NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Apprenticeship Boost targets key occupations

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Investment in Apprenticeship Boost will prioritise critical industries and targeted occupations that are essential to addressing New Zealand’s skills shortages and rebuilding the economy, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston say.

    “By focusing Apprenticeship Boost on first-year apprentices in targeted occupations, we are providing employers in critical industries with the certainty to hire and retain first-year apprentices, and confidently hire new ones,” Ms Simmonds says.

    “Having the confidence to build and strengthen your team is important, especially when many businesses are doing it tough right now.”

    The National-NZ First Coalition Agreement includes a commitment to continue Apprenticeship Boost, with $64 million allocated to initiative in Budget 2024.

    “The previous government had set time-limited funding until the end of 2024.  

    “Our investment in Apprenticeship Boost, reinforces this Government’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce in sectors that are critical to economic growth. First-year apprentices in key industries and occupations will continue to benefit,” Ms Simmonds says. 

    From 1 January 2025, Apprenticeship Boost will prioritise key sectors and targeted occupations that are crucial to New Zealand’s growth and sustainability. They are:

    • Building
    • Agriculture
    • Horticulture and Viticulture 
    • Forestry Studies 
    • Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology 
    • Process and Resources Engineering 
    • Automotive Engineering and Technology 
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology
    • Aerospace Engineering and Technology 
    • Maritime Engineering and Technology
    • Other Engineering and Technology 
    • Human Welfare Studies and Services 
    • Food and Hospitality

    The targeted occupations are defined by the New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED) code, ensuring that the initiative addresses the most pressing skill gaps and supports the long-term success of the economy.

    Employers can continue to claim funding for eligible apprentices under the current settings until 31 December 2024. Employers receiving funding for second-year apprentices will continue to receive $500 monthly payments until the same date.

    From 1 January 2025, only employers of first-year apprentices in targeted industry areas will be eligible for the $500 monthly subsidy.

    These improvements to Apprenticeship Boost reflect the Government’s commitment to deliver a strong economy and support more New Zealanders into jobs.

    “Our economy is stronger when more people are in work,” Ms Upston says.

    “Industry training plays an important part in making sure our young people have more opportunities to get ahead through work, but we need to make sure the skills and qualifications they are gaining are also in sync with what our country needs.

    “Targeting Apprenticeship Boost makes sense as it will strengthen the long-term success of our key industries as we grow a more skilled workforce.”

    The Ministry of Education will review the targeted sectors every two years to ensure the programme continues to address skills shortages and aligns with New Zealand’s evolving economic priorities. The first review is scheduled for July 2027.

    Notes to editors:

    Find out more information: Apprenticeship Boost – Work and Income

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Applications open to deliver historic pay rise for early childcare workers

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    From today, early learning providers can apply for Commonwealth Government funding to deliver early childhood education and care workers a historic 15 per cent pay rise.

    To be eligible to receive the Albanese Government’s funding for the wage increase, early childhood education and care services must agree not to increase their fees by more than 4.4 per cent between 8 August 2024 and 7 August 2025.

    This is good for early childhood educators and good for families.

    There will also be a limit on fee growth in the second year of the wage subsidy. The  percentage limit on fee growth that will apply from August 2025 will be determined by a new ECEC cost index being developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

    This is an important condition that will keep downward pressure on out-of-pocket costs for families.

    Services must also pass on funding in full to employees through increased wages.

    The 15 per cent pay rise will be phased in over two years, starting with a 10 per cent increase from December 2024, with a further 5 per cent increase from December 2025.

    This means a typical early childhood educator who is paid at the award rate will receive a pay rise of more than $100 per week this year, increasing to more than an additional $150 per week from December 2025.

    This significant wage increase is an important next step in the Government’s reforms to the sector, building on the successful Cheaper Child Care policy.

    Latest data shows that Cheaper Child Care has seen the average out-of-pocket costs for families decrease by more than 13 per cent from the June quarter 2023 to the June quarter 2024.

    The Government’s Cheaper Child Care policy increased the base subsidy rates from July 2023 for all families earning up to $530,000, and set the maximum subsidy to 90 per cent for families earning $80,000 or less.

    Thanks to the increased subsidy, a family earning $120,000, with one child in care three days a week, paid around $2,140 less last financial year than they otherwise would have.

    The Government is currently considering the Productivity Commission’s report handed down earlier this month.

    For further information on the 15 per cent wage increase, grant eligibility and how to apply visit education.gov.au/early-childhood/workforce/wages/how-apply-worker-retention-payment.

    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 

    “Early educators shape lives and change lives. They deserve more than our thanks – they deserve to be paid fairly.  

    “Parents want their children to be safe, happy and to have the very best start in life. This funding is about fair pay for the people who make this possible.

    “Importantly, we’re making sure that our early educators are getting fair wages without putting cost of living pressure on families.

    “This is part of our Government’s agenda to make sure that Australians are making more and keeping more of what they earn, while providing that vital cost of living relief.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “The child care debate is over. It’s not babysitting. It’s early education and it’s critical to preparing children for school.

    “They lift our kids up and now we are lifting their pay.

    “This means wages up for workers and keeping prices down for families.

    “A pay rise for every early childhood educator is good for our workforce, good for families and good our economy.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth Anne Aly:

    “We’re boosting the wages of early childhood education workers, while relieving cost of living pressures on Australian families.

    “Properly valuing the early childhood education and care workforce is crucial to attracting and retaining workers and vital to achieving the quality universal early learning sector Australian families deserve.

    “A quality early childhood education sector is necessary to support children’s learning and development as well as workforce participation in the broader economy – particularly for women.

    “I urge all eligible early learning services to sign up to this important initiative, so their hardworking staff get the full benefit of this wage increase.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE/FAO Team of Specialists on Forest Communication – Forest Communicators’ Network annual meeting and workshop

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Hosted by the Czech Ministry of Agriculture and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences of the Czech University of Life Sciences, participants will learn about the latest best practices in forest communication and trends in forestry in Europe. This will include the role of innovative technology in impactful communication, such as artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, virtual reality and 360° videos. There will be an opportunity to put these new tools into practice in the urban parks and gardens of one of Europe’s greenest cities.

    There will also be a unique focus on urban forestry with a half-day field trip to visit the City of Prague Forests (LHMP). LHMP manages over 2,900 hectares of forests and meadows in Prague, cares for the city’s parks, gardens, orchards and memorial trees, and manages a rescue station for wildlife.

    In addition, participants are invited to submit proposals for 5-minute lightning talks that show examples of impactful communication on forests, trees and wood. The topic this year will be: “Making a change with powerful communication”. Please send proposals and confirm your participation to [email protected].

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Op-Ed: America’s Next Commander in Chief Must Unapologetically Support Israel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – To mark the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the Dallas Morning News highlighting the pressing need for America’s leaders to support Israel and stand up to terrorism around the world:

    America’s next commander in chief must unapologetically support Israel

    Senator John Cornyn

    Dallas Morning News

    October 3, 2024

    https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2024/10/05/cornyn-americas-next-commander-in-chief-must-unapologetically-support-israel/

    One year ago, Hamas launched an unprovoked attack on our closest ally in the Middle East: Israel.

    Hamas terrorist fighters entered Israel by land, air and sea. They brutally murdered, abused and kidnapped innocent civilians. They paraded hostages and dead bodies through the streets of Gaza like trophies. They killed nearly 1,200 people, making it the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. More than 200 people were kidnapped by Hamas, and sadly, more than 40 of our fellow Americans also lost their lives in the attack.

    On Oct. 7, the world saw evil in its purest form. In the days that have followed, we’ve seen heart-wrenching videos and heard firsthand accounts of the terror Hamas continues to unleash in the Middle East. These images and stories are painful to see and listen to, but it is imperative that we share them. People in the United States and around the world need to understand the magnitude of what happened and what continues to unfold in the Middle East.

    Texas is home to a vibrant Jewish community, and for them, the war in Israel is far more than a terrifying headline — it’s a deeply personal attack on their faith, family and heritage. I visited Temple Emanu-El in Dallas shortly after the attack to hear from members of the Jewish community impacted by the attacks. An elementary school teacher who had just moved to North Texas from a small kibbutz near Gaza cried as she told me about students who were slaughtered, and a mother of two young men in the Israel Defense Forces reserves told me about her beloved sons. It was difficult for them to share their stories, but they showed such courage in doing so to help all of us understand the personal and profound impact of a war happening on the other side of an ocean.

    Support for Israel ought to transcend party lines, religion, race and ethnicity. This is not an issue of opinion; this is a battle of right and wrong, of good and evil. Israel is our most steadfast ally in the Middle East, and it deserves our full support, both in words and action.

    I was honored to visit Israel earlier this year, and I was also extremely proud to have voted for widely-supported legislation that sent critical aid and military resources to Israel.

    However, not everyone has made good on their rhetoric about backing Israel. The Biden-Harris administration has tried to have it both ways after facing blowback from progressives and antisemitic protests on college campuses. Vice President Kamala Harris skipped out on attending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. This administration delayed the sale of critical F-15s to Israel despite Congress’ approval. And it has withheld aid passed by Congress over disagreements on how Israel, a sovereign nation, should defend itself from terrorists.

