NewzIntel.com

Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI China: National Day holiday brings box office surge

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    As a testament to its economic vitality, the weeklong National Day holiday has sparked a box office surge, underscoring the potential of China’s resurgent market.

    As of Friday, the vacation starting from Tuesday has raked in 1.47 billion yuan ($209.4 million), a 45 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 and slightly surpassing the year-on-year figure in 2023, according to Maoyan Pro, a real-time movie information tracker.

    Fueled by the boom, this year’s box office tally has surpassed 36 billion yuan, deemed by many industry insiders as an inspirational sign to uplift morale following the sluggish previous seasons from the May Day holiday to the summer vacation and Mid-Autumn Festival.

    The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, the latest directorial work by Chen Kaige, the first Chinese filmmaker to win a Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, is currently leading the holiday box office charts with earnings exceeding 500 million yuan.

    As the second installment of Chen’s trilogy The Volunteers, an epic that chronicles the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), the 144-minute new movie recounts a pivotal battle in Cheorwon, where 25,000 Chinese People’s Volunteer Army soldiers engaged around 50,000 United States-led “United Nations Command” forces in 1951.

    Yuan Yun’er, a Beijing-based critic, said the movie, which has garnered a rating of 7.2 points out of 10 on the popular review site Douban, is a poignant narrative that revisits the war pivotal to China’s destiny over 70 years ago.

    Compared to the initial installment, The Volunteers: To the War, released last October, the new film presents a more intense plot from a human-interest perspective, with its depiction of war scenes being more grandiose and skillful in portraying details.

    For example, a poignant detail stirring online discussion is a candy gifted by CPV Commander-in-Chief Peng Dehuai to a veteran officer, who passes it to his son, a CPV soldier, and eventually to his sister, an army interpreter, with the son’s touching act of licking the empty wrapper before his sacrifice resonating profoundly with viewers.

    Zhi Feina, a film professor at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, remarked that the movie distinguishes itself, partly because its patriotic theme resonates with the collective emotions of the domestic audience, as China celebrates the National Day.

    Following the war epic, director Lu Chuan’s sci-fi film Bureau 749 has secured the second spot on the holiday box office charts, amassing over 300 million yuan. The film, loosely inspired by Lu’s early work experience in an institute researching supernatural phenomena, narrates a near-future story about battling mysterious creatures that drag a city into an unprecedented crisis.

    Ranked third in box office earnings at the festival, the crime drama Tiger Wolf Rabbit depicts the vengeful quest of three parents whose children are abducted by human traffickers. It has grossed over 230 million yuan.

    Respectively, the fourth and fifth top earners are kungfu giant Jackie Chan’s comedy Panda Plan and Hong Kong iconic star Andy Lau’s action thriller High Forces.

    A total of 10 movies were released on Monday and Tuesday, aiming to vie for audiences during the National Day holiday, one of the most lucrative box office seasons in China, according to the China Film Distribution and Exhibition Association.

    Yu Chao, deputy general manager of Beijing’s Capital Cinema chain, said that the diversity in genres and the remarkable number of new films released showcase the potential of China’s movie market.

    From sci-fi movie The Wandering Earth (2019) to the fantasy epic Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms (2023) and the latest blockbuster Bureau 749, Chinese audiences have demonstrated a strong interest in watching special effects-laden big-budget films, indicating opportunities for advancement in the Chinese film technology sector, Yu said.

    He also highlighted the holiday’s new movie, A Tapestry of a Legendary Land. Adapted from the popular dance poem drama of the same name, the movie represents a new creative direction for domestic filmmakers.

    The film, featuring the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) masterpiece Qianli Jiangshan Tu (A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains) through dance, demonstrates that stage performances translated into feature-length films can attract audiences with their established reputation and enhanced visual details on large cinema screens, added Yu.

    Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, predicted this year’s box office revenue may exceed last year’s, driven by the momentum of the National Day holiday surge.

    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 Russia: To the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 5, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography will be celebrated.

    Dear friends!

    Please accept my sincere congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the Russian State Cinema Symphony Orchestra.

    Over its centuries-long history, the legendary group has become an integral part of the cultural life of our country, giving millions of viewers bright, memorable melodies, many of which have graced the best films of outstanding domestic directors and received popular recognition.

    All these years, your renowned orchestra has made an invaluable contribution to the preservation and popularization of the national musical heritage, continues to develop established traditions, and takes an active part in the implementation of large-scale creative projects. Under the guidance of renowned conductors, talented professionals, infinitely devoted to art, demonstrate the highest level of performing skills, mastery of various styles, genres and trends, honed technique and artistry, which allow them to implement the most daring ideas, master new formats, and create unique programs. Your performances are always popular with the public, become an event and remain in the memory of listeners for a long time.

    I wish you inexhaustible inspiration, further success and prosperity.

    M. Mishustin

    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/52912/

    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 China: Lu Chuan’s sci-fi gamble ‘Bureau 749’ debuts after 8-year struggle

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Among the many ambitious projects in Chinese cinema, few stories rival that of director Lu Chuan’s epic undertaking, “Bureau 749.” The film, conceived as early as 2016, aimed to be a cutting-edge sci-fi spectacle with Hollywood-caliber visual effects. However, its path to completion became a tumultuous saga marked by financial hurdles, production challenges and a relentless pursuit of artistic vision.

    The Sept. 29 premiere in Beijing was charged with emotion as cast, crew and audience members were moved upon finally seeing the film on the big screen. During the eight-year journey, more than 6,000 people contributed to the project, experiencing hardship, despair and joy along the way.

    “It’s been really hard for us these past few years, and now it’s time for us to present it to the audience and let them enjoy it and judge,” Lu said.

    “Bureau 749” draws inspiration from a real but enigmatic Chinese government agency that has become an urban legend. It’s known only for conducting research and expeditions to study unusual phenomena, including reportedly supernatural individuals and events. Lu has mentioned that he worked in that government organ for some time after graduating from the People’s Liberation Army Institute of International Relations. To reassure viewers, Lu invited former colleagues to the premiere.

    Regardless of what he saw in that secretive agency, Lu gained imaginative ideas for filmmaking. He first showcased these concepts in his 2015 sci-fi monster and tomb raider blockbuster “Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe,” before embarking on a new feature film dedicated entirely to the bureau in 2016. Lu also infused the project with personal meaning, making it a tribute to his youth.

    “Bureau 749” stars young pop idol Karry Wang, actors Zheng Kai and Miao Miao — who met on set, married, and now have three children — along with Ren Min, Xin Baiqing and Li Chen. As they stood on stage at the premiere, they reflected on the passage of time and how their lives had evolved during the film’s production.

    The film follows the agents of Bureau 749 as they attempt to use a mutant child’s superpowers to combat a massive alien monster threatening a Chinese city. It features more than 1,700 visual effects shots and presents epic-scale disaster and action sequences that are designed to wow viewers.

    Lu envisioned and initiated the grand project with a budget of 350 million yuan ($50 million) during the golden era of Chinese cinema. The cameras started rolling in Chongqing in 2018, despite only 30% of the promised investment materializing. The situation soon changed dramatically as Chinese tax authorities tightened regulations on the film industry’s financial practices, causing some capital to retreat from movie businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic followed, further dimming the prospects for “Bureau 749.”

    Initially, the director hired Hollywood’s top talents to realize his vision, including renowned cinematographer David Tattersall, who worked on classics like “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” and “The Green Mile.” Lu also brought in professionals who had worked on blockbusters such as “Avatar” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.” However, he soon discovered these experts were costly assets and had to let them go when financial crises arose. Lu was forced to cut spending in all aspects until the initial filming wrap in July 2019.

    The post-production of a visual effects-heavy blockbuster at this level proved even more costly. At one point, Lu faced debts exceeding 25 million yuan, five lawsuits triggered by production and release delays, and contractual obligations to investors. Desperate to find funding, the director enrolled in an MBA program to learn about finance and took on various jobs. These included making a dozen commercials and creating online series. Every bit of money he earned went toward funding “Bureau 749.”

    With unwavering persistence and support from industry peers, mentors and convinced investors, including Huayi Brothers Media, Huawen Picture and Beijing Culture, Lu overcame the darkest days and ultimately completed the film. After additional filming concluded on April 22, Lu posted on social media, “I have no regrets. After eight years of dragging this ship, we can finally reach the shore.”

    At the premiere’s conclusion, when asked if he had anything else to say to the audience, Lu paused emotionally. After a moment’s reflection, he simply said, “Thank you.”

    “Bureau 749” hit Chinese theaters during the seven-day National Day holiday starting Oct. 1, attracting flocks of viewers and grossing more than 300 million yuan within the first four days of the holiday. However, the various financial setbacks and production challenges have clearly impacted the film, resulting in inconsistent visual effects, plot issues and dated elements. Since its release, the film has garnered mixed reviews and sparked controversy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Prime Minister strengthens our ties with French-speaking countries at the Francophonie Summit

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today concluded his participation in the 19th Summit of La Francophonie in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, France. This visit was an opportunity for him to promote the French language, strengthen Canada’s relations with other member states and governments of La Francophonie, and advance our shared values, such as peace, democracy, human rights and inclusion.

    At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s commitment to promoting development, security and inclusion in Francophone Africa. To this end, he announced more than $11 million to support initiatives that include improving access to education, the empowerment of women and girls, youth nutrition and overall health, and community safety and security, while strengthening our relationships with Francophone countries in Africa.

    The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting the modernization of the governance of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) so that it can fulfill its mandate as effectively as possible and with complete transparency, including the promotion of our shared values and the influence of the French language. He noted the work underway to map and identify workforce needs for teaching French and teaching in French. In addition, Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada’s support for Francophonie operators and institutions by announcing a federal investment of nearly $1.6 million. This funding will support scientific research in French, student mobility and youth employability, as well as enrich the diversity of French-language content broadcast on the TV5MONDEplus platform. It will also promote research to enhance the French language and Francophone identities in Francophone cities and encourage the participation of women in Francophone parliaments.

    In the Villers-Cotterêts Call, Canada and other OIF member states and governments called on digital platforms to strengthen their commitments to a safer and more integrated digital space. They also agreed on the importance of promoting the responsible use and development of artificial intelligence and combating disinformation. In this regard, Prime Minister Trudeau stressed the importance of continuing to build strong ties with our partners in the Francophonie in order to build a safer and more prosperous future for our populations.

    As a founding member and second largest donor of the OIF, Canada is firmly committed to supporting the mandate and initiatives of the OIF, particularly to protect and promote the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity. To this end, Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Cité internationale de la langue française, which aims to promote the richness and diversity of the French language and its role in the world. Through its support for this project, Canada will contribute to promoting minority Francophone communities in the country, deepening exchanges between Francophones in Canada and elsewhere, and making the diversity of the Canadian Francophonie known to visitors to the Cité.

    Building on the progress made during President Macron’s visit to Canada last month, Prime Minister Trudeau also reiterated his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Canada and France.

    During his participation in the Summit, the Prime Minister met with his international counterparts to discuss current geopolitical challenges with wide-ranging repercussions in the world, including within the Francophone space, including the situation in Haiti as well as tensions in the Middle East and along Lebanon’s southern border. He stressed the importance of working together, among OIF partners, to preserve peace and security in the world.

    Quote

    “At the Francophonie Summit, I renewed Canada’s commitment to protecting and promoting the French language. In collaboration with the OIF and other member states and governments, we can create new opportunities for French-speaking populations around the world.”

    Highlights

    This is Prime Minister Trudeau’s fourth participation in the Francophonie Summit. During the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with the Secretary General and President of Vietnam, To Lam, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, and the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara. In addition to the Villers-Cotterêts Appeal, the OIF member states and governments adopted a Resolution on crisis situations, crisis resolution and peacebuilding in the Francophone world. They also decided to accept applications from countries and governments wishing to obtain observer status with the OIF, including Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia joins Quebec and New Brunswick, full members of the OIF, as well as Ontario, which is already an observer. At the Summit, Canada joined Quebec, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, France, Monaco and Switzerland in signing the Declaration of TV5Monde Donor Governments. The Government of Canada is proud to be a partner of TV5Monde and to contribute to the influence of the Francophonie. This Declaration reaffirms our support for the French-language channel and expresses our desire to strengthen its ties with other OIF member countries. Canada also signed a bilateral collaboration agreement with France on emergency management. This agreement supports cooperation in planning in response to emergencies and other international crises, as well as mutual assistance in times of crisis, particularly in terms of consular efforts during assisted departures. The Memorandum of Understanding on the Cité internationale de la langue française, signed at the Summit, will also explore possibilities for cooperation with the Collège international de Villers-Cotterêts to train French-speaking teachers and translators. Canada and France maintain close bilateral relations as well as dynamic and diversified trade relations. In 2023, the French diaspora in Canada represented between 140,000 and 150,000 people. Canada also attracted 27,110 French students in 2023.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister strengthens our ties with Francophone countries at the Sommet de la Francophonie

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his participation at the 19th Sommet de la Francophonie in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, France. This visit was an opportunity for him to promote the French language, strengthen Canada’s relations with other member states and governments of La Francophonie, and advance our shared values, including peace, democracy, human rights, and inclusion.

    At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau underlined Canada’s commitment to promoting development, security, and inclusion in Francophone Africa. He announced more than $11 million to support initiatives that focus on improved access to education, the empowerment of women and girls, youth nutrition and health, and the safety and security of communities, while strengthening our relations with French-speaking countries in Africa.

    The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting governance modernization at the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) so it can fulfill its mandate transparently and as effectively as possible, especially with respect to promoting our shared values and the French language. He noted the work underway to map and identify workforce needs for the teaching of French and instruction in French. Prime Minister Trudeau also reiterated Canada’s support for La Francophonie’s operators and institutions by announcing a federal investment of nearly $1.6 million. This funding will support scientific research in French as well as student mobility and youth employability, while helping expand the diversity of French-language content on the TV5MONDEplus platform. It will also support research on promoting the French language and Francophone identities in cities across La Francophonie and foster the participation of women in parliaments in the Francophone world.

    In the Villers-Cotterêts Call, Canada and the other OIF member states and governments invited digital platforms to strengthen their commitments to create a safer and fairer digital space. They also agreed on the importance of promoting the responsible use and development of artificial intelligence and countering disinformation. To support this goal, Prime Minister Trudeau underscored the importance of continuing to build strong relationships with our partners in La Francophonie to create a safer and more prosperous future for our peoples.

    As a founding member of the OIF and its second-largest donor, Canada is firmly committed to supporting the OIF’s mandate and initiatives, in particular to protect and promote the French language as well as cultural and linguistic diversity. To that end, Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Cité internationale de la langue française, which seeks to promote the richness and diversity of the French language and its role in the world. By supporting this project, Canada is highlighting the importance of its Francophone minority communities, deepening exchanges between Francophones in Canada and abroad, and showcasing the diversity of the Canadian Francophonie to Cité visitors.

    Building on the progress made during President Macron’s visit to Canada last month, Prime Minister Trudeau also reiterated his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Canada and France.

    At the Summit, the Prime Minister met with international counterparts to discuss current geopolitical challenges with wide-ranging impacts, including in the Francophone world, especially the situation in Haiti, as well as tensions in the Middle East and along Lebanon’s southern border. He emphasized the importance of working together, as OIF partners, to preserve peace and security in the world.

    Quote

    “During the Sommet de la Francophonie, I renewed Canada’s commitment to promoting and protecting the French language. In collaboration with the OIF and the other member states and governments, we can create new opportunities for Francophone people around the world.”

    Quick Facts

    • This is the fourth time Prime Minister Trudeau has participated in the Sommet de la Francophonie.
    • During the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with the General Secretary and President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, and the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara.
    • In addition to the Villers-Cotterêts Call, OIF member states and governments adopted a resolution on crisis situations, crisis recovery, and peacebuilding in the Francophone world. They also approved the applications from countries and governments seeking observer status in the OIF, including Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia joins Quebec and New Brunswick, which are full members of the OIF, as well as Ontario, which has observer status.
    • At the Summit, Canada joined Quebec, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, France, Monaco, and Switzerland in signing the Declaration of donor governments for TV5Monde. The Government of Canada is proud to be a partner of TV5Monde and to help promote La Francophonie. This declaration reaffirms our support for the French-language network and reflects our commitment to strengthening the network’s ties with other OIF member countries.
    • Canada and France also signed a bilateral collaborative agreement on emergency management. This agreement supports co-operation in planning responses to emergencies and other international crises, as well as mutual assistance in times of crisis, including consular efforts during assisted departures.
    • The Memorandum of Understanding on the Cité internationale de la langue française, signed during the Summit, will also make it possible to explore opportunities for co-operation with the Collège international de Villers-Cotterêts to train Francophone teachers and translators.
    • Canada and France enjoy deep bilateral relations and a dynamic and diversified trade relationship. In 2023, the French diaspora in Canada represented between 140,000 and 150,000 people. Canada also welcomed 27,110 French students in 2023.

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Celebrating Unity: Yongsan-Casey and Dongducheon celebrate ROK-US friendship at Camp Casey

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    DONGDUCHEON, South Korea  –  

    U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey and Dongducheon city host a joint ROK-U.S. Friendship Festival on Camp Casey and in Dongducheon, South Korea, Sept. 28.

    Over 4,000 South Korean citizens, ROK and U.S. Army Soldiers and government employees attended the festivities both on and off post in the fall afternoon, with endless entertainment, food and fun into the late evening.

    Many Dongducheon and ROK/U.S.military leaders were in attendance including Col. Edward Cho, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey Commander; Mayor Park Hyung Deok, Dongducheon Mayor; Honorable Kim, Sung Won, National Assembly of Dongducheon, Yangchu, Yeongcheo; and Kim, Seong Ho, Dongducheon City council chairman.

    “The ROK-U.S. alliance has been in effect for over 74 years, and we’re more than just neighbors here in Dongducheon city,” said Cho. “The relationship is much deeper than that. It brings me great joy to see everyone together here as one community, celebrating life together.”

    This year marks the 17th Dongducheon ROK-U.S. Friendship Festival, an empowering resource between the two nations in the city that has been home to Camp Casey since 1951. The Eighth Army Rock Band performed Korean and American hits on both stages, while South Korean pop singer “Ailee” headlined the night along with many other very talented traditional performers and entertainers.

    “Today’s festival carries even greater significance as we celebrate Korean-American friendship with the opening of Camp Casey during this year’s U.S. Military Fall Festival,” said Park. “I hope you take the opportunity to move freely between the base and Bosan-dong Friendship Plaza, sharing and appreciating each other’s cultures as good neighbors.”

    Many Soldiers, kids and families played various games including cornhole and rock climbing, and took part in face painting and bounce houses at Stewart Field. The Downtown Casey food court was available for Korean visitors as well who enjoyed American restaurants, some for the first time ever.

    “It was great seeing the local community enjoying the festival,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Jackman Bartow, assigned to 503d Military Police Detachment, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. “I especially enjoyed getting to talk to the community about what we do as K-9 handlers, and I know Dexter (military working dog) definitely enjoyed the attention and atmosphere.”

    Dongducheon city and Camp Casey will continue to organize and support events throughout the year that build upon the well-developed camaraderie shared among both communities.

    The highlight of the on base festival concluded with an awe inspiring 10-minute of fireworks show at Stewart Field, wowing attendees and creating a lasting memory of the celebration.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 19th Francophonie Summit: first day in Villers-Cotterêts.

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

    Majesty, Monsignor, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of State and Government, Madam Secretary General, dear Louise, Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of Delegation, Ladies and Gentlemen Parliamentarians, Ladies and Gentlemen Ambassadors, Mr. Prefect, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen in your ranks and capacities.

    Protocol places me here, at this lectern, to welcome you and wish you a warm welcome. It is an honour for me. And as you have understood, no one had anticipated, in the middle of October, that the sun, with the castle of Villers-Cotterêts, would welcome you. But the truth is that you are at home here. Yes, in a place where reigns greater than us, a very old lady of more than five centuries, ancestral and yet eternally young, our language. Welcome to her home. Welcome to this summit which celebrates her and which celebrates all of you, speakers of French from the 5 continents.

    This castle of Villers-Cotterêts, as you have just recalled, is the one where in August 1539, a royal decree marked the first official milestone in the expansion of our language. It was here that François I began to build the unity of the French Nation through its language, an instrument of unity, of power, decisive for our country. If you had come just 5 years ago, you would have seen here only a castle on the verge of ruin, a piece of petrified archive whose plaster was falling off, whose doors were barricaded. Today, it has become this living place, an exhibition and reception center, dedicated to the history and teaching of our language to all. I would like to thank all those who have worked during these years to rebuild, restore, but also to think about and invent this place which is not, as you have seen, simply a museum, but a city. A place of welcome, research, exploration. We are all citizens of this place, because we are all citizens of the French language.

    Yes, we have much in common, more than phonemes, morphemes, lexemes. More than shared tergiversations on the use of the pluperfect subjunctive and the same despair when it comes to agreeing past participles after pronominal verbs. We possess a Rabelaisian heritage in perpetual innovation, combining scholarly culture and its creative verve with that indefinable grain of salt of humor that spans the ages. Our language, from Quebec, Acadia, Louisiana and Haiti, from the heart of the African continent, from Morocco and Tunisia, to the Congo River basin, from Madagascar and Reunion, to Vietnam or Cambodia, from our Oceania, from French Polynesia to Vanuatu, on this language, the sun never sets. There are more than 300 million women and men who speak the French language on 5 continents. More than 300 million women and men who are constantly perfecting it, modernizing it, and enriching it.

    On the vault of the great courtyard, you saw earlier, in huge steel letters, the French words forged by all parts of the world, “zibulateur”, “camberé”, “techniquer”, as they say in Rwanda, dear Paul. This Francophonie that unites us was thought of and desired, I always repeat, by others than France itself. It was first desired by our writers, then our journalists and our radios. It was then promoted and institutionalized in 1970, in Niamey, by Presidents Senghor, Bourguiba, and by Prince Sihanouk.

    Today, 88 States are part of it. I congratulate in advance those who will join us tomorrow, Madam Secretary-General. From the beginning, it has been a decentralized organization that, as a child of decolonization, wanted to claim a language that we share. This is why the French language continues to constitute itself in the Francophonie as well, by equipping itself with its own tools, by structuring itself, by building its own influence. Our language is a space that is being built. So, of course, there is our Académie française and I salute the immortals here present, which is the institution, but there is also the Dictionnaire des francophones et de la francophonie, which we built, not as a competition, but as a tool that made it possible to bring together all the words that are invented. Our language is also a space for learning, understanding the world.

    Since yesterday, we have had the joy of welcoming another face to our family photo, since the presidency of TV Monde, our French-speaking television channel, is now held by Mrs. Kim YOUNES. I would like to thank Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, Canada, Quebec and Wallonia, as well as Brussels, for their contribution to this magnificent project of informing the world and sharing our common understanding. We also want to allow new partners, particularly from the entire African continent who pay the same attention to supporting free and independent journalism, to join us. This is a discussion that we have been conducting with President OUATTARA for several years and which is, I believe, a great project.

    Our language is also a space to create. The Francophonie is the treasure of our literature, of our authors that we share, whether at the foot of the cedar or at the top of our mountains. Because beyond language, our authors have built worlds, imaginations, which are those that structure the Francophonie. Sharing them beyond our borders is a duty. In this respect, I am delighted with the development, supported by our partners, of a collection of literary works of reference of the Francophonie that will be made available in several languages, the “Fenêtres” collection. To begin with, it will contain French-language works translated into Arabic, distributed in paper format, at $2, and via press channels, in order to allow everyone to access the ideas, imaginations and values conveyed by French-language works. This is, I believe, an equally important step forward, in the same way that in 2018, at the Académie française, we launched this support program for our interpreters and translators.

    This language, our language, is more than a tool, it is a universe. It is a space of opportunity to create, offered to those who write it, sing it, plough it as a field of artistic expression. I know your attachment, Madam Secretary-General, to cultural and creative industries, and we will have the opportunity to hear it throughout the day. In a moment, Guillaume GALLIENNE will read us some magnificent texts, and the Comédie Française will be there, in Villers-Cotterêts, to share these texts with us, and throughout the day we will have French-speaking artists who will be with us to carry this creativity.

    Our language is also a language for doing business, for trading. First, because it is a great conduit. Take the African continent, take Oceania. French is the language of passage par excellence. It is the one that allows you to switch between all the regional or local languages, the one that sometimes allows you to unify the commercial universe of a country or an entire sub-region. In this respect, it is a great lever of opportunity, and I say this for all our young people, all those who are moving towards trade. Don’t just think English. Think French to trade and reunify it across the Indian Ocean. And from Madagascar to Mauritius, via Reunion or Mayotte and the Comoros, it is a language that unifies this regional space in the same way for Oceania, in the same way for all of West Africa.

