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Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace – Luxon strips local governments’ power to protect fresh water

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace says the Government’s move to remove local government power to protect fresh water is an underhanded overreach that undermines democracy and puts vital fresh water at risk.
    The Government has signalled that it will introduce an amendment to the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill to prevent local councils from notifying their freshwater plans until the Government replaces the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management.
    Greenpeace spokesperson Sinead Deighton-O’Flynn says, “The anti-nature Luxon Government is stripping control from local and district councils who want to protect lakes, rivers, and drinking water for generations to come.
    “Christopher Luxon’s government has declared war on nature, but that should not stop responsible local governments from putting in place their own protections to safeguard their constituents’ access to safe, healthy drinking water.
    “Rural communities are suffering the consequences of nitrate-contaminated drinking water, lakes and rivers across Aotearoa are unswimmable, and the state of freshwater is getting worse. We need more protection of fresh water, not less,” says Deighton-O’Flynn.
    “We know that everyone, no matter where they live or who they voted for, wants and deserves access to safe, healthy drinking water, but right now, central government is stripping away the rules that ensure drinking water quality through this bill – and now they’ve gone one step further.
    “It’s clear that this amendment is a reaction to regional and district councils pushing for more effective freshwater policies rather than bowing down to Luxon’s push to strip back water protections.”
    The Otago Regional Council has been in the news recently over criticism from Luxon’s government due to plans to continue with notifying their freshwater plan, with farming industry lobby group Federated Farmers calling on the Government to stop this from happening.
    “Luxon must keep his hands off the freshwater protections and allow local councils to set strong and ambitious freshwater protections that safeguard lakes, rivers, and drinking water,” says Deighton-O’Flynn.
    A Greenpeace petition calling on Luxon to keep his hands off freshwater protections has been signed by more than twenty thousand people. The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill passed its second reading in Parliament last week, and is set to go through the Committee of the Whole House later today.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi

    When the world is immersed in worry, India is spreading hope: PM

    Today India is working in every sector, in every area with unprecedented speed : PM

    India today is both a developing country and an emerging power: PM

    India is one of the youngest countries in the world with the potential of achieving great heights: PM

     India is now moving ahead with a forward looking thinking: PM

    140 crore people of India have joined the resolution of Viksit Bharat , they themselves are driving it: PM

    India has the advantage of double AI power, First AI, Artificial Intelligence, Second AI, Aspirational India: PM

    India does not believe in taken for granted relationships, the foundation of our relations is trust and reliability: PM

    India has shown the world a new path to digital public infrastructure by democratizing technology: PM

    India has shown that digital innovation and democratic values ​​can coexist: PM

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 12:18PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed all dignitaries and said that discussions on a multitude of issues would take place at the Summit. He also acknowledged the presence of global leaders from different sectors who would put forth their views.

    Reflecting on the past 4-5 years, the Prime Minister pointed out that discussions on the concerns of the future have been a common theme. He mentioned that the recent challenges of Covid pandemic, post covid economic stress, inflation & unemployment, climate change, ongoing wars, disruption of supply chains, death of innocents, geopolitical tensions and conflicts had become a point of discussions in all global summits. Drawing parallels with the discussions taking place in India at the time, the Prime Minister underlined that India is deliberating its century. “India has become a ray of hope in this era of global turmoil. When the world is worried, India is spreading hope”, the Prime Minister remarked. He underlined that even though India is affected by the global situation and the challenges before it, there is a sense of positivity that can be experienced.

    “Today, India is working in every sector and area with unprecedented speed”, the Prime Minister said. Noting the completion of 125 days of the third term of the government, Shri Modi threw light on the work done in the country. He mentioned the government’s approval for 3 crore new pucca houses for the poor, initiation of infrastructure projects worth Rs 9 lakh crore, flagging off of 15 new Vande Bharat Trains, foundation stone laying of 8 new airports, a 2 lakh crore package for the youth, Rs 21,000 crore transferred into the bank accounts of farmers, free treatment scheme for citizens above 70 years of age, installation of rooftop solar plants in about 5 lakh homes, plantation of 90 crore saplings under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign, approval for 12 new industrial nodes, SENSEX and NIFTY growing about 5-7 percent, and India’s forex rising to USD 700 billion dollars among others. The Prime Minister also touched upon the global events taking place in India in the past 125 days and mentioned International SMU, Global Fintech Festival, discussion on Global Semiconductor Ecosystem, International Conference for Renewable Energy and Civil Aviation. “This is not merely a list of events but a list of hope associated with India that shows the country’s direction and the world’s hopes”, the Prime Minister said, underlining that these are issues which will shape the future of the world and these are being discussed in India.

    The Prime Minister stated that in the third term, India’s growth has accelerated to such an extent that many rating agencies have raised their growth forecasts. He also pointed out the enthusiasm of experts like Mark Mobius, who advised global funds to invest at least 50% of their funds in India’s share market. “When such seasoned experts advocate for major investments in India, it sends a strong message about our potential”, he added.

    “India of today is both a developing nation and an emerging  power”, the Prime Minister emphasized, stressing that India understands the challenges of poverty and knows how to pave the path of progress. He highlighted the government’s fast-paced policy-making and decision-making processes and new reforms. Addressing the issue of complacency, the Prime Minister said that this mindset does not drive a nation forward. He underlined that 25 crore people have come out of poverty over the past 10 years and 12 crore toilets have been built and 16 crore gas connections have been provided, but it is not enough.

    The Prime Minister further informed that in the last 10 years, India has built over 350 medical colleges and more than 15 AIIMS, established over 1.5 lakh startups and handed out Mudra loans to 8 crore young people. “This is not enough”, the Prime Minister stressed, emphasizing the need for continuous progress of India’s youth. He underlined that India’s potential as one of the world’s youngest nations can take us to great heights, and we have much more to achieve quickly and efficiently.

    Highlighting the nation’s shift in mindset, the Prime Minister noted that Governments often compare their achievements with previous administrations, considering surpassing them as success looking back 10-15 years. He emphasized that India is changing this approach and success is no longer measured by achievements but by course of the future’s direction. The Prime Minister further remarked on India’s forward-looking vision and said that India is now moving ahead with a future-focused approach. “Our goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is not just a vision of the government but reflects the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. It’s no longer just a campaign for public participation, but a movement of national confidence”, Shri Modi remarked. He mentioned that lakhs of citizens contributed their suggestions when the government began working on the vision document for Viksit Bharat. He informed that debates and discussions were held in schools, colleges, universities and various organizations and the government set the goals for the next 25 years based on these inputs. “Today, discussions on Viksit Bharat are part of our national consciousness and have become a true example of transforming public power into national strength”, he added.

    Talking about AI, the Prime Minister said this is the era of AI and the present and future of the world is linked to AI. He said  India has the advantage of double AI power, the first AI, Artificial Intelligence and the second AI,Aspirational India. Shri Modi said when the power of Aspirational India and Artificial Intelligence combines then it is natural for the pace of development to be faster. Shri Modi underlined that artificial intelligence is not just a technology for India, but a gateway to new opportunities for India’s youth. He mentioned the launch of India AI Mission this year and laid emphasis on increasing the use of AI across sectors like healthcare, education and startups. “India is committed to delivering world-class AI solutions, and through platforms like Quad, we are taking significant initiatives to drive this forward”, he said. Focusing on Aspirational India, the Prime Minister said that the middle class, general citizens, enhancing the quality of life, empowering small businesses, MSMEs, youth, and women is at the heart of the government’s policy making process. The Prime Minister pointed to India’s remarkable progress in connectivity as a prime example of fulfilling national aspirations and said that the government has focused on fast, inclusive physical connectivity which is essential for a developing society, especially in a vast and diverse country like India. Due to this, the Prime Minister said that air travel was given special emphasis. Recalling his vision of affordable air travel, he said those wearing ‘hawai chappal’ should be able to afford air travel and mentioned the UDAN scheme which has completed 8 years in operation. He informed that new airport networks in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have made air travel affordable for the masses. Highlighting the success of UDAN scheme, the Prime Minister mentioned that around 3 lakh flights have operated under UDAN, carrying 1.5 crore common citizens so far. He further added that there are over 600 routes under this initiative most connecting smaller towns. He pointed out that the number of airports in India have grown to more than 150 compared to around 70 airports in 2014.

    The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering India’s youth to become a driving force for global growth and highlighted the government’s focus on education, skill development, research, and employment. He said that the result of the efforts in the last 10 years are now visible and mentioned India’s highest improvement globally in research quality as reflected in the latest Times Higher Education ranking. He noted that the participation of Indian universities in international rankings has grown from 30 to over 100 in the past 8–9 years. The Prime Minister  underlined that India’s presence in the QS World University Rankings has increased by more than 300% in the last ten years while the number of patents and trademarks filed in India is at an all-time high. He said that India is fast becoming a global hub for research and development where over 2,500 companies worldwide now have research centers in India, and the country’s startup ecosystem is undergoing unprecedented growth.

    Highlighting India’s rising global prominence as a trusted friend,  Shri Modi said India is taking the lead in providing direction to global future in several areas. Reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic, Shri Modi said that India could have earned millions of dollars from its capacity of essential medicines and vaccines. “India would have benefited from that but humanity would have lost. These are not our values. We supplied medicines and life-saving vaccines to hundreds of countries during these challenging times,’ he said, adding,” I am satisfied that India was able to help the world in difficult moments.” Reinforcing India’s commitment towards building strong international relations, the Prime Minister said that the foundation of India’s relationships is trust and reliability ,it does not believe in taking relationships for granted and the world is also understanding this. Referring to India’s harmonious ties with the rest of the world, Shri Modi said, “India is a country whose progress does not invoke envy or jealousy from others. “The world rejoices from our progress because the entire world benefits from it.” Reflecting on India’s rich contribution to the world, Shri Modi said that in the past Bharat has played a positive role in increasing global growth, adding that its ideas, innovations and products left an indelible mark on the world for centuries. The Prime Minister said that Bharat could not take advantage of the industrial revolution due to colonization. “This is the era of Industry 4.0. India is no longer a slave. It has been 75 years since we gained independence, and therefore, now we are ready with our belts tightened,” Shri Modi added. 

    The Prime Minister emphasized that India is working swiftly on the skill sets and infrastructure required for Industry 4.0. He noted that during the past decade, he has participated in various global platforms, including G-20 and G-7 summits significant discussion about India’s Digital Public Infrastructure have taken place. “Today, the whole world is looking at India’s DPI,” he stated, referencing his discussions with Paul Romer, who praised India’s innovations like Aadhaar and DigiLocker. “India did not have the first-mover advantage in the era of the internet”, Shri Modi pointed out, noting that private platforms led the digital space in countries with the advantage. He said that India has provided a new model to the world by democratizing technology and highlighted the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile which provides a robust system for faster and leakage-free service delivery. He also touched on UPI facilitating over 500 million daily digital transactions and said that the driving force behind this is not corporations but our small shopkeepers and street vendors. He also mentioned the PM Gati Shakti platform created to eliminate silos in infrastructure project construction which is now helping to transform the logistics ecosystem. Similarly, the ONDC platform is proving to be an innovation that democratizes and enhances transparency in online retail. Shri Modi underlined that India has demonstrated that digital innovation and democratic values can coexist and reinforced the notion that technology is a tool for inclusion, transparency, and empowerment, rather than control and division.

    Shri Modi stated that the 21st century is the most significant period in human history, emphasizing the urgent needs of today’s era: Stability, Sustainability, and Solutions. He noted that these elements are essential for a better future for humanity, with India striving to address them. He noted the unwavering support of the Indian public and said that the people have given a government their mandate for a third consecutive term, sending a strong message of stability for the first time in six decades referring to the recent elections in Haryana where the public reinforced this sentiment.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the global crisis of climate change, stating that this is a crisis faced by all of humanity. Despite India’s minimal contribution to the global climate challenge, the country is taking the lead in addressing it, he said. Shri Modi explained that the government has made green transition a key driver of growth adding that sustainability is at the core of India’s development planning. He gave examples of this commitment and mentioned PM Suryagarh Free Electricity Scheme and solar pump schemes for agriculture, EV revolution, Ethanol Blending Program, large wind energy farms, the LED light movement, solar Powered Airports and Biogas Plants. He further added that every program reflects the strong commitment to a green future and green jobs.

    The Prime Minister highlighted that alongside Stability and Sustainability, India is also focusing on providing Solutions to address global challenges. He said that over the past decade, India has worked on numerous initiatives essential for tackling these challenges, including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, the Global Biofuel Alliance, as well as efforts in Yoga, Ayurveda, Mission Life, and Mission Millets. “All these initiatives represent India’s commitment to finding solutions to the world’s pressing issues” he stated.

    Expressing pride in India’s growth, the Prime Minister remarked, “As India progresses, the world will benefit even more.” He envisions a future where India’s century becomes a victory for all of humanity. He said that India’s century thrives on everyone’s talent and is enriched by innovations. Shri Modi stressed the significance of India’s efforts in promoting global stability and peace. “This is a century in which India’s initiatives contribute to a more stable world and enhance global peace”, Shri Modi concluded.

    Addressing the #NDTVWorldSummit. @ndtvhttps://t.co/92yfOt9vBF

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 21, 2024

    जब दुनिया चिंता में डूबी है, तब भारत आशा का संचार कर रहा है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/1vHKLPq8Tc

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    आज भारत हर सेक्टर में, हर क्षेत्र में जिस तेजी से काम कर रहा है, वो अभूतपूर्व है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/FdVDGvAWXZ

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत आज एक विकासशील देश भी है और उभरती हुई शक्ति भी है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/EutjT37shN

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    आज भारत दुनिया के सबसे युवा देशों में से एक है।

    इस युवा देश का पोटेंशियल…हमें आसमान की ऊंचाई पर पहुंचा सकता है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/k7jJwR72O6

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    अब भारत forward looking सोच के साथ आगे बढ़ रहा है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/nidsZlucxi

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    विकसित भारत के संकल्प से आज भारत के 140 करोड़ लोग जुड़ गए हैं। वो खुद इसे ड्राइव कर रहे हैं: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/zEN8jVWFCO

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत के पास डबल AI पावर की एडवांटेज है।

    पहली AI…Artificial Intelligence…

    दूसरी AI…Aspirational India… pic.twitter.com/KBpMnmSNNB

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत टेकन फॉर ग्रांटेड रिश्ते नहीं बनाता… हमारे रिश्तों की बुनियाद- विश्वास और विश्वसनीयता है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/XllkeZclgh

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत ने टेक्नॉलॉजी को डेमोक्रटाइज़ करके डिजिटल पब्लिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर का नया रास्ता दुनिया को दिखाया है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/gTzgttGegN

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत ने दिखाया है कि digital innovation और democratic values, coexist कर सकती हैं: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/OewYyydqcQ

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    *****

    MJPS/TS/RT

    (Release ID: 2066613) Visitor Counter : 11

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s address at the laying of foundation stone and inauguration of multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 7:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Namah Parvati Pataye …

    Har Har Mahadev!

    Present on the stage Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji, the esteemed Governors and Chief Ministers of other states who are connected to this event via technology, my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Shri Naidu ji, other members of the Union Cabinet connected via technology, Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak ji, other ministers of the UP government, members of parliament, and legislators, and my dear brothers and sisters of Banaras!

    Today, once again, I have the opportunity to visit Banaras… today the Nakkataiya Fair is also happening in Chetganj … Dhanteras, Diwali, and Chhath festivals are approaching… and today Banaras is witnessing a celebration of development before these festivals. Heartiest congratulations to all of you.

