NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Scott Details Plan for the Future of Small Businesses and the American Economy at Punchbowl Event

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Punchbowl’s Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman for a fireside chat detailing his plans to restore the nation’s economy and increase economic freedom. Their discussion covered how to strengthen and develop the workforce, the future of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the success of Senator Scott’s Opportunity Zones initiative, and more.

    Click here to watch the full discussion.

    Excerpts from Senator Scott’s remarks can be found below:

    On strengthening and developing the workforce…
    “If you just start with the net effect of having a job: your life is better; your community gets better; your family is better. And [when] you look at what the hurdles are for business owners you say, ‘I’m going to take a calculated chance, not a risk, but a calculated chance on hiring someone without the skills to do the job well.’ If we can lower the hurdles, i.e., the cost of hiring that person, then the more the more likely the employer is to bring more people into the workforce.”

    “If we’re going to help people get better jobs, [we have] to focus on our K through 12 education system. The truth of the matter is, the closest thing to magic in America is a good education. And unfortunately, today, communities [that are] the poorest communities, whether it’s the inner city, like Chicago or a rural part of Iowa; those kids today are less educated than they need to be to meet the needs of our very, very diverse workforce. And so, what we need to do is make sure that we’re focusing our attention on K through 12 education and providing parents with a choice [so] that the kid has a better chance to succeed.”

    On extending the TCJA tax incentives…
    “Whether you look at this proposal or, at least, his comments around exempting tips from taxation or overtime from taxation or Social Security from taxation; all these issues really calibrate our focus on everyday working Americans and looking for ways to make sure that we’re taking in the consideration the folks who are struggling paycheck to paycheck and looking for ways to meet the moment.”

    On Opportunity Zones…
    “But specifically, you create more working class jobs. And without doing that, you’re actually going to starve the bottom of the food chain economically. Where I grew up in that, that’s a terrible concept, because some of the most talented people that I know lived in neighborhoods that I lived in, but never had access to opportunity. And so focusing on how to bring opportunities back to those neighborhoods as we did through my Opportunity Zone legislation, is incredibly important.”

    “[My Opportunity Zone legislation] brought over $84 billion into the poorest communities; majority minority communities that have seen 8% wage growth, 60% increase in the property values. And about 70% of the people believe it was owning their own property, which means only less than a 5% gentrification rate. So, we were able to make people’s lives better, make communities stronger, and attract more jobs for folks who can’t really afford the transportation to get to them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Celebrates 10 years of Farm and Food Awareness Week with Support to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    This year’s theme is ‘Sustainable Agriculture: Feeding the Future’

    September 13, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    The governments of Canada and Manitoba are encouraging all Manitobans to learn more about the important role that agriculture producers play in ensuring that our agri-food system remains diverse, safe and sustainable by attending at least one of the many events around the province celebrating the 10th annual Farm and Food Awareness Week, September 16th-20th, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.

    To support K-12 teachers and students in learning about the importance of agriculture in Manitoba, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable-CAP), the governments of Canada and Manitoba have provided $400,000 to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba. Funding will be used for the Amazing Agriculture Adventure Program, which helps students and teachers learn about Manitoba agriculture, eating local, and opportunities in Manitoba’s agriculture sector.

    As a part of the celebrations minister Kostyshyn has proclaimed Wednesday, September 18 as Local Veggie Day to celebrate Manitoba vegetable farmers, local vegetables and initiatives across the province that nourish and support families and communities.

    This year’s events include:

    • The launch event, Discover Agriculture on the Farm, is a family friendly event at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre on Sunday, September 15 where urban and rural communities can come together to discover where our food comes from.
    • Manitoba Agriculture has also launched the ‘selfie challenge’ on X (formerly known as Twitter) to highlight the diversity of the province’s agri-food industry. Manitobans are encouraged to follow @MBGovAg and share their passion for the industry by posting photographs of themselves at farms or enjoying meals made with Manitoba foods, accompanied by #FacesofMBAg and #FarmFoodAwarenessWeek.
    • In conjunction with Farm and Food Awareness Week, Manitoba’s Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program, has launched a video to demonstrate Manitoba producers’ ongoing commitment to sustainability.

    The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

    Quotes

    “Farm and Food Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the vital contributions our farming communities make. This funding for Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba will help students right across Manitoba learn more about how their food is produced and grow their passion for agriculture.”

    – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

    “Manitoba’s farmers and producers play a critical role in feeding our province and the world, and growing our economy. Celebrating and learning about the many people who ensure our food goes from farm to table in the safest, most efficient and sustainable way possible is an important way for agricultural producers get the recognition they deserve.”

    – Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture

    “We are incredibly grateful to the governments of Canada and Manitoba for their visionary support, which has been vital to the success and growth of Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba. This partnership not only demonstrates the province’s confidence in our mission but also highlights the government’s strong commitment to the future of agriculture. By investing in our programs and resources, the Manitoba government is ensuring that our students and educators, especially in rural, remote, Francophone and Indigenous communities, have the tools they need to understand and engage with our province’s vibrant agri-food sector. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a thriving agricultural industry supported by future generations of informed and inspired Manitobans.”

    – Katharine Cherewyk, Executive Director, Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba

    Quick facts

    • Over 48% of Manitoba farms have participated in the EFP since the program began and remains the primary tool to guide Manitoba producers in best practices ensuring sustainability on the farm.

    • Nearly 40,000 Manitobans work in the agricultural industry, contributing significantly to Manitoba’s economy.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    613-773-7972
    1-866-345-7972
    aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Manitoba media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.

    Manitoba media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Parks Canada and Alberta unveil new plaques commemorating the Alberta section of the North Saskatchewan River as a Canadian Heritage River

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    This section of the river was officially designated in March 2024

    September 13, 2024                         Smoky Lake, Alberta              Parks Canada

    Heritage places reflect the rich and varied stories of Canada and provide an opportunity to learn more about our diverse history.

    Yesterday, a celebration was held at the Victoria District National Historic Site to unveil new Canadian Heritage Rivers System plaques to commemorate the official designation of the Alberta section of the North Saskatchewan River as a Canadian Heritage River. Flags of Treaty 6 and the Otipemisiwak Métis Nation in Alberta were also installed and raised to commemorate the occasion. 

    The North Saskatchewan River is a traditional gathering place, travel route, and home to Indigenous peoples including the nêhiyawak (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Ktunaxa, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Anishinaabe, Inuit, and Assiniboine. For centuries, the river was a transportation and trade route, first for Indigenous peoples, then settlers and explorers coming from the east to the Rocky Mountains and to the west coast. It played a pivotal role in the fur trade, early scientific expeditions, human settlement patterns and agriculture. Today, the river continues to provide an important source of drinking water, habitat for plant and animal species, and support for the tourism and recreation industries. 

    A 49-kilometer segment of North Saskatchewan River within Banff National Park was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1989. The final remaining 718 km section of the North Saskatchewan River within Alberta was initially nominated by Smoky Lake County in 2019 for its outstanding cultural and recreational values. The designation was accepted and officially announced on March 22, 2024 (World Water Day).

    This initiative was made possible by many partners working together. The designation document identifies ongoing calls to action related to air and water quality, land use planning, and inter-sectoral/jurisdictional collaboration.

                                                                                                      -30-

    Additional multimedia

    Caption: Plaque unveiling celebration at Métis Crossing. Photo credit: Parks Canada
    Logo of the organizations that participated in yesterday`s announcement.

    Quotes

    “Congratulations to everyone involved in the designation of this section of the North Saskatchewan River as a Canadian Heritage River. With this designation and with the installation of these new plaques, people from near and far will be able to learn more about this magnificent river’s contributions to Canada, both historic and contemporary.”

    The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
     Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

    “The North Saskatchewan River has contributed to the foundation of the Canada we know today. It has provided a means of transportation and recreation for millennia and as such is worthy of this designation. The installation of these plaques signifies the importance of this river to the Indigenous peoples of the area, Albertans, and Canadians. Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.”

    The Honourable Randy Boissonnault
     Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages

    “Smoky Lake County is thrilled to share in the unveiling of these commemorative plaques, which recognize the iconic cultural, environmental, and recreational heritage of this place. These NSR plaques join the existing commemorative plaque-site that celebrates this river as the spiritual center of the more than 10,000-acre Victoria District National Historic Site of Canada (VDNHSC) which was designated in 2001. Earlier this year, the County also shared in receiving an elusive ‘Award of Excellence’ from the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) for this work.”

    Jered Serben
     Reeve & Division 5 Councillor, Smoky Lake County

    “As a Provincially designated Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC), the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance welcomes this occasion as an opportunity to continue the work of Truth and Reconciliation, as well as highlight many historical and ongoing efforts for stewardship of the river’s main-stem and indeed the entire basin.”

    Scott Millar
     Executive Director, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance

    “Today, as we unveil these commemorative plaques, we honour the North Saskatchewan River across Alberta not just as a Canadian Heritage River, but as a lifeline woven into the very fabric of Métis history and culture. This river was an important trade route for Métis fur traders, where York boats transported goods and furs. The river remains a symbol of our enduring connection to this land. Up and down the river and at Metis Crossing, we celebrate this river’s role in shaping our past and guiding our future.”

    Andrea Sandmaier
     President, Otipemisiwak Métis Government

    “The North Saskatchewan River is, and always will be, a vital part of Alberta. Many municipalities and Indigenous communities requested this designation as they have a long and deep relationship with this beautiful river and our growing province relies on it for drinking water, a dynamic ecosystem, and many recreational and tourism opportunities.”

    The Honourable Rebecca Schulz
    Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta

    Quick facts

    • The North Saskatchewan River flows within the North Saskatchewan watershed across central Alberta and into Saskatchewan. The river travels 1,287 km from its origin in the Columbia Icefield in the Rocky Mountains of western Alberta to the ‘Forks’ within the province of Saskatchewan. This route transects four of Alberta’s six natural regions: Rocky Mountains, Foothills, Boreal Forest, and Parkland.

    • Besides the Clearwater/Christina rivers near Fort McMurray (designated in 2003), the North Saskatchewan is the second river in Alberta outside of a national park to be recognized in the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.

    • The Canadian Heritage Rivers System is a collaboration between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. It gives national recognition to Canada’s outstanding rivers and encourages long-term stewardship of their natural, cultural, and recreational values for the benefit and enjoyment of Canadians, now and in the future.

    • There are currently 42 rivers or river segments designated under the Canadian Heritage Rivers System, totalling just over 10,000 kilometers across the country.

    • Parks Canada represents the Government of Canada on the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board and provides secretariat services, policy guidance, and financial support for the designation and commemoration of Canadian Heritage Rivers.

    Related products

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Oliver Anderson
    Director of communications      
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    819-962-0686
    oliver.anderson@ec.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Parks Canada
    855-862-1812
    pc.media@pc.gc.ca

    Kyle Schole
    Vice Chair, Board of Directors
    North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
    780-650-2059
    kschole@outlook.com

    Jordan Ruegg
    Planning and Development Manager
    Smoky Lake County
    jruegg@smokylakecounty.ab.ca

    Kyla Blumentrath
    Executive Assistant to the President
    Otipemisiwak Métis Government
    kblumentrath@metis.org

    Ryan Fournier
    Press Secretary
    Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
    780-232-2213
    ryan.fournier@gov.ab.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: UNICEF – Leading global businesses and organisations join UNICEF to demand increased investment and action on child and youth mental health

    Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

    An open letter, signed by more than 40 entities and published at the UN General Assembly, calls for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle the mental health funding gap.
    Today, (overnight NZ time) at an innovative financing for mental health event at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), UNICEF and the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health launched an open letter, signed by more than 40 businesses and organisations, calling for greater investment and action on child and youth mental health globally.
    Supported by UNICEF Coalition members, including Jo Malone London, lululemon, Pinterest, Spotify, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd and Z Zurich Foundation, and joined by global businesses and organizations, such as Capgemini, Dove, Kleenex, LEGO Foundation, Les Mills, Movember, Pandora, Tim Bergling Foundation, and United for Global Mental Health, the letter urges a coordinated multi-sectoral response to address the global mental health funding gap of at least US$200 billion.
    Increased funding is critical to supporting child and youth mental health, especially in the face of continued challenges that existed long before the pandemic, including climate change, global humanitarian crises, online risks and historic underinvestment in its promotion, prevention and care.
    One in seven adolescents worldwide are living with a mental health condition – with most cases going undetected and untreated. This is exacerbated by limited resources. On average less than 2 per cent of global government health expenditures is spent on mental health for the general population, while only a very small proportion of these funds goes towards children’s mental health services.
    “The private sector has a unique capacity to foster mental health and wellbeing, through their substantial influence within their workforces, through their services and customers, and globally. By leveraging their resources, expertise and influence, UNICEF and partners can contribute to comprehensive, accessible, and effective solutions that address the diverse needs of children, young people, caregivers and communities at large to promote mental health and wellbeing on a global scale,” said UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships Carla Haddad Mardini.
    UNICEF’s Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health and its members are calling for wider recognition, investment and responsibility from the business community, and private and public sectors to drive forward progress.
    Jo Dancey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Jo Malone London said: “Too many children and young people are living with mental health conditions, but don’t have access to support or treatment. As a global brand and a UNICEF Coalition member, we care deeply about this issue and the need for change. By signing this letter alongside over 40 businesses and organizations, we are highlighting the need for global leaders to act early to support the mental health of children, young people and caregivers globally.”
    Katarina Berg, General Manager Sweden + CHRO, Sustainability, Global Workplace Services at Spotify, said: “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with UNICEF and we remain committed to making a meaningful impact on improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for our listeners, artists, and creators.”
    Wanji Walcott, Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer at Pinterest, said “At Pinterest, we’re creating an inspirational and positive online experience for young people everywhere. Supporting youth mental health and wellbeing is foundational to our mission and this work requires everyone coming together. We’re proud to partner with UNICEF and other coalition members to leverage our collective resources and help tackle the mental health funding gap.”
    Gary Shaughnessy, Chair of the Z Zurich Foundation, said: “We are dedicated to relentlessly contributing to mental wellbeing programmes which can best support youth to thrive in all aspects of their life. It’s encouraging to witness the positive response from various sectors to our call for increased investment in mental health globally. Although there is still much work to be done, these efforts will significantly help to address the mental health needs of all young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable.”
    Other supporting signatories of the letter include Orange and the Solterre Foundation, as well as key global mental health actors, such as the MHPSS Collaborative, the Healthy Brains Global Initiative, Prospira Global and Vertentes, among others.
    This is a critical year for addressing child and youth mental health as a global issue, with actions taken now paving the way to the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health in September 2025, which will culminate in the publication of an outcome document with commitments across member states.
    The Open Letter to global leaders gathering for UNGA 79 and the Summit for the Future says:
    ‘As you gather for the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week and the Summit of the Future, we, over 40 businesses, organizations and supporters from over 20 countries, together with the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health led by UNICEF – are calling for increased investment in and action on child and youth mental health globally. Historic underinvestment in mental health promotion, prevention and care and ongoing stigma and discrimination, accompanied by the impact of COVID-19 and persisting global challenges, are affecting child and youth mental health in every country. While demand for support is increasing, global investment is not even meeting the current levels of need.
    Mental health determines emotional, intellectual, physical and social well-being. It shapes how we think, feel and act and confers our ability to handle stress, build and manage relationships, and make choices that affect not only our own lives, but also those of the
    people around us. Mental health is important at every stage of life, especially for children and young people. When child and youth mental health is prioritized the impact on young lives both now and for the future is significant, including improved quality of life, increased likelihood of completing education, long-term economic returns, and lower rates of premature mortality [1]. However, the consequences of failing to address child and youth mental health conditions extend into adulthood. Fifty per cent of mental health conditions develop before the age of 14 and have the potential of impairing both physical and mental health and limiting children’s opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.[2] Additionally, suicide is the 4th leading cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds globally.[3]
    The global annual mental health finance gap is estimated to be at least $200 billion.[4] Most countries around the world allocate relatively small budgets to support health systems, and within those budgets an even smaller proportion, just 2 per cent on average [5], is directed towards mental health support – including much-needed child and youth mental health services. This critical funding gap must be addressed so we can collectively meet the urgent mental health needs of future generations.
    It is estimated that, due to mental health conditions, we lose nearly US$390 billion worth of human capital that could go towards national economies each year.[6] We must promote a multi-sectoral response to achieve change. Both the private and the public sectors have a key role to play through investment and influence, to break this cycle and shape our collective future.
    The Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health calls for increased investment in mental health across all countries and in all sectors and settings, including in humanitarian crises, that meets the mental health needs of all young people, especially those most in need. We urge governments to increase their domestic spending on mental health within relevant budgets including health, education and social services, as well as scale funding for mental health and psychosocial support within international development assistance. This should include targeted financing for children and youth.
    Acting early to support children, youth and caregivers is the best investment we can make to promote good mental health, prevent poor mental health, and respond to the complex mental health issues children face today. We urge you to prioritize child and youth mental health now.
    We are calling for global leaders across the public and private sectors to invest in:
    – Ensuring every child, youth and caregiver globally can access support for their mental health: This means increasing access to quality and holistic mental health support provided across sectors, by investing in promotion, prevention and care for children, youth and caregivers, with a focus on community-based care that is effective, sustainable, age sensitive and culturally appropriate.
    – Filling the evidence gaps on child and youth mental health: This means improving data and increasing research to better understand who is affected in each context and what works for specific at-risk groups, and to further expand our ability to respond across age groups, with a focus on promotion and prevention. This investment should aim to future-proof our response, ensuring resilience during pressing global challenges such as in humanitarian emergencies and climate and ecological crises.
    – Developing internal strategies and practices: This includes fostering employees’ mental health and well-being by encompassing mental health support within the workplace and developing and adapting products or services offered by the company and in the wider community. This includes initiatives tailored for youth and caregivers employed in the organizations.
    Though our inner worlds are often unseen, our actions should not be. Child and youth mental health is ‘On Our Minds’.’
    Full list of signatories:
    UNICEF Coalition Member signatories:
    Jo Malone London, lululemon, Pinterest, Spotify, Z Zurich Foundation, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
    Supported by:
    Cape Mental Health, Capgemini, ChildFund International, Darbar Sahitya Sansada, Dove, Family first nurseries, Global Mental Health Lab, Columbia University, Health Brains Global Initiative, Health Poverty Action, Instituto Vita Alere de Prevencao e Posvencao do Suicidio, Kleenex, League for Mental Health in Slovakia, LEGO Foundation, Les Mills International Ltd, Little Lions Child Coaching NPC, Mental Wealth Initiative, The University of Sydney, MLAC institute for Psychosocial Services, Movember, Northern Cape Mental Health Society, Orange, Pandora, Partnership for Children, Professionals for Humanity (PROFOH), Prospira Global, Sehat Jiwa Bahagia, Soleterre Foundation, SoulBeeGood, Tanzania Community Health Information and Support (TaCHIS), The MHPSS Collaborative, Tim Bergling Foundation, Trusts Motion, United for Global Mental Health, Vertentes, War Child Alliance, Youth Association for Development Pakistan, YouthConnektAfrica.
    About the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health
    The Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health was established by UNICEF, with the support of the Z Zurich Foundation, to address the increasing global burden of mental health in young people by calling for investment and action on mental health. Current Coalition members include Jo Malone London, Pinterest, Sony, Spotify, Zurich Insurance Group and Z Zurich Foundation.
    Since its launch, the Coalition members have collectively invested over US$30 million in child and youth mental health, catalyzing significant impact in numerous countries. Its direct investment has globally empowered children and young people with tools, training, and awareness initiatives. This means that young people worldwide are equipped with the necessary resources to navigate their mental health and wellbeing, enabling them to face life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.
    About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
    UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Education and Training Amendment Bill — Third Reading – 001411

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    TUESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2024

    (continued on Wednesday, 25 September 2024)

    EDUCATION AND TRAINING AMENDMENT BILL

    Third Reading

    DEPUTY SPEAKER: The House is resumed. Good morning, members. Yesterday when we finished, the Education and Training Amendment Bill had been set down for third reading. I call the Hon David Seymour.

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR (Associate Minister of Education): I present a legislative statement on the Education and Training Amendment Bill.

    DEPUTY SPEAKER: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the Parliamentary website.

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR: I move, That the Education and Training Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

    I want to thank all of the people who have contributed to this legislation. I want to thank my colleague, the Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education—and I see Katie Nimon, chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, along with other members of that committee, who shepherded the bill through the committee stage faster than usual but with no less care and attention, and made valuable improvements to this legislation. It has been a very good example of what Parliament can do when people are committed to a cause.

    I don’t believe that there’s any greater cause for this country’s long-term future than the simple equation of how much knowledge is transferred from one generation to the next. Because a knowledgeable and educated population can overcome whatever challenges we may face with the economy or foreign affairs or climate change or public health. An educated population will be able to solve those problems, but an uneducated population that hasn’t learnt the best knowledge from generations before them will be able to squander even great prosperity that this country currently has. That’s why it matters so much and that’s why I think we saw so much commitment from those people involved in this legislation, and perhaps more than any for the enormous detail that has been meticulously put together. I thank the employees at the Ministry of Education, the policy team, particularly Andy and Jen and all those who support them; they have done an absolutely outstanding job.

    What is the cause in this bill? Well, this bill has three parts; two of them, relatively simple, and one of them, more complex and, I would argue, ultimately more important. The first is that we are removing the network management requirement for early childhood education centres. This comes from many complaints from early childhood educators that it is absolutely insane that in order to open up a business that people in your community want, you have to go and ask the Government if the people in your community want it as much as you know they want it because you’re risking your money to do it. And yet somehow the people at the Government are supposed to have a better idea than you do.

    Members on the other side, we’re going to have a bit of a history lesson later in this speech, so don’t worry, that’s coming. But actually there’s a country called Russia where they tried this approach to economic management for about 70 years; it didn’t work. Even they’ve abandoned it. It’s only the Labour Party and the Greens that persist with trying to centrally plan economies with these kinds of decisions.

    So now you don’t have to do network management. If you want to expand or open a new early childhood education (ECE) centre, then you can just do it. But the real judge is the parents. And do you know what the parents say to me? When I go and visit ECE centres and I ask the parents, they say I want my child to be happy, I want them to be safe—

    Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan: Will they be?

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR: I want them to be growing. I think parents of New Zealand are better—the Opposition is asking: is that what the parents say? Yes. And if the member would like to visit some of these centres or, you know, venture out of academia or out of this House, he might find that is what the parents say. And actually, I think the parents are better to judge it than the Government.

    The second thing we’re doing is we’re updating the attendance records. It’s interesting, Madam Speaker. The attendance records actually are set under 1951 regulation, which was made under 1914 legislation. So you could almost argue—not quite, but almost—that our attendance regulations predate World War I, and this is a Government of the future. So we are going to update the way that attendance regulations are made. Every day from next year, every school student management system will be pushing rich data about student attendance into the Ministry of Education’s data warehouse so we can understand who’s not attending and we can start to dig into why, and we can start to work out if the things the Government and schools are doing to improve attendance—and parents, for that matter—are working so that we can do more of the things that work and less of the things that don’t. It sounds simple. To most New Zealanders, to most people in business or running a farm or their household, it is simple; it’s how you do business every day. And it’s actually how this Government is going to start getting stuck into the business of getting children back to school.

    But coming to charter schools, we’re introducing the simple idea that not every insight into how to engage children in learning and pass that knowledge from one generation to the next can be found in the Ministry of Education or Wellington, or even amongst the wise members of Parliament in this House. Sometimes the best knowledge exists out in the community.

    Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: Most times.

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR: Sometimes those—”most times”, the Māori party say, and I actually for once think Te Pāti Māori are right. You’ll notice when I talked about communist adherence, I talked about Labour and the Greens, not the free-market Te Pāti Māori for whom I have great hope. If they could just get over themselves, I think they could contribute a lot to this House and life in New Zealand.

    It’s not surprising, because the iwi leaders forum have written to me in strong support of charter schools, because they know that communities know more about how to engage their children than the people in Wellington most of the time. So we’re going to invite people in communities to start up schools and they’re going to get the money the State would have spent on the same child at a State school. It’s going to go to the school they choose to go to if—and this is important—high standards are met. If high standards of attendance are contracted in, if high standards of achievement are contracted in, if they show that they’re using their money wisely with financial probity, then they will continue to get their money and they will be able to use that money for the best effect, to get those children at school engaged, achieving, and learning, so that they can actually learn skills that turn into qualifications, that turn into jobs, that turn into careers, that turn into a sense of achievement and feeling good about yourself. That’s why we’re doing it.

    I heard last night from the Labour Party that they would like to shut these schools down. Now, their bark’s worse than their bite. They didn’t do it last time. All the schools carried on, but with one change; that they don’t want them to operate without union contracts. You see, that’s the thing about these charter schools; teachers get paid, like most New Zealanders, on individual employment agreements, and if they’re good they can get paid more, and if they’re not good they can get fired.

    Here’s why that matters. We run education for the children. You see, the thing is—I was looking at some statistics the other day—we spent $20 billion a year on education; 60,000 kids are born in this country every year. If you do the maths—it can be challenging on the other side, but that is $330,000 per citizen, lifetime education spending. And yet what do we get for that? I look at the UE, the university entrance achievement, and for the most prosperous, wealthy and advantaged students, 82 percent get UE, but for the most disadvantaged students 30 percent get UE.