    So yes, if the 330 million people we have today in our space will double in the coming decades, it is because this will make French a deeply attractive language in terms of commercial and economic power. Attractiveness is a French word. Entrepreneur is a French word, despite what our English-speaking friends think. And that is why I salute with great respect all the entrepreneurs and innovators who have joined us for this Summit. And I really want to salute the extraordinary energy of our partners at the FrancoTech Show. Thank you, dear Geoffroy ROUX DE BÉZIEUX. Thank you to the summit teams, whom I congratulate, and to its Secretary General, to the Business France teams. You have demonstrated that it has the capacity to innovate in all areas of technology, innovation and sustainable development. That it allowed the entire French-speaking area to move forward and create opportunities. Bravo to you! Yes, innovation is a French word. Invention too. This is why we have worked hard in recent months with our partners, and in particular the World Intellectual Property Organization, dear Daren TANG, to facilitate the launch of a French-speaking intellectual property alliance.

    Our language is also a space for transmission. And I want to pay tribute here to the professors, to the teachers who, in the four corners of the world, teach the language of French speakers.

    Whether French is our mother tongue or whether we have learned it, it has become a piece of our intimate life. It carries our thoughts, our hopes, our ambitions, our revolts, our emotions. The words we speak condition the ideas we deploy, which themselves condition the freedom we have. This is why we must support its teaching more than ever, quality teaching, in order to allow each and every French speaker to build their academic and professional paths. And we will continue to support the educational systems of French-speaking countries on other continents through the OIF, our bilateral actions, as we have also done through the reform of the AEFE. These are shared objectives within our organization. I am of course thinking of the actions of the regional education and training centers with which, at a national level, our cultural network cooperates. I am thinking of the actions of TV5Monde, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie, and Senghor University, in the beautiful city of Alexandria. And allow me in this regard to address the delegation of Egypt to welcome the support of your authorities for the upcoming installation of Senghor University in this brand new campus of Borg el Arab.

    But also right here, in this Cité internationale de la langue française, in Villers-Cotterêts. You will not only have a wonderful heritage site that we have renovated. You will not only have a wonderful place of culture, of permanent creation. And I congratulate the teams, dear Paul, and all the artists who, all year round, bring this place to life. You will have artist residencies, training places. And we will create, on the occasion of this summit, the Collège international de Villers-Cotterêts. Next year, the Cité internationale de la langue française will itself become a laboratory of excellence for training teachers of and in French, future French-speaking education executives, translators, interpreters, while welcoming researchers and experts in didactics in residence. It will be a place of innovation, of transmission, which will allow to irrigate everything that is done in our capitals, but also in our regions, to allow to boost teaching in French and the teaching of French. Because teaching and translating French are the vectors of our language. And I want to thank Kamel DAOUD in particular for his inspiration, his vision on the importance of translation to give everyone access to our wealth and diversity. Because yes, if there is one thing that also characterizes the Francophonie, it is both its hospitality, we welcome in our language, and it is that it thinks and has always thought in multilingualism, in translation. And as important as teaching French everywhere in the world, it is our ability to teach in our regions, in our countries, English, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish.

    Because it is this ability to think about language and its passages. A language is not thought of as isolated, closed. Our language is open and opens a space to communicate, share, be a hyphen. Yes, the Francophonie, everywhere, is in some way a trick, it is this language that allows us to build the mesh, the network of friendship, a human understanding, a diplomacy of action, of analysis. It is also, and we always see it, I was in Canada a few days ago, and it is always fascinating to see the love of French that is carried in this wonderful country. And it is carried in Montreal as in Ottawa in different ways. But I was able to measure it. Because it is a language of resistance, of combat, sometimes of contraband, always of invention and reinvention. Yes. This is why the Francophonie and this brotherhood are without exclusivity that only aspires to share its values. It is this utopia that opens its place today among us. It is this great current of air across the world that is constantly in crossbreeding, in creolization, in reinvention. And it is this wonderful place that allows writers like François CHENG, who learned our language at the age of 20, to become the dean of our academy, which allows a young Lebanese to write in our language and to become, like Mr. Amin MAALOUF, the perpetual secretary of our academy, which allows a young Russian, like Andreï MAKINE, to discover the French language in the middle of Siberia and to devote his life to it. And which allows a young Haitian writer to become one of the favorite authors of Canadians and to be adopted by the Académie française to become immortal there like Dany LAFERRIÈRE. Which allows Karim KATTAN, born in Jerusalem, to write his first novel in French, whose plot is both Palestinian and Proustian. Which allows Liliana LAZARE, Romanian, born in Moldova, to unravel the mysteries and poetic torments of a country by using the French language, which is not the language of her characters, but to which nothing human is foreign. A sign, if one were still needed, that French is this bridge between centuries, peoples and individuals.

    Yes, the Francophonie is what allows us, in doing so, to build a shared and reinvented universal. A decentralized, plural, respectful universal, based on the recognition of cultures and peoples. The same one that Souleymane BACHIR DIAGNE admirably describes in his latest book. This is also why, I am convinced, the Francophonie is a space of diplomatic influence that allows us to embrace the challenges of the century. It is together, as Francophones, that we must try to understand technological transformations. It is together, as Francophones, that we must encourage innovation and multiply our capacities for creation and exchange, but also build a digital order that protects citizens. It is together, as Francophones, that we must better fight against disinformation, the spread of hatred online, fight against hate speech, racist speech, anti-Semitic speech. And this is why, and Bruno PATINO, in a moment, will demonstrate it with the debate that animates it and by explaining its content. This is also why today, with the Villers-Cotterêts appeal, we are launching an extremely clear call to the major players in the digital world to build a safer and more diverse space, to have a requirement for moderation in the French language and to fight against all this hate speech. And the International Organization of La Francophonie, Dear Louise, in this regard, will have a very special role as guarantor. It is also in French-speaking terms that we must think about innovations in artificial intelligence, pursue major innovations, make the French-speaking world a space for open-source innovation and promote our major players. And this is also why next year, we will have the Action Summit on Artificial Intelligence in France in February, where the French-speaking world will be a central player to allow us to have a dialogue on innovation and regulation, and where, I know, the G7 that Prime Minister TRUDEAU will have organized will also bring together the convictions that we share together.

    I deeply believe that the Francophonie, yes, is a place where we can together carry out a diplomacy that defends sovereignty, territorial integrity throughout the planet, that carries the same discourse alongside Ukraine, attacked today, threatened in its borders and in its territorial integrity by the Russian war of aggression, but that defends a vision where there is no room for double standards, where all lives are equal for all conflicts throughout the world. And we all believe in the freedom of peoples to determine their own destiny, we are convinced that there can be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. We all stand alongside our Armenian brothers for the respect of their sovereignty, their territorial integrity. We all stand alongside the friendly Lebanese people, today shaken in their sovereignty and their peace. We all stand alongside the sovereignty of all the peoples and all the States of the Pacific, which must be a peaceful region where no power can challenge this peace through territorial provocations or any repetition of tests whatsoever. We carry within us these humanist values that call us alongside all our brothers, in the French-speaking world and elsewhere, in need of assistance and we urge that the humanitarian space and the civilian population be protected everywhere and at all times.

    You have understood that the agenda that the Francophonie is carrying is an agenda of peace, of sustainable development, as we have shown again by voting together, on September 22, for the adoption of the pact of the future. And I congratulate in particular the DRC whose intervention was decisive in allowing us to move forward. The Francophonie is this united city of 330 million souls that we can be proud to inhabit. A city that has the French language as its foundation and the world as its horizon, and which, with Aimé CÉSAIRE, desires a universal that is rich in all individuals. This is why I am very proud and very happy to welcome you alongside all the elected representatives of the territory, in this city of Villers-Cotterêts, city of the royal ordinance of François I, city which also saw the birth of Alexandre DUMAS, city which is yours, by this international city, for this beautiful 19th summit of the Francophonie, thanking you all for your presence and for your commitment. Long live the French language, to the common work that the International Organization of the Francophonie carries high. Long live everyone and us. I thank you.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fast-track to boost renewable electricity

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Fast-track Approvals Bill will list 22 renewable electricity projects with a combined capacity of 3 Gigawatts, which will help secure a clean, reliable and affordable supply of electricity across New Zealand, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. 

    “The Government has a goal of doubling New Zealand’s renewable electricity generation. The 22 renewable electricity projects listed for fast-track will help us achieve that ambition and bolster New Zealand’s energy security,” Mr Brown says.

    Electrifying New Zealand’s economy is a key part of the Government’s plan to grow our economy and reduce emissions to achieve Net Zero 2050.

    “Enabling investment in the infrastructure we need for key technologies like solar, wind and hydro will help ensure businesses and households have access to abundant, reliable, and affordable electricity. 

    “In recent months New Zealand have seen some of the highest electricity prices in the world. Continuing on this course is not sustainable. It is why we are taking action by listing these 22 solar, wind, and hydro projects throughout the country, along with two significant Transpower infrastructure projects.

    “These projects will help New Zealand meet our immediate goals of generating more electricity, and help longer term as our cars, buses, trains, ferries, and manufacturers are increasingly powered by the wind, water, and the sun.

    “If all of these projects were to proceed, then New Zealand’s electricity generation capacity would increase by almost 30 per cent. This would significantly boost our energy security.”

    Projects to be listed include:

    • 7 wind farms (including re-powering of existing windfarms to increase their generation)
    • 10 solar farms
    • 5 hydro schemes (including reconsenting of existing generation)
    • 2 Transpower energy infrastructure projects – including replacement of the critical Cook Strait electricity cable

    “The Government has accepted the renewable electricity projects recommended by the Advisory Group. However, the Fast-track Approvals Bill will enable further projects to use this fast track approval process and we encourage generators to put forward further projects once the legislation is in place,” Mr Brown says.

    “Including these projects in the fast-track approvals process means we can get renewable energy projects underway at a much faster pace to deliver the abundant and affordable electricity we need to power our low-emissions future.”
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: War movie sequel dominates China’s golden week box office

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A movie goer claims tickets from a self-service machine at a cinema in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

    Chen Kaige’s war epic “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death” continued its reign at the top of China’s box office during the National Day holiday, maintaining its lead for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday.

    Starring Zhu Yilong, Xin Baiqing and Zhang Zifeng, the second installment of Chen’s “The Volunteers” trilogy has raked in more than 600 million yuan (85.6 million U.S. dollars), accounting for around 36.7 percent of the holiday’s total box office revenue.

    According to movie data platform Maoyan, the film is on track to finish its run with over 1.4 billion yuan, potentially placing it among the top six highest-grossing films in China this year.

    The film’s predecessor also found success at the box office, earning 868 million yuan following its release during last year’s National Day holiday.

    The lucrative week-long National Day holiday kicked off on Oct. 1, and has been seen as a potential catalyst for a box office rebound following a weaker-than-expected summer season.

    The holiday lineup currently features eight new domestic releases, after two films recently withdrew from the competition.

    The second and third highest-grossing films to date are Lu Chuan’s sci-fi offering “Bureau 749” and the crime drama “Tiger Wolf Rabbit,” which have earned over 330 million yuan and 282 million yuan, respectively, as of Saturday afternoon.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MD holds Maritime Carnival to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    MD holds Maritime Carnival to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China (with photos)
    MD holds Maritime Carnival to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Marine Department (MD) organised the Maritime Carnival at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) at Central Pier No. 8 today (October 6) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Through a series of free family-friendly activities and display panels, the carnival aimed to enrich the public’s understanding about the development of the maritime industry as well as to promote patriotic education to share the joy of celebrating the National Day with the public.     The opening ceremony of the carnival was graced by the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, who gave a welcoming speech. The event was officiated by the Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat. About 20 representatives from relevant supporting organisations of the carnival joined the ceremony to show their support.     The HKMM arranged guided tours to introduce the roles of various places of the shipping industry to the public. The Maritime Carnival also featured exhibition panels to display photos and related materials showcasing the history and development of the maritime industry in Hong Kong and the Mainland, especially the role of seafarers and their contributions to the maritime industry, thus promoting the nation’s history and patriotic education to visitors, especially young people, nourishing their feelings of “Love our Country, Love Hong Kong, Love our Community”.     Moreover, the public was able to learn more about the MD’s work by viewing demonstrations of marine refuse and oil cleaning, and shipboard visits to the MD’s patrol launch and hydrographic survey vessel. There were also fun-filled activities with maritime themes including a ship-handling simulator experience, games booths, marine movie and documentary screenings, a tattoo sticker experience, a photobooth, maritime-themed talks as well as underwater unmanned system challenge demonstrations.

     
    Ends/Sunday, October 6, 2024Issued at HKT 13:11

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester Christmas Markets – location lowdown for festive markets in Santa’s favourite city

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester Christmas Markets return on 8 November

    With only a month to go until the opening of Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets on Friday 8 November, the location lowdown for this year’s festive markets in Santa’s favourite city reveals even more stalls, more choice and more space for visitors to tackle their Christmas shopping, or to simply soak up the sights and sounds of the season.

    Open daily for a six-week seasonal take-over of the city centre until Sunday 22 December, this year’s markets will include seven weekends of festive fun for visitors and Christmas shoppers instead of the usual six, due to the way dates fall.

    Taking place in the city now for over a quarter of a century, with the city’s very first festive market held in December 1998,  Manchester’s annual Christmas markets are known across the globe, each year bringing millions of people into the city centre to spend time with friends and family and fill up on fantastic festive treats.

    This year’s markets will see over two hundred of the iconic wooden ski chalet market stalls across nine different locations throughout the city centre.

    New for this year is an expanded Winter Gardens at Piccadilly, with more space and stalls to enjoy along with two fabulous festive marquees fit for the Santa season and festooned with twinkling fairy lights, to provide more of the all-important under-cover space for Christmas shoppers to get cosy if the weather turns cold.

    Also new this year at the Winter Gardens is an expanded seasonal offer from next-door neighbours Piccadilly Street Food Market, with stalls there also staying open until 9 pm each night, serving up their unique flavours from around the world – mouth-watering pictures of which are regularly to be found picking up the likes on social media.

    With the Winter Gardens at Piccadilly at the heart of this year’s Christmas Markets, the markets will also see the transformation of Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, and King Street into Manchester’s very own magical Christmas wonderland.

    Visitors will be spoilt for choice at Manchester’s Christmas markets

    Here’s the full lowdown on each of Manchester’s nine Christmas market locations this year and what to expect:

    The Winter Gardens at Piccadilly
    Piccadilly Gardens will be transformed into a bigger and better Winter Gardens this year with two twinkling light filled marquees providing more under-cover space for Christmas shoppers.
    All the festive food and drink favourites are back for 2024 – expect pancakes, bratwursts, churros, and more, with bars serving continental and foreign ales. Plus, the much-loved Piccadilly Street Food Market will also stay open until 9pm each night, serving up flavours from across the globe.
    Winter Gardens will offer live entertainment and music everyday beneath the shelter of marquees and under-cover seating areas – perfect for taking the weight off your feet and cosying up with family and friends.

    Market Street
    Get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up on Market Street with even more stalls lined up there for this year.
    Expect a Santa’s sack full of goods on offer from stalls offering bespoke crafts, gifts and produce – from tweed hats to spiced rum, Christmas decorations to candles, freshly baked coconut macaroons and jewellery, to gift sets of cheese truckles, and much more. 

    Cathedral Gardens
    Families will find there’s plenty for all ages – particularly our youngest visitors – to enjoy at Cathedral Gardens.
    Experience Skate Manchester’s huge, covered ice rink (open daily) and free live entertainment hosted every Thursday to Sunday all the way up to New Year’s Eve. Plus, warm up with authentic crepes, gourmet hotdogs, hot chocolate, and much more. 

    St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street
    St Ann’s Square was the original site of Manchester’s first-ever Christmas Market
    Take in the atmosphere, cosy up for a drink in the undercover bar and enjoy a selection of authentic German goods from some of our longest-standing traders. Think German beers and cherry glühwein,  bratwurst, salt and pepper chicken from Northern Quarter favourite, Yard and Coop, or hot chocolate cones poured right from the chocolate taps.

    Plenty of stalls for foodies to enjoy

    New Cathedral Street
    New Cathedral is your go-to spot for high end gifts and foodie favourites.
    Craft-lovers will be enchanted by the selection of handmade candles, ceramics, local spirits, and thoughtful keepsakes on offer – a must-visit destination for Christmas shopping. And when your shopping’s all done, savour a cold beer and currywurst from The Witch House or a hearty burrito from Wrap Up. 

    Exchange Square
    One of the largest market locations in the city Exchange Square is where Christmas shoppers will find a host of seasonal stalls selling everything from clothing, soaps, boutique babywear, local crafts, and handmade gifts.
    Feeling chilly? Warm up at The Mill Exchange with their Mancunian mulled wine made on site and enjoy the legends of Manchester artwork adorning their walls. This is also the place to try the much-loved Yorkshire pudding wrap from Porky Pig, as well as everything from birria bowls and hot curries to mini pancakes and fresh fudge.

    King Street
    King Street is a must-visit for foodies and shoppers alike.
    Authentic Italian deli, Ballaro, will be serving up fresh cannelloni and arancini, and El Gato Negro will bring some Mediterranean menu flavours to their seating area. Plus, a range of stalls to browse selling crafts including the always popular French soap stall, personalised tree decorations, handmade wooden furniture and beautifully illustrated bottles from local distillery, Salford Rum.

    The Corn Exchange
    Situated between Corn Exchange and Shambles Square, you’ll find some of the most unique gifts available from our crafters.
    Expect handmade pies, Nepalese woollen jumpers, handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations made from recycled wood, plus photo frames, artisan chocolates and much more.

    Lots of tasty treats on offer

    Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester Christmas Markets are by a million miles the very best in the world and the phenomenal number of festive visitors we get each year flocking into the city centre specially to visit them one hundred per cent proves this.

    “2024 looks set to be Manchester’s best-ever Christmas yet ,and with an extra weekend this year to really make the most of our legendary Christmas Markets, I can already smell the cinnamon and churros, and just can’t wait!”

    Manchester’s Christmas Markets will be open daily from Friday 8 November to Sunday 22 December.
    Craft stalls and stalls selling seasonal goods will be open each day from 10 am – 8 pm, whilst food and drink stalls will be open from 11 am – 9 pm each day.

    The markets wrap for Christmas at 6pm on Sunday 22 December, except for the food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens which will stay open until December 31 alongside the ice rink.

    Stalls selling all kinds of crafts and gifts .

    More information on Christmas in Manchester here

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 403rd Army Field Support Brigade Unit Spotlight: Logistics Readiness Center-Honshu

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CAMP ZAMA, Japan  –  

    Located near the cities of Zama and Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Camp Zama is about 25 miles southwest of Tokyo on the main island of Honshu.

    Camp Zama is home to U.S. Army Japan, I Corps (Forward), U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan, 311th Military Intelligence Battalion, 78th Signal Battalion, 765th Terminal Transportation Battalion, Japan Engineer District (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and the Bilateral Coordination Department and 4th Engineer Group of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

    USARJ facilitates multilateral cooperation with regional partners and allies through engagements, training, and exercises; partnering with the JGSDF to enhance interoperability, capability and capacity while coordinating through United States Forces Japan for forces, footprints and agreements between the U.S. Government and the Government of Japan to set conditions for successful deterrence and execution of contingency operations.

    USARJ is not structured as a conventional command, as it is resourced as an economy of force operation, forward positioned in Japan for contingency purposes should circumstances require a larger U.S. Army presence within the region.

    Under the Status of Forces Agreement, the Government of Japan contributes a portion of the resources necessary for the sustainment of U.S. Forces within Japan in the form of facilities, personnel, and utilities. U.S. Army Sustainment Command benefits from this agreement in the form of significantly reduced operating costs. LRC-Honshu’s workforce primarily consists of host nation Master Labor Contract employees fully funded by the Government of Japan.

    LRC-Honshu provides maintenance, supply, transportation, and logistical support to USARJ, I Corps (Forward), U.S. Army Garrison-Japan, installation partner units, and Department of Defense activities within its area of responsibility to ensure mission readiness and quality of life for Soldiers, civilians, and families within mainland Japan.

    LRC-Honshu reports to the 403d Army Field Support Brigade, headquartered at Camp Henry, South Korea, which is a subordinate unit of ASC whose higher headquarters is the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

    The LRC-Honshu, Transportation Division, Area Transportation Office in Kure, near Hiroshima, Japan, 485 miles away from Camp Zama, provides area specific installation transportation through the utilization of non-tactical vehicles in several different fleet configurations coordinated by the Fleet Management Operations Office, including traffic management, general freight, oversized freight, intra-depot ammunition movement, and retail fuel points for Kure Ammunition Depot, an AMC special installation. On average, ATO Kure supports more than 220 intra-depot ammunition movements and 140 general cargo shipments per year.

    Prior to August 2024, LRC-Honshu experienced challenges in executing its Installation Logistics Base Line Services in support of USAG-Japan at Kure Ammunition Depot. The Maintenance Division provides base operations maintenance support to Army-owned NTVs, tactical vehicles and non-standard equipment in support of installation services, as well as organic maintenance capability for units’ tactical equipment lacking organic authorizations.

    The 10th Support Group performed these duties in Kure by overseeing 14 authorized host nation employees assigned to the 10th SG AD Equipment Branch but authorized on the Host Nation Table of Distribution and Allowances, facilities, and maintenance management functions for its assigned vehicles and equipment, as well as equipment for USAG-Japan and LRC-Honshu at Kure’s Akizuki, Kawakami, and Hiro Ammunition Depots.

    Over the past two years, LRC-Honshu worked closely with 10th SG and USARJ G4, while keeping 403d AFSB staff informed, to initiate efforts to appropriately restructure maintenance support operations under LRC-Honshu in Kure in alignment with Army Regulation 750-1 and the ILBLS program guidance. LRC-Honshu coordinated with 10th SG to establish a series of working groups, developed and provided a final decision brief to the 403rd AFSB and 10th SG commanders, and conducted an on-site visit to Kure AD involving all stakeholders, culminating in in a briefing to the USARJ Steering Committee.

    “Taking full responsibility for maintenance in Kure will greatly enhance our oversight of maintenance operations, ensuring that we can effectively meet the needs of USAG-Japan while enabling our partners to focus on their primary mission,” said Michael J. Moore, Maintenance Division Chief.

    On Aug. 1, 2024, LRC-Honshu assumed overall responsibility of maintenance operations in Kure following the transfer of 14 authorized host nation positions from 10th SG to LRC-Honshu to and meet 403rd AFSB’s requirement of maintaining USAG-Japan and LRC-Honshu vehicles and equipment.

    In September 2024, LRC-Honshu leadership from Camp Zama visited Kure to speak to the new employees, conduct a joint inventory of all associated tools and equipment, and coordinated with the USAG-Japan Department of Public Works to assign three major facilities and several sub-facilities used by mechanics in Kure’s Akizuki, Kawakami, and Hiro Ammunition Depots. By October 2024, LRC-Honshu will successfully achieve full operational capability of maintenance operations in Kure.

    “By assuming full responsibility of maintenance operations in Kure, LRC-Honshu will improve oversight of maintenance procedures, increase overall equipment readiness rates, and streamline processes to better support USAG Japan,” said Sean B. Mager, director, LRC-Honshu. “This transition will allow the 10th Support Group to focus on their core mission, enhancing overall operational effectiveness in the region.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gen Z knowledge about the Holocaust matters for ongoing reconciliation with a troubled history

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Regan Lipes, Extended Sessional Instructor, English and Comparative Literature, MacEwan University

    Since last Oct. 7, the world has seen mass death catalyzed by terrorist attacks in Israel, Israel’s mission to recover hostages still being detained and retaliation in Gaza — and now a long-dreaded war erupting through the Middle East.

    As a scholar of Jewish and Holocaust literature, in the past year following Oct. 7, I have been aware that how students engage with the history of the Holocaust has been impacted.

    Eighty thousand Israelis remain displaced from their homes in the north. Over 40,000 Palestinians have now been killed in Gaza, and and following a United Nations expert accusing Israel of acts of genocide, UN delegates have amplified calls for an immediate ceasefire.

    Others assert Israel’s actions are a defensive response. While all Israeli citizens have been affected by violence in Israel, Israel is a Jewish state, and the kind of violence and hate directed at Israel is being felt by Jews globally. For many Jews the Oct. 7 attacks themselves resonated hauntingly of Kristallnacht, with the Jewish people again put in a position of needing to defend their right to exist.



    Read more:
    Holocaust comparisons are overused — but in the case of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel they may reflect more than just the emotional response of a traumatized people

    The definition of genocide acknowledged in the international Genocide Convention drew on the term coined by Polish-born lawyer Raphael Lemkin who fled persecution of the meticulously orchestrated genocide against European Jewry during the Second World War.

    Globally, we are seeing a time of re-aligning geopolitics, including both the Global South and West becoming increasingly aware of pro-Palestinian perspectives. Many Gen Zs have been quick to rally against Zionism.

    At the same time, Holocaust denialism, antisemitic hate acts and terrorist threats have accompanied a rise in anti-Israel sentiment — with frightening effects on Jews globally, sometimes fanned by propagandists seeking to exploit and augment conflict and polarization.

    Even before events of the past year, as the 1940s recede in time, fewer and fewer Gen Zs have identified themselves as feeling knowledgeable about the Holocaust. The way knowledge is transmitted must adapt with the times.

    Memory through time

    In 2019 I was the faculty fellow for a partnership between the Auschwitz Jewish Center and the Museum of Jewish Heritage (MJH). As a scholar I have had the benefit of meeting with Holocaust survivors to learn about their experiences.

    During my fellowship, the ongoing question rattling in my brain was how to safeguard the lived testimonies of survivors as their numbers dwindle.

    When I teach literature of the Holocaust and second-generation efforts to preserve memory, I have noticed students’ limited knowledge of the Holocaust when I do an informal poll of what they know already. Many students admit an awareness limited exclusively to Hollywood films.

    Six-part documentary

    Director Joe Berlinger’s recent documentary Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial is conscious of deficits in Gen Z education and seeks to remedy this.

    ‘Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial,’ documentary by Joe Berlinger.

    Berlinger’s six-part Netflix documentary takes a unique approach to examining and exploring Hitler’s rise to power and the lasting global impact.

    He frames this analysis by using the writings and broadcasts of journalist and foreign corespondent William L. Shirer, who authored the iconic The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (1960), in concert with narration from Shirer’s granddaughter, Deirdre van Dyk.

    Within the context of her grandfather’s historically significant coverage of the European political landscape throughout the 1930s and 40s, van Dyk is able to offer insights regarding how Shirer spoke about this period going beyond his public writings.

    Preserving history

    On an online discussion panel organized by the MJH in July 2024, Berlinger acknowledged the plethora of documentaries examining the Second World War, but explained that this work is a targeted effort to preserve history while connecting and resonating with Gen Z viewers.

    Van Dyk’s participation plays a key role in bridging the present with the lived experience of Shirer, a witness of Nazi corruption and totalitarianism.

    Similarly second- and third-generation Holocaust survivors are instrumental in ensuring that their parents and grandparents’ suffering and trauma can be used to caution current learners who will be the politicians, jurists and educators of the future about dangers of antisemitism.

    Online discussion with director Joe Berlinger with Museum of Jewish Heritage.

    Alberta initiative

    An initiative in Alberta, the Second Voices Project is working to help Gen Z students understand the Holocaust in a way that feels authentic and less like distant history.

    The initiative, with the support of the Government of Alberta, uses video testimony given by survivors, and pairs this with discussion, commentary and observations provided by their children and grandchildren.

    Robert Jackson, chief counsel of the International Military Tribunal (IMT) at Nuremberg, noted in his opening statement at the Nuremberg Trial in 1945:

    “The wrongs which we seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant and so devastating that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored because it cannot survive their being repeated.”

    Jackson’s remarks now seem prophetic as society reexamines how best to impart this vital knowledge.

    Increased consciousness

    When the Second Voices Project travels to secondary and post-secondary institutions it is with the hope that seeds for increased tolerance and social consciousness be planted.

    ‘The Pages In Between’ by Erin Einhorn.
    (Simon and Schuster)

    During the winter 2024 semester, in a Jewish literature course I taught, I saw the Second Voices Project in action. The course sees students examine the search for resolution in untenable situations, with reporter Erin Einhorn’s The Pages In Between.

    They grapple with depictions of trauma and extreme loss in Cynthia Ozick’s short story The Shawl and examine how American-born Jews negotiated feelings of misplaced guilt following learning about the extent of the Holocaust.

    Accompanied by a Holocaust education specialist from the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, my students met second-generation survivor and retired physician Dr. Francie Cyngiser.

    Cyngiser’s parents survived the Nazi concentration camps, and she brought her father, Sidney Cyngiser’s, recorded Shoah Foundation testimony, narrated by her son and nephew, to my class.

    Sidney Cyngiser was dedicated to combating Holocaust denial by sharing his story. Instead of simply watching a video of Cyngiser testifying, the documentary was contextualized for students by inter-generational survivors not much younger than their parents.

    Addressing trauma fatigue

    Although Berlinger’s viewers cannot speak directly with van Dyk the way my students did with Dr. Cyngiser, his documentary is an important innovation to engage Gen Z learners.

    To appeal to this targeted viewership, the Shirer family consented to use AI voice approximations of William Shirer’s writings to help narrate Berlinger’s documentary. Although original recordings from his news broadcasts also feature prominently, many of his diaries, smuggled out of Nazi Germany at great risk, needed vocalization for the film.

    By adapting, Holocaust educators can also combat trauma fatigue which can impair capacity for awareness, recognition and response. In Germany, where Holocaust education is mandatory, feelings of frustration over inherited guilt for the Holocaust can breed apathy and resentment.

    Both pro-Zionist and Zionist-critical Jews have highlighted that such sentiments are dangerous in the current global climate.

    Apathy fails to serve any humanitarian function and dangerously anaesthetises all sides to the pain of others.



    Read more:
    Middle East student dialogue: As an expert in deep conflict, what I’ve learned about making conversation possible

    The German term Vergangenheitsbewältigung describes the process of ongoing reconciliation with a troubled history. The past is a reality that humanity as whole must contend with, but a lack of understanding is fertile ground for denial, revisionism and antisemitism.

    I cannot help but wonder if greater awareness of Holocaust history, and political and cultural histories of how to safeguard human rights, would promote more tolerance and compassion universally.

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

    – ref. Gen Z knowledge about the Holocaust matters for ongoing reconciliation with a troubled history – https://theconversation.com/gen-z-knowledge-about-the-holocaust-matters-for-ongoing-reconciliation-with-a-troubled-history-235296

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Nicole McKee unfit for firearms portfolio

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Fresh questions have been raised about the conduct of the Firearms Minister after revelations she misled New Zealanders about her role in stopping gun reforms prior to the mosque shootings.

    Despite previously claiming on TVNZ Q+A that she urged the Government to close the loopholes around high capacity magazines – it’s now been revealed that did not happen.

    In fact, it was her suggestion to the then Minister Paula Bennett that she reject select committee recommendations around semi-automatic firearms, which would’ve closed the loopholes later exploited by the March 15 terrorist.

    “It’s the latest in a list of concerns about conflicts of interest for the Minister, who is still closely linked to the gun lobby while trying to roll back legal safeguards put in place after the terror attacks,” Labour’s Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

    “This reporting is even more concerning as the next phase in the coronial inquiry into the terror attack gets underway this coming week. It will explicitly address the history of firearms reforms and make recommendations to stop such an attack happening again.

    “The Firearms Minister also has authority over Coronial matters in her role as Courts Minister. The conflicts and questions are now too great for the public to have any confidence that she is the right person to be in charge of gun laws.

    “The Prime Minister must strip her of the firearms portfolio. The Coalition Agreement never required her to hold that position and it would be a display of leadership if he took action,” Ginny Andersen said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: News story: PM statement on one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks

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

    Words from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks.

    7 October 2023 was the darkest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. One year on, we stand together to remember the lives so cruelly taken. 

    Over a thousand people were brutally murdered. Men, women, children and babies killed, mutilated, and tortured by the terrorists of Hamas. Jewish people murdered whilst protecting their families. 

    Young people massacred at a music festival. 

    People abducted from their homes.

    Agonising reports of rape, torture and brutality beyond comprehension which continued to emerge days and weeks later. 

    As a father, a husband, a son, a brother – meeting the families of those who lost their loved ones last week was unimaginable. Their grief and pain are ours, and it is shared in homes across the land. 

    A year on, that collective grief has not diminished or waned.

    Yet their strength and determination to cherish the memories of those they had lost continues, and our determination to bring those still captive home endures. I stand firm in our commitment to bring the hostages home, and we will not give up until they are returned.

    One year on from these horrific attacks we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community and unite as a country. We must never look the other way in the face of hate. 

    We must also not look the other way as civilians bear the ongoing dire consequences of this conflict in the Middle East. I reiterate my call for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, and for the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza.

    We will not falter in our pursuit of peace and on this day of pain and sorrow, we honour those we lost, and continue in our determination to return those still held hostage, help those who are suffering, and secure a better future for the Middle East.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM statement on one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Words from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks.

    7 October 2023 was the darkest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. One year on, we stand together to remember the lives so cruelly taken. 

    Over a thousand people were brutally murdered. Men, women, children and babies killed, mutilated, and tortured by the terrorists of Hamas. Jewish people murdered whilst protecting their families. 

    Young people massacred at a music festival. 

    People abducted from their homes.

    Agonising reports of rape, torture and brutality beyond comprehension which continued to emerge days and weeks later. 

    As a father, a husband, a son, a brother – meeting the families of those who lost their loved ones last week was unimaginable. Their grief and pain are ours, and it is shared in homes across the land. 

    A year on, that collective grief has not diminished or waned.

    Yet their strength and determination to cherish the memories of those they had lost continues, and our determination to bring those still captive home endures. I stand firm in our commitment to bring the hostages home, and we will not give up until they are returned.

    One year on from these horrific attacks we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community and unite as a country. We must never look the other way in the face of hate. 

    We must also not look the other way as civilians bear the ongoing dire consequences of this conflict in the Middle East. I reiterate my call for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, and for the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza.

    We will not falter in our pursuit of peace and on this day of pain and sorrow, we honour those we lost, and continue in our determination to return those still held hostage, help those who are suffering, and secure a better future for the Middle East.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness Efforts for Tropical Storm Milton

    Source: US State of Florida

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie at the State Emergency Operations Center to provide updates on preparedness efforts for Tropical Storm Milton.

    As of 8 a.m., Tropical Storm Milton is located about 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained wind gusts near 60 mph. Milton is forecast to move across the Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of Florida by midweek.

    Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-215, amending EO 24-214 and declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties.

    To learn more about navigating hurricane season, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide. For updates on county resources available visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.

    State Preparedness Efforts

    • The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 since Tuesday, September 24, for Hurricane Helene, and is at a Level 1 for Tropical Storm Milton as of today, October 6, leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team.
    • The Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs (FDVA) storm preparations are underway at all State Veterans’ Nursing Homes in anticipation of Tropical Storm Milton’s landfall.
    • The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is performing maintenance on all equipment deployed during Hurricane Helene to ensure it is ready for use in Tropical Storm Milton.
    • FDLE Regional Operations Centers in Tampa and Fort Myers are establishing their Regional Law Enforcement Coordination Teams (RLECT).
    • FDLE agents working Operation Blue Ridge are demobilizing to respond to Tropical Storm Milton. Maintenance is being conducted on equipment returning from North Carolina.
    • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has readied high-water vehicles and all other storm response resources statewide so they may be rapidly deployed to assist Floridians in need in the event of damage or flooding. Contingency plans based on forecasted landfall locations have been developed and remain flexible based on the storm’s projected path.
    • FWC officers are ready to deploy and respond with a variety of specialized equipment as necessary, such as:
      • Airboats
      • Shallow draft boats
      • ATVs/Side-by-sides
      • Larger platform vessels
      • Four-wheel vehicles
    • FWC Special Operations Group (SOG) teams will serve as reconnaissance units for the state and report on damage after the storm has made landfall.
    • FWC Aviation Section has been placed on standby and has readied all appropriate aircraft for potential deployment for aerial assistance, reconnaissance, and post-storm damage assessments when needed.

    Health and Human Services

    • The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) deployed over 200 emergency response vehicles on the I4 Corridor in preparation for the storm.
    • The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has initiated an event in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS). Health care providers in the have been requested to provide information on census, available beds, evacuation status, accepting evacuees and generator needs from counties declared under EO-24-114. This information allows AHCA to assist healthcare providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that health care providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
    • The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is contacting all our Area Agencies on Aging partners to receive updates on their ongoing preparation efforts and gather the status of any unmet needs.
    • The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) will continue to host calls with APD leadership, regional and facilities to brief them on Tropical Storm Milton and provide updates on protective actions, the status of clients and residents, and anticipated unmet needs in potentially affected areas.

    Infrastructure, Roads and State Closures

    • The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Tropical Storm Milton statewide preparedness efforts include clearing shoulders in preparation for potential Emergency Should Use (ESU):
      • Currently analyzing flooding vulnerabilities for major roadways and bridges.
      • Inspecting and clearing drainage systems, monitoring flood-prone and currently saturated areas, and pre-positioning pumps as appropriate.
      • Securing high mast lighting, maintenance yards, active construction projects, rest areas/welcome centers, service plazas, and weigh stations that had returned to normal since Hurricane Helene.
      • Replenishing fuel reserves, checking generator readiness, and pre-positioning assets as appropriate.
      • Completing repairs on malfunctioning vehicles and equipment in preparation for deployment.
      • Initiated communication with modal partners – seaports, airports, railroads, transit, and spaceports. All partners are currently in monitoring posture.
      • Staging ITS trailers, as well as drone teams and equipment are being prepped and ready to deploy as needed.
    • FDOT has removed over 53,339 cubic yards of debris to date.
    • FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated. Remember to always follow the direction of local law enforcement and emergency personnel.
    • FDOT is supporting our local communities with supplemental sand and debris removal from local roads on the barrier islands in Pinellas and Manatee counties.
    • At the direction of Gov. DeSantis, FDOT is coordinating debris removal assignments for the Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, Florida Highway Patrol, amongst others, who have activated available state personnel and resources to clear and haul remaining debris.
    • In preparation for Tropical Storm Milton, FDOT’s out-of-state deployed resources have begun to transition back to Florida operations.
    • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is coordinating with EPA’s Landfill Strike Teams to provide technical support and assistance for these sites. For counties and local governments in need of additional debris disposal locations, especially ahead of this new storm, DEP has approved all DDMS site requests.
    • Currently, 186 Disaster Debris Management Sites (DDMS) have been authorized to operate for Hurricane Helene.
    • Hurricane Helene kicked up significant amounts of sediment and sand along the coastlines in and along its path. DEP is working with local governments to manage the excess sand and continue removal efforts.
    • For sand that has accumulated on private properties, residents should return it to the beach if it appears clean, smells fresh and is free of debris. If the sand contains debris, residents should contact their local government to find the nearest disposal site. DEP has worked with counties to establish temporary staging areas to properly screen the sand before it is returned to the beach.
    • DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association and other response agencies to ensure preparations are underway to support drinking and wastewater facilities ahead of the anticipated heavy rains.
    • Florida’s water management districts are engaging local governments and drainage operators throughout the state and are available to provide technical and other support, including deploying temporary pumps to alleviate localized flooding. As part of standard operations, DEP and Florida’s water management districts continue to monitor water systems and river levels as the storm develops.
    • Currently, no Florida State Parks are closed because of this anticipated storm. For updates on state parks affected by Hurricane Helene or Tropical Storm Milton, please visit: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates.
    • The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is staging high-water rescue vehicles in preparation for landfall.
    • FHP is prepared to deploy up to 120 Quick Response Force (QRF) Troopers to affected areas.
    • FHP is assisting with traffic control in St. Petersburg.
    • FHP air support and drone assets are staged and prepared to deploy when needed.
    • The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Milton and is working with school districts as they begin preparation efforts. The Department is also in close contact with districts that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene and will assist them with addressing critical needs ahead of the storm. Updates on school closures can be found at FLDOE.org/storminfo.

    Resources for Employees, Businesses and Consumers

    • The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is staging assets and personnel across 13 offices statewide and is prepared to surge resources to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene that receive a second impact from Tropical Storm Milton.
    • Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz.
    • FloridaCommerce activated the private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
    • FloridaCommerce is hosting daily private sector coordination calls. Briefings will be provided by Emergency Support Functions and private sector partners. For call information email ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
    • VISIT FLORIDA Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia, Priceline and Booking.com will remain available to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors.
    • The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) has pulled their Helene Mobile Assistance Centers from the field and will redeploy once storm conditions have passed.Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Tropical Storm Milton.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Bashneft, a modern kindergarten was opened in Bashkiria

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A new kindergarten “Romashka” for 50 children was opened in the village of Stary Kurdym in the Tatyshlinsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Financing for the construction and technical equipment was provided by the company “Bashneft” within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between NK “Rosneft” and the Republic of Bashkortostan.

    The one-story building with an area of 700 m2 meets the most modern technical requirements. A separate block is provided for each age group. All premises are equipped with modern equipment and inventory. The sports and music halls are fully equipped, the food and medical blocks have modern equipment. The outdoor area is divided into play and sports zones with trauma-safe covering.

    The facility is completely autonomous – its own boiler house fully meets the needs of the kindergarten and the neighboring school. The new preschool institution also provides a rich educational program. The staff of educators is formed from certified specialists.

    Also, with the assistance of Bashneft, a new kindergarten for 220 children was put into operation in the village of Kushnarenkovo in the Republic of Bashkortostan this summer. The two-story building with an area of 4.2 thousand m2 is an important social facility in the village with a population of more than 10 thousand people. The new kindergarten has relieved the existing 4 preschool education institutions, which were overloaded.

    Since 2017, Bashneft has implemented more than 220 significant social projects in 49 districts and cities of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

    Reference:

    Bashneft (part of the Rosneft Group of Companies) celebrates its 90th anniversary of production operations in 2022. The company produces and processes oil and gas, produces and sells petroleum products and petrochemicals. Bashneft’s key assets, including oil refining and petrochemical complexes, are located in the Republic of Bashkortostan.

    The cooperation agreement between Rosneft and the Republic of Bashkortostan, aimed at developing industrial, financial and social programs in the region, was extended at the XXV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which took place in June 2022.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 28, 2022

    Keywords: Social News 2022

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

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

    http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/213019/

    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 New Zealand: Three arrested for burglary, Hamilton

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Three people were arrested this morning following a traffic stop in the Dinsdale area.

    At around 3.45am, a Police unit sighted a vehicle of interest relating to a burglary in Te Kowhai on Sunday.

    Senior Sergeant Leo Belay says a traffic stop was carried out and the vehicle was stopped without issue.

    “A search of the vehicle located a number of items relating to multiple burglaries across the Waikato District, along with the seizure of drug utensils.

    “Police followed positive lines of enquiry after reviewing CCTV footage of the Te Kowhai burglary, these arrests highlight the value that CCTV provides Police when investigating such offenses.”

    Some items recovered include car keys, passports, power tools, watches, and jewellery.

    All three occupants of the vehicle were arrested at the scene without incident.

    “This is another good example of our staff remaining vigilant in the community, and a great example of proactive Police work by frontline officers,” says Senior Sergeant Belay.

    “Waikato Police are committed to ensuring our community is safe and we hope these arrests provide reassurance to the community.

    “Due to the amount of evidence located in the vehicle, investigators will be continuing to make enquiries, to ensure the stolen property safely returns to their rightful owners over the coming days. Identification of further victims through these enquiries will likely result in further charges being laid.”

    A 43-year-old man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court today facing six charges of burglary, while a 47-year-old man is due to appear facing one charge of burglary.

    A 33-year-old man was charged for possessing a drug utensil and was remanded on bail to reappear at a later date.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Exit polls show Tunisian President Kais Saied winning presidential election

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Tunisian President Kais Saied (R, front) registers at a polling center in Tunis, Tunisia on Oct. 6, 2024. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

    Exit polls showed that Tunisian President Kais Saied is expected to win the presidential election on Sunday, Tunisian State TV reported.

    According to the estimated results of a poll by Sigma Conseil, a Tunisian survey company, Saied won 89.2 percent of the vote, followed by Ayachi Zammel with 6.9 percent and Zouhair Maghzaoui with 3.9 percent.

    In a press briefing following the election, Farouk Bouaskar, president of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), said the preliminary turnout in the presidential election reached 27.7 percent.

    According to statistics from the ISIE, a total of 2,599,252 Tunisians voted in Tunisia and 104,903 Tunisians went to the polls abroad.

    The official TAP news agency said the Chahed Observatory reported a turnout of 28.8 percent when the polling stations closed.

    The total number of voters registered on the electoral register is around 9,753,217 people.

    The preliminary results of the election will be announced Monday evening, according to the ISIE.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Plenty of fun to be had at FunLoong Fun Day

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    Hargreaves Mall and part of Williamson Street will be bursting with free activities and live entertainment as part of the City of Greater Bendigo’s 2024 FunLoong Fun Day from 11am to 2pm on Saturday October 19.

    City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Communities and Environments Director Stacy Williams said FunLoong Fun Day is an inclusive event that celebrates National Children’s Week with a great range of free activities and live entertainment for children and families to enjoy.

    “It is one of the most well attended and anticipated annual events for local children and their families,” Ms Williams said.

    “We expect to see big numbers again this year and encourage everyone to come along and enjoy this free family event and all the fun that it offers.”

    Highlights of the 2024 FunLoong Fun Day program include face painting, animal petting zoo, bubble fun, safe archery, Lego play, airbrush tattoos, henna painting, toy library, slot cars, craft activities, waste sorting and garbage truck, free fruit, giveaways and more.

    There will be a Welcome to Country and didgeridoo performance on the live stage.  As well as other live performances by Central Victorian Lion Team and Academy of Creative Arts.  Don’t miss the Alice in Wonderland Show and the roving characters.

    The Open Street in Williamson Street will feature The Zone big baller, laser tag, meltdown challenge, gymnastics and bike riding, and try-out skateboarding activities as well as displays by Ambulance Victoria, CFA and Victoria Police.

    The Kangaroo Flat Rotary Club will be selling sausages and vegie burgers for only $2 each and the Coliban Water refill station will also be available for people to refill their water bottles.

    This is a not to be missed annual event with plenty of free fun on offer for local families.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From cheeky thrill to grande dame – the Moulin Rouge celebrates 135 years of scandal and success

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will Visconti, Teacher and researcher, Art History, University of Sydney

    Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec At the Moulin Rouge – The Dance, 1890 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec/Wikimedia Commons

    When the Moulin Rouge first opened on October 6 1889, it drew audiences from across classes and countries.

    The Moulin offered an array of fin-de-siècle (end-of-the-century) entertainments to Paris locals and visitors. Located in Montmartre, its name, the “red windmill”, alluded to Montmartre’s history as a rural idyll. The neighbourhood was also associated with artistic bohemia, crime, and revolutionary spirit. This setting added a certain thrill for bourgeois audiences.

    From irreverent newcomer to a French institution, the Moulin Rouge has survived scandal, an inferno and found new ways to connect with audiences.



    Read more:
    How the Eiffel Tower became silent cinema’s icon

    Red and electric

    In 1889, the Moulin Rouge was not the only red landmark to open in Paris. The Eiffel Tower, built as part of the Universal Exhibition and originally painted red, had opened earlier that same year. What set them apart, however, was their popularity.

    The Moulin Rouge was an instant hit, capitalising on the global popularity of a dance called the cancan. Dancers like Moulin Rouge headliner La Goulue (“The Glutton”, real name Louise Weber) were seen as more appropriate emblems for the city than the Tower, which many considered an eyesore.

    In an illustration from Le Courrier Français newspaper, a dancer modelled on a photograph of La Goulue holds her leg aloft, flashing her underwear with the caption “Greetings to the provinces and abroad!”.

    Every aspect of the Moulin spoke to the zeitgeist, from its design to the performances, the use of electric lights that adorned its façade, and its advertising.

    Its managers, the impresario team of Joseph Oller and Charles Harold Zidler, had a string of successful venues and businesses to their names. They recognised the importance of modern marketing, using print media, publicity photographs, and posters to spark public interest.

    Among the most iconic images of the Moulin is Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s 1891 poster. At its centre is La Goulue, kicking her legs amid swirling petticoats.

    Henri Toulouse-Lautrec’s 1891 poster.
    Shutterstock

    She certainly can cancan

    Found primarily in working-class dance halls from as early as the 1820s, the cancan became a staple of popular entertainment the world over.

    Part of the dance’s thrill lay in the dancers’ freedom of movement and titillation of spectators, as well as its anti-establishment energy. Women used the cancan to thumb their nose at authority via steps like the coup de cul (“arse flash”) or coup du chapeau (removing men’s hats with a high kick).

    The cancan was not the only attraction at the Moulin. There were themed spaces, sideshows, and variety performances ranging from belly dancers and conjoined twins to Le Pétomane (“The Fartomaniac”) who was a flatulist and the highest-paid performer. People watching was equally popular.

    Famous farter, Le Pétomane (Joseph Pujol).
    Wikimedia Commons

    Scandals, riots, and royalty

    Over the years, the Moulin has been no stranger to controversy.

    In its early years, it cultivated an air of misbehaviour and featured in pleasure guides for visiting sex tourists.

    In 1893 it hosted the Bal des Quat’z’Arts (Four-Arts Ball) held by students from local studios. Accusations of public indecency were made against the models and dancers in attendance, and violent protests followed after the women were arrested.

    In 1907 the writer Colette appeared onstage at the Moulin in an Egyptian-inspired pantomime with her then-lover, Missy, the Marquise de Belbeuf. When the act culminated in a passionate kiss, a riot broke out.