    Friends,

    Today is an auspicious day for Banaras. I have just inaugurated a big eye hospital and then came here, which is why I was a bit late. The Sankara Eye Hospital will be a great help to the elderly and children. With the blessings of Baba Vishwanath, projects worth thousands of crores of rupees have been either inaugurated or their foundation stones laid. These projects will boost the development of the country and UP to new heights. Today, airports in UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have been inaugurated. This includes not only Babatpur Airport but also airports in Agra and Sarsawa in Saharanpur. In total, projects from education, skill development, sports, health, and tourism sectors have been granted to Banaras. These projects will not only bring convenience but also create numerous employment opportunities for our youth. This land boasts of Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his teachings. I recently participated in the Abhidhamma Mahotsav. Today, I also had the opportunity to inaugurate development projects worth crores of rupees related to Sarnath, and as you know, we recently recognized some languages as classical languages, including Pali and Prakrit. Both Pali and Prakrit have special connections to Sarnath and Kashi. Their recognition as classical languages is a matter of pride for all of us. I congratulate all my fellow citizens of Kashi and the nation on these development projects.

    Friends,

    When you entrusted me with the responsibility of serving for the third consecutive time, I had promised to work at triple speed. It has not even been 125 days since the government was formed, and in such a short period, projects worth more than 15 lakh crore rupees have been started across the country. Most of this budget has been allocated for the poor, farmers, and youth. Just think, headlines in newspapers were dominated by scams worth lakhs of crores of rupees 10 years ago. The conversation always revolved around corruption worth lakhs of crores of rupees. Today, discussions in every household are about projects worth 15 lakh crore rupees within 125 days. This is the change the country desires. It is our priority that the people’s money is spent on the people, on the development of the country, and spent honestly.

    Friends,

    We have launched a massive infrastructure development campaign in the country in the last 10 years. This infrastructure campaign has two major goals. The first is to increase the convenience of citizens through investments, and the second is to create jobs for the youth through investments. Today, modern highways are being built across the country, new railway tracks are being laid on new routes, and new airports are being built. This is not just about the work of bricks, stones, iron, and iron rods; it is also increasing convenience for people and providing jobs for the country’s youth.

    Friends,

    Look at the Babatpur Airport Highway we built and the modern facilities added to the airport. Did only those travelling to and from the airport benefit from it? No, it provided jobs to many people in Banaras. It boosted agriculture, industry, and tourism. Today, the number of people coming to Banaras has increased rapidly. Some come for tourism, and some come for business, and you are benefiting from it. Therefore, now that the expansion of Babatpur Airport is underway, you will benefit even more. The work on this airport has started today. Once it is completed, more planes will be able to land here.

    Friends,

    In this ‘maha yagna’ of building modern infrastructure, our airports, their magnificent buildings, and the most advanced facilities are being talked about worldwide. In 2014, our country had only 70 airports. And as Naidu ji has explained in detail, today we have more than 150 airports. We are also renovating older airports. Last year, new facilities were built at over a dozen airports across the country—on average, one airport per month. This includes airports in Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot. Ayodhya now has a grand international airport, welcoming Ram devotees every day. Remember the time when Uttar Pradesh was mocked for its poor roads. Today, UP is known as the state of expressways. Today, UP is recognized for having the most international airports. A grand international airport is also nearing completion in Noida’s Jewar. I commend Yogi ji, Keshav Prasad Maurya ji, Brajesh Pathak ji, and their entire team for this progress in UP.

    Friends,

    As a Member of Parliament from Banaras, I feel happy when I see the development here. We all have a shared dream of making Kashi a model city for urban development—one where progress is made while heritage is also preserved. Today, Kashi is known for the grand and divine Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the Rudraksh Convention Centre, and infrastructure projects like the Ring Road and Ganjari Stadium. A modern ropeway system is also being built in Kashi. These wide roads, alleys, the beautiful ghats of the Ganga—all are captivating.

    Friends,

    We are making continuous efforts to turn Kashi and the entire Purvanchal region into a major business hub. Just a few days ago, the government approved the construction of a new rail-road bridge over the Ganga. Near the Rajghat Bridge, a grand new bridge will be built. Trains will run underneath, and a six-lane highway will be constructed on top. This will benefit lakhs of people in Banaras and Chandauli.

    Friends,

    Our Kashi is also becoming a major centre for sports. The Sigra Stadium has been renovated and is now in front of you in a new form. The new stadium is equipped for national competitions and for the Olympics as well. Modern sports facilities have been built here. We witnessed the potential of Kashi’s young athletes during the Sansad Khel Pratiyogita. Now, our sons and daughters from Purvanchal have access to excellent facilities for major sports preparations.

    Friends,

    A society develops when its women and youth are empowered. Keeping this in mind, the government has given new strength to ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power). Millions of women have been given Mudra loans to help them start their own businesses. Now we are working to create ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in villages across the country. Today, our sisters from the villages are even becoming drone pilots. And this is Kashi, where even Lord Shiva seeks alms from Mother Annapurna. Kashi teaches us that society prospers when women are empowered. With this belief, we have placed ‘Nari Shakti’ at the centre of every goal for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has gifted millions of women their own homes. Many women in Banaras have also benefited from this scheme. You know the government is now planning to build 3 crore more homes. Women in Banaras who haven’t yet received homes under the PM Awas Yojana will soon get them. We have already provided tap water, Ujjwala gas, and piped water to homes. Now, we are launching a scheme for free electricity and earning income from electricity. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana will make the lives of our sisters even easier.

    Friends,

    Our Kashi is a vibrant cultural city. It is home to the sacred Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, Manikarnika, the holy site of Moksha, and Sarnath, the place of knowledge. After so many decades, so much development work is happening in Banaras simultaneously. Otherwise, Kashi was left as if abandoned. So today, I pose a question to every resident of Kashi: What was the mentality that kept Kashi deprived of development? Think about the situation 10 years ago when Banaras was starved for development. The parties that ruled UP for long periods, and those who enjoyed power in Delhi for decades, never cared about Banaras. The answer lies in the politics of dynasties and appeasement. Be it Congress or Samajwadi Party, Banaras’s development was never a priority for such parties, nor will it ever be in the future. These parties even discriminated in development. But our government works with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Our government does not discriminate in any plan. What we say, we do loudly and clearly. A grand Ram Temple is being built in Ayodhya. Today, lakhs of people visit Ram Lalla every day. The reservation for women in assemblies and parliament was stalled for years. This historical work has also been achieved by our government. Many families were suffering due to the evil practice of triple talaq. Our government worked to free Muslim daughters from it. It was the BJP government that gave constitutional status to the OBC Commission, and it was the NDA government that gave 10% reservation to the economically weaker sections without taking away anyone’s rights.

    Friends,

    We have done our work. We implemented policies with good intentions and worked honestly to transform the lives of every family in the country. That is why the nation continues to bless us. We saw how the BJP government was re-elected for the third consecutive time in Haryana. The BJP received a record number of votes in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Friends,

    Today, Bharat faces a significant threat from family-based politics. These dynastic politicians cause the most harm to the youth of the country. They never believe in giving opportunities to young people. That is why, I called upon the nation from the Red Fort that I will bring 100,000 such young individuals into politics who have no family ties to politics. This is a campaign that will change the direction of Indian politics. It is a mission to eradicate corruption and the dynastic mentality. I urge the youth of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh to openly become the pillars of this new political movement. As the Member of Parliament from Kashi, I am committed to bringing the youth of this region forward as much as possible.

    Friends,

    Once again, Kashi has become the launching ground for new standards of development across the country. Kashi has once again witnessed a new surge for the nation. I extend my congratulations to all the states, Hon’ble governors, chief ministers, the people of Kashi, and citizens of the country who are associated with today’s development programs.

    Join me in saying: 

    Namah Parvati Pataye…

    Har Har Mahadev!

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST/VK

    (Release ID: 2066550) Visitor Counter : 368

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone and inaugurates multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone and inaugurates multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Inaugurates and lays foundation stone of multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore

    Development initiatives of today will significantly benefit the citizens, especially our Yuva Shakti: PM

    In the last 10 years, we have started a huge campaign to build infrastructure in the country: PM

    Kashi is model city where development is taking place along with preservation of heritage:PM

    Government has given new emphasis to women empowerment ,society develops when the women and youth of the society are empowered: PM

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 6:47PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh today. The projects of today include multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore and multiple development initiatives in Varanasi.

    Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a very auspicious occasion for Kashi as he mentioned inaugurating RJ Sankara Eye Hospital earlier today. He said that the Hospital would be very helpful for the elderly and children. Referring to the development projects of today, the Prime Minister mentioned the inauguration of new airport terminals in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh including Babatpur Airport and Sarsawa Airport of Agra and Saharanpur. He emphasized that development projects pertaining to Education, Skill Development, Sports, Healthcare and Tourism among other sectors have been presented to Varanasi today which would not only boost services but also create employment opportunities for the youth. Shri Modi recalled participating in Abhidhamma Diwas a few days ago and mentioned inaugurating multiple development projects worth crores of rupees today related to the development of Sarnath, the land of Lord Buddha’s sermons. The Prime Minister highlighted the association of Sarnath and Varanasi With Pali and Prakrit languages and mentioned granting them the status of classical language recently. He said that it is a matter of great pride that languages used in the scriptures have been granted classical language status. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Kashi and India for the development projects of today. 

    Recalling his promise to work three times more when he was given the opportunity to serve the people of Varanasi, the Prime Minister remarked that in less than 125 days of the formation of Government, the work on various schemes and projects worth more than Rs. 15 lakh crore had already begun. He added that the maximum budget of these was dedicated to the poor, farmers and the youths. Shri Modi said that today there was a discussion in every household about the work of Rs. 15 lakh crore as against the scams which were being reported in the newspapers a decade ago. He added that the change that the country desired where the money of the people was spent on the people along with the progress of the country with utmost honesty were the top priorities of the Government. 

    The Prime Minister underlined that the government has initiated a huge campaign for infrastructural development in the country in the last 10 years with two main objectives of improving services for the people and creating employment opportunities for the youth through investments. Giving examples of development works of modern highways, laying of railway tracks on new routes and establishment of new airports, the Prime Minister emphasized that it is enhancing convenience for the people and creating employment at the same time. He said that the construction of the highway for Babatpur Airport not only benefited the travelers but also gave a boost to agriculture, industry and tourism. He informed that work is already underway for the expansion of Babatpur Airport to increase its flight handling capacity.  

    Shri Modi highlighted that India’s airports and their magnificent buildings with amazing facilities is a topic of discussion all over the world. Shri Modi said that in 2014, there were only 70 airports, while today, there are more than 150 airports along with the renovation work of the old airports. He added that last year, the construction of new facilities was completed at more than a dozen airports in the country which include Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti and Chitrakoot airports. Shri Modi remarked that the grand international airport in Ayodhya was welcoming Ram devotees every day. The Prime Minister highlighted that today UP was known as ‘state of expressways’ as against the past when it was taunted for its dilapidated roads. He added that today UP was also known as a state with the most number of international airports with a grand international airport going to be built soon in Jewar, Noida. Shri Modi lauded the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers of UP along with the entire team for the progress of UP.

    The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the rate of progress as a Member of Parliament from Varanasi and reiterated his dream of making Kashi a model city of urban development where progress and heritage go hand in hand. He said that today Kashi is identified by the grand and divine Dham of Baba Vishwanath, Rudraksh Convention Center, infrastructure projects like Ring Road and Ganjari Stadium and modern facilities like ropeway. “City’s wide roads and beautiful ghats of Ganga ji are captivating everyone today”, he added.

    The Prime Minister said that it is the Government’s constant endeavor to make Kashi and Purvanchal a huge center of trade and business as he mentioned  the construction of a new rail-road bridge over River Ganga a few days ago which would comprise a 6 lane highway and railway lines for several trains. He said that it would hugely benefit the people of Varanasi and Chandauli. 

    “Our Kashi is now becoming a very big center for sports”, said Shri Modi. He added that the revamped Sigra Stadium was in front of the people now and arrangements were made in the new stadium for preparations from national competitions to Olympics along with modern facilities for sports. The Prime Minister highlighted the potential of young players of Kashi, which was evident during the Member of Parliament sports competition and now youngsters of Purvanchal were provided with good facilities for preparing for bigger competitions.

    Underlining that development of society occurs when its women and youth are empowered, the Prime Minister stressed that the government has given new strength to women. He mentioned schemes like Mudra Yojna where crores of women have been facilitated loans to start their own businesses. “Today, efforts are being made to create ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in villages and women are even becoming drone pilots”, PM Modi said. Highlighting the belief in Kashi that even Lord Shiva seeks alms from Goddess Annapurna, the Prime Minister said that this belief has driven the government to place Nari Shakit at the center of every initiative for the goal of Viksit Bharat. He emphasized that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, millions of women have been handed out their own homes including women of Varanasi. The Prime Minister also highlighted that the government is set to construct another three crore houses and assured that those women who have yet to receive homes under the PM Awas scheme will be given their houses soon. In addition to providing piped water, Ujjwala gas, and electricity, PM Modi said that the new PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme will further ease the lives of women, allowing them to benefit from free power and even earn from it.

    “Our Kashi is a multi-hued cultural city, with the holy Jyotirlinga of Lord Shankar, a Moksha Tirtha like Manikarnika and also a place of knowledge like Sarnath”, said Shri Modi. He remarked that it was only after decades, that so much work was simultaneously carried out for the development of Banaras. Questioning the previous governments on the poor development and progress of Varanasi, Shri Modi remarked that his Government worked on the mantra of Sabka Saath. Sabka Vikas without any discrimination in any scheme. He added that the Government stuck to its words and cited the example of the grand Ram temple built in Ayodhya, as promised. He also mentioned the historic reservation for women in the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha completed by the government. Shri Modi also mentioned the other achievements of abolition of Triple Talaq, granting constitutional status to the Backward Class Commission and granting 10 percent reservation to the economically backward classes of people.

    “We have done our work with sincerity, implemented policies with good intentions and strive to improve the lives of every family in the country,” said Prime Minister Modi. He emphasized that the nation’s continuous blessings are a result of the government’s efforts as recently seen in Haryana, where the ruling dispensation secured its third consecutive government. He also noted the record number of votes received in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Noting that dynastic politics is a significant danger to the country, especially to the youth, the Prime Minister explained that such form of politics often deprives young people of opportunities. He reiterated his clarion call from the Red Fort to bring one lakh young individuals into politics whose families have no political background. He stressed that this initiative will change the direction of Indian politics eradicating corruption and family-driven mindsets. Encouraging the youth of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said, “I urge the youth to become the pivot of this new political movement. As the Member of Parliament of Kashi, I am committed to bringing forward as many young people as possible.” Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that Kashi stands as a symbol of new benchmarks of development for the entire nation. He congratulated the states and people of Kashi on the new development programs launched today.

    Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu were present on the occasion among others. 

    Background

    In line with his commitment to boost connectivity, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the airport runway and construction of a new terminal building and allied works of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi worth around Rs 2870 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of New Civil Enclave at Agra Airport worth more than Rs 570 crore, Darbhanga Airport worth around Rs 910 crore and Bagdogra Airport worth around Rs 1550 crore.

    The Prime Minister inaugurated new terminal buildings of Rewa Airport, Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur and Sarsawa Airport worth over Rs 220 crore. The combined passenger handling capacity of these airports increases to more than 2.3 crore passengers annually. The designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of the region.

    In line with his vision to provide top-quality infrastructure for sports, the Prime Minister inaugurated Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopment of Varanasi Sports Complex worth over Rs 210 crore under Khelo India scheme and the Smart City Mission. The project aims to create a state-of-the-art sports complex featuring a National Centre of Excellence, players’ hostels, sports science center, practice fields for various sports, indoor shooting ranges and combat sports arenas among others. He also inaugurated 100-bed girls’ and boys’ hostels and a public pavilion at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, Lalpur.