    From the beginning of this war, I’ve said that Israel’s decisions on how to respond to this deadly attack must not be dictated by anyone but Israel. In the wake of 9/11, America’s allies didn’t attempt to micromanage our response. Instead, they stood in solidarity with the American people and pledged their support. Israel deserves the same, but the Biden-Harris administration continues to treat it like an untrustworthy antagonist.

    A year after Hamas’ horrific attack, the world has never been more dangerous. There is war in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and tensions are escalating in the Indo-Pacific. This is a direct reflection of the Biden-Harris administration’s utter lack of leadership on the global stage, complete abandonment of deterrence and tepid support of our most critical allies.

    Our friends and enemies alike are watching how we respond. Iran’s missile attacks on Israel last week are a reminder that there is no daylight between Iran, its terrorist proxies and authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, who want nothing more than for America to abandon its allies.

    If Oct. 7 wasn’t a wake-up call for this administration, I don’t know what will be. We face a modern-day axis of evil, and we cannot be naive to the fact that our reaction to terrorism around the world can and will affect our national security here at home. We ignore this grim reality at our own peril. It is vital our nation’s next commander in chief understands the importance of being a strong, trustworthy ally.

    As we reflect upon this tragic day, may we mourn the innocent lives that were lost one year ago, vow to free those still held hostage and offer our unfaltering support to Israel as it continues its efforts to eradicate the evil that is Hamas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Led by Peters to Honor James Earl Jones

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution led by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that honors the late actor James Earl Jones, who passed away in early September 2024. Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi then moved to Manistee, Michigan, and later attended the University of Michigan. He was widely known for his roles in The Lion King, Star Wars, Field of Dreams, and more.

    Peters led the resolution with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS).

    See the full text of the resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Waldencast plc Announces Board Appointments and Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Waldencast plc (NASDAQ: WALD) (“Waldencast” or the “Company”), a global multi-brand beauty and wellness platform, announced today that Hind Sebti, Kelly Brookie and Roberto Thompson have been appointed to its board of Directors (the “Board”), effective September 26, 2024. These executives bring extensive professional experience further enhancing the breadth of talent and expertise possessed by the Board. Ms. Brookie will replace Sarah Brown who has informed the Board of her intention to not renew her mandate ahead of the Company’s Annual General Meeting. The Company also announced that its Annual General Meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2024 during which the Company’s shareholders will be asked to vote on the renewal of Class I and Class II directors. Following this announcement, the Board will include 11 members, each of whom possesses significant expertise, particularly in the beauty, financial and consumer products sectors.

    Hind Sebti is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Waldencast. Ms. Sebti has more than 20 years of experience leading and managing beauty brands across multiple categories and stages during her tenures at L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble. Ms. Sebti co-founded Waldencast Ventures alongside Mr. Brousset in 2019. Ms. Sebti brings in-depth knowledge and understanding of the beauty industry as well as consumer insights to identify and invest in the next-generation beauty brands. Importantly, Ms. Sebti plays a key role in helping portfolio brands scale, leveraging her extensive multi-category and brand management experience. Previously, Ms. Sebti also served as Chief Executive Officer of Waldencast Brands, a subsidiary of Waldencast Ventures, to incubate and commercialize new brands, where she led the brand creation process, with a focus on creative and operational optimization, through all stages from conception and product development to go-to-market strategy.

    Kelly Brookie retired from Deloitte in 2020 with over 25 years of experience in financial accounting and reporting, internal controls and governance matters. As an Audit Partner, Ms. Brookie worked with companies on accounting and auditing matters, transactions, transformation and strategic risks. At Deloitte, Ms. Brookie served consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, and retail companies. Throughout her career, she has performed audit services for public and private companies as well as gained experience with audit committees in performing the required communications and procedures. She is active in supporting multiple non-profit organizations, including serving on Boards and committees. Ms. Brookie is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Washington and a Master of Accounting from University of Southern California. Ms. Brookie will be serving as a member of the Audit and Governance Committee.

    Roberto Thompson Motta received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Thompson was a co-founder and board member of 3G Capital, a global investment firm headquartered in New York. Mr. Thompson is currently a strategic advisor to the Board of Directors of AB InBev and has served as board member since 2004. Mr. Thompson has also served on the Board of Directors of AmBev S.A., Restaurant Brands International, Lojas Americanas S.A., São Carlos Empreendimentos e Participações S.A. and StoneCo Ltd. He was one of the founding partners of GP Investments Ltd. and a member of its Board of Directors until 2010. Mr. Thompson is a member of The Graduate Executive Board of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and of The International Council of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He is also a Patron of the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo. Mr. Thompson will be serving as a member of the Finance Committee.

    Felipe Dutra, Chairman of the Board stated: “We are pleased to announce that Hind, Kelly and Roberto are joining our Board of Directors. Each bring distinct and diverse skill sets that we believe will be highly valuable to us as we execute our long-term vision. These appointments reflect the Company’s commitment to maintaining a strong and diverse Board and we look forward to their collective contributions as we execute the strategy that maximizes the power, performance and growth of our brands.”

    The Company extends its sincere thanks to Ms. Brown for her dedicated service and valuable contributions during her tenure, including in her role as chair of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as well as member of the Audit Committee.

    Annual General Meeting

    The Company will hold its 2024 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual General Meeting”) on October 28, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. BST, at Michelin House, 81 Fulham Rd., London SW3 6RD, United Kingdom. Only those persons entered on the register of members of the Company as at September 24, 2024 (the “Record Date”) shall be entitled to attend or vote at the Annual General Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at that time. As of the Record Date, the Company had 122,584,658 ordinary shares outstanding, consisting of 111,518,130 Class A ordinary shares outstanding and 11,066,528 Class B ordinary shares outstanding.

    Materials made available in connection with the Annual General Meeting are available on the Company’s website at https://ir.waldencast.com/financial-information/annual-meeting.

    About Waldencast plc

    Founded by Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti, Waldencast’s ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by developing, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling conscious, high-growth purpose-driven brands. Waldencast’s vision is fundamentally underpinned by its brand-led business model that ensures proximity to its customers, business agility, and market responsiveness, while maintaining each brand’s distinct DNA. The first step in realizing its vision was the business combination with Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup. As part of the Waldencast platform, its brands will benefit from the operational scale of a multi-brand platform; the expertise in managing global beauty brands at scale; a balanced portfolio to mitigate category fluctuations; asset light efficiency; and the market responsiveness and speed of entrepreneurial indie brands. For more information please visit: https://ir.waldencast.com/.

    Obagi Medical is an industry-leading, advanced skin care line rooted in research and skin biology, refined with a legacy of 35 years’ experience. First known as leaders in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Medical Nu-Derm® System, Obagi Medical products are designed to diminish the appearance of premature aging, photodamage, skin discoloration, acne, and sun damage. More information about Obagi Medical is available on the brand’s website at http://www.obagi.com.

    Founded in 2016, Milk Makeup quickly became a cult-favorite among the beauty community for its values of self-expression and inclusion, captured by its signature Live Your Look, its innovative formulas and clean ingredients. The brand creates vegan, cruelty-free, clean formulas from its Milk Makeup HQ in Downtown NYC. Currently, Milk Makeup offers over 300 products through its US website http://www.MilkMakeup.com, and its retail partners including Sephora in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia and Cult Beauty and Selfridges in the UK.

    Contacts:

    Investors
    ICR
    Allison Malkin
    waldencastir@icrinc.com

    Media
    ICR
    Brittney Fraser/Alecia Pulman
    waldencast@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Three Storms Churn in an Active Atlantic

    Source: NASA

    From the stable Lagrange point 1, located one million miles above Earth, NASA’s EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera) imager on the DSCOVR (Deep Space Climate Observatory) satellite observed an unusually active Atlantic Basin.
    In early October, three hurricanes simultaneously spun over the North Atlantic Ocean. This image shows the three storms—Milton, Kirk, and Leslie—at about 12 p.m. Central Time (17:00 Universal Time) on October 6, 2024. It was captured as Milton was developing in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, about an hour before it became a hurricane.
    According to Phil Klotzbach, a Colorado State University meteorologist, this is the first-known hurricane season to see three hurricanes simultaneously present in the basin after September. Klotzbach cites the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) database, which dates back to 1851, but he also noted: “…there are likely underestimates and potentially missed hurricanes prior to the satellite era (1966-onwards).”
    Fueled by unusually warm water in the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Milton “explosively” intensified from a Category 1 to Category 5 storm in less than 24 hours from October 6-7. The hurricane developed with “light shear and very warm waters in its path,” according to the NHC. As of the afternoon on October 7, Milton had 175 mile (282 kilometer) per hour winds and was forecast by NHC to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula on the evening of October 9.
    In an October 6 update of tropical Atlantic activity, University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy noted that temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico—both at and below the surface—were record warm. “High ocean heat content provides a hurricane with a constant source of fuel and makes it much harder to upwell cooler water from below which could weaken the storm,” McNoldy wrote in the update. “This will help Milton to rapidly intensify and reach a higher peak intensity.”
    To the northeast, Kirk was weakening from a Category 2 to a Category 1 hurricane around the time of this image. Kirk began developing in the eastern tropical Atlantic in late-September and reached peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane on October 4. The major hurricane veered northeast after development and evolved into an extratropical cyclone. NHC forecasts indicate that the storm could reach the shores of western France on October 9.
    Meanwhile, Leslie churned as a Category 1 storm when this image was acquired. Leslie developed several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands of western Africa and became a hurricane on October 4. The storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by October 8, with no interaction with land.
    The hurricane season, which started June 1 and runs through November 30, has been unusually busy so far in 2024, according to Klotzbach. As of October 6, nine hurricanes have developed in the Atlantic compared to the 1991-2020 average of 5.5.
    NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using data from DSCOVR EPIC. Story by Emily Cassidy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Langworthy Secures $1 Million to Upgrade Elma’s Wastewater Treatment System

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

    ELMA, NY – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) secured $1 million in federal funding to consolidate and upgrade the Town of Elma’s wastewater treatment facilities. This funding, part of H.R. 8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which passed the House in July, will allow for the construction of a modern wastewater treatment plant that will serve both the Town of Elma and the Iroquois Central School District.

    “The wastewater treatment plants serving the Town of Elma and the Iroquois Central School District have reached the end of their useful life, and these outdated facilities pose a serious threat to the quality of our water for families in this community,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This significant funding will allow us to build the new infrastructure we need to keep our water safe and support the growth of our community for years to come. Thank you to Supervisor Wayne Clark and other town officials who have been important partners in getting this project off the ground and ensuring our local infrastructure is built to last.” 

    The project will bring together the existing treatment plants serving the Town of Elma and the Iroquois Central School District, both of which have reached the end of their operational lifespans and pose risks to water quality throughout the Buffalo Creek watershed and surrounding areas. By consolidating these two plants into one facility, the town will benefit from improved water quality management, enhanced environmental protection, and a cost-effective solution for taxpayers.

    Watch the full press conference here

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor McKee Appoints Dr. Michael Browner Jr. to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Published on Friday, October 04, 2024

    PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee today announced his appointment of Michael Browner Jr., Ph.D., to serve on the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

    Dr. Browner currently works as the principal of Frank E. Thompson Middle School in Newport and has decades of experience across all levels of education in Rhode Island. 

    “Michael not only brings extensive knowledge and experience in education and administration but is a proven community leader who is actively working on behalf of Rhode Islanders,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m confident Michael will bring that same passion and dedication to the commission and help continue its mission of upholding the highest standards of integrity in our state.”

    Dr. Browner has worked in education in Rhode Island since 1998. During his time as a Rhode Island educator, Dr. Browner has worked as an assistant principal, an elementary English language arts teacher, a middle school social studies teacher, an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University (RWU), and an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

    “As a Rhode Island native, I am both humbled and honored to accept this appointment to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission,” said Dr. Michael Browner Jr. “I am hopeful that my many years of service in the field of education in Rhode Island will be an asset to the mission of the Ethics Commission. I am excited about the work ahead and the opportunity to serve my home state in a new capacity.”

    Dr. Browner earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Rhode Island College (RIC) and URI. He holds a Master of Education in School Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in History/Secondary Education, both from RIC.

    He is an active member of the Rhode Island Civic Readiness Task Force, the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, and RWU’s Education Advisory Board. Dr. Browner is also a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Providence where he serves as the church organist. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement by Acting Secretary of Labor Su on September jobs report

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the September 2024 Employment Situation report: 

    “Today’s jobs report shows that our economy continues to thrive, adding 254,000 jobs in September, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.1 percent. With an average of 186,000 jobs added over the past three months, it’s clear that people who need a job are finding a job. That’s how strong our economy is. 

    “We’re seeing steady growth across sectors like Private Education & Health Services (+81,000), Leisure & Hospitality (+78,000), Government (+31,000) and Construction (+25,000). At the same time, wages have risen 4.0 percent over the past year, putting more money in working families’ pockets. Since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office in January 2021, our economy has added over 16.2 million jobs, including 729,000 in manufacturing and 940,000 in construction. 

    “Four years ago, students were logging into school via Zoom, trick-or-treating was canceled, and we faced unprecedented challenges. Today, as we approach Halloween 2024, our economy is on strong footing with record employment gains, shrinking unemployment gaps, and rising wages. The Biden-Harris administration has delivered on lower unemployment and inflation, creating a vibrant, inclusive economy that works for everyone.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: This Week at Interior October 4, 2024

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    This Week: Interior personnel join emergency responders and assistance agencies from across the country in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene; Secretary Haaland travels to Carlisle, Pennsylvania as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative; Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland travels to the Pacific Northwest to talk about the impact of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda on critical Tribal infrastructure projects; Interior announces more than $24 million to restore our nation’s lands and waters; the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Commerce make recommendations for promoting forest health and job creation; more than $80 million in grants are awarded for the Republic of Palau; the Bureau of Reclamation celebrates the first federally funded projects to enhance critical water infrastructure at the Gila River Indian Community; the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement awards a contract for the decommissioning of orphaned pipelines; a small but mighty mammal stars in out social media Picture of the Week! Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

    http:/www.facebook.com/usinterior
    http:/www.instagram.com/usinterior
    http:/www.twitter.com/Interior

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enen7i5coV4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswomen Escobar, Strickland, and Jacobs introduce the Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2024

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16)

    Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced the Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2024. The Senate companion has been introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

    Studies have shown that servicemembers face unique challenges accessing contraception and family planning counseling, especially when deployed. With that in mind, the Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2024:

    1. Requires that all people enrolled in TRICARE have coverage of contraceptives without cost-sharing, the same as civilians;
    2. Requires the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive family planning education program for all servicemembers, ensuring that military families have the information necessary to make informed decisions; and
    3. Guarantees access to emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault upon their request.

    Permanently alleviating these challenges is particularly important at a time when our military continues to confront recruitment and retention challenges.

    “The Department of Defense provides health care to nearly 1.62 million women of reproductive age, but many military dependents face co-pays on birth control when their civilian counterparts don’t,” Congresswoman Escobar said. “No military family should have fewer rights than those they serve to protect. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues, Sara Jacobs and Marilyn Strickland, in introducing a long overdue, commonsense piece of legislation to ensure military families have access to the care they need.”

    Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Given all that we ask from our service members and their families, it’s absolutely shameful that they can be forced to pay more than civilians for contraception – an essential part of health care. Research tells us that even small copays of contraception can prevent people from getting the care they need, pushing some to forgo contraception completely, choose less effective methods, or use it inconsistently. That’s an unacceptable risk for our service members and endangers our military readiness. I’m proud to co-lead the Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act to fix this glaring oversight and ensure that our military can get the contraception they need.”

    “Answering the call to serve often means making a great number of sacrifices for your country, and being able to start a family should not be one of them,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). “All Americans deserve access to contraceptives.”

    “At this critical moment for reproductive health access, we are grateful for the introduction of this bill by Representatives Escobar, Jacobs, and Strickland to lift barriers to birth control for service members and their families,” said Jackii Wang, Senior Legislative Analyst for Reproductive Rights & Health at the National Women’s Law Center. “Being able to decide if, when, and how to become a parent is a decision that everyone should have, including those in the Armed Forces. The Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act is critical to ensuring that service members have the freedom to control their own futures.”

    “Service members and their families deserve access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care — including birth control,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “They should have the freedom to control if, when, and how they build their families. This should not be up for debate. To truly support our service members and military families, we must protect and expand their access to the health care they need, when they need it. Thank you to Reps. Escobar, Strickland, and Jacobs for reintroducing this bill.” 

    Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju said: “With reproductive freedom under attack like never before, it is more urgent than ever that our lawmakers take bold action to safeguard and expand access to contraception for members of our military and their families. We are grateful to Reps. Escobar, Jacobs, and Strickland for fighting to ensure that everybody, including servicemembers, has the freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies, families, and futures.”

    “Servicemembers deserve equal and affordable access to comprehensive contraceptive services for themselves and for their families,” said Freya Riedlin, Senior Federal Policy Counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “With the vast majority of servicemembers being of reproductive age, the need to ensure comprehensive access to contraception and family planning services couldn’t be clearer. We commend Congresswomen Escobar, Strickland, and Jacobs for championing this vital bill.”

    “Every person deserves to be able to determine if, when and how they build their families, including our service members and veterans. As physicians, we understand that access to contraceptive care is a key part of safeguarding our basic human right to bodily autonomy. We applaud the steps this bill takes to ensure that servicemembers and their families have meaningful access to the full spectrum of contraceptive care through the Access to Contraception for Servicemembers & Dependents Act,” Dr. Jamila Perritt, President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in Washington DC, said.

     

    “Everyone deserves access to the contraceptive method they want and need without cost being a barrier. The fact that this is not possible for all of our servicemembers and their families right now is deeply unfair and disrespectful of what they give to our country,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide. “As a practicing OB-GYN, it is so frustrating to see patients on TRICARE, counsel them about contraception and then not know whether they will be able to access the method they need. Thank you to Representatives Escobar, Jacobs, and Strickland for your leadership—it’s time to fix this.”

    “Birth control and contraception are essential health care,” said Jocelyn C. Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health plans for non-military families must cover contraceptives with no cost sharing. This bill would provide our service members and their dependents with the same benefits, allowing them to make decisions about their health and reproductive care without worrying about the costs they will incur. We appreciate Rep. Escobar’s leadership on this issue to ensure service members faithfully serving our country get the high-quality health care they deserve.”

    Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantees that employer-sponsored and marketplace health plans cover preventive services without cost sharing, including all Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, granted, or cleared contraceptive methods, counseling, and related services, these protections do not apply to coverage through TRICARE, a health care program for uniformed servicemembers and their families.

    In July 2022, the Department of Defense took a critical action in eliminating copayments for medical contraceptive services (i.e., intrauterine devices, birth control shot, birth control implant, and diaphragm measurement and fitting), and effective January 2023, certain TRICARE beneficiaries will no longer face cost-sharing or copayments for tubal ligation (surgical sterilization) services when obtaining care through a civilian provider. However, congressional action is needed to completely eliminate copayments for prescription contraceptives and ensure that servicemembers and their loved ones have equitable access to all methods of contraception.

    Congresswomen Escobar, Jacobs, and Strickland are joined by co-sponsors Ro Khanna (CA-17), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Marc Veasy (TX-33), James McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), James Himes (CT-04), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Susan Wild (PA-07), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Scott Peters (CA-50), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), John Larson (CT-01), Susan Wild (PA-07).

    The Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2024 is endorsed by Endorsements: National Partnership for Women & Families, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Center, Power to Decide, Service Women’s Action Network.

    Bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Adriano Espaillat Continues Congressional Push Honoring Legacy of Roberto Clemente Coin Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

    Espaillat Closing in on History with His Leadership for the Clemente Commemorative Coin Bill

    NEW YORK, NY — Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) introduced the bipartisan Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act earlier this Congress to honor the legacy of the altruistic Major League Baseball (MLB) star Roberto Clemente. 

    The bill, to date, has garnered tremendous support in the U.S. House of Representatives and is near the necessary 290 cosponsors needed to bring the legislation to the House floor for consideration. 

    “Roberto Clemente was a humanitarian, social justice trailblazer, and tireless advocate for the rights of Black and Latino communities, and his legacy extends beyond the baseball field,” said Espaillat. “I am adamant in this congressional effort, through my bill to create the Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin, to ensure a lasting tribute to Clemente’s sportsmanship, unparalleled talent, and humanitarian efforts both on and off the field that continues to inspire us all.”  

    To date, the bipartisan Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act has been endorsed by numerous impactful organizations, including: FRIENDS of the National Museum of the American Latino; NALEO Educational Fund; The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce; Friends of Puerto Rico; Congreso de Latinos Unidos; Grupo 21; El Museo del Barrio; Youth Guidance BAM Chicago; Roberto Clemente High school; DREAM; Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association; UCF-Puerto Rico Research Hub; Roberto Clemente Middle School; The Clemente Museum; Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade; The Clemente Course in the Humanities; PONY Baseball and Softball; Puerto Rico Pony Baseball and Softball League, Inc.; Clemente Course in the Humanities, Inc.; and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

    Earlier this Congress, Espaillat introduced a congressional resolution urging the MLB to fully implement Roberto Clemente Day throughout the league.

    Read: How a Congressman Wants to Honor Roberto Clemente, featured in the New York Times, detailing Rep. Espaillat’s push in Congress to honor Clemente.

    Read: A half century after his tragic death during a life-saving mission of mercy, we must expand Roberto Clemente Day to honor his legacy, featured in NY Daily News, highlighting Espaillat’s work to expand the MLB’s Roberto Clemente Day.

    Watch Video

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    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

    Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Statement on ILA and USMX Agreement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Statement on ILA and USMX Agreement

    As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats

    WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and the Workforce, released the following statement after International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance reached a tentative agreement to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports. In sum, ILA workers will receive a 62 percent pay raise over six years. 

    “I am grateful that the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) were able to reach an agreement and reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports. I want to thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Acting Secretary Department of Labor Su for ensuring workers have a voice on the job. 

    “This tentative agreement looks to be good news for workers, businesses, and our economy. It is also the result of successful collective bargaining. When workers form a union and exercise their voice, they can bargain for higher pay, better benefits, safer workplaces and receive their fair share of the wealth they create.”

    Ranking Member Scott is the lead sponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), which protects the basic right to join a union by: (1) holding employers accountable for violating workers’ rights, (2) empowering workers to exercise their right to organize, and (3) securing free, fair, and safe union elections. To learn more about PRO Act, click here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Kustoff Secures $745,000 for the University of Tennessee at Martin

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

    CategoriesMIL OSI

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) recently helped secure a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Capacity Building Grant for Non-land-grant Colleges of Agriculture worth $745,000 for the University of Tennessee at Martin. 

    “I am pleased to have helped secure this important funding for the University of Tennessee at Martin,” said Congressman Kustoff. “Farmers are the backbone of West Tennessee’s economy and supporting non-land grant colleges of agriculture is one of my main priorities in Washington. It is important to ensure our next generation of farmers have the resources they need to succeed.”

    “The research and outreach provided by this federal funding will positively affect the UT Martin campus, Weakley County Schools, and West Tennessee as well as the service area of our Innov8Africa partner for years. The quality of this project is confirmed by the fact that NIFA requested an increase in scope of the project with an additional $50,000 added to the original budget request,” said Dr. Yancy E. Freeman, Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin. 
     
    Congressman Kustoff secured this funding by leading a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies sent on March 24, 2023. 

    The Capacity Building Grants for Non-land-grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) Program assists NLGCA-certified institutions in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct education, research, outreach/extension, and integrated activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and similar disciplines.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Statement on the September Jobs Report

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Statement on the September Jobs Report

    As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats

    WASHINGTON –Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 254,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate ticked down from 4.2 to 4.1 percent. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 16.2 million jobs have been created, and workers have seen their hourly earnings grow by 18.1 percent on average.

     “Four years ago, the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent. Today, the unemployment rate is 4.1 percent. Four years ago, roughly 800,000 people filed initial unemployment insurance claims during the week.  Only 225,000 filed claims this week. Four years ago, the economy was in freefall and Americans were hoarding toilet paper; today the economy is strong, and Americans are thriving. 

    “The truth is the economy always performs better under Democratic Administrations. For example, President Trump is the first president in nearly 100 years to have lost more jobs than he created during his time in office. During President Trump’s tenure, ten months of which he spent mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy lost 2.7 million jobs. During President Biden’s time in office, nearly two years of which were spent recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy has added 16.2 million jobs. That is more jobs than any President has created in four years. And more jobs than any Republican President has created in eight years. The only President to create more jobs is President Clinton, who added 22.9 million jobs in eight years. 

    “Despite inheriting a struggling economy and a workforce devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden-Harris Administration successfully rebuilt the economy and delivered real, lasting results for the American people. The policies in the American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) helped to create millions of new jobs– reflecting Democrats’ commitment to build an economy from the bottom up and the middle out.

    “In ARPA and IRA, Democrats fought to put money in family bank accounts by passing stimulus payments, enacting the child tax credit, enhancing SNAP benefits, increasing unemployment insurance and saving the pensions of one million workers participating in the multi-employer pension fund. Democrat then lowered everyday costs for working families by reducing health care costs, reducing premiums on the Obamacare Marketplace and reducing drug costs, especially insulin, and reducing the costs of childcare.  These measures not only helped families afford their day-to-day needs but by the end of the first year, child poverty was cut in half, and credit card delinquency was at its lowest point in nearly 30 years. And Congressional Democrats were able to accomplish this without a single Republican vote.

    “And the Administration’s commitment to invest in workers has paid off for families across America. The Census Bureau recently reportedthat the strong labor market and falling inflation contributed to a marked increase in real median household income, as well as a decrease in the official poverty rate. These investments demonstrate that policies that prioritize workers are also great for the economy.  

    “Every worker in America should be able to come home from work each day healthy, whole, and fairly compensated. Unfortunately, we know all too well that unscrupulous employers cut corners that put workers’ lives at risk or violate their rights in the workplace. In 2023, 16.2 million Americans were able to count on their unions to help them secure higher pay, better benefits, and safer workplaces. Continuing to safeguard collective bargaining is just one of the ways this Administration and Congressional Democrats have ensured that workers have a share in the prosperity they work hard to create.

    “Moreover, the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to raising workers’ wages. This is why in 2021, President Biden worked to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors to $15 an hour. And earlier this year, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $58,656 per year, extending overtime protections for roughly an additional 4 million Americans. I will continue to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to paying workers their fair share and having the security they need to provide for themselves and their families.

    “The results of these policies speak for themselves – in the past four years, Democrats ensured working people were not left behind during this country’s economic recovery. But the work is not over. Despite the resilience of the economy, there is more that can be done to lower costs, whether at the grocery store, the pharmacy counter, or when buying a home. Democrats are offering proposals to end price gouging, lower prescription drug costs, expand home ownership, increase the Pell grants, lower the cost of childcare, among many other things.

    “In stark contrast, my House Republican colleagues have spent their time in the majority complaining and blaming others but not offering Americans any solutions. And their record shows it. In the last two years, House Republicans have not passed a single piece of legislation that was signed into law that will meaningfully reduce costs for the American people. Complaining about a problem is not a solution.

     “As for me, I will continue my work in Congress, as I always have— working on policy solutions that will build on the progress we have made and create an economy where everyone can succeed.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Markey Discusses Flood Mitigation and Economic Development Efforts with Lawmakers, Community Organizations in the Berkshires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
     

    Left: Senator Markey presenting the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art with a certificate of Congressional Recognition on their 25th anniversary
    Right: Senator Markey with A.J. Enchill, President and Executive Director of the Berkshire Black Economic Council, Destiny Saunders, co-founder of Dolc’e Rose Beauty Supply, and Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti
    Boston (October 4, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) was in the Berkshires this week to meet with local leaders, workers, and community organizations to discuss economic development initiatives, flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements, and expanding resources for small businesses.
    In North Adams, Senator Markey celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), which sees over 300,000 visitors each year from around the world.  The museum, a converted factory complex, showcases all types of art and is a hub for both local and international artists. 
    Later in North Adams, Senator Markey joined Mayor Jennifer Macksey for a briefing on the Hoosic River Flood Mitigation Study, a project that aims to evaluate potential flood risk reduction measures and support development of a new flood mitigation system built with 21st-century engineering standards. The project affords flood protection to roughly 85 percent of North Adams’ industrial and commercial firms and about 25 percent of the residential property. Senator Markey, Mayor Macksey, city staff, and local advocates viewed existing damage to flood control infrastructure at three sites. Senator Markey led the effort to get the study included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), advocated for $750,000 in funding for the Army Corps of Engineers this year, and has secured $950,000 in the pending appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).
    “When Mayor Macksey called earlier this year to let us know more support was needed from the federal government to continue the study, I went to work with my colleagues Congressman Neal and Senator Warren to advocate directly to the Army Corps of Engineers and ensure the necessary funds were allocated within the Corps Fiscal Year 2024 budget,” said Senator Markey. “This is the type of partnership that we need between local and federal government to mitigate the future impacts of our modern-day climate challenges. I applaud Mayor Macksey, all of the local officials, Senator Mark, Representative Barrett, and the dedicated advocates with the Hoosic River Revival who continue to keep this issue front and center.” 
    In Pittsfield, Senator Markey met with Mayor Peter Marchetti, city staff, Downtown Pittsfield Inc, 1Berkshire, the Berkshire Black Economic Council, and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to discuss economic development in the city. Senator Markey and Mayor Marchetti visited small, local businesses in downtown Pittsfield to assess progress that has been made.
    “Over the past three years, we have brought $6 million in Congressionally-directed spending back to Pittsfield from the federal government. That is money that has gone toward economic development by investing in the Berkshire Black Economic Council’s business incubator, childcare through the YMCA, and so much more,” said Senator Markey. “We will continue to work with Mayor Marchetti, Senator Mark, Rep. Farley-Bouvier, and all our local partners to continue delivering results.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Department of Justice Awards University of Colorado Nearly $2 Million Grant to Combat Hate Crimes

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Hate Crime)

    DENVER – Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Justice has awarded the University of Colorado the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program Grant.

    The grant, totaling $1,999,939, will go to support the work of The University of Colorado Boulder’s Police Department (CUPD), and the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) to build and deliver a comprehensive approach to hate crimes prevention, intervention, and investigation for all CU locations including CU Boulder, CU Colorado Springs, and CU Denver. Funds will be used to educate audiences across the CU System and train campus officials on coordinated strategies for preventing, investigating, and addressing hate-based incidents and hate crimes in higher education. Grant funding will reach approximately 60,000 students, 23,000 faculty and staff, and 60 law enforcement officers while serving as a model for other colleges and universities around the country.

    “The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has a long-standing commitment both to investigating and prosecuting hate crimes and to engaging with the community on this topic,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch.  “Public education on the tools available to prevent and address hate crimes is fundamental to these efforts, and we are proud to work with University of Colorado.”

    “The University of Colorado and the CU Boulder Police Department is honored to receive the Matthew Shepard and Edward Byrne Hate Crimes Grant, which will help us continue the important work of building a comprehensive approach to preventing hate crimes across the CU System,” said Doreen Jokerst, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety and Chief of Police of the CU Boulder Police Department at the University of Colorado Boulder. “CUPD will continue to work collaboratively with violence prevention researchers and other experts to create an effective, broad-reaching campaign to combat targeted violence.”

    This grant is part of the Office of Justice Program (OJP) and its wide-ranging efforts to improve community safety, serve victims of crime, support America’s youth, advance science, and promote equal justice. OJP is the largest grantmaking component of the Department of Justice and houses its criminal and juvenile justice related science and statistical units.

    The Department of Justice (DOJ) offers funding opportunities to support law enforcement and public safety activities in state, local, and tribal jurisdictions; to assist victims of crime; to provide training and technical assistance; to conduct research; and to implement programs that improve the criminal, civil, and juvenile justice systems. DOJ grant-making components regularly engage with United States Attorneys’ offices (USAOs) to promote outreach and communication about DOJ-funded grant programs, training, and technical assistance. Such communication helps the Department increase public awareness, access, and utilization of these resources. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Visits Rush-Henrietta Senior High School, Discusses Her Legislation To Provide Free Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner To All Students

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Rush-Henrietta Senior High School to meet with school leaders and discuss her legislation to provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to all schoolchildren regardless of income. The bill would also expand access to free meals over the summer and eliminate school meal debt. 
    Free school meals are associated with a variety of positive outcomes, including improved attendance rates and school performance, fewer behavioral incidents, lower suspension rates, better health outcomes, and reduced financial stress for students and families.Rush-Henrietta Central School District is one of many districts in New York State that is able to offer free school meals because of the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP reimburses schools in low-income communities for providing free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students. In 2022, Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, advocated directly to Congressional leadership to expand Community Eligibility for high needs schools.
    “In the richest country on earth, it is unacceptable that millions of kids go hungry each day. I’m proud that so many New York schools – including Rush-Henrietta High – already provide free meals for kids, but we must do more. The Universal School Meals Program Act would provide funding for free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack for all students nationwide and slash burdensome red tape for school administrators,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill would make our families and communities healthier and stronger, keep kids in school, and work to fight the stigma too often associated with meal programs. I look forward to passing this critical legislation so every child in the United States has the food they need to succeed.”
    The Universal School Meals Program Act would: 
    Permanently provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to all schoolchildren regardless of income and put an end to burdensome application paperwork that poses a barrier to enrollment in meal programs.
    Increase the reimbursement rates for school authorities participating in the food and nutrition programs to more accurately reflect the true cost of providing meals.
    Reduce stigma associated with meal programs by eliminating meal debt and prohibiting school food authorities from discriminating against or overtly identifying a child participating in the free meal program.
    Expand the summer food service program and Summer EBT program by making all children eligible to participate in the programs. Currently, only communities where 50 percent of children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch can operate a summer meals program; the Universal School Meals Program Act would make all communities eligible regardless of income.
    Senator Gillibrand is a longstanding champion for childhood nutrition. She leads the bipartisan MODERN WIC Act, which would make WIC benefits more accessible to low-income families by allowing them to certify and recertify for WIC services remotely. She also leads the bipartisan Summer Meals Act, which would provide meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school is not in session.
    A summary of the Universal School Meals Program Act is available here.
    Gillibrand was joined by Superintendent of the Rush-Henrietta Central School District Dr. Barbara Mullen and Vice President of the Monroe County School Boards Association Scott Adair.
    “Food insecurity is a real challenge for many in our community,” said Dr. Barbara Mullen, Superintendent of the Rush-Henrietta Central School District in suburban Rochester. “This issue impacts many students, so the idea of expanding universal feeding is a critical area of discussion. With 5,400 students from incredibly diverse backgrounds, Rush-Henrietta would benefit from a national effort to expand access to meals. Research – and our own experience – shows us that students who are adequately fed are able to achieve and dream at higher levels. Our students are capable of so much, we want them to reach their full potential. This type of legislation would help school districts and local communities address the needs of the whole child, allowing them to flourish in ways that some of them simply cannot right now.”
    “The Monroe County School Boards Association is proud to support the Universal School Meals Program Act, as our membership believes that every child in America should have access to nutritious meals, regardless of income. Food insecurity remains a devastating reality for millions of children in the United States and certainly within Monroe County. Having a meal every day shouldn’t be a worry for any child, and this bill takes a significant step toward helping to alleviate that issue,” said Amy J. Thomas, Executive Director of the Monroe County School Boards Association. “By ensuring universal access to healthy meals, the Universal School Meals Program Act will not only combat hunger but also remove the stigma associated with receiving free or reduced-price meals, creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. It also offers support to families who are struggling to make ends meet by eliminating the financial burden of school meal costs. In addition, eliminating school meal debt will ease financial strains on both families and schools. We commend Senator Gillibrand for her advocacy of the Universal School Meals Program Act as we believe this legislation will promote the health and well-being of our children, foster educational equity, and build a brighter future for all.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Bulgaria celebrate anniversaries together at Confucius Institute

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

    SOFIA, Oct. 4 — “Bulgaria and China — we celebrate together with a view to the future” event was held at the Confucius Institute here on Friday to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria.

    The event, organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia, was also held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, 20 years of Confucius Institutes, Global Confucius Institute Day, and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

    Spectators in the institute’s Multifunctional Hall enjoyed Chinese and Bulgarian songs and dances performed by Bulgarian and Chinese students from educational institutions.

    Earlier on Friday, those interested attended lectures dedicated to China, such as “Educational Exchanges Between China and Bulgaria: Development of Bulgarian Studies in China” and “The Cultural Dimension of China’s Foreign Policy.”

    Guan Xin, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria said addressing the festivity that China’s National Day and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and China have become inseparable events that were celebrated together and gave double joy to the two peoples.

    Guan also said that by promoting the Chinese language and culture, Confucius Institutes have helped people around the world get to know China, creating conditions for mutual understanding and rapprochement.

    Chen Ying, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, said the Confucius Institute in Sofia confidently and steadfastly worked for the spread of Chinese culture in Bulgaria, for more and more Bulgarian youth to learn Chinese, to visit China, and to eventually become young ambassadors of friendship between the two peoples.

    Chen said that currently, there are 25 learning centers with Chinese language teaching in the country, among which were universities in Plovdiv, Ruse, Blagoevgrad, Stara Zagora, and Burgas.

    Confucius Institute in Sofia has built eight Confucius Classrooms, which became regional centers for the dissemination of Chinese language and culture, she said.

    A congratulatory address on behalf of Nikolay Marin, rector of the South-West University in Blagoevgrad, said that his university established itself as a bridge of friendship between Bulgaria and China.

    The sustained friendly relations between China and Bulgaria were a prerequisite for the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in various spheres, Marin said.

    “It is our honor and pleasure to share this special moment with you,” said a congratulatory address on behalf of Dobri Yarkov, rector of Trakia University in Stara Zagora, who said he was happy and proud that the relationship and partnership between China and Bulgaria has been deepening in the culture, science, technology, agriculture and education.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Expanding rail transit lines propel Greater Bay Area integration

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

    SHENZHEN, Oct. 4 — The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is being closely-knit by a growingly extensive, interconnected transportation network, poised to become one of China’s largest cross-city rail transit systems.

    Spanning 56,000 square km with a total economic output of over 14 trillion yuan (around 2 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, the area encompasses the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, along with nine cities in south China’s Guangdong Province.

    Since May, two new intercity rail lines have joined the existing network. Its integrated infrastructure, ticketing, security and information systems allow passengers to travel seamlessly across Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhaoqing and Huizhou in the GBA with a single ticket.

    The nine cities of Guangdong in the GBA see an average of over 6 million daily intercity trips. The intercity rail network has greatly streamlined business travel, tourism and commuting.

    “Compared to a grueling five-hour drive in the past, my daily commute now takes me just over two hours through the intercity transit network,” said a passenger surnamed Xie who works in Guangzhou and lives about 70 km away in Foshan.

    “The transit is quick and comfortable. It feels like I’m commuting within a single city,” Xie added, noting that the convenience of intercity travel makes it easy to meet and hang out with friends across all five cities.

    Experts believe that a bustling, punctual metro system can reduce travel times and transportation costs. Hence, it is logical to develop an extensive cross-city rail transit system to accommodate the high commuter traffic generated by the GBA’s integration.

    China aims to develop the GBA into a world-class city cluster, a global technology and innovation center, a livable, business-friendly location, an exchange hub for the culture of the East and the West and a world-class tourism destination.

    Experts believe that the GBA’s integration is crucial for harnessing regional industrial strengths, driving collaborative development, optimizing the industrial landscape and aligning with the global value chain.

    According to Hu Gang, a professor at Guangzhou-based Jinan University, the intercity line connecting five cities stimulates vitality and fosters interconnectivity, coordinated development and efficient resource circulation in the area.

    With the launch of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the GBA’s transportation network has fostered new patterns of cross-city consumption, economic exchange and lifestyles.

    “On weekends, I often stay in Shenzhen, enjoy dim sum and go shopping before heading back to Hong Kong on Sunday,” said Lin Lin, who frequently takes the subway to Shenzhen after finishing work in Hong Kong on Fridays.

    Shenzhen and Hong Kong have implemented a mutual authentication system for digital payment in public transport. People can use payment apps including AlipayHK and Alipay for taking buses and subways in both cities, with fares automatically converted at current exchange rates.

    “The transportation network fosters regional economic cohesion and job growth, differentiating industries and boosting competitiveness,” said Li Peilin, an associate researcher at the National Development and Reform Commission’s Institute of Spatial Planning and Regional Economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Danala opens as the future of higher education in Darwin

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    It’s an important day for higher education in the Northern Territory with the official opening of Danala, the new Charles Darwin University Education and Community Precinct campus.

    Next semester, the new campus will throw its doors open to students, delivering courses in information technology, software engineering, law, accounting and more. 

    Students studying at Danala will be welcomed by first-class facilities in a modern, spacious environment, centrally located, close to public transport and retail facilities.

    Danala will feature two levels open to the public, including a new library co-locating the Charles Darwin University and Northern Territory Library collections – and will also support entertainment and events in the Darwin CBD.

    The opening of Danala is the culmination of over half a million work hours through the planning and construction phases, and provided over 1,500 jobs including nearly 1,000 for Territorians. First Nations employees comprised 12 per cent of the workforce, exceeding 70,000 work hours.

    The facility is expected to create 54 new direct jobs, as well as ongoing benefits across the broader Darwin CBD and community.  

    The $239.8 million project was supported with $97.3 million from the Australian Government and a $126.5 million loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility with Charles Darwin University contributing the remainder of the funding. 

    Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “It’s been a privilege to see the development of this extraordinary campus over the past few years. 

    “Its construction has created over 1000 jobs for Territorians, and Danala’s completion is now revitalising the Darwin CBD and honouring Larrakia culture. 

    “Australia is known globally as a leader in world-class education and campuses like Danala mean that our students can access world-class facilities, no matter where they live.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare: 

    “This modern, state of the art facility will make CDU an even better place to study.

    “It is great news for students, staff and the Top End.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King:

    “This is another example of NAIF investment creating jobs and driving economic growth across northern Australia. 

    “A strong north means a strong Australia.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Solomon Luke Gosling:

    “We said we’d deliver more community infrastructure in Darwin and Palmerston and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

    “As part of the Darwin City Deal, NAIF generously provided a loan of over $126.5 million towards the ECP.

    “Supporting projects like the new city campus supports Territorians, creating more jobs for locals and opportunities for local businesses. 

    “Danala will be a centre of educational excellence, attracting students from all over the country—and the world—to live, work, and study in the centre of Darwin.”

    Quotes attributable to CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman: 

    “Danala will stand as a beacon for Darwin, proudly showcasing the city as an education hub. 

    “This precinct will attract students from across Australia, around the world, and most importantly, from across the Northern Territory.

    “Danala will serve as a hub where ideas flourish and connections are made, reinforcing our commitment to being Australia’s most connected university.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World Bank report ranks Hong Kong among top 10 global business hubs

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Hong Kong has been ranked among the top 10 economies to do business in by the World Bank Group on Thursday, a vote of confidence in the city’s regulations for business entry and utility infrastructure.

    In the inaugural Business Ready 2024 Report covering 50 economies, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region logged high scores in international trade, business entry and utility services.

    The ratings came after the United States in September alleged that businesses faced escalating risks associated with operations in Hong Kong, claiming that routine activities could be violated by the city’s national security law.

    A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR government said the latest report recognizes the city’s role as an international trading center.

    “The report highlights that Hong Kong has few restrictions on international trade in services and implements good practices in terms of information provision and regulations relating to company registration,” he said.

    However, the government spokesman noted that the report, on the other hand, has not reflected some of Hong Kong’s elements “conducive to a friendly business environment”, such as implementing common law, robust rule of law and safeguarding gender equality.

    The administration said it will maintain close communication with the World Bank Group to explain comprehensively about the city’s situation, and its policies and measures that facilitate the business environment.

    Recent reports from multiple international organizations have validated Hong Kong’s robustness and competitiveness. For example, according to the latest Global Financial Centers Index issued in September, Hong Kong reclaimed its position as Asia’s top financial center and the third globally.

    Ratings showed that the city was among the top places in various competitive areas such as business environment, human capital and infrastructure. The report also ranked the SAR as one of the top 10 financial technology hubs worldwide.

    Billy Mak Sui-choi, an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance, said Hong Kong should embark on market diversification and talent cultivation to consolidate its international trade hub status.

    “Hong Kong should reach out to more ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Belt and Road countries as much as possible to strengthen its superconnector role in regional trade and investment flows,” Mak told China Daily.

    The professor added that Hong Kong should nurture more overseas students from ASEAN, Africa and Central Asia to become international trade talents that can act as the bridge for fostering trade between Hong Kong and those three regions.

    Simon Lee Siu-por, adjunct faculty at Shenzhen Finance Institute of CUHK (Shenzhen), said the report has reaffirmed Hong Kong’s previous efforts to consolidate its international trade center status, adding that the common law system, rule of law and freedom of information flow are very important to cement Hong Kong’s reputation as a business-friendly place.

    “Hong Kong should maintain the attribute of internationalization by welcoming and boosting the confidence of overseas enterprises to operate their businesses here,” Lee told China Daily.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sewell Announces $24.7 Million from the Department of Justice to Fight Crime and Make Alabama Communities Safer

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

    Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced more than $24.7 million in federal funding from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to address crime and public safety across Alabama’s 7th Congressional District and in the State of Alabama. This comprehensive investment will support law enforcement, crime prevention, victim assistance, and emergency management programs across the Northern District of Alabama.

    “I am thrilled to announce that the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, the Alabama Department of Commerce, ADECA, and ALEA will receive $24.7 million in grant funding from the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs, ” said Rep. Sewell. “These critical grants will ensure that local law enforcement agencies and community organizations have the resources they need to break the cycle of violence, prevent crime, and save lives. They will go a long way in making our communities safer for our children and families. I was so proud to advocate for this funding at the federal level and will continue working with our state and local partners to keep Alabamians safe.”

    Rep. Sewell announced the following DOJ grants for communities in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District:

    Birmingham and Jefferson County 

    • $4,200,000 – The City of Birmingham will use this funding for additional cameras and intelligence resources that provide information to its Real Time Crime Center. 
    • $1,000,000 – This funding will allow Jefferson County to provide Veterans’ Treatment Court Services that will be provided via the University of Alabama of Birmingham.
    • $833,000 – Jefferson County will use this funding to support the treatment of substance abuse disorders for people involved within the local justice system. 
    • $500,000 – This funding will be used by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office to enhance its investigations and prosecutions of domestic violence cases. 

    Rep. Sewell announced the following DOJ grants for state agencies:

    The Alabama Department of Commerce

    • $741,975 – This funding will be used to collaborate with The Dannon Project for opioid recovery and intervention youth programming. 

    Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) 

    • $11,850,932 – This funding will go to the Victim of Crimes Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant, which provides direct assistance to crime victims, with priority going to victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault and population groups who have been previously underserved. 
    • $2,555,663 – This funding will be distributed for crisis intervention programming. 

    Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) 

    • $3,097,598 – This funding will be used to enhance criminal background check and justice statistics systems.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Leading the way to Chinese modernization through sci-tech innovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The launch of the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System’s (BDS-3) final two satellites in September marked the completion of China’s independently-developed satnav system, for which President Xi Jinping has given continuous support.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has been closely following the development of the BDS-3 program.
    He visited the satellite launch site, cared about and encouraged scientists and technicians in the BDS-3 program, officially announced the commissioning of the program, sent a congratulatory letter to an international summit on the application of BeiDou, and mentioned it as a highlight of China’s achievements in his New Year messages.
    He has called for wider application of the BeiDou system to make new and greater contributions to China’s economic and social development, as well as the building of a human community with a shared future.
    Under the new system of concentrating nationwide efforts and resources on key undertakings, sci-tech workers have surmounted a multitude of technological hurdles — successfully integrating BeiDou into both industrial applications and daily life.
    BeiDou has become a standard configuration for mass consumer products such as smartphones and wearable devices. In the first half of 2024, over 98 percent of China’s 139 million units of smartphone shipments supported the BeiDou positioning system.
    The growth of BeiDou mirrors the modernization drive underpinned by the modernization of science and technology, and shows how the Chinese leader values sci-tech innovation and its fruits for bolstering the economy and facilitating high-quality development.
    At this year’s meeting with the country’s sci-tech workers in June, Xi said that Chinese modernization should be supported by sci-tech modernization, and achieving high-quality development relies on new driving forces cultivated by sci-tech innovation.
    What he calls for is happening. China has moved up to 11th place in the rankings of the world’s most innovative economies, representing one of the fastest rises over the past decade, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
    The country is also home to 26 of the world’s top 100 sci-tech innovation clusters, maintaining its position as the global leader for two consecutive years, the WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2024 confirmed.
    Xi has emphasized the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation by enhancing the principal position of enterprises in technological innovation.
    The development of new energy vehicles is a good example. In 2014, during an inspection tour of SAIC Motor, a major Chinese carmaker, Xi called for the research and development of products that cater to diverse needs and highlighted the importance of new energy vehicles in enhancing China’s automotive industry.
    In the following decade, the president became a big fan of electric cars, visiting automotive companies, touring laboratories, and showing great interest in trying new home-developed models. He encouraged carmakers to focus on product quality and cultivate market competitiveness.
    Now new energy vehicles have become a highlight of China’s tech-intensive industry. Their penetration rate, a gauge of popularity, climbed to 53.9 percent in the domestic market in August, meaning that their sales volume exceeded that of traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines.
    New energy vehicles are also gaining popularity in Southeast Asian, South American and European markets. In the first eight months of 2024, China exported 818,000 new energy vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 12.6 percent.
    In addition to boosting economic growth through new energy industries, Xi also places great emphasis on the role of such industries in green development and promotes the sharing of green technologies — as harmonious coexistence between human and nature is one of the key features of China’s modernization.
    He has repeatedly expressed China’s commitment to re-adjusting industrial structure and energy mix, vigorously developing renewable energy, and making faster progress in planning and developing large wind power and photovoltaic bases.
    Over the past decade, China’s annual installation of renewable energy power generation capacity has accounted for more than 40 percent of the global total, while exceeding 50 percent in 2023.
    China’s fast progress in developing renewable energy technologies and their massive applications have also significantly contributed to an over 60 percent reduction in wind power costs and a more than 80 percent drop in photovoltaic power costs globally. This has played a pivotal role in global efforts to cut carbon emissions and transit toward a greener economy.
    At the same time, its renewable energy technology is still making breakthroughs, providing impetus for the future development of the industry. According to a study published in Nature at the end of September, Chinese chemists Yuan Mingjian from Nankai University cooperated with a scientist in Canada to prepare perovskite solar cell devices with high energy conversion efficiency and high operational stability, marking a major breakthrough in new-generation photovoltaic technology.
    At a recent symposium on ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, Xi mentioned that many African countries have been discussing cooperation with China concerning wind and photovoltaic power.
    “Green and low-carbon cooperation has a promising future,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nation ramps up public services to meet rising cultural demand

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Shanghai resident Wang Yanqing, 38, said that her recent experience of trying to secure a spot in the upcoming autumn courses at the Shanghai Resident Night School took her back to university days, when students had to scramble to register for classes online.
    In the blink of an eye, nearly 900,000 eager applicants flooded the system as soon as the night school’s registration portal opened. The most sought-after classes for the autumn session of the school spanned a wide range of disciplines, including archery, baking, leather crafting, popping and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
    Priced at a modest 500 yuan for a series of 12 classes, the Shanghai Resident Night School has gained a reputation for its accessibility and top-quality instructors, establishing itself as the hottest public cultural service hub in the city.
    Catering to people aged 18 to 55, the night school offers courses during the spring and autumn terms. In the ongoing autumn semester, the service has been expanded to include 37 branch campuses and 367 teaching venues, spanning across the city.
    For Wang, who has been learning dance skills at the primary campus of Shanghai Mass Art Center since 2021, the night school represents a vital outlet for personal growth and exploration.
    “Elderly people have their senior universities and children have various art training institutions to choose from. We young people also need some public cultural services to develop our interests and add color to our lives,” says Wang.
    “At the night school, you’ll find courses with solid reviews, awesome teachers and prices that are budget-friendly. It’s also easy to locate a class close to home,” Wang adds.
    In recent years, the country has been actively improving the public cultural service system and expanding the coverage of basic public cultural services.
    The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization released in July includes plans for enhancing the public cultural service system.
    This includes establishing a mechanism for high-quality cultural resources to reach grassroots levels and enhancing the participation of social entities in the provision of public cultural services.
    Li Guoxin, director of Peking University’s national center for modern public culture research, explained that the resolution highlights the importance of offering higher quality, more efficient, fairer and sustainable public cultural services to grassroots communities. This is aimed at enhancing people’s sense of cultural attainment and happiness.
    In recent years, the Chinese government has actively promoted innovation and reform in public cultural services. Over 35,000 new public cultural spaces have been set up nationwide, including libraries and cultural centers in urban and rural areas, making cultural services more accessible for a wider population, Li added.
    Hefei, capital of Anhui province, has witnessed active expansion of reading spaces since 2017.
    With more than 100 urban reading spaces, urban residents are guaranteed to reach a reading space within a 15-minute walk from their homes.
    Ji Yuanyuan, a resident from Hefei’s economic development zone, said that the reading space has provided a group of full-time mothers like her with a place where “they can temporarily set aside the family’s troubles and worries, and just be themselves”.
    Formerly an entrepreneur who devoted herself to her career, she used to have her parents take care of her children. After her children started primary school, she decided to devote her time to her children and family.
    However, she found that upon returning from the workplace to the family, women easily fell into anxiety. So she initiated a reading club in 2017, where full-time mothers come together to recommend good books to each other and share parenting experiences.
    The club’s gathering place is called Forest Book House, an urban reading space within her community that not only provides residents with reading facilities but also features workshops on calligraphy and handicrafts.
    The book club receives an average of around 400 visitors per day, and last year, it hosted a total of 140,482 readers.
    “We now have over 100 female members and hold events every Thursday afternoon at the Book House,” Ji said.
    “When we meet like-minded people in the space, our anxious feelings fade away, and we feel more uplifted as a whole.”
    In the first half of the year, the urban reading spaces in Hefei received 4.86 million visitors, with 1.115 million books borrowed and 8,983 events hosted, according to Meng Xianlei, an official from the city’s bureau of culture and tourism.
    Meng points out that these reading spaces are constructed by the government, owned by the government and operated by third parties through bidding processes. The separation of ownership and operation rights of public cultural facilities shows the reform measures proposed by the aforementioned resolution on further deepening and advancing Chinese modernization.
    Starting this year, Hefei is transforming these urban reading spaces into public cultural hubs featuring art exhibitions, training seminars, literary salons, film screenings and a range of other services.
    Originally from Guilin in Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Wang said she has found pleasure and fulfillment in Shanghai’s public cultural amenities, despite the long distance from her hometown.
    The abundance of libraries, art centers and communal spaces has not only enriched Wang’s own life but has also provided a welcoming place for her mother, who recently traveled from Guilin to Shanghai to live with her.
    “She frequents the free movie screenings at the community cultural center near our residence every week. Such public cultural spaces have aided her in swiftly having a social circle in this unfamiliar city,” she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation
    2024-10-04

    On the afternoon of October 4, President Lai Ching-te met with a transatlantic delegation from the German Marshall Fund (GMF). In remarks, President Lai stated that as China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget and that it is aiming to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy to safeguard regional stability and ensure the sustainable development of democracy. The president stated that we seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and that he looks forward to further advancing economic exchanges and cooperation with the United States and European Union as we unite to face the threats of authoritarian expansionism.
    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
    I welcome the delegation led by GMF Senior Advisor Heather A. Conley. As Typhoon Krathon has been affecting Taiwan these few days, the presence of our esteemed guests from the United States and Europe here today demonstrates your staunch support for Taiwan and the solid stance our transatlantic partners have taken with Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a very warm welcome to the delegation.
    GMF has long paid close attention to cross-strait issues. For instance, it released a research report on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The report pointed out that the resolution does not mention Taiwan and explained to the international community that China has distorted the content of the resolution and improperly linked it with its “one China principle.” I want to take this opportunity to thank Managing Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the GMF Bonnie Glaser for her efforts and support in this regard.
    In recent years, the US has continued to coordinate with its allies to reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. And the GMF has contributed greatly to garnering support for Taiwan among the transatlantic alliance. For this, I convey my heartfelt appreciation.
    China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily. It is expanding its military presence in the East and South China Seas and attempting to change the rules-based international order. In response, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget, established a new defense innovation unit, and set up the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. Our aim is to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. By making Taiwan more resilient, we are safeguarding regional stability and ensuring the sustainable development of democracy.
    Indeed, Taiwan is determined to protect democracy. We seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and avert the threats of expanding authoritarianism. In terms of Taiwan-US military cooperation, I would like to thank former US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis for her tremendous assistance in facilitating the US government’s efforts to accelerate the provision of the defense capabilities Taiwan needs through such avenues as the presidential drawdown authority and Foreign Military Financing program.
    Apart from military cooperation, economic cooperation is also crucial. We hope that Taiwan and the US can resolve the issue of double taxation as soon as possible. This would further enhance our bilateral trade and economic ties. We also look forward to signing a bilateral investment agreement with the EU to further advance economic exchanges and cooperation.
    Facing the threats of authoritarian expansionism, democracies must unite. Only then will we be able to respond with our collective wisdom and strength. Taiwan needs the world, just as the world needs Taiwan. Taiwan will continue working together with our partners in the US and Europe. I look forward to our discussion.
    Senior Advisor Conley then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for giving them his time and mentioning that this three-day visit, which coincided with the typhoon, demonstrated to them in very concrete terms the importance of the whole-of-society resilience. She said that they were also able to take a deep dive into what President Lai’s administration has put forward on the five pillars, the challenges of implementing this ambitious plan, and the importance of local governments and public opinion.
    Noting that the GMF stands for the intersection of democracy, prosperity, and security, and connecting those dots, Senior Advisor Conley remarked how important those connections are in today’s world. She stated that the more complex the international challenges, the more important partners are to helping to solve those problems. That is why the GMF wanted to bring together a transatlantic delegation with colleagues from Europe and the US, she added, who bring together expertise in the technology and economic dimensions of security and civil society. She said that it has been a joy to be with them, to learn together, and to learn from experts in Taiwan as well.
    Senior Advisor Conley said that over the past three days, they have had opportunities to brainstorm, provide new ideas, and take home new ideas, and that they look forward to writing about them and helping and continuing this important dialogue. In closing, on behalf of her colleagues and the GMF, she thanked President Lai for giving them an extraordinary three days of conversation and for making time out of his busy schedule in a week of a natural disaster in Taiwan. 
    The delegation also included former Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO Francesco M. Talò, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Lieutenant General Rajmund Andrzejczak, GMF Board of Trustees Chair Christopher Schroeder, Special Competitive Studies Project Senior Advisor Joe Wang, and Munich Security Conference Senior Fellow Nico Lange.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CAD holds youth activity in celebration of National Day (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and enhance young people’s understanding of the aviation development in Hong Kong, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (October 5) held an aviation-themed youth activity at its headquarters.
          
         The CAD has all along been committed to enhancing young people’s understanding of Hong Kong aviation industry and inspiring young people’s interests in the industry through organising youth activities, with the aim of nurturing young talents for the industry and hence contributing to the development of our country.
          
         More than 140 participants from seven youth groups, namely the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, the Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy, the Hong Kong Aerospace Leaders Association, the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol and the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, participated in the event today. Besides, nearly 30 participants from the Strive and Rise Programme joined the event today. The event offered a variety of activities, including thematic talks on aviation development in Hong Kong, career talks on CAD grades, demonstrations of air traffic control tower simulator and the Aviation Education Path guided tours. 
          
         â€‹ The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, at the opening ceremony, said that he was very pleased to share the joy of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with the young people at the event. He encouraged members of the youth groups to enhance knowledge on local aviation industry and equip themselves to uphold Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub. Mr Liu added that the CAD Aviation Education Path will set up new exhibition galleries with the themes on the “uprising of the two airlines” and the civil aviation development of China (including the development of home-grown aircraft), which will be open to the public upon completion.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated teachers on their professional holiday

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated teachers on their professional holiday

    10 hours ago

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated teachers on their professional holiday – Teachers’ Day.

    The Deputy Prime Minister called them “unique people who chose for themselves a noble, responsible and difficult task – teaching and raising children.”

    Today in Russia there are over 1.3 million teaching staff, of which over 1 million are teachers. They share knowledge with students, shape their worldview, motivate, help them think independently, and instill traditional spiritual and moral values.

    “It is especially important today to realize the potential of children, develop their talents, and educate patriotic and socially responsible citizens. This is a national goal set by President Vladimir Putin. And your daily hard work helps us achieve it. Together with you, we are preparing future scientists, engineers, analysts, IT specialists – a generation that will strengthen the technological sovereignty of the country,” Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized.

    The development of the education system is a priority for the Government. In Russia, the national project “Education” will soon be completed, and a new national project – “Youth and Children” – will begin to operate.

    “We will continue to create a modern educational infrastructure – build schools, colleges and lyceums, equip them with all the necessary equipment,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also said that he himself remembers the life lessons of his teachers with great warmth and gratitude.

    “Dear teachers! Thank you for your loyalty to the profession that you have chosen at the call of your heart. I wish you good health, well-being, creative success and responsive students. Happy Teacher’s Day!” the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.

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

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

    http://government.ru/nevs/52905/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: To Sergei Skripka, People’s Artist of Russia

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the artistic director and chief conductor of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography on his 75th birthday.

    The telegram, in particular, notes:

    “An outstanding conductor, a renowned teacher, you have written many bright pages in the annals of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography, and made a significant contribution to the development of national culture and art.

    For many years, under your leadership, the renowned group has been masterfully performing masterpieces of world classics and modern works of various styles and genres, which have become an integral part of domestic and foreign films.

    I wish you creative success, good health and prosperity.”

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

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

    http://government.ru/gov/persons/151/telegrams/52913/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –