NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI: Argy Bargy Completes IDO, Setting up its Revolutionary Match3 Collection Card RPG in the Web3 Gaming Space

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAJURO, Marshall Islands, Sept. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Followed by an overwhelming community support, Argy Bargy has successfully completed its IDO and token listing, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the Web3 gaming industry. By leveraging cutting-edge blockchain technology, Argy Bargy offers an immersive gaming ecosystem that integrates strategic, social, and competitive elements, all within a decentralized framework. This major milestone demonstrates Argy Bargy’s commitment to reshaping the future of GameFi with an innovative ecosystem that blends captivating gameplay and community engagement.

    Argy Bargy’s IDO was conducted across multiple launchpads, including Poolz Finance, BSCLaunch, Kommunitas, Ixir Pad and Spores Network, reflecting the widespread interest and support from its growing community. The successful listing of the $ARGY token marks a key step in providing players with the tools to unlock exclusive in-game content and participate in a thriving, player-driven economy. As the platform expands, the use of blockchain ensures transparency and security in all transactions, offering gamers true ownership of their digital assets.

    As the Web3 gaming sector continues to grow, projected to reach $133 billion USD by 2033, Argy Bargy is poised to capitalize on this momentum. Built on Solana, the platform integrates NFT 2.0 marketplaces, AR-based combat, and real-world activity through its Walking Lifestyle Battler Game, offering players diverse gameplay experiences. By using Augmented Reality (AR) and competitive gaming mechanics, Argy Bargy delivers an engaging experience that appeals to Web3 and traditional gamers alike, reinforcing its position in the rapidly expanding GameFi market.

    Holding $ARGY tokens unlocks numerous benefits, including access to exclusive missions, premium NFT purchases, and social events. Players can also stake their tokens, further embedding themselves in the ecosystem through community governance, where their votes influence Argy Bargy’s future developments. Additionally, the $ARGY token enables users to engage in player-driven trading, auctions, and in-game purchases, fostering a vibrant economy.

    Argy Bargy sets itself apart by balancing captivating gameplay with blockchain benefits, ensuring players enjoy an immersive experience while gaining real ownership of digital assets. Unlike many blockchain projects that prioritize financial rewards over gameplay quality, Argy Bargy delivers a high-quality, long-lasting experience, ensuring the platform remains engaging for all types of gamers. This focus on quality, combined with a strong player-driven economy, makes Argy Bargy a standout in the Web3 gaming space.

    The rapid fundraising success of Argy Bargy’s IDO reflects strong community support, with over 50% of its target raise reached within the first 6 hours of its Initial Dex Offering (IDO) across multiple launchpads, targeting over $1 million. This achievement highlights the excitement surrounding Argy Bargy’s unique game mechanics, and its commitment to using blockchain technology to ensure fairness, transparency, and security. The next phase of Argy Bargy’s growth includes expanding its multiplayer gaming features, enhancing community interaction, and onboarding key influencers in the gaming and blockchain sectors.

    Following the listing and successful completion of the IDO for the $ARGY token, the next step is to sustain and grow its value by focusing on several key areas. The team is committed to consistently releasing new game content and updates to keep players engaged and attract new users, increasing demand for the token within the ecosystem. They are also forming strategic partnerships with blockchain projects, gaming platforms, and influencers to broaden the token’s utility beyond the immediate ecosystem. Ensuring ample liquidity on exchanges and providing incentives for liquidity providers are central to creating a stable trading environment. Argy Bargy is actively fostering community engagement through social media, AMAs, contests, and airdrops to maintain a vibrant and supportive user base. The expansion of token utility within and outside the game, including purchasing NFTs and participating in governance, further adds to its intrinsic value. Additionally, they are collaborating with market makers to maintain healthy trading volumes, offering financial transparency with regular updates, and ensuring regulatory compliance to build trust and stability. Through this multi-faceted approach, Argy Bargy aims to ensure $ARGY remains a valuable and sought-after asset in the live trading environment.

    About Argy Bargy

    Argy Bargy is a Web3 gaming ecosystem designed to provide a diverse and immersive experience through innovative gameplay modes such as Match3 Collection Card RPG, AR Battles, and Walking Lifestyle Battler. By integrating blockchain technology, Argy Bargy offers a unique blend of competitive gameplay, social interaction, and true asset ownership.

    For more information, please contact:
    Name: Argy Bargy Team
    Email: info@argybargy.io
    Website: https://argybargy.io/

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by “Argy Bargy”. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe037852-03c5-4e08-9493-abf3fdab9f57

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Brown bananas, crowded ports, empty shelves: What to expect if there’s a big dockworkers strike in the US

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Anna Nagurney, Professor and Eugene M. Isenberg Chair in Integrative Studies, UMass Amherst

    Container ships could get stuck at the nation’s East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, while West Coast ports might be disrupted by rerouted cargo. AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton

    Whether you’re buying a can of sardines or a screwdriver, getting products to consumers requires that supply chains function well.

    The availability of labor is essential in each link of the supply chain. That includes the workers who make sure that your tinned fish and handy tools smoothly journey from their point of origin to where they’ll wind up, whether it’s a supermarket, hardware store or your front door.

    Amazingly, 90% of all internationally traded products are carried by ships at some point. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was hard not to notice the supply chain disruptions. For U.S. ports, there were many bouts of congestion. Demand for goods that were either more or less popular than they would normally be became volatile. Shortages of truckers and other freight service providers wreaked havoc on land-based and maritime transportation networks.

    Consumers became exasperated when they saw all the empty shelves. They endured price spikes for items that were suddenly scarce, such as hand sanitizer, computer equipment and bleach.

    I’m a scholar of supply chain management who belongs to a research group that studies ways to make supply chains better able to withstand disruptions. Based on that research, plus what I learned while writing a book about labor and supply chains, I’m concerned about the turmoil that could be around the corner for cargo arriving on ships.

    Concerns over pay and technology

    The International Longshoremen’s Association’s six-year contract with the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports will expire on Sept. 30, 2024, at midnight unless the two sides reach an agreement before that deadline. Without a breakthrough, the 45,000 port workers intend to take part in a strike that would paralyze ports from Maine to Texas.

    Should they walk off the job, it would be the first such work stoppage for the East Coast ports since 1977.

    Labor and management disagree over how much to raise wages, and the union also wants to see limits on the use of automation for cranes, gates and trucks at the ports in the new contract. The union is seeking a 77% increase in pay over the next six years and is concerned that jobs may be lost because of automation.

    Dockworkers on the West Coast, who are not on strike, are paid much higher regular wages than their East Coast and Gulf Coast counterparts who are preparing for a strike. The West Coast workers earn at least an estimated US$116,000 per year, for a 40-hour work week, versus the roughly $81,000 dockworkers at the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports take home, not counting overtime pay.

    Management is represented in the talks by the U.S. Maritime Association, which includes the major shippers, terminal operators and port authorities.

    What to expect if there’s a strike

    As many as 36 ports would have to stop operating if a strike happens, blocking almost half of the cargo going in and out of the U.S. on ships.

    If the strike lasts just a day, then it would not be noticeable to a typical consumer. However, businesses of all kinds would no doubt feel the pinch. J.P. Morgan estimates that a strike could cost the U.S. economy $5 billion every day.

    Even if only a one-day strike happens, it could take about five days to straighten out the supply chain.

    If a strike lasts a week, the results would quickly become apparent to most consumers.

    Some shipping companies have already begun to reroute their cargo to the West Coast. Even if there’s no strike at all, costs will rise and the warehouses could run out of room.

    The effects on everything from bananas and cherries to chocolate, meat, fish and cheese could be severe, and the shipping disruption could also hamper trade in some prescription drugs if the strike lasts at least a week.

    If the strike were to last a month or more, supplies needed by factories could be in short supply. Numerous consumer products would not be delivered. Workers would be laid off. U.S. exports, including agricultural ones, might get stuck rather than shipped to their destinations. Inflation might increase again. And there would be a new bout of heightened economic anxiety and uncertainty – along with immense financial losses.

    All the while, West Coast ports would face unusually high demand for their services, wreaking havoc on shipping there too.

    Yes, we’d have no bananas

    My research group’s latest work on supply chain disruptions and the effects of various transportation disruptions, including delays, quantifies the impact on the quality of fresh produce. We did a case study on bananas.

    This isn’t a niche problem.

    Bananas are the most-consumed fresh fruit in the U.S.

    Many of the bananas sold in the U.S. are grown in Ecuador, Guatemala and Costa Rica. About 75% of them arrive at ports on the East and Gulf coasts.

    Bananas are a big business in Ecuador.
    David Diaz/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Although bananas are relatively easy to ship, they require appropriate temperatures and humidity. Even under the best conditions, their quality deteriorates. Long delays will mean shippers will be trying to foist mushy brown bananas on consumers who might reject them.

    Alternatively, banana growers may opt to find other markets. It’s reasonable to expect to find fewer bananas and much higher prices – possibly of a lower quality. Flying bananas to the U.S. would be too expensive to sustain.

    Fresh meat and other refrigerated foods could spoil before they can complete their journeys, and fresh berries, along with other fruits and vegetables, could perish before reaching their destinations.

    If there’s a port strike, tons of fresh produce, including bananas, that would arrive after Oct. 1 would end up having to be discarded. That is unfortunate, given the rising food insecurity rate in the U.S.

    1947 Taft-Hartley Act

    More than 170 trade groups are urging the Biden administration to intervene at the last minute to avoid a strike.

    The government can invoke the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, which allows the president to ask a court to order an 80-day cooling-off period when public health or safety is at risk.

    However, President Joe Biden reportedly does not plan to invoke it – even as he urges the two sides to settle their differences.

    So if you’re planning to bake banana bread or were thinking you might get an early start on your holiday shopping, I’d advise you to make those shopping trips as soon as possible – just in case.

    Anna Nagurney does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Brown bananas, crowded ports, empty shelves: What to expect if there’s a big dockworkers strike in the US – https://theconversation.com/brown-bananas-crowded-ports-empty-shelves-what-to-expect-if-theres-a-big-dockworkers-strike-in-the-us-240006

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: CAF Innovation Series | Accelerating Innovation-Based Economies in the Caribbean

    Source: CAF Development Bank of Latin America

    Alexander Figueroa
    Chief Operating Officer, Trust of the Americas

     joined The Trust at the end of February 2018 where he is serving as the Chief Operating Officer.  In that capacity, he is responsible for the management and operation of an internal team which supports the areas of finance, business planning, budgeting, human resources, administration and IT.

    Prior to joining The Trust, Alex had worked at the General Secretariat of the OAS. Starting as a field accountant, he worked his way through the ranks and culminated a 17-year career as the Chief, Financial Operations for the OAS where he supervised a staff of 40 and had overall responsibility for the OAS’ financial operations In Washington and at the 29 offices away from Headquarters.

    After leaving the OAS in December 2011, he started a company providing services in accounting, advisory, and taxes. The company’s portfolio included six non-profits among its clients. Alex holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Towson University and is a Certified Governmental Financial Manager (CGFM). The CGFM is a professional certification awarded by the Association of Government Accountants.

    Alex is fluent in both English and Spanish. Dr. Mark Moyou is a Senior Data Scientist at NVIDIA, developing scalable machine learning solutions for top North American retailers. With previous roles at Lucidworks and Alstom Transportation, he brings a wealth of experience in machine learning applications. Dr. Moyou, who holds advanced degrees in Systems Engineering, also actively contributes to the tech community as the host of the Caribbean Tech Pioneers Podcast and the Southern Data Science Conference in Atlanta.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Inspiring the next generation of Alberta hunters

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Minister Loewen with his father, Paul, and his son, Tyler.

    Alberta’s expansive rural landscapes are cherished by more than 150,000 hunters annually, and hunting has enduring significance for families and communities across our province. It serves not only as a means of sustenance and recreation, but also plays a vital role in wildlife management, conservation and supporting local economies.

    During Provincial Hunting Day, youth aged 10 to 17 have the opportunity to hunt upland game birds in designated Wildlife Management Units during open seasons without needing a provincial game bird licence. Those who have completed the Alberta Conservation and Hunter Education course can use a firearm under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian or, with written permission, another adult who possesses a valid firearms licence.

    “Starting to develop hunting skills at a young age is key. Teaching our youth about hunting safety and conservation principles empowers them to confidently plan their own hunting adventures in the future.”

    Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks

    Provincial Hunting Day also emphasizes the role of mentors in the hunting community. Through the generations, mentoring has fostered a deep respect for wildlife and the land among Albertans, creating positive connections and ensuring sustainable hunting practices.

    Alberta’s Forestry and Parks department carefully manages hunting opportunities through regulated seasons, game quotas and policies grounded in scientific research and conservation principles. This ensures that Alberta maintains its reputation for world-class hunting while preserving its natural heritage for future generations to enjoy.

    “Hunting has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s early mornings, freezing toes and some of my best memories. I love hunting with my dad and getting outside, connecting with nature and knowing where my food comes from. For me, hunting’s more than a sport—it’s about family, friends and keeping traditions alive.”

    Owen, 15-year old from Didsbury, Alberta

    Quick facts

    • Hunting’s contribution to the Alberta economy is $1.1 billion annually, including licence sales, equipment and experiences directly related to hunting.
    • Upland game birds available for hunting include ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, blue grouse, spruce grouse, ptarmigan, pheasants and Hungarian partridge.

    Related information

    • 2024-25 Hunting Regulation Guide
    • 2024 Game Bird Regulations
    • AlbertaRELM Online Licensing

    Multimedia

    • Minister’s video – Provincial Hunting Day

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Does Hezbollah represent Lebanon? And what impact will the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah have?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mireille Rebeiz, Chair of Middle East Studies & Associate Professor of Francophone & Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Dickinson College

    A picture of the secretary-general of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah is seen among the rubble following an Israeli air strike. Str-/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Israel has killed the leader of the militant group Hezbollah in a airstrike in Beirut, marking a further escalation of hostilities in the region.

    The death of Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed by Hezbollah on Sept 28, 2024, forms part of a major Israeli push against the Iran-backed group in recent days that has resulted in the death of several top leaders – but also killed hundreds of civilians and left many more fleeing Lebanon’s south in fear of a ground invasion.

    But what is Hezbollah? What exactly is its role in Lebanon? And how big a blow is Nasrallah’s death? The Conversation turned to Mireille Rebeiz, a Lebanon expert at Dickinson College who is writing her second book on Hezbollah, to help explain.

    What is Hezbollah? And what role does it play in Lebanon?

    Hezbollah, which means “party of God” in Arabic, was born during the Lebanese Civil War after Israel’s invasion and occupation of Lebanon in 1982.

    Officially, the group came into existence in 1985 with the publication of a manifesto that detailed Hezbollah’s aims for the region. The manifesto outlined a plan to duplicate the Iranian revolution of 1979 in Lebanon and create a Shiite Islamic state. It pledged allegiance to the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Revolution, Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, and vowed to fight the Israeli occupation of Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

    The Lebanese Civil War ended in 1991 with the signing of the “Taif Agreement,” in which warring factions agreed that a political and democratic process was the only way to move forward in Lebanon. Consequently, Hezbollah had to develop a political wing, and in 1992 Hezbollah entered the political ring, running for national elections and winning 12 out of 128 parliamentarian seats.

    But while the peace agreement called for the disarmament of militia groups, Hezbollah was allowed to retain its armed wing as a “resistance” group, fighting Israeli occupation in south Lebanon.

    Many Lebanese political parties allied themselves with Hezbollah at this juncture. While these parties did not necessarily share the group’s views or its commitment to Iran, they were similarly committed to fight the Israeli occupation, and Hezbollah fighters were the main force doing so.

    Hezbollah militiamen on parade in 1989.
    Ramzi Haidar/AFP via Getty Images

    Hezbollah’s presence in parliament and the Lebanese government, and its alliance with various political parties, allowed it to control the country and veto decisions that do not fit its agenda or promote its interest.

    This is particularly apparent in the country’s recurrent presidential vacuum.

    Since 2005, Lebanon has had three presidential lapses: from Nov. 2007 to May 2008, from May 2014 to October 2016, and from Oct. 31, 2023 until today. The parliamentarian Speaker, Nabih Berri, who is Shiite and known for his allegiance to Hezbollah, refuses to convene the parliament for presidential elections unless the nominee is approved by Hezbollah and its allies.

    As well as having a political and military wing, Hezbollah also provides various services, such as social welfare, health care, utilities, education and even security to his community.

    Is it right to see Hezbollah primarily as a Iran-backed militia?

    Yes — Hezbollah is primarily an Iranian-backed militia. It exists to serve the Iranian regime and expand its ideology in the region, as set out in the group’s 1985 manifesto. In 2009, Hezbollah issued a new manifesto in which it reaffirmed its commitment to the Shiite Islamic resistance led by Tehran.

    As to its financial and military support, in 2016, Nasrallah confirmed: “Hezbollah’s budget, everything it eats and drinks, its weapons and rockets, comes from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

    Furthermore, with the backing of Iran, Hezbollah was able to create and expand its own illegal financial network through money laundering, drug trafficking and other unlawful activities.

    Along with Iran, Syria has played a major role in Hezbollah’s development. The Taif Agreement called for Syrian Armed Forces to enter Lebanon for a two-year period to help establish law and order after more than a decade of civil war.

    But it stayed in Lebanon for over 16 years, and the Syrian government’s closeness to the Iranian regime made Hezbollah a perfect ally. So much so, that when civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, Hezbollah emerged as a major actor in that conflict, sending thousands of Lebanese fighters to Syria to assist the government’s efforts to suppress a popular uprising.

    How popular is Hezbollah in Lebanon?

    Support for Hezbollah has fluctuated over the years. When Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, many Lebanese celebrated Hezbollah as the country’s liberator.

    But others started pushing for Hezbollah to cease its military operations and for the Lebanese Armed Forces to take over Hezbollah’s task in securing Lebanon’s borders.

    In addition, growing anti-Syrian sentiment in Lebanon, in part due to serious human rights violations, also dented Hezbollah’s popularity because of their close ties.

    On Feb 14, 2005, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hairi, who was known for his opposition to Hezbollah and Syria, was assassinated. Evidence suggested that both were involved.

    The killing sparked massive anti-government, anti-Syrian and anti-Hezbollah protests on the streets of Beirut. The subsequent Cedar Revolution led to the departure of the Syrian forces from Lebanon and marked a drop in Hezbollah’s popularity, in general.

    A Lebanese woman grieves the death of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005.
    Haitham Mussawi/AFP via Getty Images

    This drop was apparent in the 2005 elections, in which an anti-Syrian and anti-Hezbollah political coalition claimed victory.

    Since 2005, Lebanon has seen a series of events that indicate a clear opposition to Hezbollah. Several journalists and political figures were assassinated for speaking out against Hezbollah and Syria. Their deaths outraged many Lebanese.

    And in 2015, the “You Stink” environmental movement was born to protest political corruption and Hezbollah’s control of waste management.

    In 2019, a similar protest movement was born in which Lebanese took to the streets to express their frustration against corruption and inflation. Under the slogan “All Means All,” Lebanese protested all political parties — including Hezbollah.

    These events indicate Lebanese dissatisfaction with Hezbollah.

    A 2020 poll showed a drop in Hezbollah’s popularity even among the Shiite community, which makes up about a third of the population.

    Polling during the almost year of hostilities following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hezbollah ally Hamas on Israel suggests that Hezbollah’s influence continues to exceed its popularity. An Arab Barometer poll of Lebanese in early 2024 found that only 30% trust Hezbollah, whereas 55% said they do not trust the group at all. While Hezbollah still retains the trust of 85% of Shiites, only 9% of Sunnis and Druze and 6% of Christians trust the militia.

    What is Hezbollah’s structure?

    Originally, Hezbollah leadership consisted of a religious council of seven members created in the 1980s; it has branches and committees that govern different affairs including finances, social, political and military issues. This religious council, or “Shura Council,” has regional offices in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley in the country’s eastern region and south Lebanon.

    At the end of the Lebanese Civil War, two more bodies were added: an executive council and a politburo, or central political body. The religious council was chaired by Sayyid Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, who offered religious guidance to the Shiite community and was often described as Hezbollah’s spiritual leader.

    Both the council and Hezbollah swear allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader. The council is also tasked to select Hezbollah’s Secretary General.

    After the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah’s co-founder, Abbas al-Musawi, in 1992, Hassan Nasrallah assumed this role and remained Secretary General until his death in Beirut in the current Israeli campaign.

    What impact will Nasrallah’s death have on Hezbollah’s operations?

    The attacks on Hezbollah’s pagers and other wireless devices were primarily intended to creat chaos and cut communication between different leaders and units.

    The assassinations of Hezbollah commanders are meant to remove major decision-makers. The death of Secretary General Nasrallah is a definite blow to the group, which is already vulnerable from last week’s attacks. The goal is to demoralize its fighters.

    Furthermore, these attacks convey a clear message that Israel will no longer accept the tit-for-tat attacks on its northern border.

    However, Israel may not necessarily get its desired impact.

    After Israel assassinated Abbas al-Musawi, his wife and son, his death only reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to its mission. Nasrallah followed Al-Musawi’s footsteps, and under his leadership, the group grew its recruitment, arsenal and reach inside and outside Lebanon.

    The situation now is fluid and it’s hard to predict what will happen next. But the fresh wave of violence may only reinforce Hezbollah’s resolve.

    Furthermore, it might see more involvement of other Hezbollah-aligned players into the region, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Kata’ib Hizballah in Iraq.

    Following the announcement of Nasrallah’s death, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei threatened Israel and vowed more support to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

    Mireille Rebeiz is affiliated with the American Red Cross.

    – ref. Does Hezbollah represent Lebanon? And what impact will the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah have? – https://theconversation.com/does-hezbollah-represent-lebanon-and-what-impact-will-the-death-of-longtime-leader-hassan-nasrallah-have-240062

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Vermont Affected by Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Vermont following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred July 29-31.

    “SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help Vermont small businesses and residents impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”

    The disaster declaration covers Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs):  Franklin, Lamoille, Orange and Washington in Vermont; and Coos and Grafton in 
    New Hampshire.

    SBA’s Business Recovery Center (BRC) is open to assist businesses complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status.  Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Business Recovery Center in advance.  The Center will operate as indicated below.  

    Business Recovery Center (BRC)

    Washington County  

    Barre Municipal Auditorium

    20 Auditorium Hill  

    Barre, VT 05641

    Hours:          Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                          Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Closed:        Sunday

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

    Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  

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

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

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.688% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.  

    “SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”  

    With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover.  FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.  Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.  

    Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to 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 filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 25, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 26, 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 or 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 Australia: Albanese Government triples number of teachers in High Achieving Teachers Program

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    The Albanese Government is investing $70.9 million to get almost 1,500 new teachers from a range of backgrounds into schools across the country. 

    The Government is tripling the number of teachers entering into the High Achieving Teachers (HAT) Program, which provides financial assistance, mentoring and training to get teachers into the classroom more quickly, helping to tackle the teacher workforce shortage. 

    The funding will be provided to ten providers to get more people, including mid-career professionals and high-achieving school leavers, into the teaching profession.

    The HAT Program is part of the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan that Education Ministers agreed to in 2022. 

    It builds on the success of Phase 1 of the HAT Program already underway in Victoria and New South Wales with 94 per cent of graduates from the La Trobe Nexus program continuing to teach after graduating. 

    The providers will support the teachers-in-training to complete their qualifications and make a successful start in the classroom, providing them with the skills they need to commence a career in teaching.

    Participants receive a salary and split their time between practical teaching in the classroom and studying.  

    The new school teachers will start to be placed into schools that need them the most in 2025. 

    The program focuses on attracting new teachers, including with a STEM background, First Nations peoples, people with disability, teacher aides and people based in remote locations. 

    They will teach across all states and territories, in government and non-government schools, and across primary and secondary schools.  

    A list of successful providers from the open-competitive grant opportunity follows:

    Successful providers

    HAT Places

    Teach for Australia  

    475  

    Australian Catholic University Limited  

    285  

    La Trobe University  

    231  

    Charles Sturt University  

    100  

    Western Sydney University  

    100  

    Queensland University of Technology  

    90  

    Edith Cowan University  

    74  

    University of Canberra  

    60  

    University of South Australia  

    42  

    University of Tasmania  

    40  

    Further information is available on the Department of Education’s website. 

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “We don’t remember much about when we are little, but most of us remember our teachers’ names.

    “That shows just how important our teachers are, and the impact they have on us. And we don’t have enough of them.

    “This program targets recruiting and training more school teachers in schools that need them the most.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Statement on Resignation of Disgraced Steward Health CEO Ralph de la Torre

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Boston (September 28, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, released the following statement today after Steward Health Care announced that Dr. Ralph de la Torre will resign as board chairman and CEO effective October 1, 2024. On September 25, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to refer de la Torre for criminal contempt of Congress for failing to respond to a subpoena issue by the Senate HELP committee, a step taken by the Senate for the first time in more than 50 years.??
    “Ralph de la Torre’s resignation is not enough, and must be held accountable in the court of law. This resignation comes too late for the workers, patients, and communities that Mr. de Torre harmed and abandoned,” said Senator Markey. “He has extracted hundreds of millions from emergency departments, operating rooms, and intensive care units to buy luxury property, expensive vacations, and yachts, all while patients suffered and died and workers and hospitals went unresourced. As a physician and CEO of Steward, de la Torre knew the cost of his greed and mismanagement, and he allowed it to rot the financial security of an entire hospital system anyway. 
    “Let’s not forget that Dr. de la Torre is just one part of this tragedy. His corporate enablers – Steward’s senior leadership and board of directors, Cerberus Capital Management, and Medical Properties Trust – also must face accountability. And every private equity firm and corporate entity that stands to profit from Steward’s bankruptcy and continued investment in hospitals across the country must understand that their profit-only gains cannot continue.” 
    ?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: M2 Compliance Leads Client Preparation for SEC’s EDGAR Next Transition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Fort Lauderdale, Sept. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — M2 Compliance, LLC (“M2”), a prominent Registered Filing Agent for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), is actively guiding its clients through the impending updates to the EDGAR filing system under the EDGAR Next rule, which focuses on EDGAR Filer Access and Account Management. The initiative aims to substantially enhance access to filer accounts, account management, and security protocols.

    The SEC is introducing the EDGAR Next system, starting with a beta environment on September 30, 2024, and moving toward full mandatory compliance by September 15, 2025. We understand the critical nature of this transition in securing and optimizing your filing operations. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring you experience a seamless shift with minimal disruption.

    Key Transition Dates

    September 30, 2024: We’ll assist you in engaging with the Adopting Beta for EDGAR Next. This includes:

    • Access to the new EDGAR Filer Management website and dashboard for testing with fictional accounts.
    • Capability to submit “test” amended Form IDs.
    • Opportunities to integrate and test beta versions of APIs.
    • Continued access to the legacy EDGAR filing system until March 24, 2025.
    • Note: Participation in this beta phase requires filers to utilize Login.gov credentials matching their official filing email addresses.

    March 24, 2025: The new EDGAR Filer Management platform becomes operational. All filers must:

    • Enroll or reapply for access via an amended Form ID on the dashboard using their Login.gov credentials.
    • Engage with fully operational APIs available for those enrolled or with approved amended Form IDs.
    • Leverage dashboard functionalities for transition guidance, especially for ABS filers and others requiring specialized data retrieval or submission features.

    September 15, 2025: Full compliance with the new EDGAR Next regulations is mandatory. Essential requirements include:

    • Mandatory multifactor authentication (MFA) via Login.gov for all filing activities.
    • Deactivation of legacy EDGAR access codes, with the option to reset remaining until December 19, 2025.

    In alignment with the SEC’s updates, Microsoft is enhancing security measures within its Entra platform by enforcing Modern Authentication protocols, including broader implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as a standard security measure. These updates complement the SEC’s adoption of EDGAR Next, underscoring the importance of advanced authentication practices to safeguard sensitive financial information.

    As the CEO of M2 Compliance, I am excited to announce that we are proactively guiding our clients through the forthcoming updates to the SEC’s EDGAR filing system under the EDGAR Next rule. This initiative is set to significantly enhance access to filer accounts, streamline account management, and bolster security protocols.

    At M2 Compliance, we recognize that navigating these changes can be challenging. Our dedicated team is here to provide comprehensive solutions and expertise to ensure a smooth adaptation to the new system requirements. We are committed to empowering you with the knowledge and resources necessary to confidently navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.

    For assistance or more information about the EDGAR Next changes, please contact us via email at implementation@m2compliance.com or call us at (754) 243-5120.

    For more information, please contact:

    David McGuire, CEO
    M2 Compliance, LLC
    501 East Las Olas Blvd., Suite 300
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
    Tel: (754) 243-5120
    Fax: (754) 243-5135
    Operated by McGuire Services, LLC, a Puerto Rico organization

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM’s guidance in developing Uttar Pradesh to help it reach US$ 1 trillion economy: Shri Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    PM’s guidance in developing Uttar Pradesh to help it reach US$ 1 trillion economy: Shri Goyal

    Double engine government of Centre, Uttar Pradesh to propel India to a US$ 35 trillion economy by 2047: Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal

    Uttar Pradesh led by Shri Adityanath’s industrial policies has become a holistic model of development: Shri Goyal

    Implementation of 4Ds: Decisive leadership, Demand, Demographic Dividend, Democracy made Uttar Pradesh investment friendly: Shri Goyal

    Posted On: 28 SEP 2024 8:37PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal during his valedictory speech at the 2nd edition of Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s efforts in developing Uttar Pradesh will help the state reach US$ 1 trillion economy in the first phase. 

    Shri Goyal noted that the double engine Government of Uttar Pradesh led by Shri Yogi Adityanath under the guidance of the Prime Minister will help India become a US$ 5 trillion economy in the first phase, and will serve as a cornerstone for India to become a US$35 trillion economy and a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. Shri Goyal noted that the industrial and other proactive policies implemented by Shri Yogi Adityanath with the visionary goals of the Prime Minister has led the state to become a holistic model of development in the country.

    Highlighting the journey of Make in India program, Shri Goyal said that PM Modi’s vision to initiate this journey on September 25, 2014 to make India a domination nation at the global stage in manufacturing will produce employment and entrepreneur opportunities for the youth.

    Shri Goyal announced that a decision has been taken to celebrate the Anniversary of Make in India with the opening of the UP International Trade Show every year. The Government of India and the UP Government together have constantly prioritised making laws simpler and promote ease of doing business, he said.  He added that the Centre and the UP government in a joint effort are building an industrial smart city in Greater Noida and a total of 20 industrial smart cities are being developed across the country.

    Applauding the success of the trade show in its 2nd edition, Shri Goyal highlighted that over 2,500 exhibitors participated and over a lakh people have already attended in the four-day event from September 25-29, 2024. Shri Goyal further praised Shri Adityanath and the UP government for their efforts in skill development of the youth enabling provision of skilled and talented labour for the companies investing in the state. He said that because of this proactive initiative, migration from the state has significantly reduced with industries receiving a ready talent pool for efficient operations enabling them to expand their business and also making the state investor-friendly. UP government has been successful in not only a holistic development of the state but has also made progress in social infrastructure and human development, he said. 

    Shri Goyal explaining 4Ds – Decisive leadership, Demand, Demographic Dividend and a vibrant Democracy, said that huge investments have poured into Uttar Pradesh because of its implementation by the Centre and the state government.

    Highlighting the successes of first 100 days of PM Modi’s third term, Shri Goyal said that the decisions taken to benefit farmers, to increase minimum wages, build 3 crore homes under the PMAY scheme, provision for health expenditure up to Rs 5 lakh for citizens above 70 years, to built 12 more industrial smart cities and to provide employment to 4 crore youth by spending Rs 2 lakh crore over a period of five years will strengthen the society and benefit every part of the country.

    Speaking about the improvement from 142nd to 63rd in Ease of Doing Business rankings, Shri Goyal said that the continuous efforts led by the Government has led to rise of India’s rankings in Global Innovation Index to 39th spot out of 133 countries.  He continued that the ranking is reflective of the rise in patent filing in the country as well. The Intellectual Property Rights regime has vastly improved over the last decade. From 6,000 patents being filed in 2014 to 1 lakh patents filed last year, shows country’s growth in technology, he said.

    Emphasising the importance of maintaining quality in products, the Union Minister said that India is being recognised as a quality provider of goods and services. We have to ensure that the products we manufacture, the services we provide should be of high quality and buyers should receive this quality with Made in India products, he said.

    The Union Minister said that PM gave the vision of Zero Defect, Zero Effect and to make products of high sustainable quality is the need of this country and the world. He expressed hope that the youth, innovators, and startups with high quality, zero-defect production and sustainable manufacturing practices will propel India to world recognition. Manufacturing and selling of Made in India products within the country and abroad will reduce imports, boost MSMEs, help One District One Product scheme to grow and lead India to be technologically developed nation.

    ***

    AD/VN/AM

    (Release ID: 2059961) Visitor Counter : 19

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 20th Divya Kala Mela Inaugurated in Pune; ₹2 Crore Loans sanctioned for Divyang Entrepreneurs

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 28 SEP 2024 9:48PM by PIB Delhi

    A national-level fair dedicated to Divyangjan, the 20th Divya Kala Mela, has been inaugurated today at Pune. It is being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, and MP Shri Rang Appa Barne.

     

    In this fair, the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC), under its various schemes, has sanctioned loans worth ₹2 crore to Divyangjan, offering them the opportunity to expand their businesses. Additionally, motorized tricycles were distributed to eligible participants, furthering the government’s commitment to improving mobility for Divyangjan.

     

    Governor Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan praised the talent and resilience of Divyangjan, stating, “For the inclusive development of our society, it is essential that we celebrate and support these gifted Divyang entrepreneurs and artists. Their contributions help build a stronger, more inclusive India.” The Governor also highlighted the financial empowerment schemes offered by NHFDC, which provide loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹50 lakh at an interest rate of 4% to 9% annually for income-generating activities. These loans are facilitated through NHFDC’s state channelizing agencies, Punjab National Bank, and regional rural banks across India.

     

    During his address, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasized the significance of the Divya Kala Mela as a platform for marketing Divyangjan products, underscoring how these fairs contribute to the social and economic empowerment of Divyangjan. “These fairs offer a unique opportunity for Divyangjan to exhibit their skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. To date, around 1,450 participants have taken part in Divya Kala Melas across the country, collectively generating over ₹11.5 crore in revenue. Loans exceeding ₹10 crore have been sanctioned to foster the growth of Divyang businesses,” the Minister stated.

     

     

    The Minister further shared that employment fairs are now being held alongside the Divya Kala Mela, offering greater opportunities for Divyangjan. Of the 1,400 participants screened so far, 370 have been shortlisted, and more than 100 have already received job offers. “In the near future, Divyangjan will find employment in reputable organizations and companies, further advancing their integration into the workforce,” he added.

    Following the successful organization of 19 such Melas across the country, the event aims to empower Divyangjan by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and entrepreneurial skills. These national fairs, known as Divya Kala Mela, are part of a larger plan to organize similar events in other major cities in the coming months. Each fair prioritizes local Divyangjan, with Maharashtra’s own Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs being highlighted in this Pune edition.

    The Divya Kala Mela is a testament to the government’s effort to economically empower Divyangjan, transforming them into self-reliant entrepreneurs and skilled craftsmen. Allotted stalls are provided free of cost to ensure that Divyangjan can present their work on prestigious platforms in metropolitan areas. More than 100 Divyang artisans, entrepreneurs, and artists from 18 states and union territories are showcasing their products, crafts, and talents at this year’s event.

    Visitors to the fair can not only purchase handmade goods from Divyang entrepreneurs but also indulge in an array of culinary delights from across India. Each evening, from 6 to 9 PM, vibrant cultural performances by Divyang artists are being held, featuring talent from both across India and local Pune artists. The Divya Kala Mela will run until 6th October 2024. The fair is open to all with free entry. On the closing day, a special performance, Divya Kalashakti, will be presented by Divyang artists from across the country, showcasing their remarkable talents.

    The Mela features a total of 60 stalls, along with cultural performances from Divyang artists. These national-level fairs are creating pathways for the global recognition of the skills and capabilities of Divyangjan. An employment fair has also been organized as part of the event, further enhancing opportunities for Divyangjan. Visually impaired artist Rajiv Ranjan hosted the event as anchor, while Shri Naveen Shah, CMD of NHFDC, delivered the vote of thanks.

     

    *****

    VM

    (Release ID: 2060012) Visitor Counter : 17

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister today laid the foundation stone of the Executive Hostel Block and Training Block of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad

    Source: Government of India

    Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister today laid the foundation stone of the Executive Hostel Block and Training Block of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad

    We have to include natural farming in training as well: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Training will decide the direction and condition of agriculture: Shri Chouhan

    Union Minister announced in Jharkhand that Government will buy pigeon pea whole so that the farmer gets encouraged

    Posted On: 28 SEP 2024 6:26PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today virtually laid the foundation stone of the Executive Hostel Block and Training Block of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad. Shri Chouhan assured all that he will soon come to Hyderabad and will directly make discuss with all. He said many times we make short forms which misinterpret the actual meaning we should not use short forms like the meaning of the work that MANAGE is doing is not understood. It should be such that it makes some sense.

    Shri Chouhan said that the Prime Minister’s resolve is how to increase the income of farmers and at the same time strengthen our food security. 140 crore population should get sufficient food grains, fruits, vegetables. We should be able to fulfill our needs ourselves. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. It is our responsibility to ensure livelihood on one hand and food security on the other.

    Union Minister said that we have been entrusted with the task of training, research, consultation, implementation of many schemes. We have to diversify farming, do value addition. Along with this, one task is to promote natural farming. The ill effects of fertilizers are in front of the world. The quality of the soil is decreasing, humans are also getting harmed. We have to include natural farming in training as well.

    Shri Chouhan further said that we train extension workers, agricultural scientists, university faculty members, FPOs, unemployed youth, input dealers. The placement rate here is encouraging. Training of agricultural startups is very important today. We should pay attention to every aspect of our basic work of extension. Our training modules and courses should not only be traditional, but should also be able to meet today’s requirements.

    Union Minister added that if there is any research in the future, then we should think about the training that will be needed in the coming years by estimating it in the training curriculum. We should also do detailed and advance planning of training. This grand building has the concept of green building. But the building is only the body  the soul will be the training that will be done in this building. Training will decide the direction and condition of agriculture. You will pay special attention to this.

    Shri Chouhan said that today he is in Daltonganj, Palamu, Jharkhand. He was told that it is a good area for pigeon pea and due to not getting better prices, pigeon pea cultivation has reduced. There is a possibility of cultivation of pigeon pea, gram, lentil and pulses on this land. He further informed that today he announced that we will buy pigeon pea whole, so that the farmer gets encouraged. He also informed that a team can come here, we can study how to increase production, how to make better seeds.

    Union Minister further added that yesterday he was in Netarhat were pear and potato are cultivated. Shri Chouhan in his address said that try to work on how better production can be done here, how good plants can be found, how there can be better methods of farming.

    *****

    SS

    (Release ID: 2059873) Visitor Counter : 43

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of Vice-President’s address at India International School (Deemed to be University), Jaipur (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India

    Right from the time I stepped on the premises. I am energised and surcharged, and why not? Me and Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar are proud parents of a daughter.

    Distinguished members of the faculty, and my dear students, because I’m here for you today. Dr. Ashok Gupta has chosen a subject that has three facets, first is women related to Viksit Bharat.

    Friends, most do not understand the contours of Viksit Bharat, we are aspiring for a Viksit Bharat@ 2047. A great marathon march is on for it.

    All stakeholders are converging. Already in last few years, we have come to a very high level. We are the fifth largest global economy on the planet.

    Globally, Viksit Bharat has not been defined. Viksit nation has not been defined but you have to read into it through several mechanisms and one is per capita income. We have to take our per capita income eightfold to give Bharat the status of a developed nation and for that some fundamentals are required.

    One fundamental is, do we have the right ecosystem? The first element of the ecosystem is hope and possibility.

    There is a mechanism in place where every individual can exploit his or her talent and potential to realise aspirations and dreams and for that, two things are required – one, equality before law. Equality before law, provided by the Constitution had eluded us for long, some people thought they are more equal than others, some thought we are beyond the reach of the law, we are above the law but a big change that has taken place is equality before law is now a ground reality. Privilege pedigree, that special class that carried an idea they have immunity from law are now being rendered accountable to law. That’s a big change. 

    Any society driven by corruption, driven by greasing of the palm, driven by liaison agents, driven by a system that without corruption you cannot get a job or a contract is certainly against the rise of the youth. Corruption eats into the talented, corruption neutralises meritocracy.

    A big change has taken place, power corridors once infested with corrupt liaison elements, those who extra-legally leveraged decision-making, who provided contracts and jobs without merit being a consideration, those corridors have been neutralised. You would have seen now that there is transparent accountable governance in the country and this has been brought about by technological penetration right up to the villages where money is transferred without intermediary.

    Our youth is still seeking something else, yes, and that is they want to be partners, stakeholders, contributors in our journey for Viksit Bharat and the mechanism is number one, education. Education is fundamental, education is the most transformative mechanism of change.

    There can be no change without education, education has to be quality education, education has to be purposeful education.

    Education has to be beyond degree, pursuit of degrees one after another is not the right approach to education and that is why after three decades the country came to have national education policy that allows students full exploitation of their talent. They have been distanced from degree-orientated education.

    It has been focused on skill education, aptitude. Simultaneously you can pursue courses by and large the nation has adopted the national education policy.

     Education brings about equality, education cuts into inequities. Education is a great leveller of societal system, education provides oxygen to democracy.

    If we look into our Vedas, great emphasis was laid on education and participation of women. We lost the way somewhere in between but during that period in Vedas, the Vedic era, the earliest one, women were on the same footing.

    They were policy makers, they were decision makers, they were guiding force. We lost the way somewhere, we are regaining it fast. Even right now we have a system. Come on, don’t cry, you are a boy. Be a man. अब यह बातें पुरानी हो गईं, कहने वाले को भी डर लगने लग गया है। 

    I am saying this only to buttress my point. 

    Now, we cannot dream of a Viksit Bharat without women and without education, women and education are the two wheels of the chariot that will drive the nation.

    Its economy, its development journey and fructify in Viksit Bharat@ 2047, if not earlier.

    The country has seen historic exponential development, economic upsurge unknown to us. The world class infrastructure, our opportunity basket is increasing day by day but I can tell you one thing and global institutions, the IMF, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and all have spoken that India globally is the most happening place.

    Look around any country, we are the best in terms of opportunity and investment.

    An epochal development has taken place, a historic development has taken place, and that is women reservation in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures, Constitution has now provided one-third reservation in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures, this is the minimum, it can go more. Women will not be handicapped in contesting for general seat. Now, imagine a scene, more than one-third women in the Lok Sabha. They will be part of policy-making, they will be part of legislation making, they will be part of executive functions, they will be the driving force. This is the development of the century. The nation tried it for over three decades unsuccessfully but last year, it was a great success. I had the good fortune, privilege, and honour to be in the chair when it was passed in the Council of States, the House of Elders, the Upper House, the Rajya Sabha.

    I have no doubt in saying you are 50% of humanity and in contribution your role is always more than 50% because you are natural repository of sensitive behaviour, sublime behaviour, spiritual conduct and full of warmth and empathy and therefore, I have no doubt that the role of women and education in Viksit Bharat is all important. I am happy that institutions like yours are nurturing it in the right spirit.

    Let me remind you of a great saying of pre-Socratic era philosopher Heraclitus, he said, the only constant in life is change, and then he buttressed it by an instance, that the same person cannot enter the same river twice, because neither the person is the same nor the river is the same.

    So you have to be always ready for change. But then you can’t be in captivity of change, you have to be part of the change which you like, you deserve.

    Let me give you a small illustration, we are having another industrial revolution when it comes to technology. 

    It is changing very fast, It is changing too fast for us to have our feet on the ground. A great challenge, also a great opportunity to keep on learning, be ahead of times, knowledge has to be acquired. I am sometimes pained that we talk about our Vedas, I would especially persuade the Vice-Chancellor to ensure that every student has a look at Vedas.

    The moment you read Vedas you will come to know the rich legacy you have inherited, the kind of wisdom you will find there, knowledge you will find there. On every facet, from health to astronomy, from Physics to Chemistry, you will find everything.

    Focus on that. 

    To be well informed is a necessary condition for a person to be a good person for the nation because first and last, you have to always keep your nation above every other interest.

    Remember my words, in times of need, in times of distress, in times of absolute necessity, in times of survivor like situations, a shortcut is the longest cut. Never ending road so always be on the right path, the path of righteousness, not only you should be on that path. You must exhibit a conduct worth emulation by others, that yes, I will be on the right path. A nation makes a difference by airports, which we have multiplied twice 70 to 147, expressways, ports, buildings, digitisation, internet, affordable housing, gas connections, everything. The quality of the human resource is important, a nation is known by the discipline of its citizens.

    I would appeal to Dr. Ashok Gupta to be gracious enough to accept my invitation for visit of your girl students as my guest to the new building of parliament in Delhi. 

    I will receive you there, if I’m in Delhi and I will try to be in Delhi. I managed to keep my word to the extent possible and I make things possible when it comes to girls.

    ****

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman Attends the UN General Assembly High-Level Week

    Source: USAID

    The following is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:

    This week, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman traveled to New York City to attend meetings and events during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On Monday, she began her engagements by participating in a panel discussion on AI and the Future of Sustainable Development, hosted by OpenAI and the Center for Global Development. Four nonprofits presented their work with AI, and the panel discussed how the public sector can leverage AI to build a more prosperous and equitable future for all, while mitigating risks such as digital divide and information manipulation. 

    Deputy Administrator Coleman also participated in a ministerial roundtable chaired by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and co-hosted by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn, and World Economic Forum President Børge Brende. The meeting brought together key actors to galvanize energy and support for new approaches and partnerships to address forced displacement and advance sustainable development outcomes. Deputy Administrator Coleman emphasized the need to chart a new path forward that brings humanitarian, development, and peace actors together with the private sector and civil society to address the root causes of these trends, reduce humanitarian need, prioritize prevention, and advance and sustain development.

    On Monday evening, the Deputy Administrator delivered remarks at a plenary session of the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting 2024, highlighting the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) initiative – a partnership launched by Vice President Kamala Harris in 2023 to bolster women’s economic security in green and blue sectors. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced more than $392 million in new WISE commitments, including several that advance USAID programs, bringing total WISE commitments to $1.85 billion. Deputy Administrator Coleman then announced that the Skoll Foundation joined USAID’s Climate Gender Equity Fund as the newest donor, and launched a new USAID public-private partnership, called Advancing Women for Resilient Agricultural Supply Chains, that integrates women’s empowerment into corporate sustainability approaches together with PepsiCo, Danone, McCormick & Co., Nespresso, and Unilever. 

    On Tuesday, Deputy Administrator Coleman attended the American Leaders Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) event, hosted by the UN Foundation and the Center for Sustainable Development. Deputy Administrator Coleman participated in a fireside chat about the U.S. government’s commitment to advancing the SDGs around the world. 

    The Deputy Administrator also met with Lolwah Rashid al-Khater, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, to discuss ongoing humanitarian and recovery efforts in Yemen, Gaza, and Sudan. 

    Deputy Administrator Coleman also attended an investor roundtable discussion to highlight opportunities to partner with the U.S. government through Power Africa, Prosper Africa and the Millenium Challenge Corporation to invest in West African power generation. 

    On Wednesday, the Deputy Administrator participated in the launch of the Private-Sector Humanitarian Alliance, a new public-private initiative the Government of Albania proposed during its presidency of the UN Security Council in September 2023. During the launch, Deputy Administrator Coleman highlighted USAID’s approach in engaging the private sector on humanitarian assistance and applauded the Alliance’s role in pioneering private-sector engagement.  

    Deputy Administrator Coleman also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova Mihail Popșoi to reaffirm the United States’ continued commitment to Moldova’s democracy and EU accession path. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed USAID’s support for the growth of the Moldovan economy, as well as both governments’ efforts to expose and counteract ongoing Russian attempts to meddle in Moldova’s upcoming elections. 

    On Wednesday evening, the Deputy Administrator attended President Joe Biden’s Leaders Reception.

    On Thursday, Deputy Administrator Coleman participated in a CEO-level roundtable hosted by Bank of America to discuss current challenges to and opportunities for investing in Ukraine. Deputy Administrator Coleman detailed USAID’s support to key sectors of the Ukrainian economy, including with respect to energy, agriculture, and transportation, and discussed with other panelists insurance availability and the investment landscape. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.28.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 28, 2024

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

    • AB 869 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Hospitals: seismic safety compliance.
    • AB 1008 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: personal information.
    • AB 1034 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004: exemption: construction industry employees.
    • AB 1137 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Excluded employees.
    • AB 1186 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Restitution fines.
    • AB 1239 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) – Workers’ compensation: disability payments.
    • AB 1282 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Mental health: impacts of social media.
    • AB 1575 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Public postsecondary education: students codes of conduct: advisers.
    • AB 1807 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – County of Riverside Citizens Redistricting Commission.
    • AB 1871 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12: social sciences: personal financial literacy.
    • AB 1877 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Juveniles: sealing records.
    • AB 1899 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – Courts.
    • AB 1905 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Public postsecondary education: employment: settlements, informal resolutions, and retreat rights.
    • AB 1913 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Pupil safety: child abuse prevention: training.
    • AB 1936 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – Maternal mental health screenings.
    • AB 1954 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Sexually violent predators.
    • AB 2013 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Generative artificial intelligence: training data transparency.
    • AB 2063 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Health care coverage.
    • AB 2080 by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) – University of California: schools of medicine: report.
    • AB 2085 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Planning and zoning: permitted use: community clinic.
    • AB 2099 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Crimes: reproductive health services.
    • AB 2105 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Coverage for PANDAS and PANS.
    • AB 2234 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Vehicles: electric bicycles.
    • AB 2284 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – County employees’ retirement: compensation.
    • AB 2295 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Crimes: commencement of prosecution.
    • AB 2310 by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) – Parole hearings: language access.
    • AB 2326 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – Equity in Higher Education Act: discrimination: compliance, regulations, and reports.
    • AB 2395 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – California State University: extension programs, special session, and self-supporting instructional programs: revenues.
    • AB 2402 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Drink spiking.
    • AB 2407 by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) – Public postsecondary educational institutions: sexual harassment complaints: state audits.
    • AB 2473 by the Committee on Education – English Language Learner Acquisition and Development Pilot Program repeal: teacher credentialing authorizations: fingerprints and related information: high school coursework and graduation requirements for pupils participating in a newcomer program.
    • AB 2481 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Social media-related threats: reporting.
    • AB 2501 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – Water quality control plans: donations and grants.
    • AB 2533 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – Accessory dwelling units: junior accessory dwelling units: unpermitted developments.
    • AB 2579 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Inspections: exterior elevated elements.
    • AB 2581 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Healing arts: continuing education: maternal mental health.
    • AB 2628 by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) – California State Auditor: internet website.
    • AB 2630 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Pupil health: oral health assessment.
    • AB 2643 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Cannabis cultivation: environmental remediation.
    • AB 2711 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) – Suspensions and expulsions: voluntary disclosures.
    • AB 2749 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – California Health Benefit Exchange: financial assistance.
    • AB 2854 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law.
    • AB 2885 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Artificial intelligence.
    • AB 2925 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Postsecondary education: Equity in Higher Education Act: prohibition on discrimination: training.
    • AB 2929 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – Dependents: family finding.
    • AB 2935 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Foster children: consumer credit reports.
    • AB 2995 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Public health: alcohol and drug programs.
    • AB 3030 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) – Health care services: artificial intelligence.
    • AB 3218 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Unflavored Tobacco List.
    • AB 3223 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program.
    • AB 3240 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) – California Ban on Scholarship Displacement Act of 2021: Cal Grant awards.
    • AB 3259 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – Transactions and use taxes: City of Campbell: City of Pinole: County of Solano.
    • AB 3281 by the Committee on Judiciary – Judiciary omnibus.
    • AB 3284 by the Committee on Elections – Elections omnibus bill.
    • SB 268 by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) – Crimes: serious and violent felonies.
    • SB 295 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Board of Pilot Commissioners: surcharge.
    • SB 483 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Pupil rights: prone restraint.
    • SB 532 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Parking payment zones.
    • SB 537 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – City or County of Los Angeles: memorial to forcibly deported Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants.
    • SB 549 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Gaming: Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act.
    • SB 597 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – Building standards: rainwater catchment systems.
    • SB 607 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Controlled substances.
    • SB 691 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Pupil attendance: truancy notifications.
    • SB 707 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024.
    • SB 897 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Pupil attendance: interdistrict attendance: school districts of choice.
    • SB 904 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District.
    • SB 908 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Fentanyl: child deaths.
    • SB 957 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Data collection: sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status.
    • SB 969 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Alcoholic beverages: entertainment zones: consumption.
    • SB 988 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Freelance Worker Protection Act.
    • SB 991 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) – School districts: Los Angeles Unified School District: inspector general.
    • SB 997 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) –Pupil health: opioid antagonists and fentanyl test strips.
    • SB 1016 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) – Latino and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act.
    • SB 1059 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Cannabis: local taxation: gross receipts.
    • SB 1064 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Cannabis: operator and separate premises license types: excessive concentration of licenses.
    • SB 1090 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Unemployment insurance: disability and paid family leave: claim administration.
    • SB 1100 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Discrimination: driver’s license.
    • SB 1109 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Cannabis: demographic information of license applicants.
    • SB 1120 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Health care coverage: utilization review.
    • SB 1131 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) – Medi-Cal providers: family planning.
    • SB 1147 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Drinking water: microplastics levels.
    • SB 1162 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Public contracts: employment compliance reports: apprenticeship programs.
    • SB 1166 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Public postsecondary education: sex discrimination reports.
    • SB 1180 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Health care coverage: emergency medical services.
    • SB 1195 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Assessments: advanced placement examinations: fall testing date.
    • SB 1209 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Local agency formation commission: indemnification.
    • SB 1223 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Consumer privacy: sensitive personal information: neural data.
    • SB 1240 by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) – Public Employees’ Retirement System: contracting agencies: consolidation.
    • SB 1263 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Teacher credentialing: teaching performance assessment: workgroup.
    • SB 1277 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Pupil instruction: genocide education: the Holocaust.
    • SB 1283 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Pupils: use of social media.
    • SB 1287 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – Public postsecondary education: Equity in Higher Education Act: prohibition on violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination.
    • SB 1288 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Public schools: artificial intelligence working group.
    • SB 1300 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Health facility closure: public notice: inpatient psychiatric and perinatal services.
    • SB 1350 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Occupational safety and health: definitions.
    • SB 1447 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Hospitals: seismic compliance: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
    • SB 1488 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Outdoor advertising displays: exemptions.
    • SB 1490 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Food delivery platforms.
    • SB 1498 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Cannabis and industrial hemp: advertising: civil action.
    • SB 1504 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Cyberbullying Protection Act.

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

    • AB 1168 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) – Emergency medical services (EMS): prehospital EMS. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1788 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Mental health multidisciplinary personnel team. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1826 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2024. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1949 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – California Consumer Privacy Act of 2020: collection of personal information of a consumer less than 18 years of age. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2095 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Publication: newspapers of general circulation. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2098 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – California Health Facilities Financing Authority Act: nondesignated hospitals: loan repayment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2138 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) – Peace officers: tribal police pilot project. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2279 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2467 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Health care coverage for menopause. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2736 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – Veterans: benefits. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2936 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Higher Education Reconciliation Act. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3031 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – LGBTQ+ Commission. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3077 by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) – Criminal procedure: borderline personality disorder. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3129 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Health care system consolidation. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 85 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Immigration: case management and social services. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 227 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Unemployment: Excluded Workers Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 278 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Elder abuse: emergency financial contact program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 357 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Vehicles: physician and surgeon reporting. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 907 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Orange County Board of Education: members. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 961 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Vehicles: safety equipment. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 966 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Pharmacy benefits. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 971 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Community colleges: exemption from nonresident tuition fee: resident of a region impacted by war or regional conflict. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1119 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Hospitals: seismic compliance. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1246 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – California Prompt Payment Act: nonprofit organizations. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1299 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Farmworkers: benefits. A veto message can be found here.

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

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    Sep 27, 2024

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

    • AB 598 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – San Francisco Bay Area Regional Housing Finance Act: regional and county expenditure plans.
    • AB 653 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – Public housing authorities: reports.
    • AB 810 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Postsecondary education: hiring practices: academic, athletic, and administrative positions.
    • AB 846 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Housing programs: rent increases.
    • AB 863 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Carpet recycling: producer responsibility organizations: fines: succession: training.
    • AB 892 by Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Bakersfield) – Kern County Hospital Authority.
    • AB 1205 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – California State University students: California Promise: Finish in Four and Through in Two.
    • AB 1359 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects: lead agency.
    • AB 1524 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Postsecondary education: on-campus access to drug testing devices.
    • AB 1577 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Health facilities and clinics: clinical placements: nursing.
    • AB 1581 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Conservation: Restoration Management Permit Act and California State Safe Harbor Agreement Program Act.
    • AB 1777 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Autonomous vehicles.
    • AB 1801 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Supportive housing: administrative office space.
    • AB 1859 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Coroners: duties.
    • AB 1885 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Student Success Completion Grant program.
    • AB 1889 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Conservation element: wildlife and habitat connectivity.
    • AB 1930 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – Teaching credentials: Child Development Associate Teacher Permit: renewal.
    • AB 1963 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Pesticides: paraquat dichloride. A signing message can be found here.
    • AB 1976 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Occupational safety and health standards: first aid materials: opioid antagonists.
    • AB 1997 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Teachers’ Retirement Law.
    • AB 2004 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – County recorder: recordation of documents.
    • AB 2037 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Weights and measures: electric vehicle chargers.
    • AB 2047 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Public postsecondary education: discrimination prevention.
    • AB 2048 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: systemic campus reforms: sexual harassment: report.
    • AB 2053 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Porterville) – Pupil instruction: abusive relationships.
    • AB 2057 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Associate Degree for Transfer.
    • AB 2068 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – State agencies: call center work: reporting information.
    • AB 2082 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – State highways: State Route 138: reduction.
    • AB 2107 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Clinical laboratory technology: remote review.
    • AB 2109 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – Electricity: surcharge exemption: industrial process heat recovery.
    • AB 2136 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Controlled substances: analyzing and testing.
    • AB 2165 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – Pupil instruction: financial aid application.
    • AB 2181 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Juvenile court school pupils: graduation requirements and continued education options.
    • AB 2193 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Hazing: educational institutions: prohibition and civil liability: reports and resources.
    • AB 2196 by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) – Beaver restoration.
    • AB 2229 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – California Healthy Youth Act: menstrual health education.
    • AB 2235 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Public contracts: local agencies: wind infrastructure.
    • AB 2258 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Health care coverage: cost sharing.
    • AB 2292 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Electrical transmission facilities: certificates of public convenience and necessity.
    • AB 2293 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Porterville) – Joint powers agreements: health care services.
    • AB 2304 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – Unlawful detainer: case records.
    • AB 2346 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.
    • AB 2368 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – System reliability and outages.
    • AB 2375 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Alcoholic beverages: on-sale general public premises: drink lids.
    • AB 2403 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Community colleges: student equity plan.
    • AB 2440 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – 30×30 goal: partnering state agencies: Department of Parks and Recreation.
    • AB 2471 by Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) – Professions and vocations: public health nurses.
    • AB 2503 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: passenger rail projects.
    • AB 2505 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) – Attorneys: pro bono legal services.
    • AB 2509 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Invasive Species Council of California: activities: definitions.
    • AB 2525 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – State highways: property leases.
    • AB 2527 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Incarceration: pregnant persons.
    • AB 2580 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Historical resources.
    • AB 2590 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – San Bernardino County Transportation Authority: contracting.
    • AB 2606 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – California Agave Commission.
    • AB 2613 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Jacqueline Marie Zbur Rare Disease Advisory Council.
    • AB 2624 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Prisoners: employment: bereavement.
    • AB 2632 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – Planning and zoning: thrift retail stores.
    • AB 2633 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – California State University: joint degrees: international institutions of higher education.
    • AB 2645 by Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) – Electronic toll collection systems: information sharing: law enforcement.
    • AB 2669 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Toll bridges: tolls.
    • AB 2672 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – California Alternate Rates for Energy program: public housing authority owned or administered Homekey housing facilities.
    • AB 2682 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Santa Clara Valley Open-Space Authority.
    • AB 2696 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Labor-related liabilities: direct contractor and subcontractor.
    • AB 2697  by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Transportation electrification: electric vehicle charging stations: network roaming standards.
    • AB 2723  by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – The California Cradle-to-Career Data System Act.
    • AB 2729 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) – Development projects: permits and other entitlements.
    • AB 2740 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Incarcerated persons: prenatal and postpartum care.
    • AB 2754 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Employment contracts and agreements: sufficient funds: liability.
    • AB 2765 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Public Utilities Commission: reports: telecommunications service: backup electricity.
    • AB 2779 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Independent System Operator: transmission planning.
    • AB 2780 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Carrier of Passengers Act of 2024.
    • AB 2851 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Metal shredding facilities: fence-line air quality monitoring.
    • AB 2859 by Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) – Emergency medical technicians: peer support.
    • AB 2866 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Pool safety: State Department of Social Services regulated facilities.
    • AB 2900 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) – Small agricultural truck fleet assistance program.
    • AB 2904 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Zoning ordinances: notice.
    • AB 2967 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Teacher Housing Act of 2016: nonprofit organization employees.
    • AB 2975 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Occupational safety and health standards: workplace violence prevention plan: hospitals.
    • AB 2984 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Fleeing the scene of an accident.
    • AB 2999  by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Pupil instruction: homework policy.
    • AB 3012 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Development fees: fee schedule template: fee estimate tool.
    • AB 3062 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Fire protection districts: electrical corporations and local publicly owned electric utilities: prescribed or controlled burns: notice requirements.
    • AB 3122 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Streamlined housing approvals: objective planning standards and subdivision applications.
    • AB 3123 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: board code of conduct: lobbying rules.
    • AB 3138 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – License plates and registration cards: alternative devices.
    • AB 3161 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Health facilities: patient safety and antidiscrimination.
    • AB 3162 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) – Octopus: aquaculture: prohibition.
    • AB 3190 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Public works. A signing message can be found here.
    • AB 3221 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Department of Managed Health Care: review of records.
    • AB 3227 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: stormwater facilities: routine maintenance.
    • AB 3264  by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Energy: cost framework: residential rates: demand-side management programs report: electrical transmission grid study.
    • AB 3275 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) – Health care coverage: claim reimbursement.
    • SB 56 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – University of California: transfer of real property.
    • SB 59 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Battery electric vehicles: bidirectional capability. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 219 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Greenhouse gases: climate corporate accountability: climate-related financial risk.
    • SB 440 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Regional Housing Finance Authorities.
    • SB 536 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Surplus state real property: Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility.
    • SB 552 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Public safety: pools and spas.
    • SB 572 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Surplus state real property: community land trusts.
    • SB 583 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Salton Sea Conservancy. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 675 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.
    • SB 768 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) – California Environmental Quality Act: Department of Housing and Community Development: vehicle miles traveled: study.
    • SB 901 by Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) – The military: eligibility.
    • SB 951 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – California Coastal Act of 1976: coastal zone: coastal development.
    • SB 1015 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Nursing schools and programs.
    • SB 1098 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Passenger and freight rail: LOSSAN Rail Corridor.
    • SB 1101 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Fire prevention: prescribed fire: state contracts: maps.
    • SB 1137 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Discrimination claims: combination of characteristics.
    • SB 1150 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Dissolution or nullity of marriage: restoration of former name or birth name.
    • SB 1152 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – State Fire Marshal: fire safety: regulations: lithium-based battery systems: telecommunications infrastructure.
    • SB 1161 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Juveniles.
    • SB 1168 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Business entities: Secretary of State: document filings.
    • SB 1177 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Public utilities: women, minority, disabled veteran, and LGBT business enterprises.
    • SB 1181 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – Campaign contributions: agency officers.
    • SB 1183 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Community colleges: registered nursing programs.
    • SB 1210 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – New housing construction: electrical, gas, sewer, and water service: service connection information.
    • SB 1216 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Transportation projects: Class III bikeways: prohibition.
    • SB 1244 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Pupil instruction: dual enrollment: College and Career Access Pathways partnerships.
    • SB 1266 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Product safety: bisphenol.
    • SB 1271 by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) – Electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and storage batteries.
    • SB 1289 by Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) – Medi-Cal: call centers: standards and data.
    • SB 1295 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Automobile insurance: notice of cancellation.
    • SB 1342 by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) – California Environmental Quality Act: infrastructure projects: County of San Diego. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 1357 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Housing Authority of the County of Alameda.
    • SB 1382 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – Community and rural health clinics: building standards.
    • SB 1384 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Powered wheelchairs: repair.
    • SB 1415 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – CalWORKs: permanent housing assistance.
    • SB 1458 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.
    • SB 1493 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Elections.

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

    • AB 359 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Pupil instruction: dual enrollment: College and Career Access Pathways partnerships. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 871 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Safety in employment: conveyances. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1832 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Civil Rights Department: Labor Trafficking Task Force. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1961 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – End Hunger in California Act of 2024. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2061 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – Sales and Use Tax: exemptions: zero-emission public transportation ferries. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2104 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) – Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2182 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Public works. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2237 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Children and youth: transfer of specialty mental health services. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2286 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Vehicles: autonomous vehicles. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2381 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – California state preschool programs: reimbursement rates. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2442 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Healing arts: expedited licensure process: gender-affirming health care and gender-affirming mental health care. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2446 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – Medi-Cal: diapers. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2513 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Gas stoves and ranges: warning label. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2724  by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – High school pupils: voter registration. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2725 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Teacher credentialing: administrative services credential: occupational and physical therapists. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2745 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Porterville) – Agricultural pests: public nuisance: civil penalty. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3061 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) –Vehicles: autonomous vehicle incident reporting. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3063 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Pharmacies: compounding. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3068 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Adaptive reuse: streamlining: incentives. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3142 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Los Angeles Community College District: California Center for Climate Change Education. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3160 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) – Insurance, income, and corporation taxes: credits: low-income housing. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 254 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Correctional facilities: media access. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 895 by Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) – Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1067 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Healing arts: expedited licensure process. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1213 by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) – Health care programs: cancer. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1374 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Net energy metering. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1391 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Teachers: preparation and retention data. A veto message can be found here.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Video: Mexico on the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference by Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico on the margins of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.

    Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Bárcena, today (27 Sep) told journalists in New York that Mexican migrants contribute 400 billion dollars a year to the US economy and said the US government should “seriously” consider “documenting and regularising at least those Mexicans that have been in the US for more than ten years.”

    Talking to the press on the margins of the UN General Assembly’s General debate, Bárcena was asked about the situation in Venezuela.

    She said, “the international community has to allow Venezuelans to take their own decisions with certain sovereignty. So that’s where Mexico is, at the moment. That doesn’t mean we are not interested. Of course we are interested, very interested. And we continue talking, between us, among us. But we don’t believe in intervention. We are a country that has, as a policy, as a principal, non-intervention and respect for the sovereignty of other countries.”

    Asked about the current spat with Spain over the non-invite of Spain’s King Felipe to president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum’s inauguration, Bárcena said, “what Mexico had asked for was a sort of encounter of redress,” for Mexico’s Indigenous people, for events related to the Spanish conquest 500 years ago.

    She said, “we could really combine it with something very positive as well, which is this great coexistence that we have today,” noting that many Mexicans, including herself, are of Spanish descent.

    The Foreign Minister said, “what we have to consider is that what the President of Mexico requested was not answered at the time. In other words, it’s not a recent problem, it’s a problem from before. But the Government of Spain was invited to the inauguration. Of course it was. The thing is that the President was invited, the Minister was invited, the corresponding Spanish authorities were invited.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23qRJUfCRNo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: G-77 Leadership Annual Ministerial Meeting – UN Chief Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Opening remarks by United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, at United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, at G-77 48th Annual Ministerial Meeting.

    ——————————–

    Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
    Let me begin by congratulating Uganda on its leadership of the G77 plus China this year.
    And I want to salute your entire membership.
    For 60 years – year in and year out — the G77 plus China has been on the frontlines for fairness, equality, justice and solidarity.
    You have been the engine driving progress to eradicate poverty, to fight inequalities, to root out injustices in our post-colonial world.
    And you have been shining a spotlight on the need for fundamental reforms of the multilateral system.
    Reforms of the international financial architecture and the Security Council to make them more legitimate and more effective.
    Reforms to make sure our institutions reflect the realities of today’s world and respond to today’s challenges instead of the world and the challenges of 1945.
    We have taken some steps forward with the adoption of the Pact for the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations, and the Global Digital Compact.
    Of course, not everything we may have hoped for was in the final package.
    But none of the achievements would have been possible without your insistence and persistence. If you allow me an image, if you compare the documents that we approved on Sunday with the continued documents of the G7 and the G77, we have to recognize that they are much closer to the documents of the G77. One 7 makes a lot of difference.
    I commend the G77 plus China for always pushing for maximum ambition and look forward to working with you as we continue pursuing the justice your countries deserve – and our world needs.
    We still have a long way to go.
    Our world is on a knife’s edge.
    Climate chaos is worsening.
    Conflicts are raging.
    Human rights are floundering.
    Inequality and injustice are eroding trust and undermining the social contract of societies.
    The rights of women and girls are being snuffed out.
    Entire economies are drowning in debt.
    The digital divide is fast becoming a gaping chasm.
    And the Sustainable Development Goals are hanging by a thread.
    We need action on a number of fronts in line with what was approved in the Summit of the Future.
    First, financial justice.
    Finance is the fuel to drive progress on sustainable development.
    Yet so many countries remain locked out from accessing capital for essential investments.
    This situation is unsustainable – and a recipe for social unrest.
    That is why we have been pushing for fundamental reforms to the outdated, ineffective and unfair international financial system, and an SDG Stimulus to provide developing countries with the resources they need while seeking medium- and long-term solutions.
    We must keep working to make Multilateral Development Banks bigger, bolder and better, enabling them to massively scale up affordable financing for sustainable development, namely in developing countries.
    We must expand contingency financing through the recycling of Special Drawing Rights that until now have essentially benefitted rich countries and not those that have needed it the most.
    We must promote effective long-term debt restructuring that puts people and planet at the centre.
    And we must keep on working for a more inclusive and effective international tax system. I applaud the Ad Hoc Committee for drafting ambitious and practical Terms of Reference for a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
    Second, climate justice.
    We urgently need supercharged action to reduce emissions and avoid the worst of climate chaos.
    This must be in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.
    Every country must create new national climate action plans – or NDCs – well ahead of COP30, that align with 1.5 degrees and put the world on track to phase out fossil fuels – fast and fairly.
    G20 countries – which together produce eighty percent of global emissions – have a responsibility to lead. I am working closely with President Lula of Brazil to drive action in the G20.
    And I urge every developing country to make sure new national climate plans double as investment plans and boost sustainable development – harnessing renewables to power prosperity and pull people out of poverty.
    The United Nations is mobilizing our entire system to support these efforts through the Climate Promise initiative.

    Full remarks [as delivered]:
    https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-27/secretary-generals-remarks-the-annual-meeting-of-g77-foreign-ministers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ans48EF5avA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Jeyhun Aziz oglu Bayramov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

    Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2

    he Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Jeyhun Aziz oglu Bayramov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

    They discussed the cooperation between the United Nations and Azerbaijan in the context of Azerbaijan’s Presidency of COP29, including the finalization of a new climate finance goal.

    They also exchanged views on the progress of the talks on the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and demining.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Unlocking the future of the Molonglo Valley

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government continues to activate the future of the Molonglo Valley – with the National Capital Plan amended to reclassify this district as Canberra’s sixth town centre.

    The amendment paves the way for future development in this region, from commercial to community facilities – ensuring that as the Molonglo community grows, infrastructure and services keep pace.

    As part of this, the Albanese and ACT Labor Governments have committed to working together to deliver a new community centre in Molonglo, along with upgrades to local streets, parks and green space.

    This commitment builds on work already underway and jointly funded by the Albanese and ACT Labor Governments.

    This includes the $225 million construction of the Molonglo River Bridge and upgrades to John Gorton Drive, which will significantly enhance access to the growing Molonglo region.

    The reclassification of Molonglo under the National Capital Plan follows stakeholder and public consultation in May and June – and recognises that the projected population of Molonglo will increase demand on local services and amenities.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Territories, Kristy McBain MP:

    “More people are calling the Molonglo home, with the population expected to reach around 70,000 by 2050.

    “That’s why we’ve made this amendment – paving the way for the development of infrastructure and services this growing community will need in their own backyard.

    “The Albanese Government is committed to working with the ACT Labor Government to boost the liveability of the Molonglo, investing in projects that will support local jobs and stimulate the local economy.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Bean, David Smith MP:

    “The Molonglo is a great place to live and work – which is why the Albanese Government is unlocking its potential and committing to its future.

    “This is one of the fastest-growing parts of the ACT, which is why we’ll continue to work with the ACT Labor Government to deliver infrastructure and services for this flourishing area.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Snapper catch limits up, orange roughy down

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Catch limits for several fisheries will be increased following a review that shows stocks of those species are healthy and abundant.

    The changes are being made as part of Fisheries New Zealand’s biannual sustainability review, which considers catch limits and management settings across New Zealand’s fisheries.

    “Scientific evidence and information about our snapper stocks tells us these fisheries are thriving and abundant,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

    “More of the fish can be sustainably harvested, which is why recreational allowances and commercial catch limits for some snapper stocks will be increased.

    “Making the most of these abundant fisheries benefits those who make a living from our fisheries, and the economy,” Mr Jones says.

    Other changes include increases in the recreational and commercial take in the Kaikōura pāua fishery, but also an increase in the minimum size.

    “The pāua in this fishery continues to become healthier, following its devastation in the Kaikōura earthquakes.

    “To make sure this fishery continues to do well by protecting more spawning pāua, I have increased the minimum size for pāua there from 125mm to 130mm.”

    While some fisheries are doing well, others require reduced catch limits. 

    “A recent assessment of the Challenger Plateau orange roughy stock (ORH 7A) has suggested current harvest is no longer sustainable so the commercial catch limit has been cut.

    “Commercial catch limits and allowances for the Southland blue cod stock (BCO 5) have also been reduced. Blue cod is a popular fish for New Zealanders, and these reductions will help ensure this fishery is sustainable and can be enjoyed in future,” Mr Jones says.

    Decisions are based on the best available scientific information about the stocks, as well as input from iwi and public feedback.

    “I’d like to acknowledge everyone who provided feedback on the proposals. Submissions from tangata whenua, recreational and commercial fishers, environmental groups, and the public play an important part in the advice I receive and the decisions made,” Mr Jones says.

    More information can be found on Fisheries New Zealand’s website at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/review-of-sustainability-measures-for-fisheries-october-2024-round/  

    Summary of the stocks with catch limit increases:

    • Snapper (SNA 2, 7 & 8) – west coast North and South Island, top of the South Island, and East Cape to south coast of Wellington
    • Pāua (PAU 3A) – Kaikōura
    • Kina (SUR 3) – east coast South Island
    • Kingfish (KIN 3) – east coast South Island, Southland, and Sub-Antarctic
    • Leatherjacket (LEA 3) – east coast South Island, Southland, and Sub-Antarctic
    • Rig (SPO 2) – East Cape to south coast of Wellington
    • Elephantfish (ELE 7) – West Coast and top of the South Island
    • Jack mackerel (JMA 7) – west coasts North and South Islands
    • Kingfish (KIN 7 & 8) – west coasts North and South Islands
    • Pilchard (PIL 8) – west coast North Island

    Summary of the stocks with catch limit decreases:

    • Orange roughy (ORH 7A) – Challenger Plateau
    • Blue cod (BCO 5) – Southland
    • John dory (JDO 2) – East Cape to Taranaki
    • Flatfish (FLA 7) – West Coast and top of the South Island
    • Pilchard (PIL 7) – West Coast and top of the South Island

    Stocks with adjustments to deemed value rates:

    • Silver warehou (SWA 3 & 4) – east coast South Island, Chatham Islands, Southland, and Sub-Antarctic
    • Snapper (SNA 8) – west coast North Island

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China willing to enhance cooperation with UN in promoting world peace, development: Chinese FM

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) — China is willing to enhance cooperation with the United Nations in promoting world peace and development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday at a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

    Meeting Guterres at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th UN General Assembly, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated the UN on its success in convening the Summit of the Future. The adoption of the Pact for the Future reflects the common aspirations of most countries and is a document that embodies the principles of multilateralism.

    China stands ready to enhance cooperation with the UN, so as to promote world peace and development, translate the vision of the Pact for the Future into reality, and chart a better future for humankind, Wang said.

    Upholding the authority of the UN and letting the UN play the core role in international affairs is more important than ever, now that the international landscape becomes increasingly complicated and global challenges and risks are highlighted, Wang said.

    China fully supports the work of the UN, including the reform of the current framework governing international finance, as well as the UN’s role as the main channel coordinating the application of artificial intelligence in global governance, Wang said.

    China’s support for the UN also involves facilitating the organization’s active pursuit for the resolution of the Ukraine crisis and the conflict in Gaza, so that the UN is capable of better maintaining world peace and security, he said.

    Appreciating China’s long-term support for the UN and the country’s active contribution to the Summit of the Future, Guterres expressed the hope that all parties will put their commitment into action, jointly implementing the hard-won Pact for the Future.

    In today’s world where the risk of fragmentation is setting back the process of globalization, Guterres called on all members of the international community to join hands in opposing protectionism, saying that the UN, while expecting and believing that China will continue to play an important role in international affairs, will spare no effort for peace and fulfill its responsibility for development. Enditem

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: NFRA creates special science, tech insurance system

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

    The National Financial Regulatory Administration is working to support the growth of the insurance industry by creating a special system for science and technology insurance. This was shared by Yin Jiang’ao, an NFRA official, during a media conference in Beijing on Friday.

    The goal is to improve insurance services for technology-based businesses throughout their entire lifecycle. The NFRA plans to introduce new products, refine policies and support pilot projects in areas like cybersecurity insurance and research and development loss insurance. Yin emphasized that the insurance products will cover all stages of innovation, including the first batch of equipment and intellectual property protection.

    The NFRA, along with other government departments, will also increase policy support for this type of insurance. They aim to build a system that offers broad coverage, while also providing rewards, subsidies and tax incentives for companies involved in technological innovation. This support is designed to reduce risk and encourage the development of new ideas and industries.

    Several regions, such as Ningbo in Zhejiang province, Lingang in Shanghai and Hudong in Hubei province, have already experimented with science and technology insurance. These areas are being used as examples for other regions to follow. According to Yin, this type of insurance is more specialized than regular insurance, with unique risks that require cooperation across industries to manage.

    Luo Yanjun, another official from the NFRA, added that the administration will continue guiding insurance companies to invest more in emerging industries and advanced manufacturing. By the end of August, the balance of insurance fund usage reached 31.8 trillion yuan ($4.5 trillion), with 28.8 trillion yuan supporting the real economy through investments in debt, equity and other areas.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS begins UK visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan began his visit to London yesterday where he attended the annual “Hong Kong Dinner” engagement to share the latest developments in Hong Kong with participants.
     
    The dinner event, with about 350 leaders from the British political and business sectors and professionals invited to attend, was organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
     
    In his keynote speech delivered at the event, Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s commitment to the rule of law and its competitive status in the global economy.
     
    “This is exemplified by the ranking, last year, of Hong Kong’s rule of law under the World Justice (Project) Rule of Law Index. Coming in 23rd out of 142 countries and jurisdictions, we may trail the UK, but we are still ahead of the US. And we were in the top 10 in the absence of corruption.
     
    “And, just two days ago, the Global Financial Centres Index announced that Hong Kong had climbed back to third overall – and gunning for London. We need to be ambitious.”
     
    Apart from pointing out that Hong Kong has a bright development outlook, Mr Chan welcomed British businesses and talent to explore opportunities in the city.
     
    In the morning, the Financial Secretary attended the plenary of the Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and a roundtable meeting hosted by the UK-based think tank Asia House. During the session, he introduced Hong Kong’s development strategies to European financial and business leaders, focusing on consolidating and enhancing the city’s development as international financial, trade, and shipping centre.
     
    In the afternoon, Mr Chan met UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq and Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey to discuss matters of mutual concern.
     
    He also called on Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, and introduced the latest situation and development directions of Hong Kong.
     
    Mr Chan will continue his visit in London today.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados: 26 September 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados at UNGA. 

    The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados at UNGA. 

    Both leaders stressed the strength of the relationship between their two countries and discussed the importance of working together on key issues such as international financial institution reform, climate change and pandemic preparedness.

    They looked forward to meeting again soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Large capital gains on Danes’ securities holdings

    Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

    Securities

    Statistics period: August 2024

    Since the beginning of 2023, the value of Danes’ securities has grown by 294 billion kr. This development is almost exclusively driven by capital gains, especially on Danish and foreign stocks, as net purchases were merely 37 billion kr. In comparison, Danes bought securities for a net amount of 86 billion kr. from April 2020 to December 2021, which was the last time the stock market delivered high returns over a longer period. The net purchase since 2023 includes, among other things, sales of Danish stocks for 15 billion kr. and purchases of Danish bonds as well as foreign stocks and investment funds for 50 billion kr. At the end of August, the value of Danes’ securities was 1,258 billion kr., which is on par with their deposits in financial institutions.

    Growth in securities holdings driven by capital gains

    Note:

    Danes’ (employees and pensioners, etc.) investments in securities. The holdings include both individual pension savings in banks and freely invested funds.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: PM meeting with Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados: 26 September 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados at UNGA. 

    The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados at UNGA. 

    Both leaders stressed the strength of the relationship between their two countries and discussed the importance of working together on key issues such as international financial institution reform, climate change and pandemic preparedness.

    They looked forward to meeting again soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues EUR 50 million notes under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    27 September 2024 at 10:00 am (EEST)

    Municipality Finance issues EUR 50 million notes under its MTN programme

    Municipality Finance Plc issues EUR 50 million notes on 30 September 2024. The maturity date of the notes is 30 September 2054. MuniFin has a right, but no obligation, to redeem the notes early on 30 September 2027. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.548% per annum.

    The notes are issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and the final terms of the notes are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the notes to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 30 September 2024.

    UBS Europe SE acts as the dealer for the issue of the notes.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The company is owned by Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the Republic of Finland.
    The Group’s balance sheet totals over EUR 50 billion.

    MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. MuniFin’s customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, corporate entities under their control, and non-profit organisations nominated by the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA). Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free Help at the Hub for residents at an open day in Penn Fields

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    A variety of city organisations will be on hand for the Help at the Hub day in the Sports Hall of United Reformed Church, Lea Road, Penn Fields, WV3 0LW, on Wednesday 16 October between 11am and 2pm.

    Help at the Hub has been organised by officers at the council’s Public Protection Scams Team who will be handing out free scams awareness and prevention packs.

    Representatives from adult education, African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI), Citizens Advice, cost of living advisor, neighbourhood safety co-ordinator, NHS talking therapies, public protection, Shared Lives, waste services, West Midlands police and Wolverhampton College will be available.

    Residents are welcome to drop in and speak to any number of the organisations for free help and assistance.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “Our Help at the Hub days continue to offer a wide range of support and advice for local people.

    “The regular drop-in sessions are proving to be a really popular way for people to gain face-to-face help and assistance.

    “By taking information out into the community, we hope to be able to offer assistance to as many people as possible, whether it be advice on financial matters or help with health and safety concerns. Please join us on 16 October for a chat about your worries.”

    Residents do not have to book an appointment but are asked to please be prepared to wait if the event is busy. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Address by Jean-Noël Barrot Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs – Economic and Social Council Chamber (25.09.24)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    Colleagues,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    I would like to thank the Brazilian G20 Presidency, and particularly Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, for taking the initiative of organizing this meeting in a spirit of cohesion and cooperation.

    This year, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Institutions, and the Secretary-General’s Summit of the Future is being held. This is a unique opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the multilateral system, built around the United Nations, and to speed up its reform.

    Despite imperfections, the existing system remains crucial in responding to the crises we face. It does however need to become fairer and more effective. There is no shortage of challenges: we have to fight poverty, inequalities and climate change. We need to prepare ourselves to respond to pandemics when they emerge.

    These are ambitions championed by Brazil under its G20 Presidency, and which it will champion under its Presidency of COP30 in Belém. We share these ambitions.

    The same spirit drives France’s clear, long-standing and constant support for Security Council, with its belief that both its membership categories need expanding.

    For 20 years we have been advocating better representation for Africa on the Security Council, including among the permanent members. That is key for the G4 model, and therefore for Brazil, whose aspirations to gain a permanent seat we support. France has moreover advocated for the G20 to invite the African Union to its meetings.

    In this same spirit of responsibility, France and Mexico promote an initiative that requires no amendment of the Charter and that would allow responsible veto use, with a commitment not to use a veto in the event of mass atrocities. I welcome the fact that many States around this table already support our initiative, and I call on all those that want to bring about change to join us.

    The General Assembly needs to be revitalized to make it more effective. It needs to guide us towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and respect for international law, humanitarian law and human rights.

    We also need to listen to what it has already told us. In October 2022, 143 Member States at the General Assembly affirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In February 2023, 141 States called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. That message is clear.

    Reform should not be limited to the organs in New York. The international financial institutions also need an overhaul. We have managed to find additional financing from all available public and private sources. We will continue this effort, building on the momentum generated by the Paris Pact for Peoples and the Planet that has to date been endorsed by 62 States.

    The Pact has produced tangible results. I have in mind the deployment of innovative mechanisms, such as climate-resilient debt clauses. A Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, co-chaired by France, Kenya and Barbados, is operational and meets regularly to draw up innovative proposals aimed at making the financial system fairer and more equitable. I also have in mind our debt-relief action for developing countries.

    More specifically, the aspirations of developing countries need to be better addressed. That means they need to be better represented in these institutions. We have opened dialogue regarding a review of the shareholding of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the 17th General Review of Quotas of the IMF.

    The World Trade Organization needs to be more effective in fighting protectionism and addressing new realities. We have all reached the same conclusion: our system needs to reconcile global trade and protection of the climate and biodiversity. So together, we need to develop rules and mechanisms that will make global trade and accelerator for the energy and ecological tradition worldwide.

    I would like to finish by saying that through its Call for Action, the G20 is showing that it aspires to make reform of global governance a tangible reality, enabling effective collective action. France undertakes to contribute to this reform in a constructive spirit, against fragmentation, in accordance with rules, and for the good of all our people.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Europe News –