NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Up to 21,000 people are dying each day from conflict-fuelled hunger around the world

    Source: Oxfam –

    On World Food Day, hunger has reached an all-time high exposing the flaws in global peacebuilding and conflict recovery efforts 

    Between 7,000 to as many as 21,000 people are likely dying each day from hunger in countries impacted by conflict, according to a new Oxfam report published on World Food Day.

    The report, Food Wars, examined 54 conflict-affected countries and found that they account for almost all of the 281.6 million people facing acute hunger today. Conflict has also been one of the main causes of forced displacement in these countries, which has globally reached a record level today of more than 117 million people.

    It argues that conflict is not only a primary driver of hunger, but that warring parties are also actively weaponizing food itself by deliberately targeting food, water and energy infrastructure and by blocking food aid. 

    “As conflict rages around the world, starvation has become a lethal weapon wielded by warring parties against international laws, causing an alarming rise in human deaths and suffering. That civilians continue to be subjected to such slow death in the 21st century, is a collective failure”.

    Emily Farr, Oxfam’s Food and Economic Security Lead

    Oxfam

    “As conflict rages around the world, starvation has become a lethal weapon wielded by warring parties against international laws, causing an alarming rise in human deaths and suffering. That civilians continue to be subjected to such slow death in the 21st century, is a collective failure”, says Emily Farr, Oxfam’s Food and Economic Security Lead. 

    “Today’s food crises are largely manufactured. Nearly half a million people in Gaza – where 83% of food aid needed is currently not reaching them – and over three quarters of a million in Sudan, are currently starving as the deadly impact of wars on food will likely be felt for generations.”

    The report also found that the majority of the countries studied (34 out of 54) are rich in natural resources, relying heavily on exporting raw products. For example, 95% of Sudan’s export earnings come from gold and livestock, 87% of South Sudan’s come from petroleum products, and nearly 70% of Burundi’s come from coffee.

    In Central America, meanwhile, mining operations have led to violent conflicts, uprooting people from their homes as they no longer become able to live in degraded and polluted environments.

    Oxfam argues that current peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction efforts are too often based on encouraging more foreign investment and export-related economies. However, this focus on economic liberalization can instead create more inequality, suffering and the potential for conflict to resume.

    “It is no coincidence that the lethal combination of war, displacement and hunger has often occurred in countries rich in natural resources. The exploitation of these raw commodities often means more violence, inequality, instability, and renewed conflict. Too often, large-scale private investment—both foreign and domestic —has also added to political and economic instabilities in these countries, where investors seize control over land and water resources forcing people out of their homes,” said Farr.

    Conflict often compounds other factors like climate shocks, economic instability and inequalities to devastate people’s livelihoods. For example, climate shocks like droughts and floods, coupled with the surge in global food prices associated with pandemic shut-downs and additional food-chain disruptions connected to the Russia-Ukraine war, have fueled the hunger crises in East and Southern Africa.

    Many of those fleeing are women and children. Aisha Ibrahim, age 37, told Oxfam that she had to walk four days with her four children, leaving their home in Sudan for Joda, across the border in South Sudan. She left her husband behind to protect their home. “I used to live in a proper home. I could never imagine myself in this situation,” she said.

    The international community’s pledge of “zero hunger” by 2030 remains out of touch. Oxfam says that states and institutions globally, including the UN Security Council, must hold to account those committing “starvation crimes” in accordance with international law.

    “To break the vicious cycle of food insecurity and conflict, global leaders must tackle head-on the conditions that breed conflict: the colonial legacies, injustices, human rights violations, and inequalities – rather than offering quick band-aid solutions.” 

    “We cannot end conflict by simply injecting foreign investments in conflict-torn countries, without uprooting the deep inequalities, generational grievances, and human rights violations that fuel those conflicts. Peace efforts must be coupled with investment in social protection, and social cohesion building. Economic solutions must prioritize fair trade and sustainable food systems,” said Farr.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Urgent joint statement: Northern Gaza is being erased – global leaders must act now to end Israel’s atrocities

    Source: Oxfam –

    Oxfam and 37 other humanitarian organisations are raising the alarm about the catastrophic situation in Northern Gaza

    The Israeli forces’ assault on Gaza has escalated to a horrifying level of atrocity. Northern Gaza is being wiped off the map. Under the guise of “evacuation,” Israeli forces have ordered the forced displacement of an estimated 400,000 Palestinians trapped in northern Gaza, including Gaza City. This is not an evacuation—this is forced displacement under gunfire. Since 1 October, no food has been allowed into the area, and civilians are being starved and bombed in their homes and their tents. 

    Hospitals, already overwhelmed, are being ordered to evacuate. They are running out of fuel and essential supplies, while doctors and nurses battle to save lives with what little they have left. The wounded flood in – children, older people, victims of Israeli airstrikes – but with no resources to treat them. 

    Dr. Mohammed Salha, acting director of Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, described the dire situation: “The Israeli military has contacted us more than once to evacuate the hospital… [All] the departments are full of wounded people and we are discharging even the wounded who have minor or moderate injuries, because we do not have [enough] beds for them. I [told the Israeli military] clearly that we would not evacuate the hospital unless there are ambulances that can preserve the lives of the wounded people we have and reach another hospital that provides better service to the wounded.” 

    The world cannot continue to stand by as the Israeli government commits these atrocities. Global leaders have both a legal and moral duty to act now. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the Genocide Convention including “killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group”. There is no evidence that Israel has adhered to these orders, and the killing of Palestinians has only intensified. 

    Any attempt to alter the territorial integrity of Gaza constitutes a blatant violation of international law. This is especially egregious in light of the recent ICJ advisory opinion, which significantly heightens the obligation of third states to take decisive action. Failure to do so risks their complicity in perpetuating the illegal occupation. 

    All parties must allow unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations to deliver aid based on need, without restricting types, volumes, or locations. Aid delivery must remain impartial and independent of military objectives to prevent its instrumentalisation or politicisation. Civilians must not be forced to flee to receive aid; those choosing to stay in their homes must be protected under international law. 

    We demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s illegal occupation. Global leaders must act in line with the UN General Assembly Resolution on the ICJ Advisory Opinion and fulfil their obligation not to facilitate or support Israel’s illegal occupation. Third states must halt now the transfer of all weapons, parts and ammunition that could be used to commit further violations of international humanitarian law.

    This is not a time for silence – this is a time for action. The people of Gaza cannot wait. The world must intervene now before more innocent lives are lost. 

    The forcible transfer of Palestinian civilians in Gaza is a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and does not amount to a permissible evacuation. Relocation areas have not provided safety, adequate shelter or essential services, and there has also been no guarantee that displaced populations will be able to return once hostilities end. 

    Signatories:

    1. ActionAid 
    2. Action For Humanity 
    3. Afri (Action from Ireland) 
    4. Amos Trust 
    5. Bloody Sunday Trust 
    6. Centre for Global Education 
    7. CESVI 
    8. Children Not Numbers 
    9. Christian Aid 
    10. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) 
    11. Comhlamh Justice for Palestine 
    12. Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) 
    13. Embrace the Middle East 
    14. Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) 
    15. Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS) 
    16. Global Justice Now 
    17. HelpAge International 
    18. Interpal 
    19. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign 
    20. Islamic Relief 
    21. KinderUSA 
    22. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) 
    23. Médecins du Monde Spain 
    24. Middle East Children’s Alliance 
    25. Muslim Aid 
    26. Novact Institute for Nonviolence 
    27. Oxfam 
    28. Plan International Jordan 
    29. Sabeel-Kairos UK 
    30. Sadaka-The Ireland Palestine Alliance 
    31. TDH Italy 
    32. Trócaire 
    33. Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union/ Aontas Mac Léinn Choláiste na Tríonóide (TCDSU/AMLCT) 
    34. Vento di Terra 
    35. War Child 
    36. War on Want 
    37. WeWorld 
    38. Welfare Association 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI China: Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 kicks off

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Frankfurt Book Fair officially opened on Tuesday, highlighting a variety of genres and topics, including the “New Adult” category – romantic novels targeting young adults – alongside children’s and young adult literature, comics, streaming services, and educational and academic publishing.

    One of the most anticipated discussions at the fair is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the publishing industry.

    At a press conference, Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, Chairwoman of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association, acknowledged that while AI offers many opportunities for publishers, bookstores, and the logistics sector, it has yet to produce the kind of surprising, thought-provoking, or emotionally resonant works that come from human creativity.

    She also expressed concern about the ethical implications of AI, warning that its capabilities rely on “the largest-scale data theft in history.” She pointed out that massive amounts of text and images, many protected by copyright, have been used to train AI systems without proper consent or compensation for the original creators.

    Chinese publishers are making a significant impact at this year’s fair, showcasing more than 3,500 books, including 1,500 in foreign languages. In addition to new book releases, Chinese publishers are holding numerous premieres and signing ceremonies for copyright agreements, with up to 1,000 books available for copyright trade. The fair will also feature a promotional event for the 2025 Beijing International Book Fair and a session on copyright trade between China and Europe.

    Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, noted the growing presence of Chinese publishers at the event, saying that they have evolved from being primarily copyright importers to becoming major copyright sellers. Boos also announced the introduction of an “Asian Stage” at the fair for the first time, which will foster dialogue between authors from China, other Asian countries, and Germany. Topics such as continuing education and training will be discussed to promote mutual learning between Chinese and German authors.

    This year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, which runs for five days, will feature thousands of exhibitors from around 100 countries.

    First held in 1949, the fair has since grown into the largest book fair in the world. Italy is the guest of honor for this year’s event.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Paintings explore odyssey of vision

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Gazing at the paintings of Chang Shuhong (1904-94), founding director of the Dunhuang Academy, people can still feel the fundamental draw of the Mogao Caves that brought him back from France in the 1930s, leaving behind a prospect of an emerging classical oil painter.

    The following five decades saw him immerse in the charm of the treasure trove of Buddhist murals and painted sculptures as a wholehearted protector of the grottoes in the Gobi Desert of Northwest China.

    His later works, therefore, were largely influenced by murals in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, Gansu province — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and a more down-to-earth, local artistic expression of China popular at that time, says Zhang Yiqing, research librarian at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou, Chang’s hometown.

    In commemoration of the 120th anniversary of Chang’s birth, some of his oil paintings, watercolors and sketches are on show at the museum through to Sunday.

    The exhibits also include Chang’s copies of the murals in the Mogao Caves, as well as zhongcai (heavy-color) paintings, an important genre of Chinese painting with fine, precise delimitation and the layering of pigmented hues.

    Through Chang’s own depiction, the exhibition gives a display of early conservation efforts of the Dunhuang Academy, while tracing Chang’s artistic exploration and achievements before and after he went back from France.

    Chang was born in Hangzhou, a warm, wet and picturesque city along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In his early 20s, he went to France to study oil painting and fabric pattern design.

    His graduation work at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Portrait of Madame G, ranked top among his peer graduates. He later entered the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris with a scholarship funded by the city of Lyon.

    In France, Chang was active in salons, official art exhibitions sponsored by the French government. Having received several awards, some of his works were included among the collections of French cultural and artistic institutions, such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

    An encounter on the bank of the Seine changed his life.

    From a bookseller Chang got to read French explorer and Sinologist Paul Pelliot’s photo catalog, the six-volume Les Grottes de Touen-Houang (The Grottoes of Dunhuang). He then visited the Guimet Museum, or the National Museum of Asian Arts, to see the relics of Dunhuang taken by Pelliot.

    Chang marveled at the beauty and profoundness of the caves, first built more than 1,600 years ago, while mourning the loss of or damage to the cultural relics.