    Now, I said there was a lecture coming. There’s an old book called The God That Failed, and the God that fails is the stories of former adherents of the Communist Party who realised it didn’t work and left. They wrote this book and it’s a wonderful set of essays. Now, I would put it to the Labour Party that when you spend $330,000 per citizen and the most disadvantaged students are nearly three times less likely to get university entrance than the most advantaged students, your God has failed. Sorry Labour, your God has failed, because you spent all the money but the wealthy kids from the good backgrounds are still doing pretty good and the poor kids you were supposed to help are still failing.

    That’s why I’m proud to be here in this Government, standing as an ACT MP, setting up schools that allow people to choose their own destiny. Tino rangatiratanga, we might call it—the ability of people to use the knowledge in their society, in their community, to take the funding that the Government would have funded and use it—you’d have provided for those children—for better effect: to make sure that children have that opportunity to feel good about themselves, to learn, to engage, to have it done their way, not to feel unsafe or bullied, but to actually go along and build their own future, not only for themselves, each in their own way, but for the future of this great country of ours. That is what this policy of charter schools really means for the future of our country.

    I challenge the Opposition. Where are your ideas other than more money for our union mates? Not for teachers but for the unions, because that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day. Charter schools don’t have to use the unions’ contracts. That is what we are here to end, to give freedom and choice to New Zealanders to make their own future. I’m sorry, Labour, your God’s failed.

    DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Tuesday, 24 September 2024 (continued on Wednesday, 25 September 2024) – Volume 778 – 001412

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    TUESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2024

    (continued on Wednesday, 25 September 2024)

    EDUCATION AND TRAINING AMENDMENT BILL

    Third Reading

    DEPUTY SPEAKER: The House is resumed. Good morning, members. Yesterday when we finished, the Education and Training Amendment Bill had been set down for third reading. I call the Hon David Seymour.

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR (Associate Minister of Education): I present a legislative statement on the Education and Training Amendment Bill.

    DEPUTY SPEAKER: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the Parliamentary website.

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR: I move, That the Education and Training Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

    I want to thank all of the people who have contributed to this legislation. I want to thank my colleague, the Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education—and I see Katie Nimon, chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, along with other members of that committee, who shepherded the bill through the committee stage faster than usual but with no less care and attention, and made valuable improvements to this legislation. It has been a very good example of what Parliament can do when people are committed to a cause.

    I don’t believe that there’s any greater cause for this country’s long-term future than the simple equation of how much knowledge is transferred from one generation to the next. Because a knowledgeable and educated population can overcome whatever challenges we may face with the economy or foreign affairs or climate change or public health. An educated population will be able to solve those problems, but an uneducated population that hasn’t learnt the best knowledge from generations before them will be able to squander even great prosperity that this country currently has. That’s why it matters so much and that’s why I think we saw so much commitment from those people involved in this legislation, and perhaps more than any for the enormous detail that has been meticulously put together. I thank the employees at the Ministry of Education, the policy team, particularly Andy and Jen and all those who support them; they have done an absolutely outstanding job.

    What is the cause in this bill? Well, this bill has three parts; two of them, relatively simple, and one of them, more complex and, I would argue, ultimately more important. The first is that we are removing the network management requirement for early childhood education centres. This comes from many complaints from early childhood educators that it is absolutely insane that in order to open up a business that people in your community want, you have to go and ask the Government if the people in your community want it as much as you know they want it because you’re risking your money to do it. And yet somehow the people at the Government are supposed to have a better idea than you do.

    Members on the other side, we’re going to have a bit of a history lesson later in this speech, so don’t worry, that’s coming. But actually there’s a country called Russia where they tried this approach to economic management for about 70 years; it didn’t work. Even they’ve abandoned it. It’s only the Labour Party and the Greens that persist with trying to centrally plan economies with these kinds of decisions.

    So now you don’t have to do network management. If you want to expand or open a new early childhood education (ECE) centre, then you can just do it. But the real judge is the parents. And do you know what the parents say to me? When I go and visit ECE centres and I ask the parents, they say I want my child to be happy, I want them to be safe—

    Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan: Will they be?

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR: I want them to be growing. I think parents of New Zealand are better—the Opposition is asking: is that what the parents say? Yes. And if the member would like to visit some of these centres or, you know, venture out of academia or out of this House, he might find that is what the parents say. And actually, I think the parents are better to judge it than the Government.

    The second thing we’re doing is we’re updating the attendance records. It’s interesting, Madam Speaker. The attendance records actually are set under 1951 regulation, which was made under 1914 legislation. So you could almost argue—not quite, but almost—that our attendance regulations predate World War I, and this is a Government of the future. So we are going to update the way that attendance regulations are made. Every day from next year, every school student management system will be pushing rich data about student attendance into the Ministry of Education’s data warehouse so we can understand who’s not attending and we can start to dig into why, and we can start to work out if the things the Government and schools are doing to improve attendance—and parents, for that matter—are working so that we can do more of the things that work and less of the things that don’t. It sounds simple. To most New Zealanders, to most people in business or running a farm or their household, it is simple; it’s how you do business every day. And it’s actually how this Government is going to start getting stuck into the business of getting children back to school.

    But coming to charter schools, we’re introducing the simple idea that not every insight into how to engage children in learning and pass that knowledge from one generation to the next can be found in the Ministry of Education or Wellington, or even amongst the wise members of Parliament in this House. Sometimes the best knowledge exists out in the community.

    Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: Most times.

    Hon DAVID SEYMOUR: Sometimes those—”most times”, the Māori party say, and I actually for once think Te Pāti Māori are right. You’ll notice when I talked about communist adherence, I talked about Labour and the Greens, not the free-market Te Pāti Māori for whom I have great hope. If they could just get over themselves, I think they could contribute a lot to this House and life in New Zealand.

    It’s not surprising, because the iwi leaders forum have written to me in strong support of charter schools, because they know that communities know more about how to engage their children than the people in Wellington most of the time. So we’re going to invite people in communities to start up schools and they’re going to get the money the State would have spent on the same child at a State school. It’s going to go to the school they choose to go to if—and this is important—high standards are met. If high standards of attendance are contracted in, if high standards of achievement are contracted in, if they show that they’re using their money wisely with financial probity, then they will continue to get their money and they will be able to use that money for the best effect, to get those children at school engaged, achieving, and learning, so that they can actually learn skills that turn into qualifications, that turn into jobs, that turn into careers, that turn into a sense of achievement and feeling good about yourself. That’s why we’re doing it.

    I heard last night from the Labour Party that they would like to shut these schools down. Now, their bark’s worse than their bite. They didn’t do it last time. All the schools carried on, but with one change; that they don’t want them to operate without union contracts. You see, that’s the thing about these charter schools; teachers get paid, like most New Zealanders, on individual employment agreements, and if they’re good they can get paid more, and if they’re not good they can get fired.

    Here’s why that matters. We run education for the children. You see, the thing is—I was looking at some statistics the other day—we spent $20 billion a year on education; 60,000 kids are born in this country every year. If you do the maths—it can be challenging on the other side, but that is $330,000 per citizen, lifetime education spending. And yet what do we get for that? I look at the UE, the university entrance achievement, and for the most prosperous, wealthy and advantaged students, 82 percent get UE, but for the most disadvantaged students 30 percent get UE.

    Now, I said there was a lecture coming. There’s an old book called The God That Failed, and the God that fails is the stories of former adherents of the Communist Party who realised it didn’t work and left. They wrote this book and it’s a wonderful set of essays. Now, I would put it to the Labour Party that when you spend $330,000 per citizen and the most disadvantaged students are nearly three times less likely to get university entrance than the most advantaged students, your God has failed. Sorry Labour, your God has failed, because you spent all the money but the wealthy kids from the good backgrounds are still doing pretty good and the poor kids you were supposed to help are still failing.

    That’s why I’m proud to be here in this Government, standing as an ACT MP, setting up schools that allow people to choose their own destiny. Tino rangatiratanga, we might call it—the ability of people to use the knowledge in their society, in their community, to take the funding that the Government would have funded and use it—you’d have provided for those children—for better effect: to make sure that children have that opportunity to feel good about themselves, to learn, to engage, to have it done their way, not to feel unsafe or bullied, but to actually go along and build their own future, not only for themselves, each in their own way, but for the future of this great country of ours. That is what this policy of charter schools really means for the future of our country.

    I challenge the Opposition. Where are your ideas other than more money for our union mates? Not for teachers but for the unions, because that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day. Charter schools don’t have to use the unions’ contracts. That is what we are here to end, to give freedom and choice to New Zealanders to make their own future. I’m sorry, Labour, your God’s failed.

    DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Partner of Investment Management Firm Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Two Fraud Schemes Totaling Over $2.4 Million

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSHUA HENNER was sentenced Friday, September 20, 2024, to 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl for running two separate fraud schemes that stole over $2.4 million from victims.   HENNER previously pled guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.  

    U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Joshua Henner deceived victims into loaning him millions of dollars across not one, but two fraud schemes.   Henner’s crimes ruined the lives of his victims: some have postponed retirement, others lost their life savings, while others have been forced to change professions or work multiple jobs to account for their significant financial losses.  This sentence sends the message that those who defraud others will receive significant prison sentences.”

    According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, the plea agreement, and other public filings and statements made in court:

    From at least in or about March 2022 through at least in or about December 2022, HENNER ran two schemes that defrauded victims out of at least $2.4 million.  In the first scheme, HENNER solicited and obtained funds from victims based on representations that he had been an angel investor in a start-up (the “Company”) and that he needed funds to purchase additional shares in the Company to maintain his investment position.

    To induce victims to give him funds, HENNER routinely made materially false oral and written statements, including lies about his previous investment in the Company and his ownership interest in the Company.  Without their knowledge or authorization, HENNER misappropriated his victims’ funds by, among other things, transferring the funds to himself and other individuals.   

    HENNER also used, without authorization, the name and email address of a lawyer purportedly involved in the investments to communicate via email with his victims and foster the illusion that he was using the funds that his victims lent him for their intended purposes. 

    In a second scheme, HENNER also induced at least six victims to lend him money to renovate an apartment that he did not own.  To carry out this fraud, HENNER, among other things, informed victims that he had contracted with a renovations company and created a fraudulent email address with the real name of an employee of the renovation company.  In truth and in fact, HENNER rented and did not own the apartment, HENNER was prohibited from renovating the apartment, and HENNER did not use the funds that his victims gave him to renovate the apartment.

    *                *                *

    In addition to the prison term, HENNER, 37, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $2,452,480 and make restitution in an amount to be determined.

    Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon C. Thompson is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: September 23rd, 2024 Heinrich Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate U.S. Microchip Manufacturing Projects

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Bipartisan legislation to expedite microchip plant construction now heads to President’s desk

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded the House of Representatives passage of the Building Chips in America Act, legislation he cosponsored to streamline federal permitting processes for microchip manufacturing projects while maintaining bedrock protections for clean air and clean water. The bill, which had previously passed the Senate twice — first as part of the Senate NDAA and again as a standalone legislation — now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

    The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Alongside Heinrich, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators is Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).  

    “Two years ago, I was part of the conference committee that finalized what eventually became the CHIPS and Science Act. I fought hard to pass this bill to spark a made-in-America manufacturing renaissance in New Mexico and across the country, and that’s exactly what’s happening,” said Heinrich. “This bill to speed up construction of microchip projects will build on the momentum we’ve created, strengthen our supply chain and national security, and solidify New Mexico as one of the best places in America to manufacture advanced technologies — helping to create hundreds of new, good-paying jobs that New Mexicans can build their families around. I’m pleased that this bill is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”

    “This is a major step forward for our economy and national security,” said Kelly. “By preventing unnecessary delays in the construction of microchip manufacturing facilities, this bill will help maximize our efforts to bring this industry back to America, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and strengthening our supply chains. I’m grateful to my colleagues in both chambers for their bipartisan work to get this done, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Close Its Business Recovery Center in Ruidoso

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, announced today that SBA will close its Ruidoso Business Recovery Center at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2. “SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to businesses that were affected by the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire and flooding that occurred June 17 – Aug. 20,” said Sánchez.

    Until the center closes, SBA customer service representatives will continue to meet with business owners to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their electronic loan application and close their approved loans. No appointment is necessary.

    LINCOLN COUNTY
    Business Recovery Center
    Ruidoso Public Library
    Archive Room
    107 Kansas City Rd.
    Ruidoso, NM  88345
    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Closes 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2

    “SBA representatives will also continue to be available at the following federal-state Disaster Recovery Center to meet with businesses and residents,” Sánchez continued. The center is open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

    LINCOLN COUNTY
    Disaster Recovery Center
    Horton Complex
    237 Service Rd.
    Ruidoso, NM  88345
    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

    Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future.