    The Prime Minister inaugurated tourism development works in Buddhism-related areas in Sarnath. These enhancements include the construction of pedestrian-friendly streets, new sewer lines and upgraded drainage systems and organized vending zones with modern designer vending carts to promote local handicraft vendors, among others. The Prime Minister also inaugurated multiple other initiatives like tourism development works at Banasur Temple and Gurudham Temple along with beautification and redevelopment of parks etc.

     

    Speaking at the launch of infrastructure projects in Varanasi. These development initiatives will significantly benefit the citizens, especially our Yuva Shakti.https://t.co/wwzjuVyFW8

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 20, 2024

    बीते 10 सालों में हमने देश में इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर निर्माण का एक बहुत बड़ा अभियान शुरू किया है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/G4EYxqkUeV

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 20, 2024

    समाज का विकास तब होता है, जब समाज की महिलाएं और नौजवान सशक्त होते हैं।

    इसी सोच के साथ सरकार ने नारी शक्ति को नई शक्ति दी है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/ooZmWvXt7W

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 20, 2024

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR/TS

    (Release ID: 2066539) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government provides certainty to horticulture and poultry businesses  

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Government has underlined its commitment to the horticultural and poultry sectors by confirming measures to provide stability, including the allocation for the Seasonal Worker visa route for 2025.

    A package of measures to provide certainty and stability to farmers and growers in the UK’s horticulture, poultry and sheep sectors has been announced by the government today (Monday 21 October).   
     
    Underlining the government’s commitment to the horticultural and poultry sectors, the Seasonal Worker visa route has been confirmed for 2025, with a total of 43,000 Seasonal Worker visas available for horticulture and 2,000 for poultry next year. 

    This will provide certainty and will help the sector secure the labour and skills needed to bring high quality British produce, including strawberries, rhubarb, turkey and daffodils to market.  

    Alongside this, the government is taking action to keep costs down and protect poultry farmers from the impact of avian influenza and delivering fairness in the supply chain for sheep farmers by ensuring producers receive a fair price for their livestock through legislation to mandate sheep carcase classification and price reporting.  

    Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner said:  

    This government recognises that food security is national security, and this can only be achieved by supporting food and farming businesses.  

    Confirming the seasonal worker visa allocation for 2025 gives growers and producers certainty, allowing them to plan ahead and secure the labour they need to grow and thrive.    

    This package of measures will also support farmers by protecting our poultry producers from the impact of avian flu outbreaks and ensuring fairness in the sheep supply chain.

    As well as confirming visa numbers for 2025, Defra has also published the 2023 Seasonal Worker’s Survey report. This is an important part of Defra’s commitment to monitoring the welfare of the seasonal migrant workers who help bring home the horticulture harvest each year.

    Conducted in early 2024, the survey shows that the vast majority of respondents (91.0%) reported a positive experience from their time in the UK and 95% expressed a desire to return.  

    The government is working with industry to improve these numbers further through its farm compliance checks to ensure sponsors are adhering to their duties and undertaking welfare checks on workers, and working with international partners to ensure workers know what work to expect before they arrive and can avoid unnecessary costs and fees.  

    Measures announced on egg and poultry labelling will help farmers to deal with the impact of future avian influenza outbreaks.  

    Currently, when mandatory housing measures are introduced to protect birds from the spread of disease, eggs from free-range birds can only continue to be labelled as ‘free-range’ for 16 weeks after the housing order has come into effect – leading to significant costs to industry. The changes will mean that free-range eggs can continue to be labelled as such throughout mandatory housing measures.  

    This will be brought in through legislation due to be laid on 4 November, and is expected to take effect in January 2025, ensuring a level playing field for UK free-range egg producers against producers in the EU.    

    A consultation on introducing similar measures for the labelling of free-range poultry is also being launched – proposing the removal of the current restrictions which mean that free range poultry can only be labelled as such for 12 weeks after the introduction of housing measures, and the removal of the need for optional indicator certificates to accompany imported poultry meat.  

    The government is also taking action to ensure fairness across the food supply chain to ensure producers receive a fair price for their livestock by bringing forward legislation to mandate sheep carcase classification and price reporting, bringing the sheep sector in line with the beef and pork sectors.

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    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EPFO Adds 18.53 Lakh Net Members During August 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    EPFO Adds 18.53 Lakh Net Members During August 2024

    9.3 Lakh New Members Enrolled with EPFO during August 2024

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 4:07PM by PIB Delhi

    The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has released provisional payroll data for August 2024, revealing a net addition of 18.53 lakh members in the month of August 2024. This represents a 9.07% year-on-year growth compared to August 2023, signifying increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits, bolstered by EPFO’s effective outreach initiatives.

    New Membership:

    EPFO enrolled around 9.30 lakh new members in August 2024, representing an increase of 0.48% in the new members from the previous year in August 2023. This surge in new memberships can be attributed to growing employment opportunities, increased awareness of emp1oyee benefits, and EPFO ‘s successful outreach programs.

    Group 18-25 Leads New Membership:

    A noticeable aspect of the data is the dominance of the 18-25 age group, constituting a significant 59.26% of the total new members added in August 2024. In addition, the net payroll data for the age group 18-25 for August 2024 is 8.06 lakhs. This is in consonance with the earlier trend which indicates that most individuals joining the organized workforce are youth, primarily first-time job seekers.

    Rejoining Members:

    The payroll data highlights that approximately 13.54 lakh members exited and subsequently rejoined EPFO. This figure depicts year-over-year growth of 14.03% compared to August 2023. These members switched their jobs and re-joined the establishments covered under the ambit of EPFO and opted to transfer their accumulations instead of applying for final settlement thus, safeguarding long-term financial well-being and extending their social security protection.

    Growth in Female Membership:

    Gender-wise analysis of payroll data unveils that out of the new members added during the month, around 2.53 lakhs are new female members. This figure exhibits year-over-year growth of 3.75% compared to August 2023. Also, the net female member addition during the month stood at around 3.79 lakh. It reflects a year over year growth of 10.41% compared to August 2023. The surge in female member additions is indicative of a broader shift towards a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

    State-wise Contribution:

    State-wise analysis of payroll data denotes that net member addition in the top five states/ UTs constitutes around 59.17% of net member addition, adding a total around 10.97 lakh net members during the month. Of all the states, Maharashtra is leading by adding 20.59% of net members during the month. The states/UTs of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh individually added more than 5% of the total net members during the month.

    Industry-wise Trends:

    Month-on-month comparison of industry-wise data displays significant growth in the members working in establishments engaged in the industries viz. Trading – commercial establishments, Engineers – engg. contractors, Building and construction industry, Agriculture farms, Beedi making etc. Of the total net membership, around 40.36% addition is from expert services (consisting of manpower suppliers, normal contractors, security services, miscellaneous activities etc.).

    The above payroll data is provisional since data generation is a continuous exercise, as updating employee record is a continuous process. The previous data gets updated every month. From the month of April 2018, EPFO has been releasing payroll data covering the period October 2017 onwards. In monthly payroll data, the count of members joining EPFO for the first time through Aadhaar validated Universal Account Number (UAN), existing members exiting from coverage of EPFO and those who exited but re-joined as members, is taken to arrive at net monthly payroll.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2066506) Visitor Counter : 6

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Health – Viet Nam eliminates trachoma as a public health problem – WHO

    Source: World Health Organization

    In a significant health milestone, Viet Nam has successfully eliminated trachoma. This remarkable achievement was validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a plaque was presented to the Vice Minister of Health of Viet Nam, Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, during the seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, which opened today in Manila.

    Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness globally. It is a preventable disease of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. Trachoma is spread by flies and people can also become infected through direct contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. With repeated infections, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that they rub on the surface of the eye, causing pain and damaging the cornea. Some affected individuals must undergo surgery to prevent blindness from the disease.

    Decades of concerted efforts

    Over the past 70 years, Viet Nam has worked tirelessly to combat trachoma, treating hundreds of thousands of people and implementing rigorous control measures. These efforts were significantly strengthened with the implementation of WHO’s SAFE strategy, which stands for surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement.

    Past surveys indicated that trachoma was a public health problem in four provinces in Viet Nam. Thirty years ago, 1.7% of people living in these high-risk provinces required surgery to prevent blindness from trachoma. However, by 2023 the proportion of adults with the blinding form of the disease had fallen below 0.2%, which is the threshold required for WHO validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. Continuous monitoring and the focused implementation of the SAFE strategy in the country, starting in 1999, have been instrumental in this decline.

    Trachoma elimination in Viet Nam was made possible through collaboration among several government agencies including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the support of WHO and international health partners including the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),   the Fred Hollows Foundation, the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI), RTI International, UNICEF and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Viet Nam was one of the first group of countries to receive Pfizer-donated azithromycin   for trachoma elimination purposes through ITI, a donation that has been critical to global progress against trachoma.

    “Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Viet Nam is a monumental achievement for the country and for the global fight against the disease,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Viet Nam’s health workers, including many working at community level. It underscores the power of collective action, innovative thinking and a shared commitment to a healthier future for all. I commend Viet Nam for its dedication and success in safeguarding the vision of millions.”

    “The elimination of trachoma in Viet Nam demonstrates the commitment of the Government, health workers and communities across the country,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, praising the achievement. “It is a shining example of how targeted interventions, strong partnerships and sustained effort can bring about real change in the health of populations.”

    A trachoma-free future

    WHO Representative to Viet Nam, Dr Angela Pratt, described trachoma as a disease of poverty. “Communities in remote areas without good access to safe water and sanitation were the worst affected. But Viet Nam has demonstrated that it is possible to reach the hardest-to-reach populations, make the right investments to protect people’s health and ensure a trachoma-free future.”

    Reflecting on this historic achievement, Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said that the elimination of trachoma was a proud moment for Viet Nam. “The combined efforts of many agencies and communities, with the support of WHO and partner organizations, have saved thousands of people from lifelong blindness and economic disadvantage. Our children can now grow up safe from this painful and potentially blinding disease. This is a wonderful achievement for our people, which will pay dividends for decades to come. In this happy moment, on behalf of the Vietnamese people, I want to express our sincere thanks to all international partners who contributed great support to trachoma elimination in Viet Nam.”

    In 2018, Viet Nam eliminated lymphatic filariasis. The country has also made tremendous progress on combating malaria, which is now only found in pockets of areas and is close to being eliminated.

    Viet Nam’s success is part of broader progress in disease prevention in the WHO Western Pacific Region. Since the launch of WHO’s first road map for the prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in 2012, the Region has made significant strides in eliminating trachoma. Between 2016 and 2022, four out of the Region’s 11 trachoma-endemic countries were validated for trachoma elimination. Viet Nam becomes the fifth, joining Cambodia, China, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Vanuatu in recording this achievement, highlighting the importance of sustained efforts in tackling NTDs.

    WHO continues to support countries in the Region to eliminate trachoma and other NTDs as part of the global effort to improve health and well-being for all.

    Notes

    A certificate and plaque were presented to Viet Nam in recognition of this achievement during the seventy-fifth session of the Western Pacific Regional Committee taking place from Monday, 21 October, through Friday, 25 October, at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines. The agenda and timetable of the Regional Committee meeting are available online. A livestream of proceedings, all other official documents, as well as fact sheets and videos on the issues to be addressed can be accessed here. For real-time updates, follow @WHOWPRO on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube and the hashtag #RCM75.

    Working with 194 Member States across six regions, WHO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for public health. Each WHO region has its regional committee – a governing body composed of ministers of health and senior officials from Member States. Each regional committee meets annually to agree on health actions and to chart priorities for WHO’s work.

    The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than 1.9 billion people across 37 countries and areas: American Samoa (United States of America), Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (France), Guam (United States of America), Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Kiribati, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Macao SAR (China), Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, New Caledonia (France), New Zealand, Niue, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States of America), Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Pitcairn Island (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Viet Nam, Wallis and Futuna (France).

    Related links:

    Fact sheet on trachoma: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trachoma
    Global road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240010352

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign 2024

    Government of India will work collaboratively on every suggestion given by the Ministers and State representatives : Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Posted On: 19 OCT 2024 7:02PM by PIB Delhi

    With an objective to review and assess the crop performance during the preceding crop seasons and fix crop-wise targets for rabi season, the Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2024 to at NASC Complex, New Delhi. The conference aimed to promote discussions among all stakeholders about innovative agricultural practices and digital initiatives to ensure smooth supply of essential Agri-inputs and support adoption of state-of-the-art technologies, thereby enhancing crop production and productivity.

     

    Addressing the Conference, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “We need to move towards organic and natural farming to increase productivity and reduce dependency on chemicals and fertilizers. The aim is to increase per hectare yield while reducing the cost of production and offering genuine prices to the farmers.” A committee has been constituted to reduce the cost of transportation to reduce the gap between the procurement price and sale price. The States in collaboration with Centre need to work on increasing production based on Agro-climatic conditions to make India the largest food basket for the world. The national target of food grain production in 2024-25 will be 341.55 million tonnes. He assured that the Government of India will work collaboratively on every suggestion given by the Ministers and State representatives.

     

    At the conference, Shri Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State (Agriculture) requested the States to take immediate action to help farmers affected by crop damage due to floods and cyclone. The Senior Officers and Researchers need to assess the quality of Agri-inputs circulated in the market.

    The Minister of State (Agriculture), Shri Bhagirath Choudhary expressed his gratitude to research organizations for continuously working towards making the country self-reliant in production of pulses and oilseeds.

     

    The conference welcomed esteemed panelists from State Governments for interactive sessions on crucial topics covering enhancing productivity of oilseeds and pulses, clean plant programme, digital platforms like National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) and Integrated Pesticide Management System (IPMS), DPIs under Digital Agriculture Mission and Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal.

    During the discussions, it was highlighted that to meet the increasing demand of edible oil in the country and to become self-reliant, the Government aims at increasing the production of oilseeds from 39.2 MMT in 2022-23 to 69.7 MMT in 2030-31, increase area under cultivation from existing 29 mha to 33 mha and improve yield from 1353 kg/ha to 2112 kg/ha by 2030-31. The panelists emphasized on the importance of conducting research on short-duration, high-yielding seed varieties and implementing comprehensive mechanization for the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

    The conference showcased the recent Agri-Tech initiatives of the Ministry for ensuring quality of agri-inputs and proactive pest management strategies. NPSS provides a nationwide view for predicting, planning, and managing pest and disease infestations and plays a pivotal role in protecting agricultural yields and promoting sustainable farming practices. Further, the role of IPMS to tackle the complaints / issues related to shortage of supply and misbranding of pesticides, real time monitoring of issuance of licenses, faceless and traceless quality assurance system using unique QR codes was highlighted. Likewise, the SATHI portal is a complete and integrated solution to encompass all the activities involved in production, inspection, processing, packing, tagging and disposal of all kinds of seeds ranging from Breeder, Foundation, Certified, TL seed.

    In the session on Digital Agriculture, the panelists deliberated on recently approved Digital Agriculture Mission, an umbrella scheme to support various Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives for Agriculture and Special Centre Assistance to States for Capital Investment. The Mission focuses on enabling a convergent DPI ecosystem that enables farmer-centric solutions using integrated registries through AgriStack and providing various advisories through Krishi Decision Support System.

    The panelists also discussed on the need for regulations to ensure import of disease-free planting materials in case of fruits and orchids. The Clean Plant Programme will work to resolve such issues and produce, maintain and distribute pathogen-tested propagative material using therapeutic processes to clean plants.

    While responding on various sessions in Conference, the state representatives have responded the following (a)for Agriculture, holistic approach needs to be adopted, (b) Mechanization  is needed for  Oilseeds and Pulses, Good Quality seeds are required, (c) Private sector be encouraged to Research (d) Specialized project from ICAR (e) For CPP, attention on soil is required and support to private sector is welcome (f) For IPMS, AI Chatbot/advisory would be more efficient if it is in audio form.

    Addressing the Conference, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary Agriculture instructed the States to ensure completion of farmer registry for all farmers in the State by 31st March 2025 in camp mode to enable farmers to avail benefit of PM-KISAN. He also highlighted on the need for increasing the productivity of oilseeds and pulses. A check needs to be placed on overdosing of pesticides, circulation of spurious pesticides and seeds in the market. He urged States to ensure use of applications like NPSS, IPMS and SATHI and spread awareness in their respective States.

    Sh. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary Fertilizer emphasized on use of drones for nano urea and crop monitoring. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and DG (ICAR) requested States to increase use of bio-fortified seeds, use of new variety and climate resilient seeds and seed replacement for increasing the productivity.

    This was followed by an interaction session with Hon’ble Ministers and Senior Officers of the States to raise issues concerning their states for increasing area coverage, yield, production and productivity in their States. The Agriculture Ministers from States raised their issues in relation to farmers and requested the Government of India to work on resolution. They also made some suggestions for betterment of agriculture and farmers.

    The Conference had participation from various Ministries, representatives from State Governments / Union Territories and other organizations. Through interactive sessions, the conference facilitated a comprehensive dialogue that would lead to actionable strategies for the upcoming rabi season.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Agriculture Contributes $4 Billion to CT Economy, Report Shows

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A new report highlights the economic contributions of Connecticut’s agricultural sector, including $4 billion to the state economy and providing 31,000 jobs.

    “The numbers are significant and it’s important to recognize [agriculture’s] proper placement in the state economy,” says Rigoberto Lopez, professor of agricultural and resource economics.

    The report was a collaborative effort between the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit East, and the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA). Authors include Lopez; Tessa Getchis, aquaculture extension specialist for Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension; Danielle Duquette ‘24 (CAHNR); Christopher Laughton, director of knowledge exchange at Farm Credit East; Peter Gunter, senior research fellow at CCEA; and Fred Carstensen, director of CCEA and UConn professor of finance.

    “Even in a relatively small, fairly urban state, agriculture contributes approximately $4 billion to the economy, and supports 31,000 jobs, on and off the farm,” Laughton says. “In addition, agriculture provides significant ecosystem services and preserves the state’s working landscape – contributions that can’t be readily quantified. No matter how you measure it – agriculture matters to Connecticut.”

    The report demonstrates that, despite challenges posed by climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, the agriculture sector continues to grow.

    “This economic impact report serves as a vital benchmark, revealing the profound significance of agriculture – not just as a source of sustenance, but as a cornerstone of economic vitality, community resilience, and sustainable growth,” says Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Building upon strong partnerships and collaboration, this data serve as a compass, guiding our programs and services at the agency to create a runway for future success through innovative solutions and the diversification of agriculture.”

    The fastest-growing industries in Connecticut are its greenhouse operations and value-added products, like dairy and meat processing.

    Connecticut does not compete with large agricultural states, like those in the Midwest, in terms of big crops like wheat or corn. Instead, most of the state’s agriculture focuses on what are considered “specialty crops” by the FDA like vegetables, fruit, and melons, as well as ornamental crops.

    The state also has a robust aquatic farming industry which contributed $33.5 million and 500 jobs in 2022 according to the report.

    “The industry produces a wide spectrum of products including oysters, clams, fish, kelp, aquatic plants, and corals, among others,” Getchis says. “Connecticut has a long history of shellfish production dating back centuries and is in fact today one of the leading producers on the U.S. East Coast.”

    While the report highlights the economic benefits of the agricultural sector for the state, Lopez emphasizes it does not capture all the benefits the industry provides to the state including social factors. For example, farms in the state provide residents with access to local foods and events like farmer’s markets provide spaces for communities to gather.

    “Residents can play an important role in preserving and supporting agriculture in Connecticut,” Lopez says.

    At a recent press event to unveil the report, UConn officials underscored the value of the impact report and UConn’s role in helping Connecticut’s agricultural sectors to grow.

    “Agriculture is part of the past, present, and future of Connecticut and its flagship university, UConn,” says CAHNR Dean Indrajeet Chaubey. “We’re committed to fueling the state’s economic engine, supporting agricultural industries, and preparing future leaders through specialized academic programs.”

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Ensuring a Vibrant and Sustainable Agricultural Industry and Food Supply.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enjoy and evening of Doric Banter and Beats at Aberdeen Art Gallery

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    A special event presenting a modern take on the North East region’s mother tongue of Doric takes place at Aberdeen Art Gallery on Friday (26 October). 

    Supported by the Doric Board, Banter and Beats will showcase some of the best up-and-coming local talent in an evening of spoken word and music. The event, which takes place in the Art Gallery’s Cowdray Hall, is offered on a ‘pay what you can’ basis. No booking required. 

    The programme is hosted by Aiberdeen Mannie (Duncan Dallas), a social media influencer from Aberdeen. His short and funny videos on day-to-day life as a ‘middle-aged mannie fae Aiberdeen’ have seen him amass over 16k followers on Instagram. He was nominated as Scots Media Person of the Year at the Scots Language Awards in 2022.  
     
    The evening’s line-up includes: 
     
    Jackill (Jack Hughes), an influential rapper, writer and producer from Aberdeen. He has been involved in the Scottish Hip-Hop scene for over ten years and released his debut album A Day With The Jackal to acclaim in 2019. Five years in the making, the album is driven by Jackill’s social commentary about the world around him. Alongside being a musician, he works in local communities delivering workshops to young people and adults experiencing barriers to the arts. 

    Aberdeenshire folksinger Iona Fyfe has become one of Scotland’s finest singers. In 2021, she became the first singer to win the coveted title of Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Iona is a fierce advocate for the official recognition of the Scots Language, leading a successful campaign to pressure Spotify into recognising Scots and add it to its list of languages. Honoured at the Scots Language Awards with the title of Speaker of the Year in 2021, Iona performs both folk and pop songs in the Scots language, remaining true to her rooting in tradition. 

    Spoken word artist and writer Jo Gilbert’s debut poetry collection, WTF is normal anyway?, was published by Seahorse Publications in August 2022. Jo’s work is influenced by a myriad of things – music, art, poetry, film, history, prose, photography, sound, landscape, class, and people – filtered through personal experience and innumerable factors that weave the direction our creative paths take. Jo was a recipient of a Micro-Commission Award from Aberdeen Art Gallery in 2020. 
     
    Banter and Beats – an Evening of Doric 
    Friday 25 October 
    Aberdeen Art Gallery – Cowdray Hall, 7:30pm-9pm (doors open 7pm) 
    Pay what you can to support our programme 
    Café open for refreshments.  

     
    View of Aberdeen exhibition is on display in Gallery 15 at Aberdeen Art Gallery (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 11am-4pm, admission free), and is a constantly evolving exhibition which aims to reflect people’s views on Aberdeen as a city to live and work in.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s grain barn reaps bumper harvest of soybean

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A farmer pours green soybeans into a basket in Guancang of Jintang County, Chengdu of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, June 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Soybean harvesting in China’s major soybean producing area of Heihe in Heilongjiang Province is near completion, poised for a bumper harvest, according to the city’s agricultural authority on Wednesday.
    The harvesting has been completed in more than 90 percent of Heihe’s 1.38 million hectares of soybean planting area, which was 10 percent faster than that of last year, said Su Hui, deputy director of the city’s agriculture and rural affairs department.
    He said that the soybean production this year has been orderly. In harvested areas, growers and the local authorities have started to carry out soil conservation and preparation for achieving high yield next year.
    “Heihe’s soybean output this year is poised to increase, compared to that of last year, which should partly be attributed to high-quality soybean varieties and improved planting technology,” said Jia Hongchang, a researcher with the Heihe branch of the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
    Heilongjiang, China’s major grain barn, is the country’s largest soybean-producing province. Heihe alone produces about one-seventh of the country’s soybean output. The city’s soybean output in 2023 amounted to 2.6 billion kg.
    Jia said that the province has accelerated the construction of the soybean seed breeding bases for developing high-quality seeds. Heihe’s plantation areas have realized a 100-percent coverage rate of high-quality soybean seeds.
    With the faster pace of harvesting, big grain purchasers are moving up their stock.
    “These days, our purchase volume has risen sharply to reach more than 300 tonnes a day at the highest. All of our 80 sets of automatic soybean oil pressing machines have powered on for processing soybeans,” said Chen Liang, chairman of Heilongjiang Xuda Cereals, Oils and Foods Co., Ltd.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Get ready for fun with Leeds’s first ever Festival of Play

    Source: City of Leeds

    A fun-filled week-long celebration of the magic of play is set to sweep Leeds later this month with the launch of the city’s first ever Festival of Play and Creativity.

    People of all ages are encouraged to join the city-wide celebration and let loose their playful side with an activity-packed array of events taking place this upcoming half term, from October 25 to November 3.

    From performances and interactive experiences to games and workshops, the inaugural Festival of Play and Creativity aims to showcase Leeds as a great place to play and encourage people to make more time to have fun.

    The festival has been organised by Leeds Community of Play – a network of over 100 people and organisations, including Leeds City Council and its Child Friendly Leeds initiative, committed to inspiring playfulness in neighbourhoods.

    Over 60 events are already planned for the week, which aims to highlight the city’s rich cultural landscape as well as promoting grassroots community activities, with organisers hoping it will spark ideas and enthusiasm and inspire more people to embrace the power of play.

    Highlights so far include the six-day pop-up Playful Information Centre, featuring four refurbished shipping containers at Victoria Gardens, outside Leeds Art Gallery in the city centre, where a daily line-up of different artists will host activities including a ‘Conquer the Conker’ challenge, a ‘Wheel of crisps’ game, Halloween costume-making and a hot dog race.

    The information centre will also showcase all the other playful happenings across the city, which include pumpkin carving at Kirkstall Valley Farm, Lego play with digital consultancy firm Hippo Digital, a mini gig at Brudenell Social Club and story time with Hold Fast, a bookshop on a boat.

    Elsewhere across the city, community groups including Better Leeds Communities and LS14 Trust are getting involved with activities for all, resident-led playstreets will hold activities on people’s doorsteps and Leeds Libraries are providing colourful mini playboxes at various libraries, with each box boasting six drawers full of open-ended play activities.

    Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Play is vital for both adults and children but we know it can often be overlooked in life’s priorities so it’s really great to see an event like this which showcases the power of play to people of all ages.

    “Last year we became the first city in England to commit to delivering an action plan optimising play opportunities for children and young people – a key element in helping everyone in Leeds to get the best start in life.

    “We have an incredible community of playmakers, artists and organisations in Leeds who all work hard to lead the way for play and this festival is a fantastic way to showcase and celebrate this on the city-wide stage and hopefully inspire people to embrace play in their day-to-day lives.”

    Rachel Ingle-Teare, senior librarian at Leeds Libraries, said: “Leeds Libraries are thrilled to be a key partner in the festival – a celebration that encourages the joy of play into the heart of our communities – and are proud to offer a variety of playful experiences.

    “The festival’s rich tapestry of events and activities are designed to ignite curiosity and encourage playful discovery for all ages. Join us in embracing the power of play and creativity across the city.”

    Festival co-organiser Joanne Michael, founder of Leeds business HappyAsABean Creative and a member of Community of Play, added: “Leeds is a city that knows how to play.

    “The Festival of Play and Creativity has been a real community effort fuelled by over 100 members of Community of Play over the last nine months – all keen to encourage people of all ages to value time spent playing and make more time for joy.”

    The Festival of Play and Creativity has a dedicated page on the Leeds Inspired website where all events are being listed; visit https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/FOP24. Many of the festival’s activities are free to attend, with some requiring pre-registration.

    The Playful Information Centre has been sponsored by Northern Bloc Ice Cream.

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, Tatyana Navka’s ice show toured India with success

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    With the support of Rosneft, Tatyana Navka’s ice show “The Love Story of Scheherazade” toured in the Indian city of Ahmedabad (Gujarat) from December 18 to 20. Ice shows were held in India for the first time.

    Musical performances based on Arabian tales and the novels “A Thousand and One Nights” took place at the sports stadium EKA ARENA. An ice rink was installed at the stadium especially for the show, for the creation of which more than 100 tons of real ice were used.

    The audience had a unique opportunity to feel the atmosphere of several Eastern cultures at once: India, Egypt, Ancient Babylon and Persia, and also to see unique special effects and costumes, to appreciate the skills of famous Russian figure skaters. The show was attended by stars of world figure skating, multiple champions of Russia, Europe and the world, Olympic champions. Among them were the author of the idea, director and general producer of the project Tatyana Navka, as well as Victoria Sinitsina, Nikita Katsalapov, Povilas Vanagas, Ivan Righini, Egor Murashov and many others.

    The show aroused great interest among the people of India. Spectators travelled from New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities of the country to see the ice show in Ahmedabad. The show was also attended by Indian politicians and representatives of the business community.

    All five performances of the ice show were sold out. Most of the viewers saw ice for the first time. And the highest skill of the skaters and unique special effects caused thunderous applause throughout the show. At the same time, after the performance, the viewers were in no hurry to leave and thanked the artists for the unique performance.

    Rosneft actively supports significant cultural projects and contributes to the development of cultural ties between Russia and other countries. Thanks to the Company, large-scale projects aimed at reviving spiritual and national values are being implemented. Among such projects are support for the Sretensky Monastery Choir, the State Hermitage Museum, the White Steamship project, and much more. Earlier, with the participation of Rosneft, Tatyana Navka’s ice show Evenings on a Farm based on the works of N.V. Gogol was shown in Moscow.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 21, 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.

    http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/220931/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Precautionary Measures Taken by Government Agencies

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

    Shell reported that an estimated 30 to 40 metric tonnes of slop, a mixture of oil and water, was leaked from its land-based pipeline into the water yesterday. 

    2. Agencies are working closely with Shell to clean up the leaked oil in the channel between Pulau Bukom and Bukom Kecil. As 21 October at 3 pm (Singapore Time), there are no other oil sightings.

    3. As a precautionary measure, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has deployed a current buster system off Changi at the entrance to the East Johor Strait to collect oil slick, if sighted, and prevent potential spread beyond our port waters. Another current buster system has also been deployed to the west of Singapore, as a precautionary measure. 

    4. While no oil has been observed at Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park and West Coast Park so far, agencies have preemptively deployed oil absorbent booms to protect the three beaches and the biodiversity-sensitive coastlines on Sentosa, the lagoons at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Berlayer Creek and the Rocky Shore at Labrador Nature Reserve, as well as the mangroves and other key areas at the Marsh Garden at West Coast Park, as well as key areas at East Coast Park. The lock gates of Sentosa Cove have been closed, with oil absorbent booms deployed. Additionally, deflective booms will be progressively deployed across the key areas of Sentosa, including the three beaches which currently remain open for land-based and waters activities. 

    5. To date there has been no oil sightings at Kusu, Seringat, St John’s, Lazarus island, and Pulau Hantu. Singapore Land Authority will continue to assess if oil-absorbent booms will be required at the lagoons of these islands.

    6. As a precautionary measure, the National Environment Agency has advised the public against swimming and conducting other primary contact water activities at the beaches at East Coast Park, Kusu, St John’s, and Lazarus island. Information on water quality at these beaches is available at https://go.gov.sg/beach-water-info. 

    7. PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, is closely monitoring the seawater intake at its desalination plants. No oil has been detected near the Jurong Island Desalination Plant and Marina East Desalination Plant, which are located nearest to the oil leak location. Seawater quality readings remain normal, and the plants’ operations are not affected. As a precautionary measure, PUB has also deployed oil containment booms across Marina Barrage. 

    8. JTC has advised companies on Jurong Island and waterfront-facing companies in the western region to be on alert and to take precautionary measures as necessary.

    9. To date, there has been no reports of fish farms being affected by the leak. Nonetheless, Singapore Food Agency is in contact with our farmers and has advised them to continue to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures as necessary.  

    10. Businesses which have claims-related queries arising from this oil leakage can contact Shell appointed administrator at +65 6632 8689 (during office hours: 9:00am – 5:30pm) or email shell_claims@crawford.asia.

    11. We have informed the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities of the incident and advised them to look out for any oil sightings along their respective coastlines.  

    12. Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing. 

    Annex: Photos of Agencies’ precautionary measures 

    For photos, please refer to the following https://go.gov.sg/shell-oil-leak-media

    The link will expire on 24 October 2024.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Transformation of Triller Group Begins With Appointment of CEO and Additions to the Board

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triller Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ILLR) (“Triller Group” or “the Company”) today announced important updates to its executive leadership team and board of directors (“Board”).

    This marks the initial step in a series of forthcoming announcements as Triller Group strengthens its management lineup and kickstarts the transformation journey of the Company.

    Kevin McGurn, former T-Mobile/Vevo/Hulu Senior Executive, joins as Chief Executive Officer

    Triller Group proudly announces that its Board appointed Kevin McGurn as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company starting in November 2024. Mr. McGurn brings a wealth of leadership experience and industry expertise to the Company. Having most recently served in an executive role for T-Mobile’s marketing division, Mr. McGurn has a proven track record of driving hyper-growth and innovation in the media and music landscape.

    As President of Sales and Distribution at Vevo, the Universal Music and Sony Music Entertainment video joint venture, Mr. McGurn led the company’s expansion as a global music television network. Previous to Vevo, Mr. McGurn served as Head of Sales at Fullscreen and Otter Media Companies building revenue businesses throughout the creator economy. As Senior Vice President of Sales at Hulu, Mr. McGurn played a pivotal role in building Hulu’s sales team from the ground up, generating over half a billion dollars in advertising revenue.

    Mr. McGurn’s impressive career also includes senior positions at Shazam, NBC Universal and DoubleClick, equipping him with the strategic vision and operational acumen needed to lead the Company into its next phase of growth.

    “The future is bright in the world of entertainment, and I am extremely excited to join the team at Triller Group to maximize our value to Creators, Fans, and Brands.” said Mr McGurn. “Our renewed focus means Triller Group is well positioned to deliver best in class entertainment, when, where and how our fans watch it. We will continue to build from our strong roots in vertical video, music and sports, and optimise our expertise in mobile and connected television.”

    James McCann, founder of 1-800-Flowers.com, joins the Board

    Triller Group is delighted to announce that James McCann has joined its Board, assuming the role of Chairman of the Nominations Committee. He has over four decades of leadership experience as the founder and former Chairman and CEO of 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s success. As Chairman of the board of directors for Willis Towers Watson and director for Scott’s Miracle-Gro and International Game Technology PLC, he is expected to bring a depth of governance expertise to the Board of the Company.

    Bobby Sarnevesht moves to the Board

    Triller Corp.’s former Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sarnevesht now sits on the Board, contributing a wealth of experience and understanding of the Company’s operations and goals. In addition, Mr. Sarnevesht’s entrepreneurial track record positions him uniquely to help guide the Company as it navigates new opportunities.

    Start of the Company’s Transformation

    “My fellow directors and I are thrilled to announce the first steps of our ambitious transformation plan. Kevin’s extensive experience and track record of driving growth and innovation position him uniquely to lead the Company and carry out our shared vision of a single, integrated platform that delivers for creators, brands and users while generating value for all of our stakeholders” said Bob Diamond, Chairman of the Board. “Jim will bring his unparalleled expertise in building and scaling successful businesses to the Board, combined with his deep understanding of consumer engagement, which will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and grow. Jim’s visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit align perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to leveraging his insights to drive our strategic initiatives forward. We also look forward to Bobby’s contributions to the Board. His experience within our company positions him uniquely to help guide the Board as we implement our new transformation plan.”

    In the coming weeks, the Company plans to announce further enhancements to its leadership team and capabilities. The Company expects to share detailed insights into its strategic business plan during an upcoming investor and media event scheduled for November 2024. This event is expected to highlight the Company’s future vision and immediate growth strategies. Triller Group looks forward to engaging with stakeholders as it unveils exciting developments in this new chapter of progress.

    The latest press release is available on the Company’s website, please visit: http://www.agba.com/ir.

    About Triller Group Inc.

    Triller Group is a US-based company that operates two main businesses: the newly merged US-based social media operations (Triller Corp.), and the legacy operations of the Company in Hong Kong (“AGBA”).

    Triller Corp. is a next generation, AI-powered, social media and live-streaming event platform for creators. Pairing music culture with sports, fashion, entertainment, and influencers through a 360-degree view of content and technology, Triller Corp. uses proprietary AI technology to push and track content virally to affiliated and non-affiliated sites and networks, enabling them to reach millions of additional users. Triller Corp. additionally owns Triller Sports, Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC); Amplify.ai, a leading machine-learning, AI platform; and TrillerTV, a premier global PPV, AVOD, and SVOD streaming service. For more information, visit http://www.triller.co.

    Established in 1993, AGBA is a leading, multi-channel business platform that incorporates cutting edge machine-learning and offers a broad set of financial services and healthcare products to consumers through a tech-led ecosystem, enabling clients to unlock the choices that best suit their needs. Trusted by over 400,000 individual and corporate customers, the Group is organized into four market-leading businesses: Platform Business, Distribution Business, Healthcare Business, and Fintech Business. For more information, please visit http://www.agba.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company’s goals and strategies; the Company’s future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us following the consummation of the business combination; expectations regarding our strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and our ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in Hong Kong and the international markets the Company plans to serve and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC, the length and severity of the recent coronavirus outbreak, including its impacts across our business and operations. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at http://www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward–looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

    Investor & Media Relations:  

    Bethany Lai
    ir@agba.com

    Anthony Silverman
    ads@apellaadvisors.com

    # # #

    The MIL Network –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: New Economic Report Finds Total Quantified Value of a Terrestrial GPS Backup is $14.6 Billion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next-generation positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation, announced today that its plan for a terrestrial PNT backup and complement to GPS in the Lower 900 MHz would prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in losses in the event of a global GPS outage. The Brattle Group’s economic analysis finds that a 1-day global GPS outage could cost the American economy $1.6 billion, and NextNav’s proposal could prevent a loss of $663 million to the economy for a 24-hour outage period.

    Adopting NextNav’s proposal to reconfigure the Lower 900 MHz band offers the US economy a $10.8 billion insurance policy to protect against GPS outages without taxpayer funding, plus additional benefits of $3.8 billion from increased resiliency. The total quantified value of a GPS backup is $14.6 billion based on The Brattle Group’s report.

    Conducted by economists Coleman Bazelon and Paroma Sanyal of the Brattle Group, a highly recognized global economics firm, the study carefully evaluates the potential economic impact of a GPS outage and explores various scenarios that could result in a GPS disruption. It also examines the benefits of adopting NextNav’s proposal, including enhanced location accuracy that would benefit first responders to help improve emergency services. More findings from the report are below. The full report is available here.

    “The need for greater resiliency in lifesaving and mission-critical terrestrial PNT technologies has been acknowledged by four Presidential administrations, yet few proposals have provided a clear path to a robust solution without substantial government intervention or taxpayer funding,” said Dr. Coleman Bazelon, lead economist of the report. “Our analysis shows that NextNav’s widescale solution provides a total economic value of $14.6 billion and the equivalent to more than a $10 billion insurance policy if GPS goes dark.”

    The Brattle Group Economic Analysis

    To estimate the private sector value, the Brattle Group treated the terrestrial PNT backup solution as an “insurance policy” against GPS outages. The analysis estimates the potential economic loss for a 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day GPS outage to be $1.6 billion, $12.2 billion, and $58.2 billion, respectively. In the event of an outage, NextNav’s solution could reduce losses by $663 million, $6 billion and $31.9 billion, respectively. Given the probability of these outage events, the value to the American economy of the proposed terrestrial PNT approach is the equivalent of offering a $10.8 billion economic insurance policy to protect against GPS outages.

    The report forecasts the top five sectors that would benefit most include telecommunications, maritime, telematics, location-based services, oil and gas.

    TABLE 5: POTENTIAL LOSSES BY SECTOR DUE TO A GPS OUTAGE ADRESSABLE BY NEXTNAV
    Sector   Potential Losses ($ millions)
        1-day Outage [A] 7-day Outage [B] 30-day Outage [C]
    Telecommunications [1] $51 $1,670 $13,528
    Maritime [2] $221 $1,545 $6,620
    Telematics [3] $164 $1,147 $4,915
    Location-based services [4] $89 $626 $2,681
    Oil and gas [5] $48 $333 $1,426
    Agriculture (soil mapping) [6] $42 $291 $1,247
    Mining [7] $30 $208 $890
    Surveying [8] $10 $72 $310
    Electricity [9] $9 $60 $258
    Finance [10] Negligible Negligible Negligible
    Total   $663 $5,951 $31,875
             

    Table: Summary of potential losses incurred by each sector for each outage scenario that are addressable by NextNav’s proposed 3D Terrestrial PNT Solution
    Source: The Brattle Group

    • The report also finds that additional resiliency for GPS backup has a value of $3.8 billion for the United States. Using the Government Accountability Office’s cost estimates for a jamming-resistant, military-grade GPS signal, the report estimates that NextNav’s proposal would result in additional benefits.
    • Finally, the Report examines a partial set of benefits from having a terrestrial PNT system that complements GPS. For example, first responders would benefit from more accurate location information, which would improve emergency services and save lives. The report notes that in a related context, the Federal Communications Commission stated that reducing emergency response times by one minute via improved location accuracy for emergency services could be valued at $97 billion annually.

    “The need for a reliable GPS backup is not just a national security issue, it’s an economic imperative,” said Mariam Sorond, CEO of NextNav. “Our proposal offers a solution to safeguard a system that underpins American commerce, public safety, and national security without relying on taxpayer funding. We are committed to being part of a solution that unleashes the Lower 900 MHz band’s potential and is a win for the American people.”

    Change drives innovation. With the NextNav proposal, the FCC has the opportunity to update legacy rules to ensure a safer tomorrow.

    About NextNav Inc.
    NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN) is a leader in next generation positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), enabling a whole new ecosystem of applications and services that rely upon 3D geolocation and PNT technology. Powered by low-band licensed spectrum, NextNav’s positioning and timing technologies deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solutions for critical infrastructure, GPS resiliency and commercial use cases.

    For more information, please visit https://nextnav.com/ or follow NextNav on X or LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Howard Waterman
    hwaterma@nextnav.com
    917-359-5505

    About The Brattle Group
    The Brattle Group answers complex economic, regulatory, and financial questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We aim for the highest level of client service and quality in our industry. We are distinguished by our credibility and the clarity of our insights, which arise from the stature of our experts; affiliations with leading international academics and industry specialists; and thoughtful, timely, and transparent work. Our clients value our commitment to providing clear, independent results that withstand critical review. Brattle has over 400 talented professionals across three continents.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable and may also relate to NextNav’s future prospects, developments and business strategies. In particular, such forward-looking statements include the achievement of certain FCC-related milestones, the ability to realize the broader spectrum capacity and the advancement of NextNav’s terrestrial 3D PNT services, NextNav’s position to drive growth in its 3D geolocation business and expansion of its next generation terrestrial 3D PNT technologies, the business plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of NextNav, and NextNav’s estimated and future business strategies, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, revenue, expenses, and profitability. These statements are based on NextNav’s management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events.

    Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside NextNav’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to, those included in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the NextNav’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as those otherwise described or updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and NextNav undertakes no commitment to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Source: NN-FIN

    The MIL Network –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Grain Commission compensates producers at 75% for unpaid deliveries to Global Food and Ingredients Inc.

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Winnipeg, Manitoba (October 10, 2024) – Producers who were not paid for grain delivered to Global Food and Ingredients Inc. will be compensated for their eligible claims through the Canadian Grain Commission’s Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program.

    Winnipeg, Manitoba (October 21, 2024) – Producers who were not paid for grain delivered to Global Food and Ingredients Inc. will be compensated for their eligible claims through the Canadian Grain Commission’s Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program.

    Following a review of individual producer claims, the Canadian Grain Commission determined that there were 29 eligible claims totalling $2.661 million for unpaid deliveries to Global Food and Ingredients Inc. The company had $2 million in security available so individual payments will be prorated. As a result, producers will receive 75% compensation for their eligible claims. Cheques have been mailed to producers.

    In addition to this compensation, the Canadian Grain Commission is working with the receiver, Richter LLP, to realize on proceeds from the sale of the company’s grain inventory. Holders of outstanding primary elevator receipts may receive a portion of these funds through the Canadian Grain Commission at a later date, once the receivership has been concluded.

    Christianne Hacault

    Head of communications

    Canadian Grain Commission

    204-229-0128

    christianne.hacault@grainscanada.gc.ca

    Canadian Grain Commission

    The Canadian Grain Commission is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada’s grain quality standards. Its programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract specifications for quality, safety and quantity. The Canadian Grain Commission regulates the grain industry to protect producers’ rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Continues Supporting HUD’s Efforts to Fight Housing Discrimination

    Source: US State of California

    Monday, October 21, 2024

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — As part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced joining an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Discriminatory Effects Rule. The rule imposes liability under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) for housing practices that may appear neutral but in reality are discriminatory and have a “disparate impact” on certain populations. The insurance industry — specifically, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America — is challenging the rule and appealing the trial court’s March 2024 decision granting summary judgment in favor of HUD. Attorney General Bonta also joined an amicus brief in support of the rule on October 17, 2023 before the trial court in this case.  

    “Housing discrimination has no place in our country. While we have made progress in combatting this problem, there is still more work to do,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My office has previously supported the Biden-Harris Administration’s defense of the Discriminatory Effects Rule in court, and we are continuing to back them today. Individuals should be able to bring disparate-impact claims to remedy ongoing discrimination in the insurance industry.” 

    In the amicus brief, the coalition of attorneys general argues that: 

    • Despite the enactment of the FHA, vestiges of residential segregation persist in American social life, and the discriminatory effects doctrine, including disparate-impact liability, is a crucial tool to fight ongoing housing discrimination — whether intentional or unintentional. 
    • Discrimination in homeowner’s insurance can take many forms — such as offering insurance policies with inferior coverage, ignoring interested customers, and imposing different terms and conditions based on neighborhood — and disparate-impact claims have helped to redress discrimination in the homeowner’s insurance market. 
      • For instance, Black plaintiffs recently brought a class action lawsuit against State Farm for its use of algorithms that “allegedly resulted in statistically significant racial disparities in how the insurer processed claims.” According to the plaintiffs, Black claimants had to wait longer to receive payouts as compared to white claimants. The court ruled that the claimants had successfully stated a disparate-impact claim under the FHA. 
    • While the insurance industry argues that state insurance laws categorically shield homeowner’s insurers from federal disparate-impact liability, the attorneys general underscore that federal law and state insurance laws like California’s work together to prohibit both intentional and disparate-impact discrimination.
    • The availability of a disparate-impact claim under the FHA was reinforced by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc.

    A separate challenge to the Discriminatory Effects Rule was brought by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and remains pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. On July 11, 2024, Attorney General Bonta joined an amicus brief supporting the rule in that separate challenge.  

    In filing today’s amicus brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

    A copy of the amicus brief can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Keeping Albertans’ lights on and homes warm

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    .
    .

    When temperatures drop, Alberta’s Winter Rules for utilities are designed to keep the power and heat on for Albertans during the cold winter months. Ensuring Albertans have access to reliable and affordable energy is a top priority for Alberta’s government.

    From Oct. 15 to April 15, electricity and natural gas services in Alberta cannot be fully disconnected by retailers. This also applies to any time during the year when the forecast for the next 24 hours indicates temperatures below zero degrees.

    “During Alberta’s harsh winters, no one should be forced to choose between heating and eating. We’re keeping the lights on for the most vulnerable and taking action to lower power bills for all Albertans. I encourage anyone having difficulties with their utility bill to contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate and learn what options are available.”

    Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities

    Under the Winter Utilities Reconnection program, customers with disconnected utilities are contacted to help get them reconnected before the cold weather hits. This is led by the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA), in partnership with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), utility retailers and distributors and other government agencies. Albertans who are having difficulty with paying their utility bills, communicating with their retailer or making manageable payment arrangements should contact the UCA.

    “The Winter Utilities Reconnection Program is an important protection for customers struggling with utility bills. UCA Mediation Staff are available to help customers get energy utilities reconnected and stay safe during winter. They can be reached at 310-4822.”

    Chris Hunt, Utilities Consumer Advocate

    Alberta’s government is working tirelessly to lower utility bills and protect ratepayers, ensuring Albertans keep more of their hard-earned dollars in their bank accounts. With more still to come, Alberta’s government has already taken action by stabilizing local access fees through new legislation, introducing regulations to prevent power price spikes and investing in programs to help municipalities and rural Albertans manage and lower their energy costs. Additionally, the UCA continues to help consumers better understand and navigate the utility market, and their advocacy has led to Albertans saving more than $3.2 billion over the past two decades.

    Affordable electricity options are available

    Alberta has a unique competitive electricity market, which gives Albertans the power to choose the best energy provider, plan and payment option to fit their needs. Consumers can purchase their power from more than 50 competitive retailers, with the choice of either fixed or variable rate contracts.

    Albertans are encouraged to explore their options and find the competitive rate best-suited to their needs. Last year, tens of thousands of households moved off the Rate of Last Resort to competitive contracts for a more affordable option. Albertans who are looking for help with their utility bills or are experiencing a dispute with their provider should contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate at 310-4822, via email, or through their website.

    Related information

    • Utilities Consumer Advocate
    • Financial Assistance Resources (UCA)
    • Alberta Utilities Commission
    • Farm fuel and rural utility programs

    Related news

    • Introducing the Rate of Last Resort (Sept. 25, 2024)
    • Helping Alberta communities lower energy costs (Sept. 24, 2024)
    • Helping Calgarians save millions on their power bills (Sept. 19, 2024)
    • Power rates slashed in half by new market rules (Sept. 5, 2024)
    • Power watchdog supports Alberta’s electricity market reforms (Aug. 5, 2024)
    • Preventing power price spikes (June 26, 2024)
    • Making utility bills more affordable (April 22, 2024)
    • Making electricity more affordable (April 18, 2024)


    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Dan Goldman Works to Strengthen Food Supply Chains and Protect Essential Workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    The ‘Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Act’ Would Provide Funds to Cover Disaster-Related Costs for Farm, Grocery, and Meatpacking Workers

    Read the Bill Here

    Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in introducing the ‘Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Act’, which would help cover disaster-related costs for essential farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers.

    “The COVID-19 Pandemic highlighted and exacerbated many ugly undercurrents in our society, including the extreme fragility of food supply chains,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “It is imperative that we learn from those experiences and bolster food supply chain resiliency efforts. As climate change increases the strength and frequency of natural disasters across the country, we must ensure our food workers have the support they need to keep our communities fed even in the face of emergencies.”

    In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) Grant Program to help farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers with pandemic-related health and safety costs. The FFWR Grant Program distributed nearly $680 million in grant funding to meat processing, grocery store, and farm workers for expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, FFWR was a one-time grant program. The ‘Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Act’ would make a similar grant program permanently available so that Congress can provide support to frontline workers during emergencies.

    Congressman Goldman is committed to expanding access to food assistance and supporting America’s frontline workers.

    In May 2023, the Congressman cosponsored the ‘Enhance Access to SNAP (EATS) Act’ to address the growing crisis of food insecurity among college students. The legislation would specifically remove barriers to accessing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for college students.

    In July, Goldman convened a town hall to discuss strategies for combatting food insecurity and share information about New York State’s Summer EBT program, which provides funding for eligible families to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers.

    Last month, Goldman cosponsored the ‘Food Nutrition Delivery Safety Act’, which would require authorized SNAP retailers to pay delivery workers good wages, ensure SNAP groceries are delivered safely, and protect SNAP users’ online data.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Visits Community Care Station in Buncombe County with FEMA Administrator Criswell

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Cooper Visits Community Care Station in Buncombe County with FEMA Administrator Criswell

    Governor Cooper Visits Community Care Station in Buncombe County with FEMA Administrator Criswell
    mseets
    Mon, 10/21/2024 – 14:39

    Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Buncombe County with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and visited a Community Care Station to speak with volunteers and give an update on relief efforts in Western North Carolina. The Community Care Station offers food and water distribution, basic hygiene services and medical care to the community.

    “Today, I visited a Community Care Station in Asheville where I saw the massive effort by local, state and federal responders and volunteers to bring relief to Western North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “I urge everyone to confirm reports and information from trusted news sources and officials and be wary of bad actors on social media and the internet.”

    Those impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for assistance for buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) which was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on October 18. NCDHHS estimates more than 150,000 people will apply for up to $120 million in D-SNAP benefits. Eligible households may apply for D-SNAP through Thursday, October 24 by phone or in person. More information including a list of application sites by county is available at ncdhhs.gov/dsnap.

    North Carolina National Guard and Military Response

    Over 3,150 Soldiers and Airmen are working in Western North Carolina. Joint Task Force- North Carolina, the task force led by the North Carolina National Guard is made up of Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states, two different XVIII Airborne Corps units from Ft. Liberty, a unit from Ft. Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division, and numerous civilian entities are working side-by-side to get the much-needed help to people in Western North Carolina.

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping to assess water and wastewater plants and dams. Residents can track the status of the public water supply in their area through this website.

    FEMA Assistance

    Approximately $129 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western North Carolina disaster survivors and approximately 207,000 people have registered for Individual Assistance. Over 6,200 people have been helped through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance. More than 5,100 registrations for Small Business Administration Loans have been filed.

    Approximately 1,500 FEMA staff are in the state to help with the Western North Carolina relief effort. In addition to search and rescue and providing commodities, they are meeting with disaster survivors in shelters and neighborhoods to provide rapid access to relief resources. They can be identified by their FEMA logo apparel and federal government identification.

    North Carolinians can apply for Individual Assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 from 7am to 11pm daily or by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, or by downloading the FEMA app. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

    Help from Other States

    More than 1,600 responders from 39 state and local agencies have performed 146 missions supporting the response and recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This includes public health nurses, emergency management teams supporting local governments, veterinarians, teams with search dogs and more.

    Beware of Misinformation

    North Carolina Emergency Management and local officials are cautioning the public about false Helene reports and misinformation being shared on social media. NCEM has launched a fact versus rumor response webpage to provide factual information in the wake of this storm. FEMA also has a rumor response webpage.

    Efforts continue to provide food, water and basic necessities to residents in affected communities, using both ground resources and air drops from the NC National Guard. Food, water and commodity points of distribution are open throughout Western North Carolina. For information on these sites in your community, visit your local emergency management and local government social media and websites or visit ncdps.gov/Helene.

    Storm Damage Cleanup

    If your home has damages and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386.

    Power Outages

    Across Western North Carolina, approximately 5,000 customers remain without power, down from a peak of more than 1 million. Overall power outage numbers will fluctuate up and down as power crews temporarily take circuits or substations offline to make repairs and restore additional customers.

    Road Closures

    Some roads are closed because they are too damaged and dangerous to travel. Other roads still need to be reserved for essential traffic like utility vehicles, construction equipment and supply trucks. However, some parts of the area are open and ready to welcome visitors which is critical for the revival of Western North Carolina’s economy. If you are considering a visit to the area, consult DriveNC.gov for open roads and reach out to the community and businesses you want to visit to see if they are welcoming visitors back yet.

    NCDOT currently has approximately 2,000 employees and 900 pieces of equipment working on over 7,200 damaged road sites.

    Fatalities

    Ninety-five storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. This number is expected to rise over the coming days. The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will continue to confirm numbers twice daily. If you have an emergency or believe that someone is in danger, please call 911.

    Volunteers and Donations

    If you would like to donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate. Donations will help to support local nonprofits working on the ground.

    For information on volunteer opportunities, please visit nc.gov/volunteernc.

    Additional Assistance

    There is no right or wrong way to feel in response to the trauma of a hurricane. If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org.

    If you are seeking a representative from the North Carolina Joint Information Center, please email ncempio@ncdps.gov or call 919-825-2599.

    For general information, access to resources, or answers to frequently asked questions, please visit ncdps.gov/helene.

    If you are seeking information on resources for recovery help for a resident impacted from the storm, please email IArecovery@ncdps.gov.

    ###

    Oct 21, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Donald Trump and Peter Dutton have both embraced populism. Are working-class voters buying it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney

    Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has often been accused of copying former US President Donald Trump’s tactics. Some analysts even refer to Dutton, like Trump, as a “populist” who seeks political gain by pitting ordinary citizens against corrupt “elites”.

    There is evidence of this populism in the willingness of Trump, Dutton and other figures in their parties to attack “big business”.

    This is unusual for the conservative parties, and it has alarmed business-aligned outlets like the Wall Street Journal and the Australian Financial Review.

    Republicans and Liberals have always preferred to identify with small business rather than big business. Their relationship with corporate interests has not always been smooth.

    But they do not believe there is a natural conflict between business and workers, or between different sections of the economy. And they usually align with big business on the critical issues of taxation and government regulation.

    So Dutton’s declaration earlier this year that the Liberal Party is “not the party of big business” but “the friend of the worker” marks a notable rhetorical shift, even if there is reason to doubt the substance behind it.

    It mirrors a similar shift to pro-worker rhetoric among leading Republicans. Florida Senator Marco Rubio said in 2020, for instance, the future of the Republican Party is based on “a multiethnic, multiracial, working-class coalition”.

    Expanding their share of the working-class vote may be necessary for both parties, given their losses of tertiary-educated, middle-class voters and seats in recent elections. Economic populism may be one path to do it.

    But how economically populist can conservative parties get in either country?

    Why attack big business?

    A lot of Republican and Liberal attacks on big business are fundamentally cultural rather than economic.

    Publicly-owned corporations have embraced diversity, equity and inclusion policies. They declare commitments to “sustainability”. And plenty of them have backed causes like marriage equality, Black Lives Matter and the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

    However cosmetic these gestures are, many conservatives see major corporations as culturally hostile to them. More importantly, they no longer see big business and finance as reliable political backers.

    And they don’t need them like they once did. Dynastic wealth in both countries has seen the ascendancy of private companies owned by super-rich individuals and families. These, not corporate donors, are now the most consistent sources of financial and political support for conservative parties.

    These changing conditions have given Republicans and Liberals a free hand to make big business – never a popular entity – into a target of populist campaigns.

    Many of their attacks are about “wokeness”. But not all. Consumer protection has also become an opportune theme, given the cost of living crisis in both the United States and Australia.

    Trump, for instance, has floated capping credit card interest rates at 10%. Dutton has proposed using the government’s divestiture powers to break up supermarket and hardware chains that are accused of using their monopoly power to exploit consumers and suppliers.

    They can propose these ideas because voters usually trust the Republican and Liberal parties more than their opponents on economic issues. Most Democratic and Labor politicians would be unwilling to take populist measures that far because of their perennial fears of being seen as economically irresponsible.

    But when it comes to actually siding with workers over business, a different picture emerges.

    The Republican romance with ‘union workers’

    As president, Trump had a notably anti-union record. His appointees to the National Labor Relations Board, which enforces labour law, consistently ruled against unions.

    In Trump’s current campaign to re-enter the White House, unions have criticised him for holding a rally appealing to “union workers” at a non-union shop, and for praising tech billionaire Elon Musk because he sacked workers who threatened to strike.

    Trump also said recently that as a business owner he hated paying overtime. He has also previously said he preferred to use non-union workforces.

    Despite all this, the Trump campaign is making a serious play for the votes of unionised workers, who could be critical in Midwestern battleground states.

    Although unions as organisations usually support Democrats, the number of voters in union households who support Republicans is sometimes more than 40%.

    This year, Trump sought the endorsement of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the North American truck drivers’ union with 1.3 million members. The Teamsters have supported Democratic candidates in every presidential election since 2000, but prior to that, the organisation had also backed Republican candidates like Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush.

    This year, the Teamsters did not join most other unions in quickly endorsing Democratic incumbent Joe Biden before he stepped aside for Vice President Kamala Harris.

    The Teamsters’ president, Sean O’Brien, almost got into a fight with a Republican senator in a committee hearing in 2023 after calling him a “greedy CEO who acts like he’s self-made”. Nonetheless, he got an invitation to speak at this year’s Republican National Convention. He praised Trump as a “tough SOB”, but then blasted various businesses and business organisations for being anti-union, to the discomfort of the audience.

    Teamsters President Sean O’Brien addressing the Republican National Convention.

    The Teamsters ultimately endorsed neither candidate. However, they released polling showing nearly 60% of their members supported Trump compared to a third for Harris.

    Trump-era Republicans frequently praise “union workers” rather than actual unions. When Senators JD Vance (now Trump’s running mate) and Josh Hawley supported the striking United Auto Workers last year, they criticised the union’s leadership. But they are happy to be seen as being on the side of unionised workers against big businesses who send manufacturing jobs overseas, a trend Trump promises to reverse.

    The term “union workers” prompts conservative nostalgia, especially for a group like the Teamsters with their mostly male membership and reputation for toughness. It evokes the anti-communist, blue-collar workers of the 1960s and ‘70s who supported Nixon and brawled in the streets with college-educated anti-Vietnam War protesters.

    That is not the only nostalgic element. Through heavily protectionist measures, Trump is promising to restore millions of manufacturing jobs to the United States – the kinds of jobs that used to be largely unionised. He also promises to roll back environmental regulations to expand mining, drilling and fracking on federal land. Again, these are the kinds of jobs often associated with “union workers”.

    When Trump and others praise “union workers”, they are not really talking about unions, but a certain type of blue-collar job they are promising to create and protect. “Union” in this context has the positive connotation of well-paid, stable work.

    But Trump claims it is his policies that will guarantee these jobs, making unions themselves virtually irrelevant.

    Where Liberals won’t follow

    Dutton may praise workers, but he is unlikely to add the prefix “union” anytime soon. It is hard to imagine any Liberal leader courting the support of a union because Australia’s party system effectively enshrines the country’s adversarial industrial relations system in its politics.

    The Australian Labor Party began as the parliamentary wing of the union movement, and to this day affiliated unions are entitled to 50% of delegates at party conferences. American unions are not linked to the Democratic Party in the same way.

    This does not mean the votes of union members are off-limits to other parties. In 2006, then-economist (now Labor MP) Andrew Leigh estimated about a third of union members voted for the Coalition on a two party-preferred basis from 1966 to 2004. But Liberals will not appeal to these voters as “union workers” in the same way Republicans do.

    Trump’s dream of restoring American manufacturing dominance would involve a resurgence of long-term employment in large and medium-sized firms. He is promising the stability once associated with unions, not the “flexibility” that Australia’s Liberals want in workplaces.

    For the most part, Liberals still prefer to talk about blue-collar workers as independent tradespeople or aspiring business owners rather than employees.

    Dutton says the modern Liberal Party is the friend of “small business owners and employees in that business”. This conjures images of family-like operations where staff loyally put in unpaid overtime – instead of larger, impersonal workplaces (where unpaid overtime is also the norm).

    And unlike Trump Republicans, the Liberal and National parties still believe in free trade. After a long bipartisan opposition to protectionism, Labor has recently embraced a major new industrial policy. The Coalition is not on board.

    Some doubt whether Trump is a genuine populist. But he has a wider scope for genuinely populist rhetoric than Dutton, at least for now.

    Even though he’s a symbol of capitalist excess, part of Trump’s message is that capitalism has taken a wrong turn. Not just into excessive wokeness, but into globalisation and financialisation, where investment and speculation are more profitable than production.

    There are limits to how much any Liberal leader, even Dutton, can tap into anger with capitalism itself.

    David Smith 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. Donald Trump and Peter Dutton have both embraced populism. Are working-class voters buying it? – https://theconversation.com/donald-trump-and-peter-dutton-have-both-embraced-populism-are-working-class-voters-buying-it-240309

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rural News – OSPRI’s donation continues support for farmers

    Source: OSPRI New Zealand

    Disease management agency OSPRI has announced a funding package commitment for the Rural Support Trust, a charity they consider critical to the success of their work.
    The Rural Support Trust offers one to one support to those struggling with the pressures of life on the farm. As such, they are a vital safety net in the rural community, and their team of local experienced people will be relied on as the sector confronts tough economic conditions.
    To provide support when and where it is needed, resourcing is critical, and while partially funded by the Ministry of Primary Industries, the Trust relies on additional charitable donations. Recognising this and valuing the Trust’s support around the impact of its disease management programmes, OSPRI recently committed to annual donations over the next three years.
    “The impact of disease on farmers’ wellbeing is well documented, and we experience first-hand the stress that comes to bear on farming families when their livestock become infected with TB or M.bovis” says Helen Thoday, OSPRI’s North Island General Manager for Service Delivery. “So having a partner like The Rural Support Trust, often involving someone who’s been through it too, to help, is an important part of recovery”.
    As a not for profit itself, OSPRI understands just how important financial assurance is. “We’ve worked with the Rural Support Trusts previously, providing funding to ensure they could meet community needs during the Hawkes Bay TB outbreak. When taking on the surveillance of M.bovis last year, we also continued the funding, started by MPI, to support those farmers impacted by the disease. So, it’s gratifying to make a commitment of ongoing donations to support farmers dealing with infected herds, or any personal difficulty really” confirms Helen.
    Amanda Jordan, the Chair of Taranaki Rural Support has also been a long-time defender of biosecurity and continues this work with one of OSPRI’s farmer committees. As a 5th generation jersey cow farmer, Amanda and her family have battled through plenty of challenges, and she still remembers the impact of TB – at one stage managing three of the seven herds infected in Taranaki. Between that experience and calling on the Trust herself, Amanda was determined to do more for her industry and talks warmly about a network of locals. “We’ve an amazing coordinator, and an important part of her work is listening to the caller carefully, and then finding the right willing person in the community. If we’re concerned about welfare, we’ll find support quickly and close by, but often it’s about someone with the right experiences or background for a situation”.
    Fourteen Rural Support Trusts operate across regions throughout New Zealand, and then there is a national office providing coordination to ensure ground support remains widely accessible to those who need it. “I’m hugely proud of each Trusts’ efforts, there’s real comfort in having someone to walk with you during tough times – so providing those rural connections is such an important part of it” says Maria Shanks, General Manager of New Zealand Rural Support Trust. “We’re lucky to have a collection of principle sponsors and partners and pleased to have OSPRI’s support as they also work amongst our communities”.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Expanded program to help essential workers move to Northern Rivers

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 23 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Agriculture

    Essential workers will receive significantly more support to move and settle into the Northern Rivers thanks to a successful Minns Labor Government initiative, The Welcome Experience, being extended into the region making it easier for local organisations to attract workers to making the move.

    Originally piloted during 2023 in Broken Hill, Muswellbrook, Bega, Walgett, Coffs Harbour, Corowa, Griffith and Goulburn, The Welcome Experience has been such a success it is now being rolled out to additional locations since September this year and is now operating in 55 Local Government Areas.

    The Welcome Experience will now provide workforce support to the additional town locations of Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley thanks to a successful tender application from new host agency, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers.

    As part of The Welcome Experience, host agencies help essential workers make the regions their home, forge social connections, access childcare and schooling options, join sporting clubs and even assist with finding job opportunities for partners.

    Launched in June last year, The Welcome Experience has helped 665 essential workers and their families to move to regional New South Wales, including 346 health workers, 110 educators and 42 police staff. 

    The Northern Rivers can look forward to similar type success stories that have emerged after the program was rolled out to other regions over the last few months.

    Host Agencies in new delivery locations such as Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Kiama and Inverell are now onboarding Local Connectors, plus engaging their local communities and gathering feedback to assist them to tailor the delivery of The Welcome Experience to meet specific needs of communities.

    Among the new host agencies is RDA Murray, which has reported a positive stream of enquiries since September from essential workers considering the move to the Albury area.

    RDA Program Manager for Albury Karin Willcox is already assisting two registered nurses and their children move to the region from New Zealand.

    Karin has organised arrangements for the family ahead of their arrival, including airport pickup, car rental, childcare, schooling options, and even securing furniture for their new home.

    Find out more The Welcome Experience

    Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

    “Our Government is focusing on ensuring regional NSW receives the services it needs and attracting essential workers is critical to making that happen.

    “If people get to hear first-hand info about schools or childcare, and that there is a good bunch of people in the local netball team, plus insights on cafes and places to fish, you are making them feel welcome.

    “Recognising the area’s needs, the Government is pleased the procurement process has been completed to engage RDA Northern Rivers to set up services in five towns that will boost the attraction of essential workers.

    “The Welcome Experience has a strong track record of warmly welcoming workers to regional NSW and encouraging them to build lasting connections in their new communities, and I look forward to seeing RDA continue this valuable work in the Northern Rivers region.”

    NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

    “I congratulate Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers on successfully tendering to be host agency for The Welcome Experience in towns across our region as this organisation has a track record of building capacity through strengthening networks.

    “We need to attract and retain more essential workers as our population grows, and providing workforce support with relocations and settling into a new community for workers and their families is a no-brainer.

    “Some councils provide new residents with a welcome pack to help them navigate their new surroundings, and this Minns Labor Government initiative is that concept writ large, offering a wraparound set of services specific to our region.

    “The Welcome Experience’s pilot sites have been successful in helping hundreds of health workers, educators and police move to the regions, and I look forward to more success in Lismore, Tweed, Byron, Ballina and Richmond Valley.”

    RDA Northern Rivers Director of Regional Development Anthony Schreenan said:

    “The Welcome Experience will support new essential workers through every step of the relocation process, from when they first consider the move, to when they decide to make their home in the Northern Rivers and build connections in the community,” Mr Schreenan said.

    “We are so happy to be able to benefit from The Welcome Experience, the pilot showed that the key to retaining workers is welcoming them into the community, and that’s more than finding a house to live in and school for the kids.

    “It’s becoming part of the local sports club, getting to know fellow parents, connecting with the people at your local and building networks of friendship.

    “Our Local Connector will provide a concierge service, connecting with essential workers who are considering relocating to our region and providing information about the region, finding a place to live, access to schools and amenities, and services available.

    Locations delivering The Welcome Experience:

    Region Location Government Areas Successful Host Agency
    Northern NSW Glen Innes Severn and Inverell Attract Connect Stay Glenn Innes
    North Coast & Rivers Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley RDA Northern Rivers
    Mid North Coast Kempsey, Nambucca and Port Macquarie Hastings RDA Mid North Coast
    Mid North Coast Coffs Harbour and Bellingen Boambee East Community Centre
    Hunter Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter Muswellbrook Shire Council
    New England Armidale, Tamworth and Uralla RDA Northern Inland
    Moree Plains Moree Plains Moree Plains Shire Council
    Orana region Bourke, Dubbo (incl Wellington) and Walgett RDA Orana
    Central West Bathurst, Cowra, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin Skillset
    Western NSW Balranald, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Regional Solutions Community Development
    Far West NSW Unincorporated Far West and Wentworth Regional Solutions Community Development
    Murray Albury, Federation and Greater Hume RDA Murray
    Eastern Riverina Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga RDA Riverina
    Western Riverina Griffith, Leeton, RDA Riverina
    Southern NSW Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy-Monaro, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee and Yass Valley RDA Southern NSW
    Bega Valley Bega Valley Bega Chamber of Commerce
    Illawarra Kiama, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra 
    South Coast Eurobodalla Bega Chamber of Commerce 

    MIL OSI News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: India’s sustainable eating habits offer glimmer of hope to mitigate climate change, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    India’s sustainable eating habits offer glimmer of hope to mitigate climate change, says GlobalData

    Posted in Consumer

    Sustainable eating encompasses of practices such as minimizing food waste, prioritizing plant-based diets, and consuming locally sourced foods. India is known for its extensive history of vegetarian diets. As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, India’s sustainable eating habits offer a glimmer of hope to address the heightened ecological concerns, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    India’s traditional, climate friendly dietary habits have been spotlighted as a global blueprint for sustainable living in a recent Living Planet Report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It identified India’s food consumption pattern as the most climate friendly among G20 nations. The report further stated that if all countries across the globe would adopt the current food consumption pattern of India, the world would need 0.84% of an Earth to support food production by 2050+.

    Shravani Mali, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In recent years, India observed an intensified vegan movement, especially in metropolitan cities. The country’s current food consumption practices, emphasizing plant-based diets and climate-resilient crops such as millets, require fewer resources and generate lower emissions compared to meat-heavy diets. This transition is also connected to a wider focus on sustainability. Underlining this trend, 79% of Indian respondents in GlobalData’s recent consumer survey stated that the sustainable/environmentally friendly feature is essential/nice to have when deciding to make a food and drinks purchase*.”

    Mali adds: “Traditional Indian diets primarily consist of lentils, grains, and vegetables. For instance, “Thali” is a meal that includes a combination of various food groups and shows a strong connection to the country’s land and history. These traditional diets, which place an emphasis on seasonal and local produce, are becoming more popular as environmental issues gain more attention. Consequently, with increasing awareness, consumers will look forward to curtailing environmental burdens by adopting traditional dietary practices that prioritize plant-based foods.”

    Deepak Nautiyal, Consumer and Retail Commercial Director, APAC and Middle East at GlobalData, notes: “The Indian government has introduced several initiatives to promote environmentally sustainable practices in the country. For instance, the government launched schemes such as National Millet Campaign and the International Year of Millets (2023) to enhance the production and consumption of millets since it is an environmentally sustainable source of food and nutrition. In addition to this, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) aims to improve climate-resilient farming.

    “Furthermore, the socioeconomic advantages of sustainable food production are exemplified by the Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program in southern India. Hence, these initiatives have positively contributed to India’s food practices as a model of sustainability.”

    Mali concludes: “By adopting climate-friendly diet, individuals can make a tangible impact on the environment. Adopting Indian sustainable eating habits worldwide offers a clear path to address critical environmental and health challenges. With the food system being one of major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, shifting towards plant-based diets, as exemplified by Indian cuisine, could reduce emissions significantly, creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

    *GlobalData 2024 Q3 Consumer Survey – India, with 500 respondents, published October 2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sing like a star, paint like an artist: how to spend a weekend at the Moskino cinema park

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the weekend of October 26 and 27, visitors cinema park “Moskino”There will be master classes in graffiti, drawing and making pictures from threads, making movie clappers, training in face painting and acting, vocals and breakdancing. There will also be an animated sand show, a creative meeting with production designer Sergei Fevralev and other events.

    Entrance is by tickets, which can be purchased online. The cost of one ticket for an adult is 600 rubles, for a child under 18 years old – 350 rubles. Buying in advance will cost less than on the days of the event. Cash payment is not provided. Those who plan to visit only the cinema do not need to buy an entrance ticket.

    Moscow Holidays Master Classes: String Art, Movie Clappers, and Face Painting

    On Saturday and Sunday, Moscow schoolchildren can have an interesting time at the Moskino cinema park. Especially for children who are currently on vacation, the educational center of the cinema park has prepared exciting master classes in string art, making a movie clapperboard, and face painting.

    String art is a technique for creating bright pictures using threads. At the master class, guests will learn how to properly prepare materials, stretch the threads to create different patterns. A unique picture can be a great decoration for your home.

    During the class on making a movie clapperboard, visitors to the cinema park will learn that this is an important tool in cinematography that synchronizes sound and image. Participants will be told how to choose materials, assemble a movie clapperboard, and use it correctly.

    At a master class on creating bright designs on faces using special paints, guests will be told how to prepare the skin and create various patterns.

    Master classes of “Media Academy”: acting, dancing and vocals

    During the acting class, participants will learn the basics of stage movement and speech, as well as how to work on a character’s image and what acting techniques exist. Experienced teachers will give valuable advice that visitors can use in everyday life.

    At another master class, guests of the cinema park will get acquainted with the basic elements of dance in a special class, learn to feel the rhythm and music, and also show their individuality to create a unique dance style.

    At the vocal lesson “Sing Like a Star!” experienced teachers will help you master the basics of vocals, show you how to breathe and sing correctly, and also work on your voice so that it becomes beautiful and expressive. This master class is not only a chance to learn to sing, but also an opportunity to broaden your horizons, meet new people and enjoy the learning process.

    Gonzaga Theatre venue: light art show, sand animation and a lecture on painting

    On Saturday, October 26, a rich artistic program is planned at the Gonzaga Theater, which will give the cinema park guests the opportunity to admire the work of lighting designers and help develop their imagination to create their own paintings.

    On Saturday and Sunday at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 guests will enjoy artistic animation with sand, and at 13:00 and 15:00 – a bright light art show. At 17:00 a creative meeting with the production designer of the Moskino cinema park Sergey Fevralev will begin.

    The light art show will allow visitors to the cinema park to immerse themselves in a world of magic and light. Bright installations and visual effects will create an incredible atmosphere.

    Artistic animation with sand performed by professionals will show how amazing images and plots are born from this material. Artists-animators will turn fantasies into reality, creating real masterpieces.

    Film screenings in Moskino cinemas

    This weekend, movie lovers will see some interesting films. For the first time, the Moskino Kinopark movie theater will host a screening as part of the Theater in Cinema program. Viewers will be presented with Boris Eifman’s ballet The Pygmalion Effect. The author offers an interpretation of the archetypal story about a sculptor who falls in love with the statue of a beautiful girl he created. You can watch the ballet on the big screen on Saturday, October 26, for 500 rubles.

    In addition, cinema-goers will see the long-awaited new release, the adventure blockbuster “Ognivo”, the plot of which combines Russian folklore and the fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen. The weekend repertoire also includes the film “Ruki Vverkh!” and the winner of the Cannes Film Festival “Anora”. The cost is from 250 rubles. You can find out the schedule of screenings and buy tickets on the website.

    Fairy tale park of the cinema park

    The fairy tale park will once again host the beloved musical animation program “Musical Photo Check”. To different songs, children will show the emotion that is in the music, and at that moment they will be photographed. As a result, there will be many beautiful photos with different emotions. In addition, children will be able to dance and take part in competitions.

    Festival “Art. Photo. Cinema”

    This weekend, the central square of the cinema park will host the festival “Art. Photo. Cinema” – a unique cultural event that unites creativity, craftsmanship and inspiration. You must purchase a ticket – you can visit during one day or two days.

    Guests will be able to take part in a graffiti master class, draw sketches, make a caricature, visit themed photo zones, an exhibition and a market for sculptors, artists and photographers. Everyone will be able to dance to the rhythmic melodies of drummers on barrels, take a quest dedicated to art, attend a class with art school teachers, learn to break dance and watch living statues.

    Graffiti classes will allow guests to immerse themselves in the world of street art, and experienced teachers will tell about the basics of dance and demonstrate their application on the dance floor.

    Sketching is the creation of quick and expressive sketches to convey emotions without long drawings. Caricaturists will create caricature portraits that accurately depict character and mood.

    The exhibition and market for sculptors, artists and photographers will feature unique works by talented authors. Thematic photo zones and living statues will allow you to create bright and stylish photos. Here, drummers will perform musical compositions on barrels.

    At the art school master class, guests will learn the secrets of professional techniques and will be able to improve their skills. The quest dedicated to art will become an exciting adventure with creative tasks and a search for hidden objects. At the break dance class, everyone will learn the basics of this energetic dance under the guidance of instructors.

    Exhibition in front of the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology

    The parking lot in front of the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology will feature a large-scale exhibition of military equipment, including airborne and infantry armored vehicles, as well as support vehicles, including the BMD-1, BTR-60, BTR-70, Ural-375, GAZ-66, and BTR-60. The photo exhibition “Behind the Tape” will feature photos from a special military operation, sometimes taken at risk to the lives of reporters.

    “City Yard”, “Pitersky Bar”, “Cowboy Town” and “Moscow in the 1940s”

    At the “City Yard” site, guests of the cinema park will be in a musical mood all day long. Street musicians will delight visitors with immortal hits. An unforgettable adventure awaits guests at the “Pitersky Bar”. Here, on the staged set of an episode based on the film “The Three Musketeers”, guests will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the legendary novel and film, and take themed photos as a keepsake.

    A real cowboy party awaits guests at the Cowboy Town site. Visitors will be able to transform into a Western hero in a staged scene based on the famous film The Man from Boulevard des Capucines. Everyone will be able to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Wild West, take original photos in a cowboy style, and use all the necessary props, including a Wanted frame.

    For a complete transformation, costume complexes are provided, which will travel around the territory. To maintain a good mood, street musicians will perform for the guests of the cinema park.

    The Moscow of the 1940s site recreates the atmosphere of the post-war era, where the music of those years will take the guests of the cinema park into the past. With the help of special filters, visitors will be able to get a Soviet photograph, and a costume van will help everyone to transform into a hero of that time. Street musicians will delight guests with their creativity all day long.

    A weekend at the Moskino cinema park is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of cinema and try yourself in different creative directions with family or friends.

    The Moskino Cinema Park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Moscow — City of Cinema project and a facility of the Moscow Cinema Cluster. At the moment, the first stage of its development has been completed — 18 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built in the cinema park. Among them are the sets of Moscow Center, Moscow of the 1940s, Vitebsk Station, Yurovo Airport, Moscow Cathedral Square, Deaf Village, Partisan Village, County Town, Cowboy Town, St. Petersburg Bar and other sites.

    The capital’s film cluster also includes the Maxim Gorky Film Studio (sites on Ryazansky Prospekt, Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proezd), the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

    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.mos.ru/nevs/item/145653073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Education – Vegetable hide-and-go-seek

    Source: Ministry of Education

    Vegetables are a major component of the meals that will be served to more than 240,000 students as part of Ka Ora, Ka Ako – the healthy school lunches programme.
    Sean Teddy, Hautū (Leader) Operations and Integration at the Ministry of Education says the meals delivered from the School Lunch Collective meet the same nutritional standards the programme has always done. These standards are based on Ministry of Health guidance. Every meal will include vegetables or salad ingredients.
    “We’re doing what a lot of parents do when they cook for their children at home – we’ll include vegetables, but they won’t always be visible. Schools have told us that that hiding the carrots, parsnip, pumpkin, spinach, cauliflower and other vegetables in the sauces works well for children,” Mr Teddy says.
    Schools say the hot meals that will be provided are popular with children and the recipes selected are the ones they know.
    Fruit and vegetable suppliers, such as Wattie’s and Fresh Connection will provide ingredients to the School Lunch Collective.
    Compared to what they get now, students in Year 0 to 3 will receive more to eat. All students will receive the same size meals – around 240g.
    “For students in Year 9 and above, two supplementary items will be served with each meal, such as baking that contains vegetables – chocolate brownie made with kumara and pumpkin is expected to be a popular choice – along with fresh fruit, or fruit yoghurt,” Mr Teddy says.
    “We will continue to support schools making lunches for their students to meet the required meal sizes and nutritional standards.
    “We’ll work closely with the School Lunch Collective to deliver high-quality meals and will monitor, measure, and respond to any requests for changes.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” to examine cultural landscape of Lingnan (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” to examine cultural landscape of Lingnan (with photos)
    “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” to examine cultural landscape of Lingnan (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Film Programmes Office (FPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” from November 23 to January 19 next year, screening films that cover the period from the reform and opening-up to date from Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen and Guangzhou at Hong Kong City Hall and the Hong Kong Film Archive. Exchange and workshop sessions will also be held to promote the collaboration of filmmakers of the four cities.      The opening film “Ah Ying” (1983) was directed by Hong Kong new wave director Allen Fong. The film was the winner of Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Film, Best Director and Best Film Editing. It delicately depicts the story between Ah Ying, who works at a market fish stall, and her acting mentor, who has also become her friend.      Various selected films illustrate the cultural impact and exchanges in different times. Renowned actor Chow Yun-fat plays a village chief in “Now You See Love… Now You Don’t” (1992). The clash between the lifestyles and ways of thinking of him and his childhood sweetheart returning from abroad, played by Carol “Do Do” Cheng, leads to scene after scene of hilarious comedy. “Little Cheung” (1999) depicts the livelihood of ordinary people from the perspective of children, who are able to find peace and hope in the midst of chaos with their innocence. “Ip Man – The Final Fight” (2013) and “Knitting” (2008) both reflect on how immigrants adapt to their new lives. The former tells the story of Ip Man, who upholds the virtues of Lingnan martial arts while facing the setbacks that come with his relocation to Hong Kong. The latter depicts the evolution of Guangzhou culture amid an influx of workers from outside, resulting in a mixture of northern and southern influences.      There are also films portraying the confusion that urbanites face. Directed by Philip Yung, “Glamorous Youth” (2009) tells the story of a Hong Kong boy moving to Shenzhen to escape from family pressure and love problems, yet still finding himself trapped in the mundane routines of life. “Sun and Rain” (1987), directed by Zhang Zeming, illustrates the alienation and love between people in a city through a love quadrangle. “Damp Season” (2020) depicts the stress lingering in the lives of the working class in Shenzhen, like the dampness and humidity often found in spring. Both set in Guangzhou, “Eight Diagrams” (2009) is a dark comedy about the desire and sadness of urbanites, while “Something in Blue” (2016) is a travelogue of a city that brings together the unremarkable daily lives of four young people.      Some of the selected films bring the cityscapes to the forefront. “Dot 2 Dot” (2014) traces the present and past of Hong Kong as a man and a woman with contrasting backgrounds navigate through the streets of the city. In “San Yuan Li” (2003) and “Cop Shop II” (2011), the Guangzhou cityscape and its changes through time are respectively illustrated with images and sounds.???     Two distinctive works from Macao will also be screened. Both of them are combinations of six stories. “Macau Stories 2: Love in the City” (2011) consists of six stories about love by six directors, while “Passing Rain” (2017), by director and screenwriter Chan Ka-keong, tells the stories of six characters with intertwined plotlines.      Moreover, two collections consisting of seven short films in total on the history, societies and cultures of the Lingnan region will be screened. The films are “Miasma, Plants, Export Paintings” (2017), “Fonting the City” (2015), “Sons of the Land” (2007), “14 Paintings” (2023), “Real Talk” (2024), “An Asian Ghost Story” (2023) and “Fear and Trembling” (2009).     Some of the screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks, hosted by actor Hui So-ying, screenwriters Sze Yeung-ping and Mabel Cheung, producer Albert Chu, and directors Wong Teng-teng and Chan Ka-keong. To enable audiences to have a better understanding of the creation of films, there will be seminar screening sessions and exchange sessions. Three sessions of seminar screenings, entitled “The Spirit of Films about Intellectuals”, “Lingnan’s Secret Thoughts in Mind” and “The Current Situation of Macao Cinema”, will be held in which directors Gan Xiao’er, Yang Pingdao, and Wong Teng-teng and producer Albert Chu will share on their creative processes with screenings of selected film excerpts. Eight exchange sessions will also be held with filmmakers from the four cities in dialogues with each other or with film critics and audiences. Speakers include directors Yi Lichuan, Fruit Chan, Philip Yung, Herman Yau, Amos Why, and Zhang Zeming, film critic Joyce Yang and co-curators Law Kar and Feng Yu. Ticket holders of screenings with respective talks or exchange sessions will be admitted with priority, while the remaining seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with free admission.      All films are with Chinese and English subtitles. “Glamorous Youth” is rated Category III and restricted to viewers aged 18 or above.     Tickets for film screenings and seminar screening sessions priced at $70 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please call 2734 2900 or visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=65.      To provide an opportunity for new talent of the film industry from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to gain a better understanding about the industry through discussions and exchanges with guidance from professional filmmakers, the FPO will hold the Brainstorming Workshop covering topics of film production, such as screenwriting, directing, cinematography, post-production, fund sourcing, producing and distribution. The workshop will be conducted in Cantonese and is free for admission, with a quota of 30 places. Film students and those who have been involved in film productions can register for selection from November 25 to December 20. Successful registrants will be invited to participate in the two-day workshop to be held on January 9 and 10 at Ko Shan Theatre. For details of the workshop, please visit the above website.      This screening programme 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 exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For more information, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk./en.      It is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 15:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

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

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Hungary and Japan suspended
    Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Hungary and Japan suspended
    *****************************************************************************

         The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 23) that in view of notifications from the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 and H5 avian influenza in Bács-Kiskun County in Hungary and Chiba Prefecture in Japan respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) 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, and about 1 170 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 150.45 million poultry eggs from Japan in the first six months of this year.     “The CFS has contacted the Hungarian and Japanese authorities over the issues 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.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 15:02

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Quarantine period for pet cats/dogs entering Hong Kong from Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):

    Question:

         It is learnt that in recent years, more members of the public exit or enter the territory carrying pet cats/dogs. On the other hand, for the sake of preventing the spread of rabies into Hong Kong, pet cats/dogs carried by members of the public back to Hong Kong from Group III places (including the Mainland) as specified by the Government are required to comply with the quarantine procedures prescribed by law, including a quarantine period of at least 120 days. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the number of cases applying for quarantine of pet cats/dogs entering the territory that were received by the Government in each month of the past three years; among these cases, the respective numbers of cats and dogs which had fallen sick and died during the quarantine period and the reasons for that;

    (2) whether it will increase the number of quarantine institutions and quarantine centres as well as the number of animals that can be quarantined, so as to meet the immigration needs of pet cats/dogs; if so, of the plans and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as information shows that some advanced regions in Asia adopt more lenient quarantine requirements on pets entering the territory than Hong Kong, such as the seven-day and 30-day quarantine periods adopted respectively by Taiwan and Singapore, whether the Government will make reference to the practice of those regions and shorten the present quarantine period for pet cats/dogs brought into the territory from Group III places; if so, of the specific arrangements and the earliest possible date of implementation; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         Rabies is a contagious disease that can cause fatality to mammals (including humans). No specific treatment is available at present and rabies is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear, and nearly 60 000 people die of rabies globally every year. To safeguard public health, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) currently regulates the import of live animals through a permit system, and controls the import of cats and dogs under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), aiming to prevent the transmission of animal diseases including rabies into Hong Kong. Under effective control measures, Hong Kong has long been widely recognised as a rabies-free place; therefore, animals of Hong Kong residents generally face less stringent quarantine requirements when entering other places, for example places with strictest quarantine requirements like Australia and New Zealand permit the entry of cats and dogs from Hong Kong.

         For importation of cats and dogs, the AFCD classifies places into three groups according to different risk of rabies, with reference to information about the surveillance of animal diseases from the World Organisation for Animal Health. Group I includes rabies-free places (i.e. where rabies has been absent for a long time); Group II includes places where rabies cases are few and under effective control; and Group III includes places where rabies cases are reported and not under effective control. In general, places that do not meet the requirements of Group I or II (or their situations cannot be determined) will be included in Group III.

         Since Groups I and II places are considered of lower risk of rabies, cats and dogs imported from these places are exempted from quarantine upon fulfilling relevant requirements (such as providing Animal Health Certificate, Residence Certificate, Anti-rabies Vaccination Certificate, etc.). For Group III places, the risk of rabies is higher or uncertain. Since the incubation period of rabies can be up to several months, to prevent the transmission of rabies into Hong Kong, the AFCD requires a quarantine period of no less than 120 days for the cats and dogs imported from Group III places.

         On the questions raised by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng, I would like to reply to the question as follows:

    (1) The AFCD will immediately arrange to send cats and dogs imported from Group III places upon arrival in Hong Kong to its Animal Management Centre for quarantine. If an animal falls ill during quarantine, the AFCD will inform the animal owner to take the animal to a vet clinic under the escort of the AFCD, or arrange a vet to the quarantine centre for treatment. If an animal shows an urgent health problem and the AFCD is unable to contact the animal owner, the AFCD will arrange for the pet to be examined by a vet as soon as possible. Over the past three years, a total of three animals (including two cats and one dog) passed away during quarantine, due to their own severe health issues such as kidney failure. In the past three years, the number of applications received by the AFCD for reserving a quarantine space for importing cats and dogs, the number of cats and dogs which received veterinary treatment during the quarantine period, and the number of cats and dogs deceased during the quarantine period are at the Annex.

    (2) and (3) The AFCD is actively adopting a two-pronged approach to facilitate animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong. On the one hand, the AFCD is increasing the number of quarantine facilities; on the other hand, the AFCD is exploring ways to refine the quarantine requirements for cats and dogs.

         Regarding quarantine facilities, two Animal Management Centres (i.e. Kowloon Animal Management Centre and Hong Kong Animal Management Centre) operated by the AFCD provide quarantine services for cats and dogs imported from Group III places. The two centres provide a total of 20 spaces for cats and dogs respectively. The Kowloon Animal Management Centre is currently undergoing works by the AFCD to increase the number of quarantine facilities, with the works expected to be completed in the first half of next year. Upon completion, the total number of quarantine facilities for cats and dogs in the two centres will increase to 34 and 30 respectively. To further increase the number of facilities, the AFCD is actively exploring the feasibility of operating and providing some of the cats and dogs quarantine facility by the private sector. Organisations are required to obtain a licence from the AFCD to operate a quarantine centre under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), and the relevant quarantine facility is a designated project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) which requires obtaining an environmental permit. The Government is now discussing with the private sector about the relevant arrangements and is providing assistance, and is striving to implement a pilot scheme in the first half of next year.

         For the refinement of quarantine requirements for cats and dogs from Group III places, different places conduct their own risk assessments and establish import requirements based on their acceptable level of risk. The risk of rabies transmission is influenced by various factors, including the number of imported cats and dogs, whether the importing places can take effective control measures to prevent the introduction of rabies, the rabies immunisation status of the importing places, the rabies situation of neighbouring places, etc. As biotechnology has developed in recent years, the AFCD has earlier conducted a risk assessment, and considered that the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from some Group III places (including the Mainland and Macao) could be shortened by measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing. The AFCD is discussing the proposed arrangements with the places concerned to finalise the implementation details. The AFCD will announce the details of the arrangements once the discussion is completed. With the gradual implementation of the revised measures, the waiting time of quarantine facilities would decrease, thereby further facilitating animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025
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