    He then made up his mind to go back to his home country and devote his life to the preservation of the grottoes and the promotion of Dunhuang studies.

    Chang came back in 1936. Amid the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), he managed to arrive in Dunhuang after a month’s arduous journey in 1943 and prepared for the establishment of what is known today as the Dunhuang Academy.

    This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the academy, which currently oversees the Mogao Caves and several other relics sites in Gansu.

    In the late 1990s, Chang’s second wife Li Chengxian (1924-2003) and their children donated more than 200 paintings of Chang to the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, a small part of which are displayed at the museum’s permanent Chang Shuhong Gallery.

    Zhang, who is also curator of the ongoing temporary exhibition, says its more than 80 paintings serve as a larger presentation of Chang’s works housed at the museum, alongside the collection of Shanghai-based Long Museum and the private collection of Chang Jiahuang, Chang Shuhong’s second son.

    Sincere creativity

    With his subtle brush, Chang Shuhong recorded the Mogao Caves and the Dunhuang city in different seasons: the trees and blossoms in spring; the frozen Daquan River in front of the caves during winter, children playing on ice, a white stupa in the distance; and birds in snow against the backdrop of the landmark timber-structured nine-floor building that houses the tallest statue of Maitreya Buddha, or the Buddha of the Future, at the Mogao Caves.

    Upon his arrival, Chang Shuhong and colleagues pioneered a systematic conservation of the relics, planting trees and building protective walls, reinforcing the cliffs, constructing pathways, cleaning up the caves buried in sand, investigating and numbering them. Many of his paintings feature these efforts carried out at the windy and sandy Gobi Desert.

    He also depicted several times the bustling temple fair in front of the caves, falling annually around the eighth day of the fourth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, in celebration of the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama (better known as the Buddha).

    During the nine years in France, Chang Shuhong focused mainly on classical realistic oil painting, constantly exploring what could possibly become a “Chinese style of oil painting” and integrating it with his generation of artists’ reflection of life and concern about society.

    Hence, the art of Dunhuang particularly resonated with Chang Shuhong, as it was, in his own words, “created by ordinary people and for the ordinary people”. He saw in it exuberant, sincere creativity that he realized would have a significant impact on the creation of art in the coming decades, Zhang says.

    Two paintings of fresh produce Chang Shuhong created in different periods exemplify his transformation in artistic style. One was painted in 1933 in Paris, displayed at the Chang Shuhong Gallery, and the other in 1976, on show at the temporary exhibition.

    The earlier painting, conforming to the classical style, is overall of a gray tone with low saturation, whereas in the latter one, the painter used bold and clear lines, large red and green blocks to create striking contrast, though like before, the fish glisten in subtle light.

    Zhang adds that such transformation reflects the influence of the art of Dunhuang.

    Highlights of the exhibition also include one of Chang Shuhong’s facsimiles of a mural from Cave 254, dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), depicting a well-known piece of the Jataka tales, narratives of former incarnations of the Buddha. In his lifetime, Chang Shuhong copied this mural many times.

    He once wrote, the creators of this mural, featuring Prince Sattva sacrificing himself to feed a hungry tigress, so cleverly and skillfully combined different scenes of different times in the space of a single picture — his trip to the jungles, his offering of his own blood and flesh to the tigress, as well as his two brothers’ discovery of his remains, their grief, and how they bury their sibling and build a stupa for him.

    A solemn and heavy atmosphere is strengthened with the lines and colors, the contours and content, as well as the deep brown hue, he added.

    Chang Shuhong wrote in 1948 that conservation of the caves required detailed, accurate and systematic facsimile of the murals with a faithful attitude, which is a matter of patience and sacrifice of one’s own style and personality. His devotion to protecting the Mogao Caves largely cut down the time and effort paid to his own painting.

    In 1951, staff members of the academy co-authored an article introducing their facsimile project, which said that over the past four decades, many of the murals presented in Pelliot’s photo catalog had been destroyed or faded. With limited scientific knowledge and facilities, facsimile had become their priority and urgency.

    According to Chang Jiahuang, since the 1950s, his father had been frequently inviting art majors from across the country to copy the murals and sculptures of the Mogao Caves, while learning the traditional arts of Dunhuang.

    In 1979, he also replicated the mural featuring Prince Sattva of Cave 254, when he and a dozen classmates at the Lanzhou-based Academy of Fine Art and Design of Northwest Normal University joined this program under the strict supervision of his father, who, nevertheless, would sometimes visit them without notice late at night in the caves where they were working, bringing pears he himself grew.

    Chang Jiahuang says: “It was only after a long time that I learned from my father’s memoir why he had such an attachment to this mural and why he wanted me to copy it.

    “During his most difficult times, this painting inspired him, generating courage for him to persevere. In those three months, I deeply felt the dedication of ancient painters of Dunhuang and my own parents.”

    This year also marks the 100th anniversary of his mother’s birth, who joined in the research and conservation of the Mogao Caves in 1947. In April, the son donated their family’s 1,500 boxes of belongings to Zhejiang University, his father’s alma mater, for research and digitalization.

    Embracing technology

    As early as in the 1980s, Chang Shuhong had foreseen the potential of digitalization in cultural relics conservation.

    Pan Yunhe, academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former principal of Zhejiang University, who joined the initial digitalization exploration of the Mogao Caves, recalls his first meeting with Chang Shuhong in 1982.

    At that time, Chang Shuhong was among the jury of Pan’s first academic program, which pioneered in generating patterns with artificial intelligence. Chang Shuhong expressed interest in preserving the murals of Dunhuang with a digital approach, visiting Pan’s laboratory and discussing the feasibility.

    “He was open-minded and very sensitive to new things. Ahead of his time, he could always absorb new things into his own creation,” Pan says, adding that Chang Shuhong was very kind and gentle to young people like him, who was at that time in his 30s.

    In 1998, the Dunhuang Academy and Zhejiang University launched an academic program led by Pan and sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China to explore preservation, research and utilization of the Mogao Caves on a digital basis.

    Pan says, the launch of the program resulted from years of endeavor with the Chang family — the parents, firstborn daughter Chang Shana, who was director of what is now Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University, and Chang Jiahuang — as well as Fan Jinshi, who took charge as director of the Dunhuang Academy that year.

    “Chang Shuhong was well-established in oil painting. It’s a pity he painted so little in the latter part of his life,” Pan said while visiting the exhibition at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum on Sept 29.

    That day, Chang Jiahuang said at the exhibition’s opening ceremony that as his parents’ student, secretary and assistant, he witnessed their twists and turns, their creation and research, and experienced their art and spirits, following which he grew to become introspective, modest and rigorous.

    According to him, the ongoing exhibition is the largest display of Chang Shuhong’s paintings since 1990 and a good presentation of the master’s spirits conveyed through his works.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Exhibition in Budapest explores ancient China’s culinary secrets

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Hungarian Museum of Ethnography in Budapest opened the highly anticipated exhibition “Fine Dining: Food Stories of Ancient China” on Tuesday, offering visitors a fascinating journey through China’s ancient culinary traditions.

    The exhibition, co-hosted with the National Museum of China, runs until Jan. 19, 2025, and features over 100 pieces of Chinese art and artifacts, providing an in-depth look at China’s rich and diverse food culture, which spans millennia.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao emphasized that the exhibition “is not only a vivid demonstration of cultural exchange between China and Hungary but also a testament to the deep friendship between the two peoples.” He noted the widespread popularity of Chinese cuisine in Hungary and expressed hope that the exhibition would further strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.

    Lajos Kemecsi, director of the Hungarian Museum of Ethnography, called the event a “special occasion for Hungarian-Chinese cultural relations.” He remarked that the exhibition “not only showcases the long history of Chinese dining culture but also offers insights into the linguistic, philosophical, and spiritual aspects of Chinese gastronomy.”

    The exhibition presents a carefully curated collection of ancient cooking tools, dining utensils, and intricate artwork, illustrating the complexity and diversity of Chinese food culture. It highlights concepts such as the philosophy of “the right blend of five tastes” and the belief that “medicine and food come from the same source,” providing visitors with a holistic understanding of how gastronomy has shaped Chinese life and thought.

    Deputy Secretary of State Gabor Csaba, representing Hungary’s Ministry of Culture and Innovation, underscored the importance of cultural exchange between Hungary and China. He noted the vital role of diplomacy in fostering deeper understanding between nations, stating that “cultural cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding is crucial for establishing the foundations of harmonious development and shared prosperity.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock, Georgia Delegation Colleagues Demand EPA Regulate BioLab Chemicals Following Latest Incident at Conyers Facility

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock, Georgia Delegation Colleagues Demand EPA Regulate BioLab Chemicals Following Latest Incident at Conyers Facility