    For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

    Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 19, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 20, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration
    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister advances progress and prosperity at the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Progressive leadership is driven by a shared belief that we cannot falter – on rights, on equality, and on an economy that works for everyone. We must keep moving forward.

    That’s the message the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, delivered as he concluded his participation in the 79th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) and the Summit of the Future, in New York City, United States of America. During UNGA, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing progress, prosperity, and fairness for every generation.

    Prime Minister Trudeau joined global leaders at the Summit of the Future, which concluded with the adoption of the Pact for the Future – an ambitious pact that will see countries work together to tackle shared challenges. At the Summit, the Prime Minister delivered a statement affirming Canada’s support for the Summit of the Future, its call for nations to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its commitment to investing in our workers, our communities, and our future.

    Building on the progress made at the Summit of the Future, Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders and prominent advocates at UNGA to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized Canada’s commitment to unlocking increased financing to achieve the SDGs globally, particularly through his role as Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders group. He also underscored the central role of gender equality as a pathway to achieving sustainable development, and made clear that women and girls must be able to make choices about their bodies, their lives, and their own futures. Canada announced over $112 million to help protect the comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls worldwide. We will also invest $58 million in projects that empower women and promote gender equality, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. With this funding, Canada will fulfill its $100 million commitment to address issues in unpaid and paid care work in low- and middle-income countries.

    For tens of millions of people across the globe, including in Canada, climate change is not an abstraction. It is real, it is costly, and it does not stop at our borders. To successfully tackle climate change, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of global, collective climate action. He highlighted industrial decarbonization as one such approach to fight climate change, including through innovative tools such as carbon pricing. He also welcomed six new members to Canada’s Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, which calls on countries to put a price on carbon to cover 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030. The Prime Minister also announced $3.9 million to be delivered through Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program so we can more effectively respond to wildfires and advance international leadership on sustainable forest management.

    Prime Minister Trudeau, alongside the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, convened a High-Level Meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti to strengthen efforts to restore democracy, security, and stability in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted ongoing work to respond to the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people and Canada’s continued support of the Multinational Security Support mission in the country. He emphasized the criticality of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict. He announced over $16 million to support the transitional government’s election preparedness, increase humanitarian aid, reduce gang violence, and expand access to justice for women and youth detainees while supporting their reintegration into society. These measures will make a meaningful difference in helping Haiti address its immediate needs and create a better, more prosperous future for its people.

    At UNGA, the Prime Minister also announced $3.6 million in new wide-ranging investments to strengthen global peace and security, including on land mine clearance, and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly women affected by conflict. He emphasized the role of UN agencies in accomplishing this important work, announcing a $9 million investment to support the UN’s efforts to strengthen development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding assistance in countries across the globe.

    The Prime Minister participated in a leaders’ roundtable titled In Defense of Democracy: Fighting Against Extremism, where he engaged with world leaders on challenges facing democracies, such as inequality, polarization, disinformation, and violent extremism, including online. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions, like the UN.

    Throughout his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with international counterparts to discuss pressing geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impacts, as well as the evolving situation in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of protecting democratic institutions from emerging threats, including misinformation and election interference, and safeguarding peace and security around the world.

    At UNGA, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, among others. 

    In the face of global economic and social insecurity, Canada chooses to invest in our country. Whether it’s national $10-a-day child care, an ambitious housing plan, a national dental care program, or an industrial strategy that creates good-paying jobs while fighting climate change – these are choices that will make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and help solve global challenges.

    Quote

    “Canada chooses to invest in our people, in our future, and in progress. That was my message at UNGA and at the Summit of the Future. Our government is taking action to fight climate change, break down barriers, solve the world’s most pressing challenges, and deliver fairness for every generation.”

    — The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

    Quick Facts

    • While in New York City, Prime Minister Trudeau had bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic, the Governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, and Malala Yousafzai.
    • The Prime Minister also had interactions with other leaders, including the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, the Taoiseach of Ireland, Simon Harris, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez.
    • As a founding member of the UN since its creation in 1945, Canada has actively contributed to the organization, playing a key role in drafting the UN Charter, the treaty that is the cornerstone of the rules-based international order.
    • Canada is the sixth-largest donor to the UN, including voluntary and assessed contributions totalling over US$2 billion in 2022.
    • In 2015, Canada joined all UN Member States in adopting ambitious goals for sustainable development, as outlined in Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda centres on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encompassing the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Taken together, the SDGs aim to improve the lives of all people, while protecting the planet.
    • Released in 2021, Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy builds upon 30 actions and five core principles to create and foster an enabling environment for ongoing dialogue and participation to encourage Canadians to take action to realize the SDGs.
    • In 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau was named Co-Chair of the UN SDG Advocates group by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. SDG Advocates work to raise global awareness of the SDGs and of the need for accelerated action by using their respective platforms.
    • Prime Minister Trudeau is also Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders group alongside the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. The group advocates for equipping developing countries with the financial resources to invest in the 17 SDGs and secure a more just and equitable future for all people.
    • At the Summit for the Future, global leaders enhanced co-operation on critical challenges and addressed gaps in global governance. They reaffirmed existing commitments – including to the SDGs and the UN Charter – and moved toward a modernized UN system that can effectively tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.
    • At the Summit, leaders adopted the Pact for the Future  and its annexes – the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations. The Pact is a global framework to bolster global co-operation and address critical challenges facing the world, such as climate change, global inequality, and the need for stronger multilateral co-operation, for the benefit of all and for future generations.
    • In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. This partnership aims to expand the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting emerging ones. The Challenge, which has a collective goal of covering 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030, also serves as a forum for dialogue and co-ordination to make pricing systems more effective and compatible while supporting other countries in adopting carbon pricing and cutting emissions on the path to net-zero by 2050.

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference, Toowoomba

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    JIM CHALMERS:

    Thanks for coming here to Toowoomba. I want to say a few things about the interest rate decision today but I’m conscious that the Reserve Bank Governor is up very shortly in Sydney so I’ll be relatively brief.

    The Reserve Bank board today agreed to leave interest rates on hold. There are no surprises in this decision and no surprises in the statement released by the board. This was the expected outcome.

    When the board next meets it will be a year since interest rates went up.

    Interest rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year, and this reflects the progress that we’ve made when it comes to getting inflation down. When we came to office inflation was 6.1 per cent. It’s now half of its peak a couple of years ago. Our policies are helping in the fight against inflation.

    When we came to office inflation was high and rising and interest rates were rising. Inflation has been coming down quite substantially over the course of the last couple of years and we haven’t had an interest rate rise for the best part of a year now.

    The Governor and the Reserve Bank board have noted today the very substantial progress that Australia has made when it comes to getting on top of this inflation challenge. When it comes to the Reserve Bank and the government, we have the same objective of getting on top of inflation without ignoring the risks to growth in our economy.

    We’ve seen growth in our economy has been quite weak. We’ve seen consumption has been weak. Discretionary spending has been going backwards. All of this indicates that rate rises already in the system are combining with international uncertainty and persistent inflation to slow our economy quite substantially, and we saw that in the most recent National Accounts. The government remains primarily focused on the fight against inflation, but is not ignoring those risks to growth at the same time.

    We have the same objective as the Reserve Bank when it comes to the fight against inflation. We’ve made welcome and encouraging progress, and we’ll learn more about that tomorrow when the monthly inflation data is released. Whether that monthly inflation data is in the low 3s or the high 2s, it will show that inflation has halved since we came to office. That’s a good thing. We are making welcome and encouraging progress in the fight against inflation, and the fact that rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year now is an indicator of that.

    Happy to take a couple of questions.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, the RBA’s statement today talks about temporary migration propping up consumer spending, in particular, students. Are you worried that the government’s cap on students might stymie growth further?

    CHALMERS:

    Our changes to foreign students are all about recognising the huge contribution that education makes to our economy but making sure that we are managing that growth. What we’ve seen in the most recent net overseas migration numbers is that net overseas migration has come off since it peaked in 2023. It has been coming down since then. Some of the pressure that’s still there when it comes to net overseas migration is not about extra arrivals, it’s about fewer departures.

    We’ve got a sensible, methodical, considered way to manage net overseas migration down. It has started coming down. Our changes kicked in from the middle of this year and the data doesn’t yet capture that.

    When it comes to spending in the economy, the last National Accounts showed that consumption is very weak in our economy and discretionary spending has gone backwards quite substantially. That is an indication that the combination of global uncertainty, persistent inflation and higher interest rates are slowing our economy quite considerably.

    The fact that interest rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year is an indication that we have been making welcome and encouraging progress in the fight against inflation. It’s still higher than we’d like, but it is definitely trending downwards, and we’ll learn more about that tomorrow.

    JOURNALIST:

    You’ve said they’re smashing the economy. So are you disappointed that they’re not coming down?

    CHALMERS:

    I don’t pre‑empt and I don’t second guess decisions taken by the independent Reserve Bank. I’ve made that very clear repeatedly.

    I’ve made a factual statement that the interest rate rises which are already in the system, combined with some of these other factors, are slowing our economy quite dramatically. We saw that in the most recent National Accounts. But these decisions are taken independently by the Reserve Bank.

    My efforts have been about trying to make the Bank more independent, not less independent. I respect and cherish its independence. They’ve taken this decision today, and the Governor will have an opportunity, a welcome opportunity, to talk about that very shortly this afternoon.

    JOURNALIST:

    Not everyone agrees that the Bank should be as independent as it is. Do you have a response?

    CHALMERS:

    On the Reserve Bank reforms, the Coalition and the Greens are indistinguishable when it comes to economic irresponsibility. We’ve seen that once again when it comes to their whacky behaviour in the Senate. The Coalition and the Greens are as one when it comes to doing the wrong thing about the independent Reserve Bank.

    Both the Coalition and the Greens, the way that they’ve teamed up in the Senate means that our efforts for the time being to reform the Reserve Bank, there is a barrier to that. We’ve been upfront about that. It’s been clear from the beginning that there is a risk that the parties to the left and to the right of us will play politics with the Reserve Bank. We don’t intend to do that. They have both dramatically changed their position to avoid doing the right thing when it comes to these Reserve Bank reforms.

    Whether it’s the Coalition or the Greens, they both made their views known. Where we could accommodate those views we did. They both dramatically changed their position to avoid doing the right thing when it comes to these Reserve Bank reforms.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, how close do you think you are to getting inflation down?

    CHALMERS:

    Inflation’s been coming down really quite considerably since its peak a couple of years ago. We shouldn’t forget that when we came to office inflation was 6.1 per cent and rising. It now in quarterly terms has a 3 in front of it and we’ll learn the new monthly figure tomorrow when we get the monthly data. The expectation there, whether it’s the high 2s or the low 3s, shows that inflation has halved since we came to office. That’s good progress, but we know that there’s still pressure on inflation and we know that people are still doing it tough.

    This is why our cost‑of‑living relief is so important. Our policies are helping, not hurting the fight against inflation. We’ve turned 2 big Liberal deficits into 2 big Labor surpluses. The Reserve Bank Governor has said that our surpluses are helping in the fight against inflation, and we’ve designed our cost‑of‑living relief to help take some of the edge off these price pressures in our economy rather than make them worse.

    There’s nothing artificial about helping people with their electricity bills or making early childhood education cheaper or medicines cheaper or a tax cut for every taxpayer or energy bill relief for every household, getting wages moving again.

    We’re doing all of this in the most responsible way we can. Our primary focus is on the fight against inflation, but we can’t ignore those risks to growth.

    I’ll take one more question, then we’re good.

    JOURNALIST:

    I just have a question about Woolies and Coles. Should they both sack their CEOs over this pricing saga?

    CHALMERS:

    I need to be careful not to pre‑empt the legal and other processes that have been put in train by the ACCC. But I will say this: Woolies and Coles shouldn’t be taking their customers for mugs.

    This is precisely why we’ve empowered the ACCC, why we want to make the grocery code mandatory, compulsory, not voluntary. It’s why we’re making sure that farmers and families get a fair go from the supermarkets.

    We don’t want to see ordinary Australians, families and pensioners, being taken for a ride by the big supermarkets. This is precisely why we’ve empowered the ACCC and why we’re taking other steps as well to make sure that farmers and families get a fair go when it comes to the supermarkets in this country.

    Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Prime Minister advocates progress and prosperity at UN General Assembly and Future Summit

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    Progressive leadership is driven by the belief that we cannot turn back the clock on rights, equality, and an economy that works for everyone. We must keep moving forward.

    This was the message delivered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the conclusion of his participation in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Future Summit in New York, United States of America. At the UNGA, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to progress, prosperity and equity for all generations.

    Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders at the Future Summit, which concluded with the adoption of the Compact for the Future, an ambitious agreement that will inspire countries to work together to address shared challenges. At the Summit, the Prime Minister issued a statement indicating Canada’s support for the Future Summit, calling on countries to deliver on the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentand intended to invest in its workers, in its communities and in its future.