    Historical footage shows the Moulin Rouge as it was.

    Kicking on and on

    Over time, the Moulin Rouge shows changed their format to keep pace with public taste, though the cancan remained. The venue hosted revues and operettas, and various stars including Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli.

    Famous guests have included British royalty: from Edward VII (while Prince of Wales) to his great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, and her son, Prince Edward.

    Since its opening, the Moulin’s fortunes have waxed and waned.

    In 1915 the Moulin Rouge burned down but was rebuilt in 1921. Its famous windmill sails fell off overnight earlier this year but were swiftly repaired.

    In the 1930s, it survived the Depression and rise of cinema (also capturing the attention of several filmakers). It also survived the Nazi occupation of Paris in the 1940s.

    By the early 1960s, Jacki Clerico was managing the Moulin’s show after his father had revamped the venue as a dinner theatre destination. The younger Clérico oversaw additions like a giant aquarium where dancers swam with snakes, and its now-famous “nude line” – a chorus of topless dancers – in its shows.

    In 1963, the Moulin Rouge struck upon a winning formula: revues, all named by Clérico with titles beginning with the letter “F” – from Frou Frou to Fantastique and Formidable. Since 1999, the revue Féerie (“Fairy”, also a French genre of stage extravaganza) has been performed almost without interruption.

    The Moulin Rouge or ‘red mill’ today, with its famous windmill.
    Rafa Barcelos/Shutterstock

    Ticket sales were boosted thanks to Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film Moulin Rouge! and more recently Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

    Since COVID, the Moulin Rouge management have diversified. The windmill’s interior has been rented out via AirBnB and the Moulin’s dance troupe has performed on France’s televised New Year’s Eve celebrations. This year, the Moulin Rouge and its dancers were part of the Paris Olympics celebrations, dancing in heavy rain.

    Though people have come to appreciate the Eiffel Tower too, the Moulin Rouge can still argue its status as the pinnacle of live entertainment in the French capital: immediately recognisable, internationally visible, and quintessentially Parisian.

    Will Visconti is the author of Beyond the Moulin Rouge: The Life & Legacy of La Goulue (2022), published by the University of Virginia Press.

    – ref. From cheeky thrill to grande dame – the Moulin Rouge celebrates 135 years of scandal and success – https://theconversation.com/from-cheeky-thrill-to-grande-dame-the-moulin-rouge-celebrates-135-years-of-scandal-and-success-239849

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Archie Moore unveils a new moving image commission at Samstag Museum of Art

    Source: University of South Australia

    04 October 2024

    In his first exhibition since winning the prestigious Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, Kamilaroi/Bigambul artist, Archie Moore, presents an ambitious new moving image work at the University of South Australia’s Samstag Museum of Art as part of the Adelaide Film Festival.

    Archie Moore: AFF and Samstag Moving Image Commission 2024 will feature as part of the Wirltuti (‘spring’ in Kaurna) season of exhibitions that run from 11 October to 29 November 2024.

    Sponsored by Dr David Bunton and Helen Stacey-Bunton, Archie Moore will be a UniSA Pirku murititya Visiting Research Fellow during October 2024.

    During this time, Moore will transform the Samstag gallery with a scaled and meticulously recreated replica of his childhood home. This will be Moore’s fifth iteration of his series Dwelling, installations that explore the rooms and spaces of his childhood family home.

    An ongoing investigation of memory and effects of colonisation, the exhibition draws on visual, auditory, haptic and olfactory elements in its staging. Moore has worked closely with filmmaker Molly Reynolds (Charlie’s Country, David Gulpillil) to realise the ambitious project.

    Erica Green, Director, Samstag Museum of Art says it’s been an honour to work closely with Archie over the past two years on his forthcoming work.

    “24 years ago, Archie was awarded the Anne and Gordon Samstag International Visual Arts Scholarship, as a recent art school graduate. Since then, he’s gone on to build a remarkable career of international standing,” Green says.

    “Archie’s new moving image work is part of the 13th Adelaide Film Festival and Samstag Art and Moving Image Commission.

    “Our Wirltuti Season of exhibitions is a testament to our proud, long-standing and fruitful relationship with the Adelaide Film Festival that supports exceptional artists to create bold and visionary work.”

    Samstag will also premiere the inaugural AFF/Samstag 2024 Expand Moving Image Commission featuring a series of experimental docu-fiction moving image works by artists Susan Norrie, Matthew Thorne and Emmaline Zanelli.

    In three chapters, these artists follow the narrative threads of mining in Australia, focusing on fly-in-fly-out workers, their families, environmental impacts and the complex relationship experienced by First Nations custodians of the land on which the resource extraction takes place.

    Together they offer counter-perspectives to frequently cliched assumptions, excavating this underrepresented but critical sector of contemporary Australia.

    Samstag has a long history of commissioning and presenting screen-based works through its partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival. Previous art and moving image commissions have included Warwick Thornton (Stranded, 2011), Lynette Wallworth (Duality of Light, 2009) and Amos Gebhardt (Small acts of resistance, 2021).

    Notes for editors:

    • The Wirltuti Season Launch on Tuesday 22 October, 5:30-7:30pm
      Please join us for a drink and music in Fenn Place outside the Samstag Museum of Art entrance, Hawke Building, UniSA City West campus, 55 North Terrace, Adelaide.
      (Registrations encouraged: https://events.humanitix.com/wirltuti-season-launch)
    • Archie Moore in conversation with Mathew Kesting on Saturday 26 October, 3:00-4:00pm
      Please join us for a conversation about film with Archie Moore
      Samstag Museum of Art, Hawke Building, UniSA City West campus, 55 North Terrace, Adelaide.
      (Registrations essential: https://events.humanitix.com/in-conversation-with-archie-moore-and-matt-kesting).
    • Archie Moore – Deaf Led Tour on Saturday 19 October 1:00-2:30pm
      Please join us for an Aslan only tour of the exhibition.
      Samstag Museum of Art, Hawke Building, UniSA City West campus, 55 North Terrace, Adelaide.

    The Samstag is open every Wednesday from 10am-12pm. Entry is free.

    For more information, visit http://www.unisa.edu.au/samstagmuseum

    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    For further information, to arrange interviews and to obtain high-resolution images, contact:  
    Erica Green M: +61 438 821 239 E: Erica.Green@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Employers Holdings, Inc. Schedules Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HENDERSON, Nev., Oct. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Employers Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE:EIG) today announced that it will release its third quarter 2024 financial results after market close on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, after which these materials will be available on the Company’s website at http://www.employers.com through the “Investors” link.

    Conference Call Details
    The Company will then review these financial results via a conference call and webcast on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 a.m. PDT.

    To participate in the live conference call, you must first register here. Once registered you will receive dial-in numbers and a unique PIN number. The webcast will be accessible on the Company’s website at http://www.employers.com through the “Investors” link.

    An archived version of the webcast will be accessible on the Company’s website following the live call.

    © 2024 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved.

    EMPLOYERS® and America’s small business insurance specialist® are registered trademarks of EIG Services, Inc. Employers Holdings, Inc. is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers’ compensation insurance and services focused on small and select businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries. The Company operates throughout the United States, with the exception of four states that are served exclusively by their state funds. Insurance is offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, Employers Assurance Company and Cerity Insurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company. Not all companies do business in all jurisdictions. See http://www.employers.com and http://www.cerity.com for coverage availability.

    Contact:
    Michael Paquette (775) 327-2562 or mpaquette@employers.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Talen Energy Purchases TeraWulf’s Minority Share in Nautilus Cryptomine

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Oct. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Talen Energy Corporation (“Talen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TLN), an independent power producer dedicated to powering the future, announced today that it has completed a transaction with TeraWulf Inc. (“TeraWulf”) to purchase TeraWulf’s interest in Nautilus Cryptomine (“Nautilus”), a 200-megawatt bitcoin mining facility in Berwick, Pa. As a result of the transaction, Talen now owns 100% of Nautilus.

    “We are pleased to complete this strategic transaction,” said Cole Muller, Executive Vice President -Strategic Ventures. “The transaction allows Talen the ability to reset a legacy below-market power purchase agreement and provides us with increased flexibility as we explore strategic alternatives in order to maximize the value per megawatt for our Susquehanna nuclear generation facility.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, Talen has purchased TeraWulf’s 25% share in Nautilus and obtained full control of the legacy power purchase agreement, for total consideration of $85 million cash along with select physical assets used in the bitcoin mining operation.

    About Talen

    Talen Energy (NASDAQ: TLN) is a leading independent power producer and energy infrastructure company dedicated to powering the future. We own and operate approximately 10.7 gigawatts of power infrastructure in the United States, including 2.2 gigawatts of nuclear power and a significant dispatchable fossil fleet. We produce and sell electricity, capacity, and ancillary services into wholesale U.S. power markets, with our generation fleet principally located in the Mid-Atlantic and Montana. Our team is committed to generating power safely and reliably, delivering the most value per megawatt produced and driving the energy transition. Talen is also powering the digital infrastructure revolution. We are well-positioned to capture this significant growth opportunity, as data centers serving artificial intelligence increasingly demand more reliable, clean power. Talen is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/.

    Investor Relations:
    Ellen Liu
    Senior Director, Investor Relations
    InvestorRelations@talenenergy.com

    Media:
    Taryne Williams
    Director, Corporate Communications
    Taryne.Williams@talenenergy.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this communication, or incorporated by reference into this communication, are forward-looking statements. Throughout this communication, we have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” or other forms of these words or similar words or expressions or the negative thereof, although not all forward-looking statements contain these terms. Forward-looking statements address future2 events and conditions concerning, among other things capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, regulatory matters, hedging, liquidity and capital resources and accounting matters. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our future business, financial condition, results of operations or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this communication. All of our forward-looking statements include assumptions underlying or relating to such statements that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, and are subject to numerous factors that present considerable risks and uncertainties.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates and lays foundation stone of projects worth ₹919 cr including various development works of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in Gujarat

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates and lays foundation stone of projects worth ₹919 cr including various development works of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in Gujarat

    After Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is the only national leader who transformed the cleanliness campaign into a mass movement

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has worked to spread the cleanliness campaign and its ethos throughout the country

    Efforts should be made to bring Ahmedabad to the top in the upcoming cleanliness survey

    The construction of modern schools in the area by the Nagar Prathmik Shiksha Samiti is a commendable initiative

    These initiatives being taken by Nagar Prathmik Shiksha Samiti will become an important medium for the overall development of children by making the education system easier

    Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 6:28PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated and laid foundation of projects worth Rs. 919 crore in Gujarat including various development works of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).  On this occasion Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel and many other dignitaries were also present.    

    Beginning his address with Navratri greetings, Shri Amit Shah said that today, development projects worth ₹919 crore have been inaugurated and laid the foundation for, which include works related to health, education, libraries, parks, and small street vendors. He stated that the most significant of these is the construction of modern schools by the Municipal Nagar Prathmik Siksha Samiti. Shri Shah expressed his gratitude towards AMC, stating that due to the corporation’s efforts, all municipal primary schools in his parliamentary constituency have successfully been transformed into model schools.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that if children properly benefit from the initiatives of the Primary Education Committee, there will be no doubt that India’s future is bright. He added that when we see children from poor families taking an interest in subjects like science, art, music, and many others, all the despair in life disappears, and we feel confident that India’s future is bright.

    Shri Amit Shah said that today, development projects worth approximately ₹472 crore have been inaugurated and laid the foundation for in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Additionally, development projects worth around ₹446 crore have been inaugurated and launched in Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha constituency of MP Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel and in Ahmedabad West Lok Sabha constituency of MP Shri Dineshbhai Makwana. He mentioned that all these development projects will enhance facilities for the residents of Ahmedabad city.

    Shri Shah further said that Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, over the past few years, has approved projects worth ₹23,951 crore in Ahmedabad city, Kalol and Sanand taluka, some areas of Ahmedabad city, and the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Moreover, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also inaugurated development projects worth around ₹14,000 crore. He added that in the past five years, a total of ₹37,000 crore worth of development projects have been carried out in just one Lok Sabha constituency.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that numerous development initiatives have been undertaken in seven assembly constituencies of Ahmedabad. These include efforts related to child nutrition, exercise facilities, libraries to enhance knowledge for adolescents, water collection ponds, the planting of 4 million saplings in a year, the construction of roads, overbridges, street lights, hospitals, primary health centers, and primary schools.

    Shri Amit Shah said that AMC has decided to bring Ahmedabad to the forefront in the cleanliness campaign competition. He emphasized that efforts should be made to bring Ahmedabad to the top in the upcoming cleanliness survey. Shri Shah acknowledged that it might not be possible to achieve the first position this time, but we should set a goal to make a fresh start and work towards creating an Ahmedabad that reaches the top position in cleanliness among all municipal corporations in India by next year.

    Union Home Minister stated that after Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is the only national leader who has turned the cleanliness campaign into a people’s movement. Prime Minister Modi envisioned that every home in the country should have toilet facilities. After 70 years of independence, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated this campaign. His aim was to ensure that clean drinking water is available in every household, and that our homes, societies, streets, cities, and villages are clean, fostering a culture of cleanliness among citizens. Union Home Minister mentioned that Shri Narendra Modi is the only Prime Minister who has spoken about the construction of toilets from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has worked to promote the cleanliness campaign and its values across the entire country, from Nagaland to Kerala and from Uttar Pradesh to Assam.

    *****

    RK/VV/ASH/PS

    (Release ID: 2061610) Visitor Counter : 44

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister & Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates a newly constructed Police Commissioner’s Office in Ahmedabad, built at a cost of ₹140 crore

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister & Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates a newly constructed Police Commissioner’s Office in Ahmedabad, built at a cost of ₹140 crore

    The new building will also be an attempt by the Ahmedabad Police to establish a new working system

    The ‘Joint Interrogation Center’ in the building, ‘Tera Tujhko Arpan’ portal and the book ‘Cyber Saathi’ were also inaugurated

    Modi ji has put forward the concept of pro-active, predictive and scientific approach for pro-active policing

    Many innovations of Gujarat Police in the form of ‘E-GujCop’, body-worn camera and ‘Vishwas’ project, have established its identity as the most modern police force in the country

    Gujarat Police’s campaign against narcotics is exemplary

    Use of technology in three new criminal laws, will complete the judicial process in time for timely justice

    Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 10:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the newly constructed Police Commissioner’s Office in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today.  On the occasion, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel along with other dignitaries attended the program.

    In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that the new building of the Police Commissioner’s Office in Ahmedabad will not only enhance the facilities of the building but will also enable the Ahmedabad police to establish a new working system.

    Union Home Minister stated that the sevenstorey Police Commissioner’s Office, built with modern technology at a cost of approximately ₹140 crores and covering an area of about 18,000 square meters, includes facilities for the fitness of personnel such as a gym, parking for citizens, CCTV cameras, fire safety equipment, and centralized Air conditioning. He mentioned that this modern building will not only ensure security but also houses a police museum that will showcase the measures taken for the security of Ahmedabad from the beginning to the present.

    He said that a beautiful memorial has also been constructed here in the memory of the police personnel who were martyred to protect the citizens. Besides, a public convenience center and a control room have also been created which will cover every nook and corner of Ahmedabad and ensure the security of the entire city.

    Shri Amit Shah stated that the new Police Commissioner’s Office building also saw the inauguration of the ‘Joint Interrogation Center’ and the ‘Tera Tujhko Arpan’ portal, along with the launch of the ‘Cyber Saathi’ book. The first two initiatives aim to raise awareness among people affected by cybercrime and help them recover their lost money. He mentioned that the establishment of the ‘Joint Interrogation Center’ was made so that central agencies and Ahmedabad police can conduct inquiries in a correct and scientific manner during riots, terrorist attacks, and other situations of unrest.

    Union Home Minister explained that India’s internal security landscape has significantly changed over the past 10 years. A decade ago, there were three major hotspots in the country—Kashmir, the Northeast, and Naxal-affected areas—where bomb blasts were so common that they barely made the news. It was considered as normal. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, due to permanent and systematic measures over the past 10 years, and the dedicated work from a security and development perspective, violence in these three hotspots has reduced by 70 per cent. Shri Shah added that security agencies across the country, along with state police forces, have worked together to reduce mortality rate by 72 per cent in Kashmir, the Northeast, and Naxal-affected areas. He said that this success shows that in the coming days, ‘Naxal free India’ and ‘Terrorism free India’ are going to be a reality.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made efforts to bring about several changes in the police culture. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has put before the country the concept of pro-active, predictive and scientific approach for pro-active policing. Shri Shah also mentioned that India has made a radical overhaul of the colonial-era criminal laws by creating three new criminal laws, and their implementation has already begun across the country. In these laws, provisions have been made for the use of technology to solve crimes, prevent crimes, complete prosecution quickly and punish as many criminals as possible.Keeping the next 100 years in mind, the laws have been designedto account for future technologies, so that there will be no need to change these laws over the next century.To prevent delays in investigations, prosecutions, and other judicial processes, it has been decided to impose time limits on police, lawyers, and judges on 83 instances of the judicial process.

    Union Home Minister stated that after the implementation of the three new laws, the process of developing the necessary infrastructure has begun. Once this is in place, within the next three years, India’s criminal justice system will become the most modern in the world. He added that with the new laws in effect, the entire process of justice, from filing of an FIR up to justice from the Supreme Court, will be completed within three years, ensuring timely justice for the people.

    Shri Amit Shah stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has elevated India’s economy from the 11th to the 5th position globally, and by 2027, we are surely on track to become the world’s third-largest economy. At such a critical time, police officers need robust legal support to ensure the security of our nation, including cybersecurity, and to prevent economic crimes. The three new criminal laws will provide strong backing to police officers in their efforts.

    Union Home Minister said that the Gujarat Police has made several technological innovations throughout its glorious history. Initiatives like ‘E-GujCop’, ‘body-worn cameras’, and the ‘Vishwas Project’ have helped Gujarat Police establish itself as one of the most modern police forces in the country, which is a matter of pride. He added that the way the Gujarat Police has launched a determined campaign against narcotics is commendable, and they are now cited as an example across the country for its investigation.

    Shri Amit Shah also mentioned that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has envisioned a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. Gujarat has always been a progressive state. This is the same Gujarat that used to experience frequent curfews in the 1980s and 1990s, but now the situation has changed, and a safe environment has been established in the state.

    ***

    RK/VV/ASH/PS

    (Release ID: 2061754) Visitor Counter : 68

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Shorten interview on the Today Show with Sarah Abo and Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Program:

    Today Show

    Interviewer:

    Sarah Abo

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    SUBJECTS: Planned protests to mark one year anniversary of Oct 7 attacks; Australians in Lebanon; NRL grand final

    SARAH ABO, HOST: Well, thousands of protesters will take to the streets this weekend to mark a year of the Israel-Gaza conflict, with authorities calling for calm after the rallies were given the green light. For more, we’re joined by NDIS and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten in Melbourne and opposition leader Peter Dutton in Brisbane. Good to see you both. Pete, I’ll start with you. So, New South Wales tried to block this rally, that was overruled. The SA, in South Australia, the police say they don’t oppose it. Those attending say it’ll be peaceful. So how do we strike the right balance here?

    PETER DUTTON, LIBERAL PARTY: Well, Sarah, this is the biggest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. And that’s what October 7th is. So, it’s the anniversary of the terrorist attack in the kibbutz’s and where people were slaughtered in the Nova music festival. So, there were no attacks, no rockets launched by Israel on October 7th or October 8th or October 9th. The response came after that, as we know. So, this is an anniversary of 1200 people losing their lives. And that’s why the protests shouldn’t go ahead. And you would only be protesting the anniversary of that loss of life if you were trying to be provocative or difficult. If you were marking the anniversary of the Holocaust, people would be outraged. And I just think it’s completely unacceptable that people would be using this opportunity to essentially rub, you know, I just think they’re compounding the grief of people who have lost lives. And it’s completely unacceptable.

    ABO: Yeah, I mean, Pete, I guess despite all of that, they are still going ahead. I mean, there’s nothing we can do to stop it. So, it’s really just about upholding the peaceful intended nature of it.

    DUTTON: Well, just again, Sarah, I mean, why would people why would people want to do this? And I think there are people within the community, leaders so-called within the community, who should show greater sensitivity and there are other dates that they can commemorate. But October 7th is an anniversary where 1200 people were killed by a terrorist organization and people who were sympathizers to the terrorist organization in this country, frankly, are at odds with our values and our rule of law.

    ABO: And, Bill, there are obviously significant sensitivities around this. And as we know, the tensions are escalating currently in the Middle East. There’s a lot of heat in the community, and it seems little is being done to sort of turn down that temperature. Is the government concerned that these protests may cause further rifts in the community?

    BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNENT SERVICES: Well, I agree with a fair bit of what Peter was saying there. October the 7th was a massacre of Israelis. Hamas crossed the border. They killed young people at a concert. They committed shocking crimes. They kidnapped people. They sexually abused people. I don’t know what someone who’s – I don’t know why someone would protest about that or be in some fashion being seen to lend their weight to it. I mean, we are a free country. We don’t want to become like the countries that we criticize. But I just think on October the 7th, that was a massacre of innocent people. Now, there might be some people watching who say, oh, what about, you know, my side of the argument and my hurt and my pain. I accept that, but one, you’ve got to keep it peaceful. Two, why do it on the day where – you know, if you really think that Hamas was right. I do not understand how you think. I do not understand how people would want to celebrate Hamas’ actions.

    ABO: Yeah.

    SHORTEN: So yeah, but I think most Australians don’t want to see these arguments from overseas coming to these shores. They certainly expect it to be peaceful. And I’ll just say to any protesters, if you think somehow, you’re convincing or changing anyone’s mind, think again.

    ABO: It is truly horrific, that’s for sure. The fresh wave of attacks that we’re seeing, bill in Lebanon at the moment. The UN has called this truly catastrophic. We know that the Australian government is doing what it can, deploying the RAAF planes there to try and evacuate some. How is that all tracking at the moment?

    SHORTEN: Yeah. I want to thank our people in the Australian Defence Force. We have military resources to help evacuate people pre-positioned in Cyprus. I know the government’s assisted people on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to get commercial flights out. I know there’ll be opportunities on Saturday for 500 Australian citizens and immediate family members. But also, I have to say that the Prime Minister and the government has been saying since last November, please do not go to Lebanon. Whilst it might have been a surprise on which particular day the fighting escalated, the point is there was a big chance the fighting was going to escalate. So please get out now. Do not go to Lebanon. Please get out now. The Australian Government has a phone number. I think it’s 6261 3305. 6261 3305. But yeah, just let’s get out of there. It’s just – there’s nothing going to be good about being in Lebanon right now.

    ABO: Yeah. I think both sides are in agreement on that. Look, it’s all very heavy and really tragic and awful. So, let’s focus on something a little bit different now because this weekend of course we have the big NRL grand final decider. It’s less than 48 hours away with the Storm taking on the Panthers. Pete, I wanted to ask you. I mean, seeing as you’re single handedly responsible for the turning of the political tide in Victoria, you would, of course, be backing the Storm right now, right?

    DUTTON: Well, I’ve picked. I’ve picked Penrith, I think. Just an amazing –

    ABO: What? Pete.

    DUTTON: They are an amazing team. They are an amazing team.

    ABO: You need to win Melbourne over mate, come on.

    DUTTON: I’m still celebrating the Lions win. I’m still, I’m still – every Victorian was going against the New South Wales team last weekend. So, they were all on the Lions and we were on a unity ticket. So, this week – you know I just think I mean storms had had an incredible season as well. But I just think Penrith will be too strong.

    ABO: Billy, surely you’ve got the storm, right?

    SHORTEN: Yeah. No, I think the Storm’s a really well-run club. I’ve been lucky enough to have a bit to do with them over the journey and, you know they did beat Penrith in 2020. Craig Bellamy, ten grand finals. Penrith is a really strong team. One thing’s for sure. The two best teams are playing in the grand final. But, you know, Pete, there was that chance for you to sort of cement the deal in Victoria, but given two choices –

    ABO: I know, I gave him an opportunity.

    SHORTEN: But you went the wrong way, I know

    ABO: He didn’t take it. 
    .
    SHORTEN: Sarah just laid it out in the red carpet. I don’t know. I don’t know.

    DUTTON: Hey, Bill, I’m just glad that you know there’s an NRL team in in Victoria. Well done.

    ABO: We couldn’t leave this chat without a sledge. Right? Okay.

    SHORTEN: That’s good. And do you know what? Even though we’re not an NRL, even though we’re not an NRL state, we can still win the flag. I love it. When Victorians turn their mind to something. We’re unstoppable.

    ABO: Yes. Let’s go with that.

    SHORTEN: It’s actually the third Queensland team anyway.

    ABO: Thank you both very much for joining us.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Joint Pledges on Climate, Peace and Security – Media Stakeout | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations (AU) by members of the Joint Pledges on Climate, Peace and Security (France, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America).

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTVqUIBf8G8

    MIL OSI Video –