    Senator Reverend Warnock is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen federal oversight of facilities manufacturing or storing certain hazardous chemicals 
    Senator Reverend Warnock joined Senator Jon Ossoff in the bicameral push with Representatives Hank Johnnson, David Scott, Lucy McBath, and Nikema Williams
    ICYMI from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia congressional leaders demand EPA scrutiny of BioLab chemicals
    Senator Reverend Warnock, lawmakers: “Given TCCA’s involvement in multiple safety incidents due to its highly reactive properties, we urge the EPA to include it on the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP)”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led a bicameral push to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen federal oversight of facilities manufacturing or storing certain hazardous chemicals in the wake of the latest incident at the BioLab plant in Conyers. 
    Leading alongside Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), and joined by U.S. House Representatives David Scott (D-GA-13), Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) and Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Senator Warnock sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to enhance federal oversight of facilities that manufacture and/or store the hazardous chemical Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA), which is at the heart of the incident at the BioLab plant in Conyers. The environmental and public health crisis that has been ongoing since September 29.
    “We are concerned that facilities like BioLab Conyers, which manufacture and/or store TCCA are improperly managing these substances,” the lawmakers wrote. “When not handled correctly, these chemicals can contaminate local air, water, and soil, posing severe public health risks which include respiratory issues, skin irritations, and long-term conditions like lung and heart disease.”
    Specifically, the lawmakers urge the EPA to “include it on the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP),” which would prompt federal and state agencies to develop more effective safety protocols and management strategies, ensuring stricter adherence to safety standards for facilities handling this chemical.
    “The gravity of this situation underscores the need for changes to the federal and state regulatory systems,” concluded the lawmakers.
    The lawmakers are also requesting the agency respond to nine key questions surrounding the reactive chemical in question.
    Read the letter HERE or below.
    The Honorable Michael Regan
    Administrator 
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
    Washington, DC 20460
    Dear Administrator Regan,
    We are writing to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take immediate action to enhance federal oversight of facilities that manufacture and/or store the hazardous chemical Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA). 
    On September 29, 2024, just after Hurricane Helene slammed the area, a catastrophic chemical fire took place at the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia, that stores TCCA. The fire released a large, billowing plume of hazardous, toxic gasses into the air, which caused the closure of parts of Interstate 20 for nearly 17 hours, with local businesses and government offices forced to close while 17,000 residents living near the plant were forced to evacuate.  
    As of today, toxic substances continue to rise into the air from the smoldering ruins of the plant, with corporate and government officials being unable to offer a specific timetable as to when the danger will end.   People not just in the immediate vicinity of the plant but also millions across southeastern metropolitan Atlanta are under constant exposure to hazardous air quality. This incident has raised serious concerns about the community’s vulnerability to toxic chemical exposure. The danger is heightened by approaching rain which will douse the collapsed building under which millions of pounds of TCCA remain exposed to moisture.
    BioLab, a division of KIK Consumer Products, manufactures and stores millions of pounds of chemical mixtures primarily composed of TCCA at the Conyers, Georgia facility. When TCCA comes into contact with small amounts of water, a hazardous chemical reaction is triggered that generates heat and causes decomposition of the chemical and can in turn produces toxic chlorine gas and can also produce explosive nitrogen trichloride. The Conyers BioLab facility has experienced three separate chemical incidents in the past seven years, four in the past 20. Each event resulted in dangerous chemical reactions and fires, releasing toxic gases like chlorine into the air.
    There have been conflicting reports on what caused the most recent fire at the Conyers facility. One report cited water used to douse a fire on the roof of the plant seeping in, while another report blames the fire on a malfunctioning sprinkler system. Rainwater from Hurricane Helene seeping into the BioLab facility during and after Hurricane Helene has not been ruled out as a cause as well.
    We are concerned that facilities like BioLab Conyers, which manufacture and/or store TCCA are improperly managing these substances. When not handled correctly, these chemicals can contaminate local air, water, and soil, posing severe public health risks which include respiratory issues, skin irritations, and long-term conditions like lung and heart disease.
    A similar incident occurred on August 27, 2020, at the Lake Charles BioLab facility in Westlake, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. The facility sustained severe damage after TCCA manufactured and stored therein was moistened by small amounts of water and decomposed, producing toxic chlorine gas and nitrogen trichloride. These gases ignited, causing a fire and noxious clouds of toxic gases. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazardous Investigation Board (CSB) investigated the incident and issued safety recommendations to minimize the consequences of future accidental chemical releases like the Lake Charles incident.
    The 2023 (CSB) report on BioLab Lake Charles found a regulatory gap regarding the oversight of chemicals like TCCA, particularly in their classification and management under existing federal regulations. Given TCCA’s involvement in multiple safety incidents due to its highly reactive properties, we urge the EPA to include it on the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP).
    This action will prompt federal and state agencies to develop more effective safety protocols and management strategies, ensuring stricter adherence to safety standards for facilities handling this chemical. We hope the Conyers debacle will prompt the inclusion of TCCA to the Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
    We call on the EPA to collaborate with states to implement training programs specifically designed for emergency responders and facility staff. These programs should address the unique challenges posed by reactive chemicals that adversely react to water used to extinguish fires, focusing on appropriate firefighting techniques, chemical behavior, and risk assessment. The EPA, in partnership with state fire marshals and chemical safety experts, can establish comprehensive guidelines for fire suppression techniques tailored to reactive chemicals, including recommendations for effective alternative extinguishing agents, such as dry chemical extinguishers or foam.
    Considering these concerns, we respectfully request clarification by November 20, 2024, on the following matters regarding regulatory oversight and preventative measures at chemical facilities like BioLab: 
    1. Has the EPA, in conjunction with the State of Georgia, initiated any investigations or inspections regarding BioLab Conyers’ compliance with federal environmental and chemical safety and risk management standards following its incidents since 2020?
    2. What immediate actions are the EPA and State agencies taking in response to this latest fire, given the history of public safety concerns at the Conyers facility?
    3. The 2023 Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) found that TCCA and TCCA-based formulations are not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard. Has there been any progress in addressing this regulatory gap?
    4. Following the BioLab Conyers incident, is the EPA considering adding TCCA to the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP)?
    5. How is the EPA collaborating with state agencies to ensure that chemical facilities like BioLab Conyers are prepared for extreme weather events that could worsen fire hazards or hazardous material spills?
    6. In response to BioLab Conyers’ repeated safety failures, what specific measures will the EPA implement with state agencies to improve fire preparedness protocols, particularly for training facility staff and local emergency responders on handling fires involving non-water extinguishable substances?
    7. Does the EPA anticipate monitoring potential groundwater, soil, and water contamination from the chemical fire at the Conyers BioLab facility?
    8. We understand that the EPA is working to monitor air quality following the chemical fire. What steps has the EPA taken to inform affected communities of their findings and recommendations to safeguard the health and safety of these communities and their environment?
    a.How have the locations and spatial extent of the EPA’s air quality monitoring area changed as the location and direction of the smoke plume has shifted?
    9. What specific additional authority and resources does the EPA need to effectively prevent future incidents at chemical facilities like BioLab Conyers?
    The gravity of this situation underscores the need for changes to the federal and state regulatory systems. We look forward to your prompt response and urge robust, decisive measures to address the serious environmental and safety concerns posed by incidents like this.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Large high-grade iron ore deposit found in east China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A high-grade iron ore deposit has been discovered in east China’s Shandong Province, with estimated reserves at 104 million tonnes.

    The Department of Natural Resources of Shandong Province has identified 16 high-grade iron ore bodies in the Qihe-Yucheng region.

    High-grade iron ore typically has a total iron content of over 45 percent — making it a strategic mineral resource in short supply in China.

    Hu Zhiyong, an official with the department, said the newly confirmed high-grade iron ore deposit is one of few in China, and is notable for its large distribution, considerable ore body thickness, high ore quality, and promising exploration potential.

    He emphasized the global imbalance in iron ore supply and demand, noting that major reserves are concentrated in countries such as the United States, Australia, Brazil, Russia and China. Despite having iron ore reserves, China faces a shortage of high-grade iron ore.

    The Qihe-Yucheng area, now poised to become a major high-grade iron ore base, is expected to alleviate some of the resource challenges facing China and improve the nation’s security in terms of iron ore supply, he added.

    As of 2022, a total of 173 kinds of minerals had been found in China, according to a report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Young musicians from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to showcase diverse artistic vitality of Greater Bay Area with fine music

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra (HKYSO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) and the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra (GSYO) will come together to present the talents of young musicians from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao at the “2024 GBA Youth Symphonic Spectacular” concert at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall at 7.30pm on November 16 (Saturday).

         A delightful concert programme will be presented to the audience by the three youth orchestras under the batons of the conductor of the HKYSO Lee Sing-wan, the conductor of the MYSO Stephen Lam, and the Music Director of the GSYO Jing Huan respectively.

         Highlights include “Namouna Suite d’orchestre No. 1” by the prominent French composer Lalo of the Romantic era; “Romanian Rhapsody No. 1” featuring composer Enescu’s unique interpretation of Romanian folk music; and “Harvest Song”, depicting the joy of a better life. At the finale of the concert, musicians from the three orchestras, under the baton of Jing, will perform Shi Wanchun’s “Festival Overture” and Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances” as a joint orchestra, drawing the concert to a perfect conclusion.

         Tickets priced at $70, $90 and $115 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 7537 or 3842 7784 or visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/yme/2024gba.html.

         This concert is one of the programmes of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival. Hong Kong is the host city of the Festival for the first time, organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held in the “9+2” cities in the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchange and co-operation among the cities. For more information, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Mounjaro is more effective for weight loss than Ozempic. So how does it work? And why does it cost so much?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Joyce, Senior Research Fellow, University of South Australia

    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    A weight-loss drug more effective than Ozempic and Wegovy has recently been approved in Australia.

    The drug, tirzepatide, is sold under the brand name Mounjaro and affects feelings of hunger and fullness, as well as changing how the body processess food. (In other countries, tirzepatide is also sound under the brand name Zepbound.)

    So how does tirzepatide work and differ from Ozempic? And with a price tage of $315–$645 per month for the starting dose, why is it so expensive?

    How does it work?

    Think of tirzepatide as a master key that unlocks two important doors in your body’s weight control system. It mimics two hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

    When you eat, your body naturally releases GIP and GLP-1 hormones. These hormones play crucial roles in regulating appetite, food intake and blood sugar levels. Tirzepatide mimics and amplifies the effects of these hormones.

    By mimicking the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, tirzepatide makes people feel fuller with smaller meals. This can reduce the overall food intake and lead to weight loss over time.

    It also helps your body process sugar more effectively and slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach. This results in eating less, feel satisfied for longer and having healthier blood sugar levels.

    How does it compare with Wegovy/Ozempic?

    Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) are similar in many ways. Both are injectable medications used for weight loss and work by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar.

    The key difference is that tirzepatide acts on two hormone receptors (GIP and GLP-1), while semaglutide only acts on one (GLP-1). This dual action is thought to be why tirzepatide shows slightly better results for weight loss in clinical trials.

    Clinical trials have shown participants lost an average of 25% of their body fat in the first year of treatment with tirzepatide. This is when combined with lifestyle counselling from a health-care professional who encouraged a healthy and reduced-calorie diet (500 calories less per day compared to patient’s diet at the beginning of the study) and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per day.

    This compares with an average of 15% weight loss in the first year for semaglutide, also alongside a reduced-calorie diet (a 500 calorie-deficit per day) and increased physical exercise (150 minutes per week).

    For a person weighing 120kg, this might mean the difference between losing 30kg with tirzepatide versus 18kg with semaglutide. But of course, with both drugs, some people will lose less weight than the average, some will lose more, and some may not respond to the drug at all.

    What are the side effects of tirzepatide?

    Like any medication, tirzepatide has side effects. The most common are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. These could feel like a mild tummy bug and are similar to those seen with semaglutide.

    For most people, these side effects are manageable and often improve over time.

    There are also some rarer, more serious risks to consider. These include inflammation of the pancreas and gallbladder problems. There is also a potential increased risk for thyroid cancer, although this has only been seen in lab rats so far, not humans.

    As with Ozempic and Wegovy, when you stop taking tirzepatide, its effects stop. Most people regain some, if not all, of the weight they lost.

    People often regain some or all of the weight they lost after stopping the medication.
    /John Hanson PyeShutterstock

    Who can access tirzepatide?

    In Australia, tirzepatide is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a or BMI of 27 or above if you have a weight-related health condition such as diabetes. It can only be prescribed by a doctor, after you have tried other weight-loss methods.

    But it’s not suitable for everyone. It shouldn’t be used in pregnancy and may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions and those with a history of eating disorders.

    If you’re considering tirzepatide, it’s important to discuss the benefits and risks for your personal health situation with your doctor.

    Why is it so expensive?

    Tirzepatide typically costs around A$345 per month for the starting dose. This can escalate to $645 per month for the ongoing “maintenance” dose if a higher dose is necessary for diabetes and/or weight management. This puts the drug out of reach for most people.

    Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro in Australia, is only available on private prescription and is not subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means you pay the full cost of the medication without any government support.

    However, the United Kingdom recently announced it would add tirzepatide to the National Health Service in a phased approach over the next three years, so it’s possible we might see it subsidised in Australia in the future.

    Developing new drugs is a costly business. Companies spend billions on research, clinical trials, and getting regulatory approvals. They then set high prices to recoup these costs and make a profit.

    The patent for tirzepatide lasts until 2036. So we won’t have any cheaper generic versions for more than a decade.

    Paul Joyce receives funding from The Hospital Research Foundation, Cancer Council SA, and the Australian Research Council. He is Director of the Australian Controlled Release Society.

    Srinivas Kamath 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. Mounjaro is more effective for weight loss than Ozempic. So how does it work? And why does it cost so much? – https://theconversation.com/mounjaro-is-more-effective-for-weight-loss-than-ozempic-so-how-does-it-work-and-why-does-it-cost-so-much-239185

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Overtly handmade and so very moving: Adam Elliot’s Memoir of A Snail is a stop motion triumph

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack McGrath, Lecturer in Animation at the University of Newcastle, University of Newcastle

    Many iconic Melbourne sights, including Luna Park, feature in Adam Elliot’s new film. Madmad Entertainment

    Stop motion films are by their nature a remarkable feat. When you know a movie has been carefully crafted, over several years and through thousands of photographs of handmade sets and characters, this alone makes it a delight to watch.

    But when the story is also deep, thought-provoking and at times laugh-out-loud funny, this takes the medium to a whole new level. Adam Elliot’s Memoir of a Snail is such a film.

    Told through stop motion animation using clay (otherwise known as claymation), the film is a tactile experience in which everything you see has been made by human hands. This provides a warmth that is exacerbated by Elliot’s very human story of identity.

    The film explores how it can be difficult to find your way in life, particularly when you’re different – and that it is, in fact, OK to be different.

    Grace Pudel, the protagonist, is a snail enthusiast and we follow her as she navigates the many challenges that emerge in her life. Grace’s narration is raw and honest, and we can’t help but feel a deep connection with her.

    The story is so human and so very moving – and to be told through human-made characters perfectly rounds off the experience.

    Grace is a hoarder of ornamental snails, romance novels and guinea pigs.
    Madman Entertainment

    A win at Annecy

    In June, I was fortunate enough to help facilitate an animation study tour in France with students from the University of Newcastle. It was there we saw the world premiere of Memoir of a Snail at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the pre-eminent festival for animated film.

    The story clearly resonated with the audience, who sat captivated throughout its 90-minute runtime. They laughed and cried in unison as one engaged mass of humanity – culminating in a long and enthusiastic standing ovation.

    We were even lucky enough to bump into Elliot and his crew, and our students spoke with him about his journey in making Memoir of a Snail. The film went on to win the festival’s prestigious Cristal award for best feature.

    More than 7,000 individual items were handcrafted by various artisans, with most objects made from clay, wire, paper, paint and silicon.
    Madman Entertainment

    While claymation is generally viewed as a medium aimed at young audiences, Memoir of a Snail tells a wholly unique adult story.

    Much of its sophistication lies in its ability to effortlessly touch on many complex topics through a mixture of humour and emotion. Indeed, this approach to storytelling has become Elliot’s calling card.

    The film’s themes include identity, loneliness, alcoholism, cultism, hoarding, suicide, homosexuality, bullying, ageing, family, fat fetishism, grief and death. The story cleverly pulls you into deep thought, before surprising you with a hilarious gag.

    Grace (voiced by Sarah Snook) strikes up friendship with an eccentric elderly woman named Pinky (Jacki Weaver).
    Madman Entertainment

    Elliot’s dark and captivating aesthetic

    When introducing the film at Annecy, Elliot explained how his team’s limited budget led to a heavy reliance on narration, with limited walking and dialogue shots. Yet these constraints seemed to enhance the team’s creativity rather than stifle it.

    Elliot has a history of working around such limitations to bring his unique aesthetic to life. His first film Uncle (1996) was shot on 16mm black-and-white film, while his other short Cousin (1999) was shot on colour – but with a muted palette of grey tones.

    This palette has carried through Elliot’s work and is present in Memoir of a Snail. His version of the Australian landscape isn’t orange and sun-bleached. Rather, it is grey, overcast and drab – a dark world resembling the work of Eastern European animators such as Jan Švankmajer.

    Elliot’s other films include Brother (2000), the Oscar-winning short film Harvie Krumpet (2003) and his first feature film Mary and Max (2009).

    His works present tortured individuals – outsiders, misfits and oddballs – living in dark, suburban worlds. Behind the funny-looking faces and humorous vignettes lie deeper afflictions that become clear as the characters struggle through their lives.

    More than 1,000 plasticine mouths had to be made so the characters could talk.
    Madman Entertainment

    A gentle vulnerability shines through

    Elliot brings a naivety to the narration, where a simple statement of facts couches a deeper meaning. As the audience, we uncover mixed feelings of humour, dread and empathy for the tortured blobs of clay before us.

    The characters stand, blinking, looking back at us while the narrator describes their situation. They feel vulnerable, as though asking for our help as they stand silently, trapped in Elliot’s bleak world.

    Grace falls into dark spiral after she is seperated from her twin brother Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee) at a young age).
    Madman Entertainment

    Memoir of a Snail maintains a strong sense of materiality, as evidenced by fingerprints left on clay and brush strokes on painted backgrounds. Elliot’s self-described “chunky wonky” aesthetic abides by the rule that nothing in the world is straight.

    Almost everything in Elliot’s animated world is overtly handmade, presenting a kind of nostalgic and childlike innocence you’d expect from a school project. This helps add weight and authenticity to the film.

    The 3D work intersects with thoughtfully crafted 2D items such as handwritten title cards and signs.
    Madman Entertainment

    Elliot’s world is created “in-camera”, which means no digital effects were used. Water, for example, was created using cellophane, while droplets were painstakingly animated with blobs of glycerine, one frame at a time.

    Welcome relief in a hyper-digital world

    Lately, Australian animation has found an international audience and this has emboldened Australian animators to tell Australian stories. Bluey, for instance, has struck a chord with viewers globally because of – and not despite – its uniquely Australian voice.

    It took eight years to create Memoir of a Snail, which seems like a lifetime in today’s world. Witnessing such dedication may inspire audiences to think more deeply about animation as an art form and about film-making itself.

    Elliot’s handmade style is a nice counter to the digital and visual effects that seem ever-present in media today.
    Madman Entertainment

    Memoir of a Snail is a testament to stop motion’s power to move people. Elliot himself pointed out how stop motion seems to be experiencing a renaissance, with Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022), Phil Tippett’s Mad God (2021), Henry Selick’s Wendell & Wild (2022) and Chris Butler’s Missing Link (2019) all serving as recent examples of stop motion features.

    I hope Memoir of a Snail helps sustain this interest. In an age of automation and artificial intelligence, the film is a welcome return to the human experience. Thought-provoking, funny and wholly unique in its story and visual style, it’s well worth the watch.

    Other voice actors on the production include Eric Bana, Nick Cave and Tony Armstrong.
    Madman Entertainment

    The author would like to thank Daisy De Windt for her contributions to this article.

    Jack McGrath 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. Overtly handmade and so very moving: Adam Elliot’s Memoir of A Snail is a stop motion triumph – https://theconversation.com/overtly-handmade-and-so-very-moving-adam-elliots-memoir-of-a-snail-is-a-stop-motion-triumph-233105

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Course 73 ready to hit the beat

    Source: South Australia Police

    A former Victorian police officer, automotive office manager, and competitive dance instructor are among the 16 Course 73 members to graduate today from the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy.

    Ranging in age from 19 to 40, eight men and eight women are eager to hit the road and bring diverse backgrounds to policing, including Italian and Slovenian.

    Other graduates offer work experience as a former Police Security Officer and in Defence, as an events manager, working on oil rigs, in childcare, and in sales.

    Prior to joining SAPOL, Myah was studying as a full-time university student in Law and Criminology.

    “I believe this prior study has greatly assisted me in understanding legislation as a SAPOL member,” she said.

    “I was also working part-time as a competitive dance instructor, and at a trampoline park.

    “My most memorable experience throughout my training was the relationships that were established from the very beginning of the course that remained strong throughout.”

    Fellow graduate Craig was a serving Senior Constable from Victoria Police before deciding to pursue a South Australian lifestyle.

    “The decision to transfer was for a change of scenery for my family and I, with a goal of coastal living. I moved to South Australia with my wife and two young daughters,” he said.

    “My experiences as a police officer of seven years have assisted me throughout the recruit training process. The extra training and refreshing I experienced further developed my skills as a police officer.

    “I was drawn to South Australia itself, rostering that suits a family lifestyle, generous pay and job security.”

    Before becoming a police officer, Melanie worked full-time as an office manager in the automotive industry, also playing and umpiring netball.

    “Both experiences helped me throughout my training as being confident and taking charge were imperative to being successful, like on the netball court,” she said.

    “I was expecting the academy to be competitive, but everyone was helpful and wanted us to succeed.

    “To those thinking of joining, the academy will test you both mentally and physically, but you’re not alone, the whole academy and especially your course are there to support and help you.”

    Myah hopes to one day work in the domestic and family violence field, while Craig is interested in advancing SAPOL’s digitalised police workforce. Melanie feels experience on the road will influence her future direction but has identified community engagement as an area of interest.

    Course 73 members will be stationed at metropolitan and regional areas, including Port Lincoln, Berri and Port Pirie.

    SAPOL is currently recruiting and is keen to hear from people interested in an inspiring career with unmatched experiences and rewards.

    If you’re looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit Achievemore – Join Us (police.sa.gov.au)

    Melanie, Myah, and Craig are among Course 73 members to graduate today from the South Australia Police Academy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Steve Martin, Ballarat Breakfast, ABC Radio

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    STEVE MARTIN:

    It’s not often that I get to talk to the federal Treasurer, and it’s almost never that the federal Treasurer is sitting across from me in the studio. Jim Chalmers, good morning.

    JIM CHALMERS:

    Thanks for having me on your show, Steve.

    MARTIN:

    Why are you here?

    CHALMERS:

    I’m here because Catherine King invited me, and I go where Catherine King tells me to go. She’s a wonderful local member and Cabinet colleague. But more seriously, I wanted to be here to engage with some of the business leaders but also to spend some time at Ballarat High, which I’ll be doing later on this morning.

    But what we try and do as Cabinet Ministers is make sure that we govern for the whole place, and that means spending time in the wonderful regions of this country, including this beautiful region of yours in Ballarat and the South West.

    MARTIN:

    All right. What are you doing at Ballarat High School?

    CHALMERS:

    I’m going to speak to some of the students about the economy. This is one of the most enjoyable things I get to do as Treasurer. I’ve done a lot of it lately actually, because I like the sense that there’s a lot of intergenerational interest in what’s happening in the world. The world’s a difficult place right now. We’ve got a lot of important decisions to make about the future of our own country in that context, and I find knocking around with young people and taking some really often difficult, always smart, intelligent, well‑motivated questions is a really good thing to do when you’re in communities like this one.

    MARTIN:

    Okay. I want to stick with students at the moment, Jim Chalmers. What do they ask you? What do young people want to know about the economy, and are they, broadly speaking, engaged in that sort of part of the political debate?

    CHALMERS:

    More than they get credit for as a generation. People are incredibly engaged at that level. The main questions I get is what’s happening in the world – Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East – what’s happening closer to home in our own region – China and the US – so a lot of really top shelf questions about what’s happening in the world and where we fit.

    But from an economic point of view, like a lot of Australians, they want to know how are we going to get on top of these cost‑of‑living challenges that people are confronting right around the country, every generation, and in particular, housing. They are a big motivation for the tens of billions of dollars that we’re investing as a government in building more homes so that they can find it easier to find somewhere to rent or buy when the time comes.

    MARTIN:

    Is it right that you’re also going to be having a look at some of the properties involved in the First Home Guarantee while you’re in Ballarat? Is that part of your visit?

    CHALMERS:

    That was in prospect, but not on this occasion. I’m looking forward to doing that, but not on this occasion.

    MARTIN:

    Okay. Cost of living does come up endlessly at the moment because things are tough. Do you think that you have made a difference?

    CHALMERS:

    Definitely –

    MARTIN:

    – in what way –

    CHALMERS:

    – but in saying that, I don’t pretend that the fight against inflation is over. I know that people are still doing it tough even at the same time as inflation by some measures has more than halved since we came to office. But I do understand that for people who are under the pump, they don’t want to be told necessarily that everything is fine when it’s not.

    People are still doing it tough. That’s why the tax cuts are so important, the energy bill relief, cheaper early childhood education, cheaper medicines, rent assistance, getting wages moving again. Really our highest priority as a government has been to try and provide that cost‑of‑living help in the most substantial and meaningful way that we can, but also in the most responsible way that we can, which means doing that as well as, not instead of, delivering those couple of surpluses that we’ve been able to deliver at the same time.

    MARTIN:

    I wonder, with the surplus, I recall when that was announced, and generally that would be considered to be good news politically, but to quote Twitter –

    CHALMERS:

    That’s a dangerous practice, Steve.

    MARTIN:

    I know. I realise that, but the most common response it seems on Twitter is, ‘You can’t eat a surplus.’ So while people think that’s great at one end things are happening, but at the business end for most of us it’s not filtering through.

    CHALMERS:

    I’m really grateful you raised that, because we don’t see a surplus as an end in itself either. The fact that we’ve been able to deliver back‑to‑back surpluses for the first time in almost 2 decades in this country is not an end in itself, it’s how we make room to provide all of that cost‑of‑living relief that I just ran through. It’s how we make sure we avoid paying too much interest on all that debt we inherited from our predecessors.

    Also in the context where the global economy is really uncertain, we want to get the budget in much better nick as a bit of a buffer against that global economic uncertainty, because if things do turn down then we want to have more room to respond if we need to. So those are the reasons for the surplus.

    I say to those people who raise that issue that you’ve raised from social media, but I get it out and about in communities like this one, if we were choosing between a surplus or cost‑of‑living help, I would understand that. But we’ve found a way, because of our responsible economic management, to deliver surpluses and cost‑of‑living help, and we think that’s a good thing.

    MARTIN:

    All right. On the SMS Bea has sent this through. As I say, ‘Morning, Steve. Would you ask Jim Chalmers, please, how can we justify $360 billion on a few submarines and $600 million on a PNG rugby league team but struggle to find money to increase mental health services to adequately address demand?’

    CHALMERS:

    Thank you, Bea, for the question and for listening. I think in every budget you’ve got to find room for all of those things. There is mental health funding, of course, in the Budget. There is national security and defence funding. We are interested in investing in our region, particularly when you’ve got all of this global uncertainty, conflict around the world and economic uncertainty around the world, including closer to home. Some of those investments I know, Bea, can be contentious but we think we’ve broadly struck the right balance – huge investments in health at the same time as we invest in our national defence and national security.

    MARTIN:

    All right. I want to ask you about an item in the news today, Treasurer, and that is a crackdown on subscription traps and hidden fees. What’s happening there? What’s the plan from the government?

    CHALMERS:

    We want to crack down on dodgy deals so that we can save Australians money if we can and where we can. Most businesses do the right thing and they’ve got nothing to worry about, but there are these traps which we’re seeing more and more of, whether it’s making it hard to cancel a subscription, different fees at different stages of a purchase, when the price goes up while you’re actually making the transaction, requiring consumers to provide more information than is necessary to buy something, when it’s hard for you to contact the person or the business that’s selling you a good or a service.

    There are a bunch of dodgy practices that we are worried about and we want to crack down on them and so we are looking to ban unfair trading practices, and that’s the announcement that we’re making today.

    MARTIN:

    Okay. So that is with Australian Consumer Law?

    CHALMERS:

    Absolutely. We’ll do some consultation, as we always do, but look to bed it down at the beginning or the first half of next year. We get a lot of feedback about this, Steve. I’m sure you do as well on your SMS line and out and about. A lot of people, for good reason they do a lot of shopping online or in other ways, and there’s just been these practices which have sprung up which we think go too far. We don’t want people to be taken for mugs. We don’t want to see these dodgy business practices, and so we’re going to crack down on them.

    MARTIN:

    So that will come into effect next year, after the next federal election effectively?

    CHALMERS:

    We’ve said the first half of 2025, and we’ll do it as soon as we can. But what we’d like to do is we want to make sure there are no unintended consequences and the like, and so we’ll do a little bit of consultation, but we’ve said today that we’re going to ban unfair trading practices, and we’ll spend the next month or 2 consulting on the best way to go about it.

    MARTIN:

    Twelve minutes to the next news at 8. We’re talking with federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers. I did say earlier this morning, I had a text from Jamie Vogels, who’s a Corangamite Shire Councillor, and this is in relation to the transition of dairy country to blue gum timber land and the practices of the Foreign Investment Review Board when they look at this.

    Now, Jamie Vogels’ question to you directly, Treasurer, is: why aren’t we allowed to know the conditions placed by the Foreign Investment Review Board on the $200 million foreign investment by Munich RE into blue gum plantations that’s replacing that dairy country in Simpson and the Heytesbury? It’s causing economic and job losses, from Jamie Vogels. So why can’t a community know what the Foreign Investment Review Board has and does look at, or is that information publicly available? Because that group sounds like they can’t find out why the decision was made to allow this to happen?

    CHALMERS:

    First of all, thanks to Councillor Vogels for raising it. I know this is an issue, and in that very important part of our national economy there’s a lot of economic opportunity. The dairy industry is important to us and the timber industry is important to us as well, and we’ve got to strike the right balance.

    When it comes to the Foreign Investment Review Board process, we try and be as transparent as we can about the process. But often the fine details for – whether it’s commercial in confidence or other kinds of reasons – often those are kept confidential. So I’ll have another look at that case, I’m confident that we would have provided all of the information that we can. I’m not anticipating that we can provide additional information, but if we can after I have another look, then I’ll do that.

    MARTIN:

    The community concern, though, Treasurer, is that you’ve got prime agricultural land, not just for dairy; it could be used for other things. You have farm workers, you have houses, you have all sorts of activity going on. And when the trees come in, as much as they are needed, in this sort of land where smaller holdings are more common, you’re losing a community because the trees go in and there’s not nearly as many people moving around. Is that social effect on an area looked at by the FIRB?

    CHALMERS:

    It looks at the broader national interest and to be up front with you, typically the focus is more on, national security concerns or concerns around concentration or concerns about one company or another dominating a certain market, and so there are a range of considerations, including the ones that you raise. But primarily, typically, the advice that comes to me, including in this case, the Department of Agriculture was consulted and didn’t raise any issues with this particular transaction, we cast a pretty broad net, but typically the advice is more about managing risks in areas like critical minerals, critical infrastructure, critical data.

    MARTIN:

    Just finally on this, the member for Wannon did ask for a moratorium on additional land being purchased for expansion of the timber industry until some of the concerns raised in the petition he tabled are addressed. Will you consider that, or is the government even looking at that for a moment?

    CHALMERS:

    I think the Agriculture Minister, Julie Collins, is a wonderful colleague of ours. She looks at these sorts of issues all of the time. We know that there are contentious issues in farming communities and we know as our economy changes and demand for different goods change over time that often difficult issues like this pop up. So Julie Collins, being the diligent minister that she is, would have these sorts of considerations in front of her from time to time.

    MARTIN:

    All right. Just on other more general things, I notice that a number of banks are factoring in a rate cut for December. What’s your take on that?

    CHALMERS:

    I try not to pre‑empt decisions taken independently by the independent Reserve Bank. Treasurers of both political persuasions don’t get into the guessing game about future movements in rates.

    My job is to focus on being helpful in the fight against inflation and we have been. Australia’s made really quite considerable progress when it comes to getting on top of the inflation challenge in our economy, less than half what we inherited on the monthly gauge and that’s a good thing.

    But the Reserve Bank will weigh that up, they’ll weigh up what’s happening in the labour market, what’s happening around the world, and they’ll come to a decision independently in due course.

    MARTIN:

    In Queensland, right. I do wonder, just finally, Treasurer, we’ve been through 30‑odd years of pretty good economic times. It started with Hawke and Keating, continued with Howard and Costello, and then, I guess, governments that have followed haven’t been able or as willing to do as much as those 2 governments did all those years ago. That set us up pretty well. There are older people who say we are back to normal, that the current settings we have are more normal. The long‑term interest rate is 7.4 per cent over – I looked this up yesterday, between ’69 and 2004, that’s the long‑term average interest rate in Australia. So has the community got their expectations too high?

    CHALMERS:

    I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t blame the community for that. If you think about that longer sweep of history, yes, Hawke and Keating did a remarkable job setting this place up for 3 decades of economic expansion, absolutely outstanding contribution, history‑making contribution.

    If you think about really since the global financial crisis, we’ve had about 15 years of economic upheaval. The global financial crisis in ’08–09, obviously we had COVID, the war in Ukraine sent supply chains basically haywire around the world, and so we’ve had these 3 shocks in 15 years. And so governments of both persuasions, including this one, have been doing their best to manage the here and now – in our case inflation – at the same time as we invest in the future and that’s why our Future Made in Australia agenda, our housing agenda, energy transformation, skills and human capital are so important.

    But what we need to do and what we are doing is working out what does the next generation of prosperity look like. And it won’t be the same as the one that Bob and Paul set up so skilfully in the 1980s. It’s possible to admire their contribution and recognise ours will be different.

    For us the big thing that we’ll be judged on is nailing this energy transformation. That’s the big economic reform opportunity for our generation. And that’s why we call the 2020s the defining decade in the way that the 1980s were, because the situation calls for a new economy, leveraging all of those traditional strengths that we’ve had and will continue to have into the future, but building new strengths in energy, human capital, technology, services and the like.

    MARTIN:

    All right. I was going to let you go, but since you’ve mentioned the energy transformation, one last quick topic: what do you say to communities in this part of the world that are bearing the brunt of that energy transformation, with transmission lines, with wind farms, with very large‑scale change over a very short period of time to communities that are feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control?

    CHALMERS:

    We are listening to you. We know that the best version of this energy transformation, which is the opportunity of a lifetime for Australia, including for the regions, requires us to take communities along with us. We understand that.

    MARTIN:

    Well, you’re failing at that, because they’re not coming along with those that are pushing this through.

    CHALMERS:

    We can always do better. And even in the most recent Budget I funded, I think $20 million from memory, for better consultation with local communities because we see this as an opportunity for local communities, including regional communities. We need to make sure that we are listening and bringing people along with us. If we can do a better job of that, we will.

    MARTIN:

    Jim Chalmers, thanks for your time.

    CHALMERS:

    Thanks so much, Steve.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU School Olympiad in Physics “Your Path to Real Science” was included in the list of the Russian Council of School Olympiads

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The school physics Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science”, organized by Novosibirsk State University together with the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was included in the list of the Russian Council of School Olympiads. The corresponding order was published on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science last week. The expert commission on physics highly appreciated the level, novelty, originality, complexity and creative nature of this Olympiad. Inclusion in the list significantly increases the status of the Olympiad, which will allow the winners and prize-winners of these competitions to receive additional privileges when entering leading universities in Russia, including NSU. The university plans to expand its geography, increase the number of in-person venues in other regions and the number of participants.

    — There is the All-Russian School Olympiad, which stands apart, outside of any levels or categories. It allows you to apply without entrance examinations. However, there are about 25-30 winners and prize-winners of this Physics Olympiad in the entire country. At the same time, there are many more gifted schoolchildren, talented applicants who know physics or want to study it, they need to be identified and invited to further study physics at the university. Our Olympiad allows us to solve this problem, — says Evgeny Zhdanov, senior lecturer at the Department of General Physics Physics Department of NSU, member of the jury of the Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science”.

    The significant benefits for schoolchildren that the Olympiad provides may vary from university to university. At the NSU Physics Department, any prize place in this Olympiad will be equivalent to 100 points in the Unified State Exam in Physics, while for an applicant it will be enough to confirm their qualification at the level of 75 points.

    The Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science” has been held since 2019, but is a continuation of the long-standing traditions of entrance examinations at NSU. In addition to the standard genre of original text problems in physics, which are present in almost every Olympiad, the Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science” contains such unique genre problems as an assessment problem and a demonstration problem.

    An assessment task is a task in which no numerical values are specified, and the student must independently select a physical model describing the phenomenon specified in the task, select the necessary numerical values and obtain a numerical result that must correspond to reality. A demonstration task is a task in which students are shown a vivid physical phenomenon described in simple “everyman” language, and the student must explain the observed phenomenon by translating it into “physical” language. This requires participants to be able to apply theoretical knowledge to describe real phenomena and processes. Such a skill in such a “concentrated” form is very rarely tested by Olympiads, even those that include an experimental round. Creating demonstration tasks requires extensive experience and high qualifications of the authors. Such a demonstration was previously held at entrance exams to NSU at several (two or three) sites. For each site, it was necessary to prepare special equipment, as well as assistants capable of competently conducting such a demonstration. With the development of the Olympiad movement, the number of venues increased significantly, which significantly narrowed the range of phenomena that could be demonstrated in this way at such a large number of venues simultaneously. In order to preserve the unique genre of the demonstration task, a solution was found to record video demonstration, which can then be shown on any platform using a projector or even a laptop. This technology has made it possible, among other things, to show fast-moving events that require slow motion for better perception.

    Thus, the Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science” differs from the classical ones primarily in the types of problems that are aimed at revealing physical intuition.

    — A child may not always have sufficient knowledge of physics, but have a good idea of how natural phenomena work. Therefore, he or she can score high marks at the Olympiad and, based on the results, enter a university. This is how we identify and attract talented children, — emphasizes Evgeny.

    Current scientists from SB RAS institutes participate in both compiling problems and checking the results of the Olympiad. The 2024 methodological commission includes teachers with many years of experience, including members of the Russian Academy of Sciences and doctors of physical and mathematical sciences.

    The Olympiad is held in two stages – the qualifying and the final. The qualifying stage is also divided into two – in-person, which will take place on December 1; and remote, lasting a week, while the tasks do not repeat those that were in the in-person stage. The winners and prize-winners of the qualifying round go to the final stage, which will be in March. Important: the winners and prize-winners of the current year’s Olympiad, who are not in the graduating class, are invited to the final stage next year immediately, without going through the selection. You can find out how to participate in the Olympiad on its official website.

    Inclusion in the list of RSOSh will allow NSU to expand the geography of the Olympiad and increase the number of participants. Thus, last year there were more than 450. Also, the NSU Physics Faculty plans to conclude agreements with new sites and hold the final stage not only in Novosibirsk, but also in other cities.

    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://www.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/school-olympiad-nsu-in-physics-your-path-to-real-science-included-in-the-list-of-russian-owl/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ministers bring together industry experts and consumer champions to tackle spiralling costs for drivers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New taskforce is a major step forward in getting a fair deal for UK drivers by rooting out factors that increase costs for car insurance industry.

    • Transport Secretary and Economic Secretary to the Treasury to bring together industry experts, consumer champions and regulators to crack down on spiralling costs of car insurance
    • comes as figures show an average 21% rise in premiums in 2 years as new taskforce launched to deliver a fairer deal for drivers
    • taskforce to focus on how hardest hit by rising costs, including ethnic minorities, those on lower incomes and elderly and young drivers

    Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, and Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Tulip Siddiq, will bring together industry groups and consumer champions such as the Association of British Insurers, Citizens Advice, Which? and Compare the Market, as well as insurance regulators, to tackle spiralling costs of car insurance today (16 October 2024).

    It comes as motor insurance premiums have grown by an average of 21% since June 2022, according to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) analysis – far higher than in comparable economies such as Germany, France, Spain and Italy – with the government reaffirming its manifesto commitment to act on increasing consumer costs, which stunt the economy and prevent growth.

    A new cross-government motor insurance taskforce, supported by industry experts, will also be launched by the Transport Secretary and Economic Secretary to the Treasury today to help drive down the high costs of car insurance.

    The taskforce will identify the factors behind rapidly rising premiums and will agree solutions to keep costs under control. Factors driving up the cost of insurance include inflation, rising car thefts and the country’s pothole-ridden roads, which the government has pledged to fix with its pledge of filling up to 1 million more potholes every year.

    This taskforce is part of the government’s manifesto commitment to act on the high cost of insurance for drivers – particularly those who are disproportionately affected by high prices such as young and older people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds or on lower incomes.

    Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

    Car insurance is an essential, not a luxury. It is vital to accessing economic opportunities and this government is committed to getting costs under control. That’s why we’re taking direct action to bring insurance companies and regulators round the table to discuss how we can crack down on spiralling costs.

    The rising cost of cover affects all drivers but some groups have been hit harder than others. No matter your background or circumstance, this government is determined to ensure drivers get a fair deal.

    Our new expert taskforce is a major step forward in delivering a fair deal for drivers. It will give this issue the attention it deserves – rooting out the factors driving up costs for industry and ensuring drivers are able to hit the road.

    The taskforce will bring together expertise from regulators, motoring groups, insurers and consumer groups to find solutions for the high cost of insurance, addressing contributing factors to high costs generally and those that may be disproportionate depending on age or ethnicity.

    The taskforce will help support the government’s missions to grow the economy and break down the barriers to opportunity, by acting on the cost pressures facing industry and supporting drivers to hit the road.

    The expert group will identify the causes of rising costs, assess whether consumers are receiving fair value for money and look at the impact on the groups hit the hardest, using advice from the regulators the FCA and Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Find out about working in childcare at jobs fair this weekend

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Wolves Workbox is hosting the Childcare Jobs and Opportunities Fair at Wolves at Work, Unit 5, i10, Victoria Square, Wolverhampton on Saturday (19 October, 2024) from 10am to 1pm.

    It will offer information on working in the childcare sector, with local providers discussing vacancies and apprentice opportunities. People will be able to apply for vacancies on the day and provide their contact details so they can get employability support from Wolves at Work staff.

    There will also be information about the Do Something Big recruitment campaign’s ‘golden hello’ payment of up to £1,000 for people entering or returning to the sector.

    There is no need to book – simply turn up on the day. For further information, please call the Wolves at Work team on 01902 554400 or email wolvesatwork@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

    Alison Hinds, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said: “Childcare is a job with impact. Working with small children, you get to be part of their early education and to make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

    “You can be part of a team or lead a team in nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups or schools, or you can be your own boss and become a childminder, and with the recent expansion of free childcare to working parents, there are plenty of jobs out there.

    “So, if you are thinking of entering or returning to the sector, please come along to the Childcare Jobs and Opportunities Fair on Saturday to find out more.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Canadian investigation linked to the Government of India

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Statement by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office on the ongoing Canadian investigation linked to the Government of India

    A FCDO spokesperson said:

    We are in contact with our Canadian partners about the serious developments outlined in the independent investigations in Canada. The UK has full confidence in Canada’s judicial system. Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential.

    The Government of India’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process is the right next step.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: RUMTS offers a free advanced training program

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The Resource Educational and Methodological Center for the Training of Disabled People and People with Limited Health Capabilities of the State University of Management invites the administrative, managerial, teaching and educational support staff of the university to undergo training in a free advanced training program “Organizational, managerial and organizational and methodological foundations of inclusive higher education” of 72 academic hours.

    The form of study is correspondence with the use of distance learning technologies. The program will be held from 11/18/2024 to 12/08/2024. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be issued certificates of advanced training of the established form.

    To organize training, you must register on the website of the RUC GUU or via a direct link by November 10, 2024.

    Contact person: Olga Anatolyevna Kharlamova, coordinator of the RMC GUU, director of the Scientific Library of the GUU Museum and Library Complex, phone: 7 (495) 377-77-88 ext. 36-81, e-mail: oa_harlamova@guu.ru

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10/16/2024

    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.

    RUMTS offers a free advanced training program

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Secretary General praises Latvia for its contributions to NATO

    Source: NATO

    On Wednesday (16 October 2024), at his official residence in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa, to discuss further strengthening NATO’s defences and NATO’s continued support to Ukraine.

    Mr. Rutte praised Latvia for its many contributions to the Alliance. “You spend almost 3 percent of GDP on defence, you host a multinational battlegroup where Allies work side by side to defend NATO’s eastern flank, as well as military exercises to ensure that Latvian and Allied armed forces maintain a high level of readiness and interoperability,” said Mr Rutte at the joint press conference with Prime Minister Siliņa. He referred to Latvia’s commitment to increase defence spending to 3 percent of GDP and noted Riga’s ambition to reach this goal even sooner than expected. Mr. Rutte also commended Latvia for its contributions to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and NATO’s training mission in Iraq.

    On Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Secretary General reiterated that “we must deliver on the commitments we made at the Washington Summit,” noting that Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure with winter just around the corner. He recalled that “Latvia has provided extensive military training for Ukrainian soldiers” and leads a coalition that works with industry to supply drones.  “I welcome your recent announcement of a new military aid package, including armoured personnel vehicles,” added Mr. Rutte.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtune announces its collaboration with Polkadot, aimed at achieving extensive visibility and awareness of its Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP in the Nordics

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Stockholm, October 16th, 2024 – Virtune, a Swedish regulated digital asset manager and issuer of crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), is announcing a collaboration with the Polkadot Network, funded through the Polkadot OpenGov Decentralized Treasury. Through this partnership, Virtune aims to promote and raise awareness of its Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP throughout the Nordics. Since its inception, Virtune has rapidly grown in the Nordic market, earning recognition for its educational initiatives, regulated status, and transparency.

    The company has also swiftly expanded its product portfolio. One of these products, Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP, was listed on Nasdaq Stockholm on January 10, 2024. The product is 100% physically backed by DOT and offers investors exposure to Polkadot through a regulated structure, along with the benefits of staking, providing an additional 4% annual yield before fees on top of Polkadot’s own performance. It is accessible for both institutional and retail investors in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark through banks and brokers, including Avanza and Nordnet, among others.

    About Polkadot
    Explore the transformative potential of Polkadot, the next-generation blockchain platform designed to power a fully interconnected digital future. Polkadot stands out by enabling seamless interoperability across various blockchains, allowing for secure message and value transfers without relying on third parties.

    About Virtune Staked Polkadot
    Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP provides exposure to Polkadot with enhanced returns through staking. This product includes secure and efficient staking directly from cold-storage with Virtune’s custodian Coinbase, with staking rewards providing 4% annual yield continuously being added to the ETP which is reflected in the daily price of the ETP.

    • 1:1 exposure: Easy and secure 1:1 exposure to Polkadot
    • Passive Income: Earn staking rewards from the included staking without any efforts required
    • Security: Non-custodial staking from cold-storage, the DOT tokens are never sent to any third party
    • Liquidity: The product can be traded freely without lock-up periods
    • Physical backing: Fully backed by DOT stored securely with Virtune’s custodian Coinbase
    • Regulated and accessible: Traded on a regulated market in the form of Nasdaq Stockholm as straightforwardly as trading a stock and can be held in ISK or capital insurance accounts for tax benefits

    About staking
    Staking is the process of actively participating in transaction validation on a blockchain that uses a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. Participants lock up a certain amount of crypto assets to support the network’s security and operations. In return, they earn rewards in the form of additional crypto assets.

    Polkadot OpenGov
    Polkadot OpenGov is a fully decentralized governance system designed to serve the Polkadot Network and all holders of the DOT token, Polkadot’s native crypto asset. Within OpenGov, any DOT holder can submit a referenda (proposal) requesting funds from the Polkadot Treasury to aid the ecosystem’s evolution and growth. The fate of each proposal is determined by a vote from all DOT token holders. OpenGov allocates its Treasury Funds, which are accumulated through worldwide network usage, to proposals that are successfully submitted and approved by the Polkadot community.

    Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:
    “Following a long and collaborative process with Polkadot Opengov, we are both pleased and humbled to have earned the trust of the Polkadot community to lead Polkadot adoption in the Nordic financial market. We recognize a significant knowledge gap in this region regarding Polkadot’s great capabilities, and we are committed to bridging this gap through a comprehensive campaign. This campaign will include educational content, as well as outdoor and digital advertising, and events aimed at educating about Polkadot’s fundamentals and the opportunities it presents, particularly how investments can be made into Polkadot’s native token DOT combined with staking rewards via a regulated exchange-traded product. We launched our Virtune Staked Polkadot earlier in 2024, and we are encouraged by the growing interest from investors across the Nordics.”

    The purpose of the campaign
    The goal of this campaign is to enhance awareness of Polkadot’s technology, its potential, and its suitability as an investment when integrated into traditional portfolios. Through the campaign and Virtune’s regulated exchange-traded product, Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP, both institutional and private investors will be informed and enlightened about Polkadot and its vibrant ecosystem, which includes all the projects building on-chain. The campaign aims to attract a significant number of new investors to Polkadot across the Nordics, while also providing educational content about Polkadot to the financial industry.

    The content of the campaign
    The campaign will introduce a new scale of marketing efforts, combining outdoor advertising in high-visibility areas such as Stockholm’s financial district, subway stations, and the Arlanda Express, among other prominent locations. This approach is designed to significantly boost the visibility of Polkadot and Virtune’s Staked Polkadot ETP. In addition, digital advertising will feature Polkadot across various digital channels. Furthermore, the campaign will include large-scale events focused on educating attendees about Polkadot both as a blockchain technology and as an investment opportunity.

    The campaign aims to showcase a range of dynamic technologies that demonstrate Polkadot’s valuable role in the evolution of web3, where it has made significant strides. Polkadot is exhibiting substantial progress in various sectors, including gaming, with companies like Mythical Games migrating their platforms to the Polkadot blockchain. Furthermore, Polkadot supports fast and cost-effective transactions with stablecoins and is continuing to show its strengths in other emerging areas within decentralized finance, real-world assets, data storage, and artificial intelligence (AI).

    Press contact

    Christopher Kock, CEO Virtune AB (Publ)
    Christopher@virtune.com
    +46 70 073 45 64

    Virtune with its headquarters in Stockholm is a fully regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto exchange traded products on regulated European exchanges. With regulatory compliance, strategic collaborations with industry leaders and our proficient team, we empower investors on a global level to access innovative and sophisticated investment products that are aligned with the evolving landscape of the global crypto market.

    Cryptocurrency investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice. Investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, and there is no guarantee that you will recover your invested capital. Please read the prospectus, KID, terms at http://www.virtune.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China ready to join Russia, Mongolia for deeper trilateral cooperation

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

    ISLAMABAD, Oct. 16 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Wednesday that China is ready to work with Russia and Mongolia to further enhance mutual trust, strengthen coordination and promote deeper and more practical trilateral cooperation to better benefit the people of the three countries.

    Li made the remarks when meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene on the sidelines of the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China willing to work with Russia to strengthen strategic coordination — Premier Li

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

    China willing to work with Russia to strengthen strategic coordination — Premier Li

    ISLAMABAD, Oct. 16 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here on Wednesday that China is willing to work with Russia to strengthen strategic coordination, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and make due contributions to the development and revitalization of the two countries and the prosperity and stability of the world.

    Li made the remarks during his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on the sidelines of the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Employers invited to participate in careers fair supporting Changing Futures Navigators

    Source: City of Preston

    On Friday 15 November, 11am – 3pm, Preston Town Hall will host a Careers Fair designed to support Navigators from the Changing Futures programme.

    This Careers Fair will feature a broad range of employers from both the public and private sectors, providing job opportunities, career advice, and valuable insights. Navigators will have the opportunity to meet with recruiters and explore a variety of roles tailored to their skills and experiences.

    Changing Futures is funded by the UK Government’s Shared Outcomes Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.

    The programme and the Navigators are dedicated to improving the lives of adults facing multiple disadvantages, including homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

    Most of the Navigators from the Changing Futures programme have battled and overcome similar issues in their own lives which makes them uniquely equipped to support other people. Their skills, experience and perspective can be of great benefit to other organisations which support the most vulnerable people in society.

    Councillor Zafar Coupland, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

    Navigators from the Changing Futures programme have been instrumental in supporting people across Preston, offering guidance and a helping hand as they navigate the next stage of their lives. 

    This Careers Fair is an opportunity to return the support they’ve given to others, helping them make valuable connections and open doors to future employment as many approach the end of their time on the programme.

    If you are an employer interested in participating in the careers fair, please do get in touch with us.”

    Employers interested in participating in the event and supporting this important initiative are encouraged to email p.griffiths@preston.gov.uk for further details.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: University unveils strategy to boost innovation and drive new business creation A new approach to fostering an enhanced spin-out culture at the University of Aberdeen will now see the institution reduce its equity stake, in favour of increasing innovation and accelerating the commercialisation of intellectual property.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    The move seeks to make staff, students and investors excited about the ideas and opportunities coming out of the UniversityA new approach to fostering an enhanced spin-out culture at the University of Aberdeen will now see the institution reduce its equity stake, in favour of increasing innovation and accelerating the commercialisation of intellectual property.

    Spin-outs are crucial to improving economic growth and they play a pivotal role in helping to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing society.” Dr Heather Morgan, Dean for Enterprise & Innovation

    The move makes Aberdeen one of the first universities in Scotland and the UK to introduce key recommendations that emerged from a recent independent review of university spin-outs that was commissioned by HM Treasury. 

    Under the new policy, the University’s equity share in new businesses could be as low as 5%, compared to the previous 21% minimum rate. Future equity arrangements will also take a sector-specific approach that considers the level of University investment in the underpinning research and nature or extent of the intellectual property. 

    “An independent review commissioned by the UK Treasury looked at the most successful university spin-out ecosystems across the world and within the UK, to identify best practice and opportunities to support spin-outs to attract greater investment and grow faster,” said Professor Peter Edwards, the University’s Vice-Principal for Regional Engagement. 

    “The independent review reported criticism from spin-out founders that universities have been taking too great a share, with some taking 40% or even 50% equity, well above levels that investors would see as encouraging the level of investment needed to support the company and founders would consider fair. As a result, they have effectively been stifling these businesses’ ability to grow. 

    “The University of Aberdeen has an excellent track record and reputation for life sciences spin-outs with firms such as Elasmogen, TauRx and NCIMB in our portfolio. We want to replicate this success across other sectors from green energy to digital technology and, in producing a more nuanced approach, we will be able to provide clarity for founders and improved opportunities for investors which we believe will stimulate future growth and development.” 

    The new policy is just one element within a much broader set of measures being implemented by the University to support new company creation and economic growth. 

    These range from changes to academic promotion criteria to recognise commercialisation of academic research, to involvement in initiatives like the recent ICURe Discover North East programme in which the University partnered with Innovate UK, Opportunity North East and The Helix Way. The programme saw 10 teams of university entrepreneurs complete an eight-week journey to equip them with invaluable market understanding and customer discovery skills.  

    “It’s been particularly pleasing to see these teams continue on their commercialisation journey after ICURe Discover, working with the team in Research & Innovation to take the next steps towards spinning out,” said Dr Ann Lewendon, Commercialisation Manager. 

    “Spin-outs are crucial to improving economic growth and they play a pivotal role in helping to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing society,” added Dr Heather Morgan, Dean for Enterprise & Innovation.  

    “They aren’t created overnight however and another of the areas we’ve been working hard to cultivate as part of this strategic review is our pre-spin-out pipeline. Understanding market interest and commercial potential is critical to transforming research and innovation into successful start-up businesses capable of maximising their impact and delivering tangible results. 

    “We want to encourage staff and students to feel supported and empowered to take the next step and investors to feel excited about the ideas and opportunities coming out of the University.” 

    Professor Ross Tuffee, co-author of the Scottish Government’s ‘Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint’, commented: “The University of Aberdeen is taking a clear position in creating the conditions for more spin outs to be established, to grow and succeed. Taking a transparent and open approach including equity stakes that are practical and workable outside of the institution is a huge step forward. 

    “This directly aligns with our recommendations. I believe it will encourage more academics to consider translating their research to achieve even greater impact via the spin-out process and will facilitate follow-on investment from external investors, ensuring that the founder’s shareholding remains a motivation for them to continue to grow their company.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Hungary suspended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 16) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Fejér County and Hajdú-Bihar County in Hungary, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

         A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Hungary for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 40 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Hungary in the first six months of this year.

         “The CFS has contacted the Hungarian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Repatriation assistance

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Repatriation assistance – Government.se

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    Article from Ministry of Justice

    Published

    In the Budget Bill for 2025, the Government presented measures to stimulate voluntary repatriation that include increased financial assistance in 2026. This repatriation assistance will be aimed at certain individuals who already have the legal right to reside in Sweden. It will not apply to those who may obtain legal right in the future or people with a return decision.

    The current system 

    Individuals already in possession of a Swedish residence permit who wish to leave Sweden to take up residence in another country are, under certain conditions, eligible for financial support in the form of repatriation assistance. This support is only available to certain individuals with a legal right to reside in Sweden, including those who have been granted a residence permit as a refugee or person eligible for subsidiary protection, and their family members. Individuals who have received a refusal-of-entry or expulsion order do not have a right to repatriation assistance. 

    Those who are currently entitled to financial support can receive assistance to cover travel expenses. In addition to, repatriation assistance of up to SEK 10 000 per adult and SEK 5 000 per child under 18 years can be granted. A family can currently receive a maximum of SEK 40 000.

    Government intends to increase repatriation assistance

    In the Budget Bill for 2025, the Government presented measures to stimulate voluntary repatriation. These measures include increasing repatriation assistance in 2026. The current system needs to be reviewed in order to enable an increased repatriation assistance up to a maximum of SEK 350 000. At the same time, the system must be reviewed to minimise the risk for fraud and abuse. The Government will present proposals to this effect at a later date. 

    The repatriation assistance will continue to be aimed at individuals already with a legal right to live in Sweden who wish to leave the country voluntarily. As today, it will not apply to individuals who have received a refusal-of-entry or expulsion order. 

    Additional information

    For more detailed information about the current process for voluntary repatriation, including how to apply and what assistance is available, please visit the Swedish Migration Agency’s website. 

    Volun­tary repat­ri­a­tion

    Leaving Sweden

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK boosts Somalia security with additional £7.5 Million to ATMIS

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The United Kingdom announces a further funding to support the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to bolster Somalia’s security.

    The United Kingdom has provided a further £7.5 million to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). This latest round of funding builds on earlier contributions and increases the total amount of financial support from the United Kingdom to both ATMIS and AMISOM since 2021 to £77 million. ATMIS plays a vital role in Somalia’s security, protecting key areas including population centres, supply routes and infrastructure. It continues to support the Somali National Army in joint operations, facilitating humanitarian aid, and safeguarding political processes including elections. 

    UK funds have enabled ATMIS to improve Somalia’s security by combatting al-Shabaab and reducing the group’s influence. ATMIS troops also provide protection for Somali civilians as they work to ensure a more stable and secure Somalia to the benefit of its people and the region. The new funding will fund military stipends for troops from the five troop-contributing countries (Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda), and will help ATMIS to complete its mandate of a phased handover of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces. The activities of ATMIS are crucial to Somalia’s journey towards security and stability, but these require consistent international support.

    British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, said of the new funding:

    The UK is a close and longstanding partner of Somalia and a leading donor to ATMIS. By supporting ATMIS, we are not only investing in Somalia’s security today but also in its stability and prosperity tomorrow. I encourage traditional and non-traditional partners to financially support the successor mission to ATMIS to ensure a secure and stable future for all Somalis and the region.

    Somalia’s Defence Minister, Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, welcomed UK support, noting:

    This funding is critical in supporting the efforts of ATMIS and Somali security forces. We appreciate the UK’s continued partnership in rebuilding a safer and secure Somalia. The continued support of our partners will remain vital as we work towards a sustainable security environment in our country.

    The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye also expressed gratitude for the UK’s contribution and emphasised the importance of continued international support:

    I wish to sincerely thank the British Embassy for its continued support to the AU and for this generous and timely £7.5 million contribution to ATMIS. We urge other partners to follow the UK’s example and invest in Somalia’s security to ensure lasting peace and stability in Somalia and the wider region.

    This latest contribution reinforces the UK’s continued commitment to Somalia’s security and stability for a safer and more prosperous future, while also ensuring regional stability.

    Note to Editors

    • UN Security Council Resolution (2748) adopted on 16 August 2024 authorises African Union Member States to continue to deploy up to 12,626 uniformed personnel – inclusive of 1,040 police personnel, to ATMIS until 31 December 2024.

    • You can follow UK activity in Somalia on X and Facebook and at British Embassy Mogadishu.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnicians at the Far Eastern Mathematical Festival

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    In early October, a delegation from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University visited the Far Eastern Mathematics Festival, organized by the Khabarovsk branch of the scientific and educational mathematical center “Far Eastern Center for Mathematical Research” at the Pacific National University (PNU).

    The delegation included Acting Director of the Institute of Physics and Mechanics of SPbPU, Professor Alexey Filimonov; Director of the Higher School of Mechanics and Control Processes, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Belyaev; Professor of the Higher School of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Vladimir Zaborovsky and Professor of the Higher School of Social Sciences Dmitry Kuznetsov.

    The festival was opened by the discussion “Prospects in Trends of Science and Technology”. Dmitry Kuznetsov presented a report “History and Philosophy of Development of Domestic Mathematical Science”. Vladimir Zaborovsky covered current issues of intellectualization of computing technologies, their physical and information aspects in his speech. The event of the first day of the festival was concluded by the report of Alexander Belyaev “High-frequency dynamics – the missing link in the evolution of dynamics”.

    The next day, the Polytechnics took part in the XXII All-Russian Scientific Conference “Physics: Fundamental and Applied Research, Education”. The range of topics discussed covered theoretical physics and computational mathematics, condensed matter physics, physical materials science, general and technical physics, optics, and physics education. Dmitry Kuznetsov gave a report “Augustin Betancourt and Physics Education in Russia in the First Quarter of the 19th Century”, and Alexey Filimonov’s open lecture was devoted to the natural size effect in III-nitride heterocontacts. The speaker considered issues relevant to the technology of creating semiconductor devices, such as the nature of the chaotic potential in heterocontacts of semiconductor structures induced by the electrostatic field of dislocations, under conditions of localization of a two-dimensional electron gas in the near-contact region.

    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.

    https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/partnership/polytechnics-at-the-Far-Eastern-mathematical-festival/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Somalia and Turkey are becoming firm allies – what’s behind this strategy

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Federico Donelli, Assistant Professor of International Relations, University of Trieste

    Turkey has ramped up its partnership with Somalia in recent months. It is helping Somalia defend its waters, and has signed a deal to explore for oil and gas off the east African nation’s coast.

    There have also been reports of advanced discussions to have Turkey set up a missile and rocket testing site in Somalia.

    These agreements underscore Turkey’s strategic and economic aspirations in the broader Horn of Africa region.

    Over the past four years, there has been a steady increase in Turkish partnerships and agreements for the export of defence-related products to the region. This has included the use of Turkish drones in conflict zones, such as Libya and Ethiopia.

    I have studied Turkey’s historical and current involvement in Somalia to understand what’s driving Ankara’s policy in the Horn of Africa. In my view, Turkey’s involvement is driven by multiple factors. These include international status-seeking, regional balance and strategic concerns.

    The opening of a training facility in Mogadishu has increased Turkey’s strategic depth in the Horn of Africa, projecting the country towards both sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean. And the use of Turkish drones in Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict has shown Turkish defence arrangements have become a factor in local dynamics.

    Somalia’s appeal

    Turkey’s interest in Somalia dates back to 2010-2011. At the time, Somalia was grappling with the devastating effects of 20 years of civil war, failed international interventions and the emergence of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terror group. In addition, the country was devastated by a famine that claimed more than 250,000 lives.

    Somalia presented Turkey with several opportunities to establish a footprint in a region of high geostrategic value, and to enhance its image in Africa and globally.

    First, there was a lack of interest in the country from major international players. Apart from anti-piracy initiatives in the Gulf of Aden and the US focus on the war on terror, international players watched Somalia with a certain detachment.

    Turkey saw an opportunity to benefit from taking a leading role in an international crisis scenario.

    Read more: Al-Shabaab is just a symptom of Somalia’s tragedy – the causes are still in place

    Second, the world’s attention focused on the Arab world. The region was facing a wave of pro-democracy protests dubbed the Arab Spring. Somalia and the suffering of the Somali people were quickly forgotten by the international community.

    Turkish policymakers saw the country’s isolation as an opportunity to gain international popularity and visibility on the continent.

    Turkey took a multifaceted approach in Somalia. This encompassed humanitarian aid, diplomatic initiatives and economic investment. Turkey also supported state-building efforts and the reconstruction of Somalia’s security apparatus.

    Internal dynamics

    The financial and political resources that Turkey has invested in Somalia are driven by regional and domestic political considerations.

    Regionally, 2016 to 2021 was a period of tension between Turkey, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Somalia and the competition for influence in its politics became one of the main areas of confrontation.

    Domestically, Turkey has been able to portray its involvement in a way that’s boosted the ruling party’s standing. In addition, engagement in the Horn of Africa meets the demands of various business groups. This includes construction and defence companies that are close to the ruling political elite.

    Intervention in Somalia plays an important role in the narrative of Turkish political elites associated with Turkey’s ruling party, Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (Justice and Development Party).

    The party is a conservative but non-confessional party with Islamist roots. A significant proportion of the party’s supporters consider voluntary charity (sadaqa) to be the duty of a good Muslim. As a result, Turkey’s foreign and domestic interests converged with the government’s policy to support crisis-stricken Muslim communities. This includes those in Somalia. Here, Turkey has framed its involvement as a political and humanitarian success story. The Turkish public views it as such.

    Read more: Turkey’s foray into Somalia is a huge success, but there are risks

    Turkey has been able to bolster its security and defence ties at a rapid pace. The country’s Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı (Defence Industry Agency of Turkey) reports directly to the president. Established as a state body in 1985, the agency gained prominence in 2017 when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had it placed under the direct authority of the presidency.

    This has made concluding defence agreements – a key factor of Ankara’s foreign policy – much faster.

    Turkey has also used the opportunity to increase its involvement in the energy sector. Ankara has long aspired to play a pivotal role as a major energy hub in the wider region. It has considered establishing exploration operations off the coast of Somalia. Like all emerging powers, Turkey has a thirst for energy. This explains its July 2024 oil and gas exploration deal with Somalia.

    Turning point

    Ankara’s February 2024 defence agreement marked a significant turning point in Turkey-Somalia cooperation.

    The agreement deepens defence ties between the two countries. Under the deal, Turkey has agreed to train and equip the Somali navy. It will also help patrol Somalia’s extensive 3,333-kilometre coastline. Turkey’s focus is on maritime activities. This is a strategic choice largely influenced by the unstable conditions in Somalia, where exerting control over territory is difficult.

    Read more: Red Sea politics: why Turkey is helping Somalia defend its waters

    The deal is a response to changes in the regional landscape and the ongoing reconfiguration of power dynamics in the Horn of Africa.

    This has included:

    Somalia’s decision to pursue diplomatic ties and defence agreements with Turkey needs to be understood against this backdrop.

    – Somalia and Turkey are becoming firm allies – what’s behind this strategy
    – https://theconversation.com/somalia-and-turkey-are-becoming-firm-allies-whats-behind-this-strategy-240578

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Appeal for witnesses following fatal collision in Newham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigation a fatal road traffic collision in Newham are appealing for witnesses and anyone with footage to come forward.

    Police were called at 15:44hrs on Tuesday, 15 October, to reports of a collision at Barking Road, E16.

    Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. At the scene, a Nissan Juke had been in collision with an 18-year-old female pedestrian and another car.

    Despite the efforts of emergency services the pedestrian was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been notified.

    The driver of the Nissan Juke – a 45-year-old man – was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was taken to hospital for treatment before being taken into police custody where he remains at this time.

    Cordons and closures were established while emergency services accessed the scene. These have since been lifted.

    Anyone who witnessed this incident or has footage should call police on 101 or on X @MetCC, quoting CAD 4765/15OCT.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    Source: European Union 2

    “Don’t miss a single screening – not even by a month,” says Maria, vice-president of a volunteer cancer support group in her workplace in Brussels. Maria was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 at the age of 38 through a routine check. “I was on sickness leave for a year and required heavy surgery. I was the youngest person in the hospital where I was treated – the age at which you can develop cancer is dropping dramatically.”

    October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease, provide support to women with breast cancer and to highlight how early screening can significantly improve the chances of a successful outcome.  

    The EU plays an active part in this battle to beat breast cancer. As part of its European Health Union strategy, it has put in place a Beating Cancer Plan. Through it, it is working on meaningful change in EU countries to achieve better cancer prevention, treatment, care and quality of life for all EU citizens. In 2022, new updated screening guidelines were adopted based on the latest scientific evidence for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer. The EU’s goal is to offer screening to 90% of the eligible target population across the EU.  

    Currently, breast cancer accounts for almost 30% of all diagnosed cancers in women in the EU. There are, however, marked differences in screening participation among countries and population groups. In 2022, the EU set up the first-ever European Cancer Inequalities Registry, to identify trends, disparities, and inequalities between and within EU countries and regions. The results feed into the EU’s future policies and investment in breast cancer treatment. 

     “I was on my own when I was diagnosed,” says Valentina, who is a member of Maria’s cancer support group.  “The support group became like a second family to me. Life is made easier when you share with other people. Just a nice word from a colleague can make all the difference.” The group has 200 members, who have either had or have cancer or caregivers to people with cancer. 

    “Everyone should try to organise such a group,” says Valentina. The group provides support from advice on how to navigate “the sea of procedures” surrounding getting cancer treatment to laying on yoga classes and walks in the woods. Valentina stresses the importance of physical activity in improving energy levels following cancer treatment. “I was not really sporty before cancer,” she says with a laugh, “but now I’m exercising every weekend.” 

    As part of her recovery, Valentina signed up to a local scheme in Belgium which encourages women with breast cancer to engage in group physical activity to help them heal and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Valentina walked just over 100km in Iceland with a group of 10 women. “Even with a very heavy workload, I felt so energised when I found out I could take part.” The group called themselves Les Amazones. “We discovered only afterwards that the Greeks had made up an etymology, claiming it derived from a-mazos – without a breast.  These fearsome women cut off their right breasts to remove an obstruction to the bowstring,” explains Valentina.

    A fellow cancer support group member, Alice, was initially diagnosed with breast cancer while working in Niger. “I had just finished breast feeding my 15-month-old daughter and it was the beginning of COVID. The doctor told me to go back to Europe to get a biopsy and I took the last flight before the airport was closed for several weeks. Unfortunately, the biopsy was positive and my treatment began. In Niger, women do not have the same opportunities.” How does she feel about the experience now? “I’m lucky I was born in Europe,” she says. 

    For more information 

    A cancer plan for Europe 

    European Health Union 

    #GetScreenedEU campaign, with information about cancer screening programmes in EU countries 

    Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Care

    MIL OSI Europe News –