    Building on the progress made at the Future Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders and prominent human rights advocates at the UNGA to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He signalled Canada’s commitment to finding new sources of financing to achieve the SDGs globally, particularly as co-chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group. He highlighted the fundamental role of gender equality as a means to achieve sustainable development and made clear that women and girls must be able to make choices about their bodies, their lives and their futures. To this end, Canada announced more than $112 million in support to protect access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights services for women and girls around the world. Canada will also invest $58 million in projects that empower women and promote gender equality, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. With this funding, Canada will deliver on its $100 million commitment to address issues related to paid and unpaid care work in low- and middle-income countries.

    For tens of millions of people around the world, including in Canada, climate change is not an illusion: it is real, it is costly and it knows no borders. To effectively combat this threat, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of collective action on a global scale. He highlighted decarbonizing the industrial sector as one solution to combat climate change, including through innovative tools such as carbon pricing. He also welcomed six new members of theGlobal Carbon Pricing Challenge launched by Canada, which calls on countries to set a price on carbon to cover 60% of global emissions by 2030. The Prime Minister also announced $3.9 million through Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program, so we can better fight wildfires and advance international expertise in sustainable forest management.

    Prime Minister Trudeau, together with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, convened a High-level Meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti to strengthen efforts to restore democracy, security and stability in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted the work being done to address the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people and Canada’s continued support for the Multinational Security Support Mission in the country. He emphasized the critical importance of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict. In this regard, he announced more than $16 million to support the transitional government’s electoral preparations, increase humanitarian assistance, reduce gang-related violence, and increase access to justice for women and youth detainees, while supporting their reintegration into society. These measures will go a long way to helping Haiti address its immediate needs and create a brighter, more prosperous future for its people.

    At the UNGA, the Prime Minister also announced $3.6 million in major new investments to strengthen global peace and security, including mine clearance, and to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly women affected by conflict. He highlighted the role of the United Nations in this important work, and announced an investment of $9 million to support United Nations initiatives to increase the effectiveness of development, humanitarian and peacebuilding assistance in countries around the world.

    The Prime Minister participated in a leaders’ roundtable entitled “Defending Democracy: Combating Extremism,” where he spoke with world leaders about the challenges facing democracies, such as inequality, polarization, disinformation and violent extremism, including online. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations.

    During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with his international counterparts to discuss priority geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its global implications, as well as developments in the Middle East. He also stressed the need to protect democratic institutions from emerging threats, including disinformation and election interference, and to preserve peace and security around the world.

    At the UNGA, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio, among others.

    In the face of economic and social insecurity around the world, the Government of Canada is choosing to invest in our country. From a $10-a-day national child care program to an ambitious housing plan, a national dental care plan, and an industrial sector strategy that creates well-paying jobs – not to mention fighting climate change – these choices will have a positive impact on the lives of Canadians and help address global challenges.

    Quote

    “Canada is choosing to invest in its people, its future and progress. This is the message I wanted to bring to the UNGA and the Future Summit. Our government is taking action to fight climate change, break down barriers, address the world’s most pressing challenges and give every generation a fair chance.”

    Highlights

    During his trip to New York, Prime Minister Trudeau held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Garry Conille of Haiti, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic of Kitchener, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, Senior Advisor to Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus, President William Ruto of Kenya, and Malala Yousafzai. The Prime Minister also held discussions with other leaders, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, International Monetary Fund President and Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez. As a founding member of the United Nations since its creation in 1945, Canada has actively contributed to the organization, including playing a key role in drafting the UN Charter, the cornerstone treaty of the rules-based international order. Canada is the sixth largest donor to the United Nations, with voluntary contributions and assessed contributions totaling more than US$2 billion in 2022. In 2015, Canada joined all UN Member States in adopting ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, as outlined in theTransforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda focuses on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Together, the SDGs aim to improve people’s lives, but also protect the planet. Released in 2021, theCanada’s National Strategy for the 2030 Agenda: Moving Forward Togetheris based on 30 actions and 5 core principles to create and foster an environment for ongoing dialogue and engagement to encourage Canadians to take action to implement the SDGs. In 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau was appointed Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates Group by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados. Through their respective platforms, the members of the SDG Advocates Group aim to raise global awareness of the SDGs and the need to accelerate action to achieve them. Prime Minister Trudeau also serves as Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group, alongside Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica. The Group advocates for developing countries to have the financial resources they need to invest in the 17 SDGs to ensure a just and equitable future for all people. At the Future Summit, world leaders strengthened cooperation on major challenges and addressed gaps in global governance. They renewed existing commitments, including to the SDGs and the Charter of the United Nations, and undertook to modernize the United Nations system to effectively address the challenges of today and tomorrow. Also at the Summit, leaders adopted the Deal for the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Deal and the Declaration on Future Generations. The Deal for the Future is a comprehensive framework to promote global cooperation and address critical challenges facing the world, such as climate change, inequality, and the need for strong multilateral cooperation, for the benefit of all and future generations. In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. This partnership aims to scale up the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting new ones. The Challenge, which collectively aims to cover 60% of global emissions by 2030, also serves as a forum for dialogue and coordination to improve the effectiveness and compatibility of pricing regimes, while helping other countries adopt carbon pricing and reduce emissions towards the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI China: China to deepen financial reform, openness, high-quality development: Chinese vice premier

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

    China to deepen financial reform, openness, high-quality development: Chinese vice premier

    BEIJING, Sept. 24 — China will further deepen financial reform and opening-up, and promote high-quality development in the financial sector, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Tuesday.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting separately with members of the international advisory committee of China Investment Corporation (CIC), and Evan Greenberg, executive vice chair of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the chairman of insurance company Chubb Limited.

    During the meeting with members of the committee, He said that China will deepen financial system reform, accelerate the establishment of a modern financial system with Chinese characteristics, and promote high-quality development of the financial sector.

    He expressed hope that the members would continue to provide suggestions and make contributions to China’s reform and opening-up, as well as the development of CIC.

    When meeting with Greenberg, He said China will steadfastly promote high-level opening-up of the financial sector and welcomed Chubb Group to continue actively participating in the development of China’s financial market.

    He added that the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations is expected to play a more effective role as a bridge and link between the two countries, facilitating exchanges and cooperation among the business communities, and achieving greater mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

    Members of the international advisory committee of CIC and Greenberg expressed their belief that further comprehensive and deepened reforms in China will bring new potential and vitality to the country’s economy and financial sector. They remain confident in the prospects of China’s economy and financial markets.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expands equity investment pilot for asset managers

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 24 — The National Financial Regulatory Administration announced on Tuesday the expansion of the pilot program for equity investments by financial asset management companies.

    According to a circular issued by the administration, the pilot program will now extend beyond Shanghai to include 17 other cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Wuhan, Changsha, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an, Ningbo, Xiamen, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Suzhou.

    Since 2020, financial asset management companies established by major commercial banks have been conducting equity investment pilots in Shanghai. The circular introduces adjustments to the policies governing the Shanghai pilot program.

    It relaxes the limits on the amounts and ratios of equity investments. The percentage of on-balance sheet funds that financial asset management companies can allocate to equity investments has been increased from 4 percent to 10 percent of total assets as of the end of the previous quarter.

    Additionally, the maximum amount that can be invested in a single private equity fund has been raised from 20 percent to 30 percent of that fund’s total issuance size.

    The circular also enhances the due diligence exemption and performance evaluation systems.

    The administration stated that it will guide five financial asset management companies in effectively implementing these policy measures and actively promoting the rollout of more projects.

    At the same time, it will collaborate with relevant departments to summarize experiences, optimize supporting policies, and further explore the expansion of pilot cities, ensuring that pilot programs yield tangible results.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Passes Amendment to Combat Pine Beetle Infestation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota(R-Suffolk County) successfully passed his amendment to H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act, focusing on the devastation caused by the southern pine beetle in the Northeast, particularly within Long Island’s Pine Barrens. LaLota’s amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on the causes, effects, and solutions for the infestation of pine beetles in the Northeastern United States, ensuring that the problem is addressed with targeted actions.

    “This tiny pest, no larger than a grain of rice, has wreaked havoc on over 5,000 acres of forest in my district alone, threatening our ecosystem and critical natural resources. The southern pine beetle infestation has put immense pressure on Long Island’s Pine Barrens, which serve as a vital habitat for wildlife and play a crucial role in protecting our water supply,” said LaLota. “My amendment is not just about studying a pest; it’s about taking proactive measures to protect our environment, safeguard the drinking water of millions, and ensure that our forests’ rich biodiversity and natural beauty remain intact for future generations. Without intervention, the consequences for our ecosystem and local economy could be severe so we must take action now.”

    LaLota spoke on the House floor ahead of the amendment’s passage, click HERE to watch.

    To read the full text of the amendment, click HERE.

    Background:

    The Pine Barrens, crucial for preserving clean drinking water and home to endangered species, have suffered significant damage from the pine beetle infestation. LaLota’s amendment will enable federal, state, and local officials to better understand and mitigate the pine beetle’s impact, fostering resilient forest ecosystems across the region.

    Along with this amendment, LaLota has fought to preserve the abundant natural environment Long Island is blessed with.

    Earlier this year, LaLota announced he had secured $40 million in federal funding for the Long Island Sound Program. This funding for the Sound is provided by the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill LaLota helped pass, which was signed into law in March.

    In January, LaLota testified at a Natural Resources Committee hearing in support of his Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act. The same month, LaLota testified at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of including a reauthorization of the Long Island Sound Program in the biannual Water Resources Development Act.

    The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028. In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Announces Continuation of Critical Dredging in Shrewsbury, Navesink Rivers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced the continuation of a major dredging project in the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers. Following a temporary pause in January of this year for fish spawning, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has resumed maintenance dredging this month with the goal of completing the project by the end of 2024. Pallone secured $26 million for the project as part of a federal spending bill for Fiscal Year 2023, which was signed into law by President Biden.

    “Dredging in these rivers is essential for both local recreation and commerce,” said Pallone. “The Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers are not only natural treasures but also critical to the economy of our coastal communities. Ensuring safe navigation for boaters by addressing the shoaling in the federal channel is a top priority, and I’m glad to see this important work continuing.”

    The project is taking place in three phases, with the first phase already completed during the summer 2023. This initial phase involved dredging sand material from the mouth of Sandy Hook Bay south to the Route 36 bridge. The second and third phases were started last fall before the January 2024 pause.

    In the second phase, the Army Corps is dredging the remaining sand material from the Shrewsbury River and the Navesink River. This sand will be transported and pumped onto sections of Monmouth Beach for beach replenishment. The final phase, which will run concurrently, will focus on dredging the silt material within the federal channel of both rivers as far west as the Branchport Ave. bridge in Long Branch for the Shrewsbury River and as far west as the Route 35 Bridge in Red Bank for the Navesink River. The dredged material will be transported to a nearby facility in Woodbridge for processing and repurposed as construction fill.

    Pallone first secured funding for this crucial project after receiving reports of dangerous shoaling that posed risks to navigation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Trade talks in Adelaide with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry

    Source: Minister for Trade

    Today, I will welcome India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal to Adelaide for the 19th Australia-India Joint Ministerial Commission.

    Australia and India are close partners, and our trade, investment and economic relationship is growing faster than ever.

    Minister Goyal’s visit to Australia this week is the first since the Albanese Labor Government was elected and reinforces our shared commitment to expand two-way trade and investment.

    India is the world’s fastest growing major economy and is on track to become the world’s third largest economy by 2030.

    Our first trade agreement with India has strengthened our economies – creating more jobs and opportunities for businesses and exporters, while reducing prices at the checkout.

    Since this trade deal entered into force in November 2022, around $30 billion worth of Australian exports have entered India tariff-free, and Australians have saved around $225 million on goods from India.

    Building on this success, we are continuing negotiations on our next trade agreement with India, an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

    Our government has also finished consultations on a new roadmap for Australia’s economic engagement with India – which presents enormous growth opportunities for Australian business in clean energy, agribusiness, education and skills, and tourism.

    I look forward to meeting with Minister Goyal and discussing how we can continue to advance the Australia-India economic relationship.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Nambucca River oyster leases upgraded

    Source: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

    25 Sep 2024

    For the first time since 1983, Nambucca River oyster growers can harvest and directly sell their shellfish after the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) rezoned sections of the river.

    NSW DPIRD Shellfish Program manager, Anthony Zammit, said two out of three Nambucca River harvest zones now have direct harvest approval.

    “This means locally grown shellfish can be sold directly from the waterway,” Mr Zammit said.

    “We’ve worked with industry to deliver this positive outcome, which gives Nambucca region oyster farmers the confidence to bring their shellfish to market.

    “Growers are now providing quality local seafood for the community to enjoy, as the NSW oyster industry continue to deliver valuable results to the economy, regional employment and tourism.”

    The rezoning of leases along the Nambucca River was achieved thanks to a year-long project to improve water quality, led by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

    NSW EPA Executive Director of Operations, Jason Gordon, said the EPA had ramped up its work with Nambucca Valley Council over the past five years to prevent sewage overflows impacting the river.

    “Since 2019, we have placed seven pollution reduction programs on the local sewage plant’s Environment Protection Licence, requiring a range of upgrades to improve infrastructure, prevent overflows and enhance their response to pollution incidents,” Mr Gordon said.

    “We held regular meetings with the council and the local oyster industry to hear and address their concerns and helped with the cost of monthly water monitoring within the catchment.

    “This is a great example of collaboration across government, and we thank oyster growers, Nambucca Valley Council, DPIRD, the NSW Food Authority and the Department of Climate Change, Energy Environment and Water for working together to find a solution for a local problem.”

    The NSW Food Authority operates the NSW Shellfish Program in partnership with the NSW oyster industry to ensure the safety of shellfish harvested from NSW waters.

    The NSW EPA is continuing to work closely with local oyster growers and the council to monitor and improve water quality in the region.

    Media contact: pi.media@dpird.nsw.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman DeSaulnier Announces over $166 Million for Contra Costa Transportation Authority to Modernize the Region’s Transportation Systems along the I-680 Corridor

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) will receive over $166 million in funding he advocated for to the Department of Transportation (DOT) that will help to improve safety, reduce congestion, and reduce air pollution along the I-680 corridor through Contra Costa County. This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

    “As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and longtime champion for policies that would reduce commute times, cut harmful pollution, and improve our quality of life, I was proud to advocate for this funding and am delighted it has been granted and will begin making a difference in the lives of Bay Area and California residents,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. “I am thankful to CCTA and DOT for their partnership in working to improve transportation across our region.”

    “The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his support in securing this monumental award. This federal grant speaks to the Congressman’s long-standing leadership in transportation and vision for our community. Interstate 680 (I-680) is critical to the region’s economy and prosperity. It provides for the movement of goods, services, and people throughout northern California and beyond. Thousands rely on this corridor and increased congestion has led to unacceptable delays. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is excited to advance the I-680 corridor through focused modernizations that will maximize efficiency and promote shared transportation. We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s dedication to improving quality of life and embracing innovation at both the local and national levels,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director, CCTA.

    This funding will go to two projects in Contra Costa County to complete the northbound I-680 express lane gap from SR-24 to SR-242 and convert the existing northbound High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane from SR-242 to north of Arthur Road into an express lane, construct a braided ramp system between North Main Street and Treat Boulevard interchanges in Walnut Creek to address an existing bottleneck caused by weaving at this location, and implement Coordinated Adaptive Ramp Metering for a 19-mile segment of NB I-680.

    More information about this funding can be found in thelettersCongressman DeSaulnier sent to DOT in support of this grant.

    Congressman DeSaulnier has been a longtime champion of improving transportation in the Bay Area and along the I-680 corridor, including by consistently supporting CCTA in its work to advance projects that innovate our transportation systems, ease congestion, and make our roadways safer.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Adams, Van Hollen Introduce Student Debt Relief Bill for Parent Borrowers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-N.C.), and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Parent PLUS Parity Act, bicameral legislation to ease the burden of student loan debt for parent borrowers who helped their children pay for their higher education.  

    Nationwide, approximately 3.9 million borrowers have outstanding Parent PLUS loan balances totaling $112 billion. While these loans allow parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow money to pay costs not already covered by the student’s financial aid package, current law excludes borrowers from the Parent PLUS and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs from most income-based repayment plans. Among other provisions, the Parent PLUS Parity Act makes parent borrowers eligible for repayment plans created by the U.S. Department of Education under the Biden-Harris Administration. This legislation comes after Senator Van Hollen led several of his colleagues in urging the Biden-Harris Administration – in 2022 and earlier this year – to provide financial relief to parent borrowers, while welcoming its efforts thus far to address the student debt crisis. 

    “This legislation is about fairness for families, so that more parents can help their children through college without worrying about how to make ends meet at their current salary level. If we can amend the law to allow income-based repayments then we should, especially for payees who are disabled or retired. It’s unconscionable that disabled and retired individuals on limited incomes are having their incomes garnished to cover student loan debt. This is a way for us to do better by the American people. I thank Mr. Van Hollen for introducing the companion bill in the Senate and working with me to get this bill passed,” said Rep. Adams.  

    “Millions of parents who struggled to help their kids pay for college are now trapped in unsustainable debt – and it’s not just hurting them, it’s holding back our entire economy. While the Biden-Harris Administration has taken important steps to expand income-based repayment options so students can pay off their loans, parent borrowers have been excluded from these programs, offering them little to no recourse. Our legislation will help those families chart a path to clear their debt and regain their financial footing,” said Senator Van Hollen.  

    “Parents taking out loans to help their kids pay for higher education deserve the same loan forgiveness and relief options as other borrowers,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). “More and more low-income families, especially Black and Latino parents, rely on the Parent PLUS program every year but have limited loan repayment options. By expanding parents’ access to the same repayment benefits their kids would receive, we can help close the racial wealth gap and expand debt relief for underserved families.” 

    In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the legislation is co-led by Senator Padilla and cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT). 

    In addition to Representative Adams, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Maxine Waters (D-CA). 

    The Parent PLUS Parity Act is endorsed by NAACP, National Education Association, Student Borrower Protection Center, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), Student Debt Crisis Center, Project on Predatory Student Lending, Education Trust, Justice in Aging, and the Century Foundation Higher Education Team. 

    Established in 1980, Parent PLUS loans were initially intended to assist higher-asset families, but as tuition has skyrocketed and the purchasing power of the Pell Grant has fallen, families with limited resources, particularly families of color, have increasingly turned to Parent PLUS loans to make up the shortfall. The consequences of this have been enormous, trapping thousands of low-income American families under a crushing financial burden. Between 1996 and 2018, the number of Parent PLUS recipients under the federal poverty line rose by an astonishing 350 percent. In 2020, the average Parent PLUS loan debt held was $37,970, a 40 percent increase since 2000. In 2015, 40,000 disabled or retired Parent PLUS borrowers had their Social Security benefits garnished after defaulting on their loans. What’s more, Black parents are struggling disproportionately; the share of Black Parent PLUS borrowers with incomes below $30,000 nearly tripled from 2008 to 2018. In 2018, 44 percent of Black Parent PLUS borrowers had an annual income below $30,000 compared to only 10 percent of White Parent PLUS borrowers. 

    Currently, Parent PLUS borrowers are excluded from most income-based repayment plans, including the SAVE Plan, the PAYE Repayment Plan, and the IBR Plan. Parent PLUS borrowers are also not eligible to discharge their loans in cases where their child becomes disabled and face additional barriers to obtaining Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

    In his letters to Secretary Cardona, Senator Van Hollen has urged the Education Department to use the extent of its authorities to provide relief for Parent PLUS borrowers. As a result of these efforts, the Department included Parent PLUS borrowers in its new hardship discharge program in the proposed student loan relief regulations announced in April 2024. The Parent PLUS Parity Act makes necessary statutory changes to ensure Parent PLUS borrowers can pursue additional avenues for debt relief and to protect these borrowers against Republican attacks on the Department of Education’s student debt relief programs. 

    This legislation will help families tackle intergenerational debt, ensure equal access to programs available to other borrowers, and provide urgently-needed assistance to millions of forgotten Parent PLUS borrowers by: 

    • Expanding the income-driven repayment plan options for Parent PLUS and all FFEL borrowers to all income-driven repayment plans and any forthcoming plans issued by the Department of Education, including the new SAVE program, PAYE, and IBR.  

    • Directing the Secretary of Education to create a new hardship category program that will permit Parent PLUS borrowers to apply for loan discharge if they meet certain requirements based on income, borrower age, and other factors. 

    The full text of the bill is available here.  

    “If we fail to address intergenerational debt experienced by families with Parent PLUS loans, we will fall short of fixing our broken student loan system,” said Senator Booker. The Parent PLUS Parity Act will bring parents much needed relief by expanding access to income-based repayment plans. No one should have to choose between supporting their child’s future and their family’s financial security.” 

    “As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, making sure that Virginia students have the freedom to make the decisions that are right for them is one of my top priorities. That includes looking for commonsense solutions to make higher education opportunities more affordable,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to give Parent PLUS borrowers—many of whom are families of color—some breathing room by boosting access to existing income-based repayment plans and application-based relief programs. Supporting our students is critical to the health of our economy, and I will keep looking for opportunities to do so.” 

    “This bill to provide parity for Parent PLUS loan borrowers is a matter of fairness and equity. Doing so will give millions of working families important financial relief, help tackle intergenerational debt and ensure that everyone has access to all income-driven repayment plans,” said Senator Smith. “Passing this legislation would mean millions of parents would no longer be burdened by student loan debt.” 

    “Parent PLUS loans are an example of how our federal student loan program has failed families. Instead of helping families pay for their child’s education, Parent PLUS loans have left many with crippling repayment obligations and reduced debt relief options. These loans have been especially brutal to people of color and marginalized communities, causing them to default on their loans. It’s not sustainable,” said Senator Welch. “This bill is an important step in reforming our federal student loan program.” 

    “Black parents have long understood that higher education opens doors of opportunity for their children. However, the Parent PLUS loan program has often trapped lower-income families in debt, with repayment guidelines designed for wealthier households. The significant number of affected parents highlights a policy failure: skyrocketing education costs combined with a loan program that doesn’t work for low-income families. Senator Van Hollen’s and Representative Adams’s bill seeks to reform Parent PLUS by aligning repayment options with those available for other student loans. This would allow parents to receive relief when their child qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge. The bill also introduces new relief for parents facing financial hardship. These changes would help address a significant injustice: penalizing low-income parents for supporting their child’s pursuit of the American Dream,” said Wisdom Cole, Senior National Advocacy Director, NAACP. 

    “For too long, Parents PLUS borrowers have been left out of critical efforts to alleviate the crushing burden of student loan debt. As a result, Parent PLUS borrowers have been left struggling with unaffordable monthly payments that can force them to delay retirement, push them into poverty and even subject them to Social Security benefit offset and other catastrophic consequences if they fall behind. We applaud Senator Van Hollen and Representative Alma Adams for introducing the Parent PLUS Parity Act which will ensure that Parent PLUS borrowers have access to the full suite of affordable repayment options that all other federal borrowers do. The Act also importantly establishes critical pathways to relief to support Parent PLUS borrowers should they experience financial hardship,” said Aissa Canchola Bañez, Policy Director, Student Borrower Protection Center. 

    “The burden of Parent PLUS debt disproportionately falls on low-income parents and parents of color. The Parent PLUS program currently has limited pathways to enable families to successfully manage their debt, which results in financial harm that can ripple through generations. This bill provides important borrower protections for parents, including affordable income-based repayment options and a fair path to relief for loans taken out to pay for schools that engage in misconduct. We thank Senator Van Hollen and Congresswoman Adams for their leadership on this issue and their commitment to ensuring that families with Parent PLUS loans can benefit from the same borrower protections as other student loans,” said Ashley Harrington, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, Project on Predatory Student Lending. 

    “At the Student Debt Crisis Center, we are proud to endorse the Parent PLUS Parity Act which will expand access to Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and IDR forgiveness to all borrowers, including parents with parent PLUS loans. This bill will help millions of parents who took out student loans to support their children in college and who now find themselves struggling to meet their monthly payments. This is one step towards a more fair and just student loan system, and brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of ending the student debt crisis,” said Natalia Abrams, President & Founder, Student Debt Crisis Center. 

    “EdTrust has repeatedly detailed how the student loan debt burden impedes the economic stability and well-being of Black borrowers,” said Education Trust’s Senior Vice President, Wil Del Pilar. “Policy solutions like increasing repayment options for Parent PLUS are a crucial step toward ensuring that parents, especially under-represented parents and parents from low-income backgrounds, are not burdened with unmanageable debt while investing in their children’s future. This bill adopts several of our recommendations on how to address this issue, and we are pleased to support it.” 

    “Parent PLUS borrowers face the same financial challenges as other borrowers do, yet they have fewer protections from spiraling debts. The Parent PLUS Parity Act would enable parent-borrowers to access many of the Biden-Harris Administration’s improvements to student loan repayment and enjoy retirement unburdened by excessive student loan bills,” said Peter Granville, Fellow, Century Foundation Higher Education Team. 

    ### 

    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Adams Hosts White House Cabinet Officials at HBCU Braintrust

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    Secretary Miguel Cardona (Education), Secretary Xavier Becerra (Health & Human Services) and Administrator Michael Regan (EPA) to join ALC event

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) hosted three members of the White House Cabinet yesterday for her annual “HBCU Braintrust,” a panel event and conversation within the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, at the Walter Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.  

    U.S. Secretary of Education (USED) Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan each joined Rep. Adams on Thursday for separate conversations about how to support and sustain the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

    “I was honored to welcome Secretary Becerra, Secretary Cardona, and Administrator Regan to discuss how the federal government is helping build a better future for HBCUs, their students and graduates,” said Rep. Adams. “The Biden-Harris administration has helped deliver $17 billion to our schools and I look forward to making more progress in the years ahead to even out the playing field.” 

    “I want to applaud Chair Adams for her visionary leadership and collaboration, which has been absolutely instrumental to this administration’s efforts to Raise the Bar for Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Our nation’s HBCUs have long punched above their weight and driven Black excellence in fields from law to medicine, arts to engineering.  I am very proud that the Biden-Harris Administration has invested over $16 billion in HBCU schools and students – a historic investment – and in close partnership with leaders like Chair Adams, we will continue to fight tooth and nail for HBCUs to get the support and resources they deserve.” 

    “Congresswoman Alma Adams has been a champion for HBCUs in Congress for her entire career,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is proud to be delivering on the Biden-Harris administration’s charge to uplift HBCUs, and along with my fellow HBCU-alum Vice President Harris, this work is deeply personal and significant. Through historic investments secured by President Biden, we are ensuring HBCUs have the resources to foster innovation and cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders.” 

    “HBCUs graduate more Black health professionals than any other institutions of higher education”, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, “That is why at HHS, instead of waiting for folks to find us, we go out and find students and let them know what their future could look like when they join the healthcare workforce and how we can support them financially to give back to their community.” 

    The HBCU Braintrust on Thursday was a 90-minute session featuring three separate fireside chats with the three Cabinet officials. The conversations centered around the HBCU Braintrust’s theme: MORE for ‘24 and Striving for ‘25: What We Must do for and with HBCUs to Build on Our Progress.  

    Rep. Adams hosted three events over three days, beginning with her kick-off event on Wednesday, as part of the larger Annual Legislative Conference. 

    Today she hosted the Second Annual Bipartisan HBCU Luncheon, with a keynote address from Dallas Mavericks’ CEO and published author Cynt Marshall. The event continued with a panel discussion titled, When Women Lead, featuring three HBCU presidents:  

    The panel was moderated by Dr. Lisa Herring, President of the PROPEL Center. Dr. Harold L. Martin (North Carolina A&T State University), Dr. Charlotte P. Morris (Tuskegee University) and Dr. Larry Robinson (Florida A&M University) were also recognized at the luncheon for their contributions to their respective universities and the larger HBCU community. 

    ### 

    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. For more information contact the Office of Congresswoman Alma Adams: (202)225-1510. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister underlined the solidarity and cooperation between the United Nations and Timor-Leste.
     
    They discussed challenges faced by Small Island Developing States, sustainable development, as well as regional and global issues. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister further discussed the Summit of the Future and agreed on the need for reforms of the international financial institutions.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Leads NH Delegation in Welcoming $60 Million in Tax Credits for Community Development to Support Small Businesses and Spur Economic Growth

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Lebanon, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, announced with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that Mascoma Community Development, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mascoma Bank of Lebanon, was awarded $60 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to incentivize development in underserved communities.

    “Underserved communities and small businesses often struggle to get the capital they need to grow, which is why this investment is key to the overall economic success of our state. I’m glad to see this award going to Mascoma Community Development to help ensure small businesses and entrepreneurs working to develop these communities have the resources they need to succeed,” said Senator Shaheen. “I look forward to continuing to support programs that provide development opportunities, create jobs and grow our economy in communities across New Hampshire.”

    “Investing in Granite State businesses and ensuring that they have access to the capital that they need is a key way to help our local economy thrive,” said Senator Hassan. “This federal funding will promote development and growth in the Upper Valley and throughout New Hampshire, and I will keep supporting programs that help create jobs and invest in our state.”

    “Small businesses and local entrepreneurs are the backbone of New Hampshire’s economy and way of life,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “These resources heading to Mascoma Community Development will go a long way toward uplifting our Main Street businesses and the communities they serve, and I look forward to seeing the benefit the New Market Tax Credit program continues to have on New Hampshire’s economic growth.”

    “Investments into our communities and small businesses are helping develop local economies, create more good-paying jobs, and strengthen our quality of life,” said Congressman Pappas. “These funds will incentivize economic development in New Hampshire’s underserved communities to ensure no city or town is left behind. I’ll continue to advocate for programs that help our state, small businesses, and communities grow and thrive.”

    This award is provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), which promotes development in low-income urban and rural communities by investing in mission-driven financial institutions. Senators Shaheen and Hassan have been strong supporters of the CDFI Fund and NMTC and have long advocated for sufficient funding and a permanent NMTC program to support economic growth.

    Tax credit allocations awarded to Community Development Entities (CDE), such as Mascoma Community Development, enable CDEs to raise additional capital to invest in low income and distressed communities in return for tax credits. The total tax credit provided to investors equals 39 percent of the original investment and is spread over a seven-year period.

    Historically, NMTC Program awards have generated $8 of private investment for every $1 invested by the federal government. Through the end of fiscal year 2023, NMTC Program award recipients deployed more than $66 billion in investments in low-income communities and businesses, supporting more than 894,000 jobs and the construction or rehabilitation of nearly 259.5 million square feet of commercial real estate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: “Living together” program: nine initial actions supported to address climate change

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

    Source: Canton of Neuchatel Switzerland

    18.09.2024

    ​The call for projects launched last May as part of the Neuchâtel Climate Plan to strengthen local resilience in the face of climate challenges was a great success: 21 projects were submitted during the first deadline set. Among these, nine actions were selected to be supported with a total amount of 42,000 francs. Other projects have already been announced for the 2nd deadline scheduled for October 31.

    Creating social ties, consolidating support networks and strengthening collaboration are at the heart of the “living together” program, initiated by the canton last spring to mitigate the social consequences of global warming. The call was heard: despite an initial deadline set just a few weeks before the launch, no fewer than 21 projects have been submitted and several other interesting actions have already been announced for the future.

    Among a multitude of exciting ideas working for solidarity and cooperation, in connection with climate issues, the project selection committee, made up of people from the canton, municipalities and civil society, has selected nine initial projects that it proposes to support with a total amount of 42,000 francs. In addition, other requests for support are currently undergoing additional analysis. In addition, all the individuals and associations that have mobilized to participate in the program will be encouraged to join the dynamic created and synergies will be sought to explore all possible avenues of collaboration.

    The projects already supported to date will, for example, strengthen the circular economy, facilitate the emergence of new projects, raise awareness of environmental issues or promote eco-responsible consumption. A presentation file for this first batch of selected projects is attached in the appendix.

    As a reminder, all useful information on the “living together” program can be found on www.ne.ch/vivre-ensembleThe program will run until 2027, with a total budget of 400,000 francs. The next deadline for submitting support applications is October 31, 2024. Other calls for projects will be organized subsequently and the ambition is also to consolidate a movement of solidarity transition in the long term, in a logic of co-construction.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi Reintroduces Bill to Permanently Conserve Privately Owned Working Forestlands

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA08) reintroduced the “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) with Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA02), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH02), Jim Costa (D-CA21), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR01).

    “As Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, I know that our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. The federal and state governments can and must do a better job of working with private landowners who want to choose conservation, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. My bill would unlock billions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands to support jobs and sustainable forest management that reduces wildfire risk,” said Congressman Garamendi. 

    “Forests provide crucial habitat for wildlife, protect clean watersheds, and absorb climate-warming carbon from the atmosphere. They are also an important part of Northwest Oregon’s rural economy. The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act will result in the conservation of more private forestlands, creating a better future for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. 

    “The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving our forests. This legislation will enable us to better engage private landowners and reduce wildfire risks, supporting both our rural economy and sustainable forest management,” said Congressman Costa.

    The “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) would allow States to choose to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal grant funds under the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Current law requires that only the federal or state governments hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program. 

    Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help to conserve more land permanently by working with private landowners who want to choose conservation but do not want to sell the federal or state governments an easement on their property. Conserving working forestlands also supports the rural economy, and sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk will support local jobs. 

    Garamendi’s bill also supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s “America the Beautiful” National Conservation Goal to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030 and Governor Newsom’s similar conservation goal for the State of California. 

    To date, the “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) is supported by: 

    • National Endorsements: Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, American Farmland Trust, Pacific Crest Trail Association 
    • California Endorsements: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), California Rangeland Trust, Pacific Forest Trust, Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Feather River Land Trust, American River Conservancy, Placer Land Trust, Lassen Land and Trails Trust, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Sierra County Land Trust, Shasta Land Trust, Hardy Conservation 
    • New England Endorsements: New England Forestry Foundation, Monadnock Conservancy, Society for the Protection of NH Forests, Squam Lakes Conservation Organization, Kestrel Land Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Northeast Wilderness Trust 
    • Oregon Endorsements: Northwest Rangeland Trust; Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT); Greenbelt Land Trust; McKenzie Land Trust; North Coast Land Conservancy; Oregon Agricultural Trust

    Past Cosponsors: 

    • 114th Congress: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) 
      • Now-Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) 
    • 113th Congress: Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH), Jared Huffman (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Steve Womack (R-AR), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA) 
      • Now-Senators Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY), Todd Young (R-IN) 

    Garamendi previously served on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources (2011-2012) and the Committee on Agricultural (2012-2014), which oversee both the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest System. Garamendi served as the first Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998 during the Clinton Administration. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jim Costa leading Legislation to Permanently Conserve Privately Owned Working Forestlands

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ann M. Kuster (NH-02), and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced H.R.9602 – Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act, which would authorize states to allow certain entities to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the forest legacy program.

    “The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving our forests. This legislation will enable us to better engage private landowners and reduce wildfire risks, supporting both our rural economy and sustainable forest management,” said Congressman Costa.

    “As Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, I know that our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. The federal and state governments can and must do a better job of working with private landowners who want to choose conservation, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. My bill would unlock billions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands to support jobs and sustainable forest management that reduces wildfire risk,” said Congressman Garamendi. 

    “Forests provide crucial habitat for wildlife, protect clean watersheds, and absorb climate-warming carbon from the atmosphere. They are also an important part of Northwest Oregon’s rural economy. The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act will result in the conservation of more private forestlands, creating a better future for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. 

    BACKGROUND
    The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act would allow States to choose to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal grant funds under the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Current law requires that only the federal or state governments hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program. 

    Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help to conserve more land permanently by working with private landowners who want to choose conservation but do not want to sell the federal or state governments an easement on their property. Conserving working forestlands also supports the rural economy, and sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk will support local jobs. 

    This legislation supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s “America the Beautiful” National Conservation Goal to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030 and Governor Newsom’s similar conservation goal for the State of California. 

    This legislation is endorsed by the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, American Farmland Trust, Pacific Crest Trail Association, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Rangeland Trust, Pacific Forest Trust, Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Feather River Land Trust, American River Conservancy, Placer Land Trust, Lassen Land and Trails Trust, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Sierra County Land Trust, Shasta Land Trust, Hardy Conservation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise: Democrats’ Radical Agenda is Crushing American Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) to discuss how the disastrous Biden-Harris agenda has created one crisis after another while making life unaffordable for hardworking American families and how Republicans intend to fix it. Leader Scalise reviewed Harris’ radical positions on defunding the police and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. Additionally, Leader Scalise outlined House Republicans’ plan to end the Christmas Eve omnibus game once and for all and force Senate Democrats to do their job. 

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 

    On Kamala Harris’ record of supporting defund the police movements: 

    “This week is our last week in session before the election, but it is a very busy week, as you can see from the schedule. A lot of different bills being brought to the floor. [Rep.] Scott [Fitzgerald] just talked about one of them that’s so important. We’ve seen crime grow in our communities. We’ve seen these funds like the Minnesota Freedom Fund that are designed to help get criminals out of jail. And of course, Kamala Harris was there front and center, raising millions of dollars for that fund. What did it do? It helped get people out of jail who were out there in the middle of what they called the ‘Summer of Love’, who were attacking police officers, burning down police stations, other violent crimes where she was leading the charge to get them out of jail, the criminals, not protect the police officers. In fact, she’s made public statements over the last few years criticizing the idea of adding more police to communities.

    “And yet when you look at some of the cities that have the worst crime, who initially went down the failed road of defunding the police and then saw the devastation it caused in their communities, they’re trying to hire more police officers now, and they’re struggling to do it because they at least finally recognize they made a mistake. But once you taint that office by showing a community that the leadership of a city doesn’t support the police, police will go elsewhere. Good existing police officers go to other departments. Young people who want a career in law enforcement are not going to go to a place where it’s so volatile that they know that the leadership of that community doesn’t have their back. So they go to other places where they know that the local community will have their back. And so that is the devastation of that kind of attitude of defunding police, demonizing police that people like Kamala Harris have supported over the years.”

    On Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing border crisis:

    “When we leave here to go across the country in October, and as much as we’re going to miss you in this venue, maybe we’ll come back every week, Mike, I don’t know. We’ll do that once a week and see who shows up. More than likely, that won’t happen, but we will see you out on the road if you’re there. But when you go to swing districts where a lot of us will be, you see the same thing playing out in every community, whether it’s a swing state like Pennsylvania, where I just was last week, or whether it’s a community in California where they’ve got swing districts. You’re hearing people express the same frustration with the Biden-Harris administration.

    “The open border is still the top issue they bring up, and they’re furious about it. And yet Kamala continues to do nothing while she’s over there in the White House. She could go walk in the White House today and ask the president to reverse his policies that opened up the border, but she won’t because she wants an open border. She’s wanted that open border all her life. Again, she’s on video talking about how she wants to legalize people who come here illegally. Then when she tries to express, well, maybe I’m now for a secure border, and she’s pressed on it, she says my values haven’t changed.”

    On Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote that caused the inflation crisis:

    “Her values are far-left liberal. They’ve been that way her whole life. She wants to ban fracking. She hasn’t changed her views on that. She wants to have an open border. Her views haven’t changed on that either. You’ve seen her radical views.

    “She cast the tie-breaking vote, as Conference Chair Elise [Stefanik] just talked about, to create the inflation that I hear about in every community I go to. Higher costs at the grocery store, higher costs at the gas station. Those are a direct result of not just the Biden administration’s policies, but Kamala Harris’ vote. I’m not talking about in the Senate where she might have been with 60 other people. I’m talking about Kamala Harris’ vote when it was a 50/50 tie, and it could have gone down with her vote, and we could have had lower inflation with her vote, but instead, she used her vote to raise inflation. Her tie-breaking vote that jacked up the inflation that’s crushing low and middle-income families today. Her tie-breaking vote, Kamala Harris, was the vote that doubled the size of the IRS. Now, some of those new agents that they’ve hired are going after the waiters and waitresses, making them pay higher taxes on tips. Then she claims that she wants to get rid of the tax on tips, yet she’s sicked an army of new IRS agents after those very same waiters and waitresses.”

    On making America strong again:

    “So what she has done has consequences. We’re going to be talking about this contrast because Donald Trump wants lower tax rates. Donald Trump wants to secure our border, and he did it before. Donald Trump wants sound tax policy where lower and middle-income families can actually benefit from the growth that comes with a healthy economy.Unfortunately, we don’t have that today, but we had it when Donald Trump was President of the United States last time. And so when you look at all of those things, and not to mention, of course, he’s always supported our men and women in uniform, and he’ll continue to do that again. He’ll stand up to the bad guys around the world. Right now, America is letting the bad guys around the world run roughshod over our allies and doing harm to America as well with no consequence. All that will change if we get President Trump back in office. That contrast, I think, is going to be sharply shown through the month of October, leading into the election November 5th.”

    On House Republicans ending the Christmas Eve omnibus game and forcing the Senate to do their job:

    “We’re also going to vote tomorrow on the CR. This is always a tough negotiation. The Senate wanted to try to spend more money, and Speaker [Johnson] stood up to the Senate and said, no, we’re not going to do that. They wanted to play this Christmas Eve omni game that they used to play, having an omnibus dropped on Christmas Eve, and nobody’s read the bill, and it just gets voted on, and everybody leaves town. We said no to that last year. Mike Johnson, as speaker, is saying no to that again this year, which is so important to say, we’re going to change the way Washington works. We passed over 70% of the spending bills out of the House. The Senate has passed zero, not a single bill out of the Senate. How do you have a negotiation when one side refuses to do their job? We’re going to continue to at least do our job, and that starts tomorrow on the CR.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – New research targets end-of-life decision making – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    As Aotearoa grapples with a strained healthcare system and an ageing population, a new research project is setting out to improve end-of-life care for older people.

    Led by University of Auckland Associate Professor Julie Harrison, the study aims to help older people, their families and clinicians make informed decisions about interventions like surgery or extended hospital stays.

    “End-of-life decisions are tough, especially in stressful situations,” says Harrison, who specialises in performance measurement within health services, health funding models, and costing systems in healthcare settings.

    “We want to find ways to better support kaumātua and their whānau to make choices that align with their values.”

    The project, funded by the Health Research Council, will be conducted at Waikato Hospital and involve researchers from the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato.

    The researchers will examine how kaumātua and their whānau make health decisions, gather insights from the families of those who have died after a hospital visit, and explore clinicians’ views on informed decision making.

    The goal is to create a pathway that supports better decision making, allowing more people to spend their final days at home and reducing unnecessary hospital interventions.

    With an ageing population creating a higher demand for health and social care, the project also aims to identify potential cost savings within the healthcare system, which could be redirected to other vital services.

    Harrison, who works in the Business School’s accounting and finance department, will focus on identifying the cost side considerations.

    “A lot of healthcare costs are incurred at the end of life,” she says, “and decisions around treatment options are challenging for everyone involved.”

    Some of the decisions people face in the final year of their life include what kind of health interventions they want – whether they wish to have all possible treatments and potentially spend more time in the hospital or undergo less treatment and spend their final days at home.

    “These are hard conversations to have, and we’re doing this study to help understand what people actually want, whether they have the information they need, and the costs of the different options for the system and for families.

    “It’s about helping kaumātua and their families to better understand the treatments available and to select the care pathway that best fits what they’re looking for and the way in which they want to spend their final months and days.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China unveils fresh stimulus to boost high-quality economic development

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken with a mobile phone shows people watching a sand table model of a real estate project in east China’s Shanghai, May 28, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s central bank, top securities regulator and financial regulator on Tuesday announced at a press conference a raft of monetary stimulus, property market support and capital market strengthening measures to boost the country’s high-quality economic development.

    Monetary stimulus

    Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, said China would cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by 0.5 percentage points in the near future, providing about 1 trillion yuan (about 141.82 billion U.S. dollars) in long-term liquidity to the financial market.

    Depending on the liquidity situation in the market, RRR may be further lowered by 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points within the year, Pan said.

    He said that the central bank will reduce the interest rate of seven-day reverse repurchases from 1.7 percent to 1.5 percent.

    The reduction was aimed at guiding the loan prime rate and deposit rate to move downward and maintaining stability in the net interest margin of commercial banks, said Pan.

    Pan said the central bank would keep monetary policy accommodative, strengthen monetary policy regulation, make monetary policy regulation more precise, and create a sound monetary and financial environment for stable economic growth and high-quality development.

    China targets economic growth of around 5 percent in 2024.

    The country’s economy maintained stable expansion in the first half of the year despite rising challenges from home and abroad.

    Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5 percent year on year in the period to 61.68 trillion yuan. In the second quarter, China’s GDP expanded 4.7 percent year on year.

    Mortgage rate cuts

    Pan added that China will lower mortgage rates on existing home loans to a level similar to those of newly issued housing loans.

    The average reduction in mortgage rates for existing home loans is expected to be around 0.5 percentage points, he said.

    “The new policy, which is conducive to further reducing borrowers’ mortgage interest expenses, is expected to benefit 50 million households, or a population of 150 million,” said Pan.

    This move is expected to reduce the total interest expenses for households by approximately 150 billion yuan per year on average, which will help boost consumption and investment, he added.

    The minimum down payment ratio for both first and second homes will be unified, with the nationwide minimum down payment ratio for second homes to be reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent, Pan said.

    On May 17, China announced the establishment of a 300-billion-yuan re-lending facility that supports local state-owned enterprises to buy commercial homes for affordable housing.

    Pan said the central bank will increase its funding proportion in the affordable housing re-lending policy from the original 60 percent to 100 percent.

    “This adjustment will help accelerate the reduction of inventory in the commercial housing market,” Pan said.

    China’s large and medium-sized cities saw month-on-month declines in both new and second-hand home prices in August, NBS data showed.

    Financial market support

    Moreover, the central bank will create new monetary policy tools to support the stable development of the stock market, said Pan.

    The central bank will establish a swap program for securities, funds and insurance companies to obtain liquidity from the central bank through asset collateralization. The program will significantly enhance companies’ ability to acquire funds and increase their stock holdings, Pan said.

    The central bank will also create a special re-lending facility to guide banks to provide loans to listed companies and their major shareholders for buybacks and increasing shareholdings, he said.

    Experts consider the release of the new batch of policies a positive signal of strengthening policy coordination and efforts to achieve the annual economic growth target.

    The central bank’s policies, which exceed market expectations, will boost market confidence, stimulate the vitality of business entities, stabilize credit levels, and enhance the sustainability of financial support for the real economy, said Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank.

    To better channel funds into the capital market, China will issue a guideline that seeks to improve the entry supporting system of various types of medium and long-term funds into the capital market, according to Wu Qing, head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

    The commission will also release six measures to promote mergers and acquisitions, and work with various parties to facilitate the circulation of private equity and venture capital funds in the process of fundraising, investment, management and withdrawal, Wu said.

    More efforts will be made to protect the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized investors, and firm actions will be taken to crack down on illegal activities such as financial fraud and market manipulation, according to Wu.

    Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said China plans to increase the tier-1 capital of six major commercial banks.

    The capital will be injected in an orderly manner, with coordinated advancement, phased implementation and tailored policies, said Li.

    Tier-1 capital refers to the core capital held in a bank’s reserves, including common stock and disclosed reserves.

    China’s major stock indices surged following the release of the policies and measures, with the Shanghai Composite Index and the Shenzhen Component Index both closing with an increase of more than 4 percent. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit
    2024-09-25

    On the morning of September 25 (afternoon of September 24 EDT), President Lai Ching-te addressed the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit via video at the invitation of the New York-based non-profit organization Concordia, speaking on Taiwan’s key priorities in the current international security environment and vision for the future.
    In his remarks, President Lai said that democracy around the world is facing serious threats, citing as examples Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s intensifying military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. The president indicated that through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability. He said that China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power, an example being its distortion of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. The president thanked the United States and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations.
    President Lai reiterated that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other, and that we will maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and other democratic nations will jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development. President Lai expressed that a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world, and that we welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    A transcript of President Lai’s speech follows:
    I want to begin by thanking Concordia for the opportunity to address the Annual Summit. Since my inauguration in May, I have been sharing Taiwan’s roadmap for development at various international venues. I’m honored to speak on our key priorities in the current international security environment, as well as our vision for the future.
    Our goal is to make Taiwan stronger, because a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world.
    Our sincere hope is for Taiwan and other democratic nations to jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development, echoing the theme of this summit.
    Democracy around the world is facing serious threats. We have seen the growth of authoritarianism and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has exceeded two years. And we have seen China intensifying its military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. Through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability.
    China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power. I want to emphasize that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other. This is a fact with a long-established, global consensus. Regardless of that, China has distorted UNGA Resolution 2758 in support of its “one China principle,” falsely claiming that Taiwan is a part of the People’s Republic of China and that we have no right to participate in the UN system and other international fora.
    I would like to thank the US and IPAC for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations. We welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    China’s threat to Taiwan is a threat to the entire international community. China doesn’t just want to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. It intends to change the rules-based international order and achieve international hegemony.
    In this situation, our top priority is to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan.
    First, we will strengthen our national defense. We will strengthen our capabilities and show our resolve for self-defense.
    Second, we will build economic security. We will continue to reduce economic dependence on China. We also aim to sign trade agreements with other democratic countries, participate more in the regional economy, and mutually enhance our economic resilience.
    Third, we will strengthen our partnerships with democratic countries. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded partners on “democracy chips.” We will also strengthen cooperation with other countries in national defense so that the democratic community can demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve our goal of peace.
    The final pillar is stable and principled cross-strait leadership. Taiwan will neither yield nor provoke, and will maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We will remain committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability.
    The road ahead may be difficult, but as long as we follow it together, I am confident that we can further strengthen democracy and sustain peace. Together, let’s forge ahead on the path to greater prosperity. Thank you.
    Concordia organizes its annual summit outside the UN headquarters during each year’s General Debate of the UNGA, inviting world leaders and top private sector representatives to seek solutions to global and regional challenges that are highly valued by the UN community. Among those who addressed this year’s summit were President Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, former Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, former President Iván Duque of the Republic of Colombia, former President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović of the Republic of Croatia, US Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Coons, US House Representative Chrissy Houlahan, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements, Governor of New York State Kathy Hochul, President of Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer, and President of The Rockefeller Foundation Rajiv J. Shah.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –