the Queen City.

    “The Municipal Police Grant program is an invaluable resource for the Regina Police Service and provincial agencies alike who work to enhance community safety,” Regina Police Service Deputy Chief Trent Stevely said. “This grant not only provides additional funding for the Regina Police Service, but an opportunity to put more officers on the street and in specialized investigative units. With this program, we have seen a province-wide impact on areas such as gang and organized crime activity, internet child exploitation, as well as providing an increased focus on local substance abuse issues.”

    This funding is in addition to the $3.8 million that was recently announced for the City of Regina to hire 32 new officers for the Regina Police Service.

    The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety has provided financial support to Saskatchewan police services through the Municipal Police Grants program since 1998. Today, the grant program supports 143 municipal police positions and targeted policing initiatives in communities across the province.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: City of Prince Albert to Receive $3.6 Million for Targeted Policing Initiatives

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on September 27, 2024

    Today, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety announced $3.1 million for the City of Prince Albert through its 2024-25 Municipal Police Grants program. A total of 23 current police service positions will be supported through this funding initiative.

    “Supporting municipal police services, such as the Prince Albert Police Service, is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman said. “Today’s funding continues our government’s long-standing tradition of supporting policing in Saskatchewan, and we are proud to continue supporting the Municipal Police Grants program in 2024-25.” 

    The funding supports the continued delivery of targeted policing initiatives in Prince Albert, such as the Police and Crisis Team (PACT), which teams police officers with mental health workers to provide an integrated and coordinated response to individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis in the community.

    The grant program also supports the continuation of the Crime Reduction Team (CRT) that gathers intelligence on street gangs and gang associates in the city; the Missing Persons Task Force that focuses on missing persons cases; the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT) that investigates illegal weapons, drugs and human trafficking; and the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) program that addresses online child exploitation.

    Saskatchewan Government Insurance will also provide $540,000 for three positions through the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) initiative. This brings the total amount of the Prince Albert Police Service Funding Agreement in 2024-25 to $3.6 million to support 26 police positions in the community.

    “The Prince Albert Police Service is grateful for the continued financial investment from the Ministry of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety,” Prince Albert Police Chief Patrick Nogier said. “This support is vital in ensuring our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and maintain peace within our community. We recognize the importance of a partnership between the province and the City of Prince Albert in addressing the unique challenges faced by our city.

    Prince Albert continues to serve a population far greater than its official records indicate, with a diverse and growing community. This includes not only our residents, but also those from surrounding areas who rely on the city for services. The shared responsibility between provincial and municipal authorities ensures that we are equipped to meet the demands placed on our police service and provide an effective and responsive approach to safety and security. The Prince Albert Police Service remains steadfast in its commitment, working closely with our provincial partners to address emerging challenges and uphold our mission of partnering and engaging to build a safe and compassionate community.”

    Today’s announcement is an additional funding boost for the City of Prince Albert, following the government’s recent announcement of $2.0 million to hire 17 new officers for the Prince Albert Police Service through its safer communities and neighbourhoods initiative.

    For the past 26 years, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety has supported Saskatchewan police services through the Municipal Police Grants program. It currently supports 143 municipal police positions and targeted policing initiatives in the province.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Review of EU Citizens’ voting rights

    Source: City of Derby

    Changes to the law mean Derby City Council needs to review its electoral register, and if you are from the European Union, this could affect you.

    Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, The Elections Act 2022 brought with it changes to elections where EU citizens can vote, or stand as a candidate.

    Derby City Council will now conduct a review to determine who can remain on the electoral register, and may have to contact you for further information. This will by post or email, and you will receive the outcome of your review in writing.

    The changes apply to local and mayoral elections in England from 7 May 2024. If you’re an EU citizen, you will now only be able to register, vote or stand as a candidate if you meet one of the following criteria:

    • Citizens of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta living in the UK are unaffected by the changes and can vote and stand as candidates in all UK elections.
    • Citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain living in the UK can still stand and vote in local elections but not UK Parliament elections.
    • Citizens of EU countries who were legally resident in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 with permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man. This status must have continued without interruption.

    Emily Feenan, Electoral Registration Officer for Derby City Council, said: 

    “This review is an important part of keeping our electoral register up to date following recent legislation changes.

    “We understand that these changes may cause some concern, but we’re here to support our residents through this process and ensure everyone who is eligible can exercise their right to vote.”

    For more detailed information about changes to EU citizen’s voting and candidacy rights please see the Electoral Commission website. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Elections Team at elections@derby.gov.uk. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sewell Recognizes Ms. Brenda Phillips-Hong Ahead of Annual ‘Sistah Strut’ Walk to Fight Breast Cancer

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

    Washington D.C. – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) spoke on the House Floor to recognize the work of Ms. Brenda Phillips-Hong, breast cancer survivor and founder of Brenda’s Brown Bosom Buddies (BBBB) in Birmingham, Alabama. The organization is dedicated to the support, education, and early detection of breast cancer for minority, low-income, and underserved women and men. BBBB’s annual “Sistah Strut” walk to fight breast cancer will take place Saturday, September 28th at Legion Field.

    Watch it on YouTube here. 

    Rep. Sewell: Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the exemplary and extraordinary work of Ms. Brenda Phillips-Hong, the founder of Brenda’s Brown Bosom Buddies in Birmingham, Alabama, ahead of her annual ‘Sistah Strut’ walk to fight breast cancer. 

    A survivor herself, Ms. Brenda’s organization is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating on behalf of breast cancer for minority, low-income, and underserved women and men. Not only does it provide a support system for patients, her organization also helps to connect them to transportation to and from treatments.

    Ms. Brenda’s work has changed countless lives in Birmingham and in Jefferson County, particularly for Black women who are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. We are so grateful that she has decided to turn her pain into purpose and use her own story to make a difference in the lives of so many.

    As we prepare to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, let us remember that early detection is our best protection.

    I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the amazing work of breast cancer survivor and community leader Ms. Brenda Phillips-Hong. May this year’s Sistah Strut walk be the best one ever. 

    Thank you, and I yield back. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Ministers LeBlanc and Anand announce trucking pilot project to improve movement of goods

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Ministers LeBlanc and Anand announce trucking pilot project to improve freight flow

    Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, September 26, 2024 – Today, at the Internal Trade Committee meeting, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, announced the launch of a pilot project on the mutual recognition of regulatory requirements in the trucking sector.

    Ministers thanked the coalition of provinces and territories supporting this initiative: Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut, for their contribution to improving the efficient movement of goods – a critical aspect of productivity and affordability in Canada. The pilot project will be co-chaired by Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.

    Mutual recognition agreements in key sectors, such as transportation and trucking, have the potential to boost productivity and economic growth in Canada. Experts predict that adopting mutual recognition as a means of reducing internal trade barriers could grow the Canadian economy by $200 billion per year.

    Under this new trucking pilot, participating provinces and territories will commit to recognizing each other’s regulatory requirements, even if there are differences, such as requirements for oversized vehicle signage, to allow trucks and the goods they carry to move efficiently across Canada without compromising safety measures. The pilot, the first of its kind on this scale in Canada, will help governments test and determine what can be achieved through mutual recognition and will spur future work on other important areas of the economy, such as labour mobility.

    Today’s announcement is an important first step toward the broad national adoption of mutual recognition and builds on the Government of Canada’s leadership and actions to liberalize trade and boost Canada’s economic productivity.

    Thanks to federal leadership, including Federal action plan to strengthen trade Interior, the Government of Canada has done the following:

    Establishment of the Canadian Centre for Internal Trade Data and Information, which provides open and accessible information on internal trade and trade barriers in critical economic sectors;
    Removal and reduction of 1/3 of federal exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, providing Canadian businesses with more opportunities to compete across the country; Strengthening regulatory cooperation through the harmonization of building codes and energy efficiency regulations and the exemption of redundant requirements for oil platforms; Funding for thedevelopment of a national register of doctors, led by the Medical Council of Canada, a fundamental measure that will promote labour mobility among physicians; Revising the Red Tape Reduction Act and imposing a requirement that the “One-for-One” Rule limit the administrative burden on business and take into account the reduction in burden resulting from regulatory cooperation between the Government of Canada and other jurisdictions; Advancing regulatory cooperation through the Regulatory Cooperation Council (a Canada-U.S. body) and the Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table (a federal-provincial-territorial body) to reduce regulatory barriers to trade and make it easier for businesses to operate across jurisdictions; and Organizing regional roundtables in Canada and the United States to better understand the regulatory issues facing businesses in domestic and international trade.

    In addition, as announced in August 2024, the Treasury Board of Canada is establishing a task force to examine Canadian public sector productivity and inform the government’s economic plan. The task force will be comprised of a range of experts from academia, think tanks, the private sector, the public sector, and will work with unions. It will examine the delivery of services to Canadians and the role of technology in reducing barriers to increasing the productivity of Canadians and businesses. The terms of reference for the task force will be finalized and made public in the coming weeks.

    Contacts For further information (media only), please contact:

    Gabriel Brunet Press SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Dominic LeBlancMinister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs819-665-6527gabriel.brunet@iga-aig.gc.ca

    Myah Tomasi Press SecretaryOffice of the President of the Treasury Board of Canada343-543-7210myah.tomasi@tbs-sct.gc.ca

    Media Relations Privy Council Office613-957-5420media@pco-bcp.gc.ca

    Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat613-369-9400Toll-free: 1-855-TBS-9-SCT (1-855-827-9728)media@tbs-sct.gc.ca

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deputy Mayor approves planning application for All England Lawn Tennis Club

    Source: Mayor of London

    Following a public hearing today at City Hall, Jules Pipe, the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, has approved the planning application for All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) to transform the former Wimbledon Park golf course.

    The plans will see an additional 38 grass courts, as well as a new Show Court, allowing the AELTC to bring the Wimbledon Qualifying event on-site for the first time – with the tournament bringing a wide range of economic and social benefits to London and nationally. 

    At today’s public hearing, GLA officers provided a detailed update on the proposals. Jules Pipe then heard views from Merton and Wandsworth Councils, and a range of supporters and objectors who had registered to speak. 

    The plans include:

    • An additional 27 acre (11.1 hectares) of public park, the site of a former private golf course, to be publicly accessible, managed and maintained as parkland.
    • Improvements to Wimbledon Park Lake and the creation of a new 3km boardwalk for the public. This is together with over £10 million of further improvements to the existing public park to include the provision of an enhanced multipurpose sports and leisure facility, drainage improvements to the sports fields, improved footpaths and new toilets, alongside a range of other recreational and heritage enhancement works.
    • A minimum of seven new Championship standard grass tennis courts open for community use.
    • The planting of 1500 new trees and an increase to the extent and quality of biodiversity across the land, with a suggested measurable biodiversity net gain of at least 10 per cent. 
    • Increased provision of tickets to the Championships to the local community and schools, including 450 tickets per day prioritised for Merton and Wandsworth residents at face value and 50 made available free of charge through the Wimbledon Foundation. 1000 free qualifying tickets for the Qualifying Event will also be made available for school children in Merton and Wandsworth.

    The GLA considered the benefits and disadvantages of the proposals in relation to a range of areas including environmental, design, transport, social, economic and cultural. While the plans have a significant effect on the use of metropolitan open land, the GLA considered the overall benefits to outweigh any harm in this area – including the provision of 11.1 hectares of publicly accessible parkland that will be managed and maintained.

    The GLA found that the total economic impact of the Championships, incorporating these plans, are projected to be worth in the region of £336 million to the UK economy each year, of which it is estimated that £326 million would occur within London. These plans will support 40 new jobs across the year and more than 250 new jobs during the Championships. Additionally, the plans will employ an average of between 50 to 400 construction workers per day between 2025 and 2033. 

    The very significant public benefits of the scheme, including enhancements to open space and recreation, economic, employment and heritage were therefore deemed to clearly outweigh the harm identified and allow for planning permission to be granted.

    Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, said: “These plans for the site of a former private golf course will bring significant benefits to the local area, the wider capital and the UK economy, providing increased access to open green space and sport, new parkland and a host of new jobs. Hosting qualifying events on the same site as the Championships will put Wimbledon on a global footing with other Grand Slam tournaments and ensure it remains one of the world’s top sporting events. The scheme brings a huge range of economic, social and cultural benefits which will contribute to building a fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Blackburn Renew Bipartisan Push to Honor Women that Volunteered in World War II

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    September 27, 2024
    Despite social stigmas and adverse public opinion, hundreds of thousands of women enlisted in volunteer services to contribute to war efforts
    Text of Resolution (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), along with Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reintroduced the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) resolution to honor the women who served in the Navy during World War II.
    After World War I, laws limited women to the role of nurses during war. The Navy Women’s Reserve Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in July 1942, reversed this law and established WAVES, allowing women to volunteer in support of war efforts. Women were then recruited to perform military assignments, including training thousands of aspiring male naval aviators, gunners, and navigators. 
    More than 400,000 women served our country in military capacities in World War II. In fact, women accounted for about 2.5% of the Navy, including almost 80,000 officers and enlisted personnel during the program’s peak.
    “Hundreds of thousands of women helped us win World War II through their service,” said Senator Warren, “Their contributions should not be forgotten, and we should honor their legacy and perseverance.”
    Senator Warren has long been a leader in efforts to honor and fight for women servicemembers and veterans:
    In May 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren led colleagues in reintroducing the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, a bill honoring women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII with honorary veteran status.
    In July 2022, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) led 23 of their colleagues in a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), calling on the VA to take immediate administrative action to offer abortions and all abortion-related services to veterans and eligible dependents.
    In October 2021, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced a bipartisan resolution to honor and commend the women who served the United States in the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) during World War II. 
    In April 2021, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Susan Collins, Angus King, and Steve Daines today re-introduced the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, a bill to honor women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII with honorary veteran status.
    In April 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren led a bipartisan group of 7 senators to introduce a resolution designating April 18, 2021 as Military Retiree Appreciation Day to commemorate the life-long service of military retirees.
    In November 2019, Senator Elizabeth Warren led colleagues in introducing the Senate companion to a House resolution urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp series honoring women veterans of the Armed Forces and calling for the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp series be issued.
    In April 2019, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Susan Collins, Angus King, and Steve Daines re-introduced the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, a bill to honor women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII with honorary veteran status. The bill would recognize former Cadet Nurses’ service to our country and provide them with honorable discharges, ribbon and medal privileges, and certain burial privileges.
    In December 2018,Senators Elizabeth Warren, Susan Collins (R-Maine), Angus King (I-Maine), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced the U.S Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, a bill to honor women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII with honorary veteran status.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Whitehouse, Casar, Lawmakers Slam 35 Companies for Paying Their Executives More Than They Pay in Federal Income Taxes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    September 27, 2024
    Text of Letters (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Representative Greg Casar (D-Texas) led their colleagues in slamming 35 major companies that have been paying their executives more than they pay in federal income taxes. The lawmakers point to this as an additional reason why Congress must reform the tax code in 2025 to ensure that big corporations are paying what they owe.
    “For decades, big businesses and the wealthy have skirted their responsibility to pay federal income taxes, leaving hardworking Americans to foot the bill,” wrote the lawmakers. “As Congress considers what to do when some provisions of the 2017 law expire next year, it is critical that we ensure that large, profitable businesses are paying their fair share.” 
    In the first five years following the $2 trillion Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed by Republicans and signed by President Trump in 2017, 35 companies raked in $277 billion in domestic profits. These companies then paid an average effective income tax rate of just 14.1 percent, almost a third less than the 21 percent statutory rate. Instead of these gains “trickling down” to workers, the corporations paid their executives $9.5 billion – more than they paid in federal income taxes. While executives were making $989,000 per year or more, an average raise of $50,000 per executive, 90 percent of workers saw no earnings increase.
    The most egregious examples of these companies – and the ones the lawmakers wrote to – include: Tesla, TMobile, Netflix, AIG, Ford, NextEra, Darden, MetLife, Duke Energy, First Energy, DISH, Principal Financial, American Electrical Power, Kinder Morgan, Dominion, Oneok, Williams, Xcel Energy, NRG Energy, Salesforce, DTE Energy, Ameren, Sempra Energy, US Steel, Entergy, AmerisourceBergen, PPL, CMS Energy, Evergy, Voya Financial, Atmos Energy, Alliant Energy, Match Group, UGI, and Agilent Tech.
    “Next year, Congress has an opportunity to take bigger strides in reforming our tax code – to raise the corporate rate, close loopholes, and hold big businesses to the same standards as everyday working Americans who pay their fair share,” concluded the lawmakers.
    In addition to Senators Warren and Whitehouse, and Representative Casar, the letters were also signed by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Peter Welch (D-Vermont), as well as Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). 
    Senator Warren has led the fight to close tax loopholes for the wealthy and giant corporations to ensure a more fair tax system: 
    In July 2024, Senator Warren called on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to fully implement the 15% Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax signed into law by President Biden in the Inflation Reduction Act two years ago to preemptively stop corporate attempts to avoid paying their fair share.
    In June 2024, Senator Warren delivered remarks at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth to set the agenda on taxes ahead of the 2025 tax fight and urge Democrats to back President Biden’s agenda to tax the rich. Senator Warren’s call came as Congress prepared for major tax policy changes as a large portion of the 2017 Republican tax cuts for the wealthy were set to expire. 
    In March 2024, Senator Warren, along with U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), reintroduced the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act, popular, comprehensive legislation that would bring in at least $3 trillion in revenue over 10 years by requiring that the top 0.05 percent of American households chip in 2 cents for every dollar of wealth over $50 million. The newly introduced version of the bill included stronger rules on trusts, a common method the ultra-wealthy utilize to avoid paying taxes that cost the federal government between $5 and $7 billion annually. 
    In November 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Warren called out efforts by lobbyists for giant corporations trying to extend three of the biggest corporate giveaways in the Trump tax cuts: bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, and looser limits on net interest deduction. 
    In October 2023, Senators Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Secretary Janet Yellen and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel, urging them to proactively use the Treasury Department’s rulemaking authority to close tax loopholes that create inconsistency and unfairness in the tax system and threaten the government’s ability to raise important revenue.
    In August 2023, Senators Warren, Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Sanders sent a letter to the Treasury and IRS, urging them to quickly propose and implement strong rules that close loopholes exploited by crypto tax evaders.
    In April 2023, Senator Warren sent a letter to Secretary Yellen and Commissioner Werfel, urging them to follow through on the commitments of the Biden administration by examining and taking concrete steps to address racial inequities in tax benefits and enforcement.
    In March 2023, Senators Warren, Van Hollen, Sanders, and Whitehouse sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging her to use the full extent of the Treasury Department’s regulatory authority to crack down on the ultra-wealthy’s use of trusts to dodge paying their fair share in taxes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexey Overchuk: In December, the Union State turns a quarter of a century old – during this time, it has managed to build coordinated interaction in all areas of cooperation

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A meeting of the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers of the Union State took place.

    Alexey Overchuk, together with the Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus Dmitry Krutoy, held a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers of the Union State

    September 27, 2024

    Alexey Overchuk, together with the Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus Dmitry Krutoy, held a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers of the Union State

    September 27, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Alexey Overchuk, together with the Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus Dmitry Krutoy, held a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers of the Union State

    Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, together with Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus Dmitry Krutoy, held a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. The event was held in Minsk with the participation of State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Boris Gryzlov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation with the powers of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Rogozhnik, representatives of relevant ministries and departments of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

    The Co-Chairs of the High-Level Group reviewed the progress of joint work aimed at strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Belarus, paying particular attention to the development of railway transport and infrastructure, passenger service, cargo delivery, industry, digital access to the markets of the two countries and other issues requiring joint solutions.

    “This year is significant for our fraternal countries: in December, the Union State turns a quarter of a century old. During this time, we have managed to build coordinated interaction in all areas of cooperation. The results of this large-scale work are expressed in the indicators of our mutual trade and the development of the economies of our countries, and this is an increase in the number of jobs and incomes of our people,” noted the Deputy Prime Minister.

    The parties discussed issues of strengthening the transport links between the two countries. According to Alexey Overchuk, Russia and Belarus have good prospects and large reserves for developing rail links between large border centers. At the same time, the development of rail links will require changes to the legal framework of the union to ensure seamless transportation and convenience for citizens of both countries.

    Joint work in the field of import substitution has been continued. The selection of import substitution projects for implementation using Russian government credit in the amount of 105 billion rubles has been completed.

    The countries are developing interregional cooperation. In June 2024, the XI Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus was held. More than 250 documents worth a total of about 30 billion rubles were signed on the sidelines of the forum, including 30 interregional and 25 municipal agreements.

    In the period from the end of March 2022 to August 31, 2024, a total of 6,758 foreign trade contracts were concluded by enterprises from 75 constituent entities of the Russian Federation with Belarusian partners for a total of about 180 billion rubles. Several thousand enterprises of both countries are included in the system of cooperation interaction, carry out mutual deliveries of raw materials, materials and components.

    During the meeting of the High-Level Group, the joint work of Russia and Belarus in the field of tourism development was noted – the 2023 figures for the entry of Belarusian tourists into Russia were almost twice as high as the 2022 figures – from 126 thousand to 247 thousand trips. For the first half of 2024, the tourist flow from Belarus to Russia amounted to 111 thousand trips, exceeding the figures for the same period last year by more than half (in 2023 – 73 thousand trips).

    In order to support the tourist flow, new air routes have been introduced: from April 3, 2024, a regular flight from Brest to Moscow was launched, and from April 26 – Minsk – Makhachkala.

    To develop tourism within the Union State, a project is being prepared to create a tourist information center for the Union State. The location for the center in Smolensk has been agreed upon.

    An important area of Russian-Belarusian cooperation is deepening integration in the Union State. “We are working together to implement the new Main Directions for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State from 2024 to 2026. We have detailed the main document and in June approved 31 action plans aimed at the phased implementation of the planned goals,” said Alexey Overchuk.

    The Ministries of Economy of the parties are assessing the effects of the implementation of previous integration documents and the work being carried out.

    The meeting also reviewed the progress of the implementation of protocol decisions taken at the Union State venue. Work continued on preparing and holding meetings of the Council of Ministers of the Union State and the Supreme State Council of the Union State.

    As a result, the Standing Committee of the Union State was instructed to ensure coordinated work on the implementation of the agreements reached.

    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://government.ru/nevs/52822/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ideas sought for Haw Par Mansion

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau has invited non-profit-making organisations to submit proposals for the operation, management, conservation and revitalisation, for arts and culture purposes, of Haw Par Mansion for a period of three years for arts and culture use. The mansion is situated at 15A Tai Hang Road, Wan Chai.

     

    Interested organisations must submit their proposals before 5.30pm on January 27, 2025. All proposals must be delivered by hand to the bureau’s Culture Division (2) located at 13/F, West Wing, Central Government Office, 2 Tim Mei Avenue in Tamar.

     

    The bureau will arrange a site visit for interested organisations on October 17, and a briefing session will be held on October 24 for attendees to learn about the application procedure and assessment criteria.

     

    Click here for details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –