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Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: New York ETO and Chocolate Rain crossover to promote Hong Kong-United States cultural exchange (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY), proudly hosted the “Hong Kong Meets America – Pop Art Exhibition” at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on October 11 to 13 (New Jersey time). This vibrant event successfully promoted cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the United States (US), drawing in art lovers and families alike.

         Curated by the beloved Hong Kong creative brand Chocolate Rain, the exhibition showcased a dazzling array of exhibits featuring iconic landmarks and culinary delights from both Hong Kong and New York. Visitors enjoyed giant inflatables of Hong Kong’s signature pineapple bun with butter, egg tarts, fish balls, and milk tea, alongside whimsical 3D figurines of New York’s Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and classic yellow cabs.

         At the opening ceremony on October 12, the Director of the HKETONY, Ms Maisie Ho, spoke about the exhibition’s unique blend of tradition and contemporary aesthetics.

         “The exhibition’s title, ‘Hong Kong Meets America’ truly reflects our mission to celebrate the colorful cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the US. The American Dream Mall has transformed to an immersive showcase of iconic landmarks and culinary delights from both sides,” she said.

         Ms Ho also highlighted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s commitment to advancing the city’s arts, cultural, and creative industries, with the aim of positioning Hong Kong as an East-meets-West hub for international cultural exchange.

         She also took the opportunity to invite audience to visit Hong Kong and experience its dynamic metropolitan charm, rich cultural heritage, and a full calendar of events year-round.

         “In the first eight months of this year alone, nearly 30 million visitors explored our dynamic city. The colorful exhibits you see here are just a glimpse of what awaits you in Hong Kong. We warmly invite you to experience its lively metropolitan charm, rich cultural heritage, and a calendar filled with exciting events throughout the year,” she added.

         The exhibition not only featured stunning art installations but also offered a variety of engaging activities, including seven DIY workshops conducted by the founder of Chocolate Rain, Prudence Mak, and her team over the three days. Participants had the opportunity to unleash their creativity and take home complimentary Hong Kong Meets America-themed souvenirs.                        

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: For people with lung cancer, exercise can be gruelling. It’s also among the most important things

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kellie Toohey, Associate Professor Clinical Exercise Physiology, Southern Cross University

    Ivan Samkov/Pexels

    When you think of lung cancer treatment, what comes to mind – chemotherapy, radiation, surgery? While these can be crucial, there’s another powerful tool that’s often overlooked: exercise.

    Our recent study, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, challenges the common belief that people with lung cancer are too sick to be physically active.

    In fact, we found exercise can play a vital role in improving life for those battling this disease.

    What we did and what we found

    Our review involved analysing 26 high quality studies on how best to incorporate exercise into treatment for lung cancer.

    We found the overwhelming weight of evidence shows exercise offers benefits at every stage of the lung cancer journey. This includes:

    • before surgery (being more fit can lead to faster recovery and potentially fewer complications)
    • after surgery (gentle exercise helps regain strength and makes daily tasks easier)
    • during other treatments (physical activity can ease side effects like fatigue and muscle weakness)
    • at advanced stages of disease (even for late-stage patients, evidence shows exercise can improve quality of life and maintain independence)
    • patients experiencing muscle wasting (evidence shows exercise, especially strength training, helps preserve muscle and keeps patients stronger).

    What does exercise look like?

    When we say “exercise,” we’re not talking about running marathons. For someone with lung cancer, it might mean:

    • taking a short walk around the block
    • doing some gentle cycling on a stationary bike
    • swimming or doing some movement in the water
    • lifting light weights or doing banded exercises
    • doing yoga or tai chi for more mobile, flexible joints, as well as stress and pain reduction.

    The key is to start slowly and listen to your body. What works for one person might not work for another.

    Getting started safely

    If you or a loved one has lung cancer and wants to be more active, start by talking with your doctor. They can advise on any precautions you should take and send you to an exercise specialist if needed.

    You might also consider working with an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist who can design a safe, personalised program.

    It’s OK to start small – even five to ten minutes of activity is beneficial, according to the Cancer Council Australia .

    Try to be consistent, if you can. Regular, gentle exercise is better than occasional intense bursts.

    It can help to keep track of your progress and how you feel after each session. You might also try looking for support groups or exercise classes specifically for cancer patients at local hospitals or community centres.

    The Cancer Council Australia website offers inspiration and ideas on exercises to start with, even in the home.

    The real-world benefits

    Research shows regular physical activity can significantly improve quality of life for lung cancer patients. These can include:

    • reduced fatigue, even though that might seem counterintuitive
    • less breathlessness, as exercise can improve lung function
    • less muscle weakness, which makes daily tasks easier
    • better mood, as physical exercise can help fight depression and anxiety
    • better sleep; many patients report sleeping more easily after starting an exercise routine.
    Exercise can improve lung function and may reduce breathlessness.
    Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

    Ditch the stigma, and get the exercise support you deserve

    Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. It’s a devastating illness that affects not just the body, but also a person’s mental health and quality of life.

    Unfortunately, there’s often a stigma attached to lung cancer. Many patients feel judged, or that they must have done something – such as smoking – to “deserve” their diagnosis.

    This shame can prevent people from seeking help or joining support programs.

    But here’s an important truth: anyone can get lung cancer, even if they’ve never smoked.

    And regardless of how someone developed the disease, they deserve compassion and the best possible care – including support for physical activity.

    Never too late to start

    It’s important to note exercise can be beneficial even for those receiving palliative care.

    In palliative care, the goals shift from fighting the cancer to enhancing comfort and quality of life, and physical activity can play a significant role in this.

    Even palliative care patients may benefit from exercise.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    A lung cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly daunting. But we’re learning patients have more tools to improve their wellbeing than we once thought.

    Exercise isn’t a cure, but it can be a powerful complement to traditional treatments and medications.

    If you or someone you know is facing lung cancer, don’t be afraid to discuss incorporating exercise into the treatment plan with your health-care team. Start small, be patient and consistent, and remember that every bit of movement counts.

    By challenging old assumptions and embracing exercise as part of lung cancer care, we can empower patients to take a more active role in their treatment.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. For people with lung cancer, exercise can be gruelling. It’s also among the most important things – https://theconversation.com/for-people-with-lung-cancer-exercise-can-be-gruelling-its-also-among-the-most-important-things-240216

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chongqing, Cairo plan to pursue joint UNSCO recognition

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Baiheliang, literally the “White Crane Ridge,” is a 1,600-meter-long and 15-meter-wide stone ridge engraved with inscriptions about the Yangtze River dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). [Photo/Xinhua]

    The project for the serial nomination of Baiheliang in China’s Chongqing and Raoudha Nilometer in Egypt’s Cairo for World Cultural Heritage status is progressing steadily, with the cooperation framework between China and Egypt (in the preliminary stage) now in its final stages of completion, experts said at an academic symposium held on Saturday in Chongqing’s Fuling district.

    Baiheliang, or the White Crane Ridge, is a giant stone ridge located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Fuling section). The ancient Chinese used stone-carved fish images as measuring tools and inscriptions as written records to monitor and document water levels. The site, used from 763 AD to 1963, is believed to be the world’s most ancient hydrographic survey station.

    The nilometer is an Egyptian invention designed to gauge the water levels of the Nile River. The Raoudha Nilometer in Cairo, constructed in 715 AD, stands as a prominent example of this technology.

    Last year, Chongqing and Cairo initiated joint efforts to seek UNESCO World Cultural Heritage recognition for their respective sites.

    However, the concept of hydrological landscapes, as a relative new idea, still necessitates comprehensive thematic research and further efforts to attain international recognition within academic spheres, according to director of the China World Cultural Heritage Center of Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage Zhao Yun during the symposium.

    She also noted the coordination challenges associated with the protection, management and study of cross-continent cultural heritage require the implementation of mechanisms and measures to guarantee their safeguarding.

    The symposium, which centered on the heritage value, conservation and inheritance of Baiheliang and Raoudha Nilometer, drew hydrological heritage experts and international cultural heritage experts from home and abroad. This gathering is a part of the 2024 Baiheliang Tourism and Culture Festival, which kicked off on Friday night in Fuling.

    “We are pleased to have observed the joint efforts of the Baiheliang of China and the Nilometer of Egypt, two exemplary hydrological heritage sites, in advancing their serial nomination for World Cultural Heritage. This represents both an international dialogue in heritage safeguarding and an innovative approach to international cooperation on world heritage,” said Shahbaz Khan, director and representative of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia in a video speech at the opening ceremony of the festival.

    The festival not only showcased the unique charm of the Baiheliang inscriptions, but also deepened the cooperation between Egypt and China in the fields of cultural heritage protection and cultural exchange, said Ambassador of Egypt to China Assem Hanafi at the event.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Coastal comeback: shorebirds digging in for another breeding season

    Source: New South Wales Environment and Heritage

    Each year threatened birds such as Little Terns, Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Plovers and Beach Stone-curlews lay their eggs on beaches up and down the east coast, where they are highly camouflaged and can be very difficult to see.

    Due to threats including native and introduced predators, crushing and disturbance from vehicles, humans and domestic dogs, flooding of nesting sites and adverse weather conditions, most beach-nesting birds remain endangered in NSW.

    Here are a few small things you can do to ‘share the shore’ and help endangered beach-nesting birds raise their chicks on our beaches:

    • Keep an eye out for and respect bird nesting signs and fenced-off nesting areas on the beach.
    • Make sure dogs are only walked on an approved dog-beach and always kept on a leash.
    • Walk on the wet sand to avoid nesting birds.
    • Only drive on designated 4WD beaches and stay below the high tide mark to avoid accidentally crushing a chick.
    • Ensure you take fishing lines and rubbish with you, to ensure avoidable deaths from entanglement or ingesting rubbish are avoided.

    Last season was a good one for Little Terns which experienced an almost 15 percent increase in breeding pairs from the previous season across the state.

    For more information on shorebirds in NSW, visit Share the Shore.

    Quotes attributable to NPWS Threatened Species Project Officer Katherine Howard:

    ‘Beach-nesting birds rely on the camouflage of their eggs and chicks to keep them safe, but on busy summer beaches, this strategy can really backfire. You might not see the eggs or chick until it’s too late.

    ‘We need all beach users to “share the shore” with our feathered friends by following a few easy guidelines and leaving some space for birds to raise their families.

    ‘Off-leash dogs may seem harmless, but they are terrifying to birds, causing them to fly away and leave eggs unguarded. Please check online whether dogs are allowed at your beach before you go, keep them on a leash and keep them well away from nesting birds.’

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: There’s a plan for free school lunches in Queensland. Is this a good idea?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Lecturer In Nutrition & Dietetics, University of the Sunshine Coast

    Queensland Premier Steven Miles has announced free school lunches if Labor is re-elected at the state’s upcoming election on October 26.

    The A$1.4 billion policy would cover primary students in public schools and begin next year. Labor estimates it would save parents about $1,600 per child, per year. On Sunday, Miles said:

    [The program is] universal to avoid stigmatising the kids that need the food the most, but also to ensure that it supports every Queensland family.

    The meals will be delivered in partnership with P&Cs Queensland, Queensland Association of School Tuckshops, school principals, Health and Wellbeing Queensland and non-government food providers.

    The Greens are also campaigning on a pledge to deliver free breakfasts and lunches for every state primary and high school student, costed at $3 billion over the next four years.

    Would a school lunches program help students and families? How would it work in practice?

    An unusual approach for Australia

    Unlike the United Kingdom and United States, Australian does not have a national or state-based free or subsidised school meal program.

    Instead, parents are responsible for providing morning tea and lunch through a “lunchbox system”. Families can also usually pre-order food from a canteen or tuckshop. In some cases, state or territory governments fund charities and non-for-profits to provide breakfast or lunch programs for schools identified as most in need of support.

    Research shows the nutritional quality of food provided to Australian school children often does not meet dietary guidelines. There are mandatory guidelines for state school canteens and tuckshops to follow but these are not always reflected in practice. Research shows many canteen menus contain less-than-desirable options and pricing often does not encourage families to buy healthier options.

    Unfortunately, health survey data shows Australian children’s diets are high in energy dense and nutritionally poor foods. On top of this, the 2023 Foodbank Report shows 36% of Australians are food insecure and about one quarter of these households have children at home who may not have adequate food for school.

    Australia has a ‘lunchbox system’ where families provide the food for school.
    Halfpoint/ Shutterstock

    What are the potential opportunities?

    So the idea of a free school lunch program delivered by organisations familiar with providing food in schools sounds like a positive solution.

    Beyond improving nutrition and health outcomes for more than 326,000 Queensland students, it can also provide other benefits.

    We could see improved school attendance by creating an incentive for students to go to school and improved diets leading to reduced illness. Because well-nourished children are more ready to learn, concentrate and stay on task, school lunches could lead to improved academic performance.

    Importantly, school lunches can reduce inequality and stigma for families who experience food insecurity.

    The school kitchen can also provide a opportunities for students to learn about food preparation and service as well as healthy eating.

    What are the key challenges?

    But we need to make sure the program is properly and sustainably designed. There will be a cost to taxpayers, not just in terms of the set up, but ongoing maintenance.

    The initial implementation will require commercial kitchens and equipment, qualified and trained staff, secure food procurement and supply chains as well as all the policies and procedures to go with this. This raises the question of whether the timeline of starting in Term 1, 2025 is realistic for all schools.

    The roll out needs to be equitable – extra consideration is needed for how this plan will be delivered to rural and remote Queenslanders. We also know access to reliable supplies of food, staff, equipment and support varies greatly across the state.

    The program will also need to cater to children with food allergies and intolerances, food preferences experienced with conditions like autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and different cultural eating practices.

    This plan has the potential to improve Queensland children’s health and education outcomes, while saving families money, time and stress. But it is complex and success will lie in making sure all Queensland primary students are provided with nutritious and appropriate food at school.

    Clare Dix has received funding from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.

    – ref. There’s a plan for free school lunches in Queensland. Is this a good idea? – https://theconversation.com/theres-a-plan-for-free-school-lunches-in-queensland-is-this-a-good-idea-241242

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Yukon provides update on October 11 on the Eagle gold mine

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Government of Yukon recognizes the ongoing seriousness of the heap leach failure that occurred at Victoria Gold’s Eagle gold mine on June 24 and continues to work to protect the environment as well as human, fish and animal health in the areas surrounding the mine site.

    • Read more about The Government of Yukon provides update on October 11 on the Eagle gold mine
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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Hato Hone St John and call handler breach man’s rights in management of 111 call

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner

    A man’s rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights were breached by Hato Hone St John, and a call handler, said the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Deborah James, in a decision released today.
    The decision centres on the management of a 111 call from a woman who described symptoms indicating a heart attack being experienced by her husband. An ambulance service took the initial call and then transferred it to St John. The call was prioritised as ‘serious but not immediately life threatening.’
    Approximately 30 mins later, a dispatcher launched an initial assignment tool to identify which ambulances were available. The tool indicated a 27-minute wait for an ambulance and suggested the use of a first response team (Fire and Emergency NZ), which was available to respond. The dispatcher decided this was unnecessary as the patient was alert, breathing easily and had no cardiac history.
    Thirty minutes after her first call, the woman called 111 again because her husband’s condition had deteriorated. Another call handler picked up this call and advised her that an ambulance had not been assigned due to demand, but she did not re-triage the call. The woman told the call handler she would drive her husband to the hospital. The call handler then closed off the incident. Sadly, the man had a heart attack three minutes from the hospital and could not be revived.
    Deborah James found the call handler (Ms B) had deviated from St John’s standard operating procedure (SOP). “…the St John incident review identified that when Mrs A advised Ms B that she would take Mr A to hospital herself, there was a need for Ms B to advise that it might be a good idea to continue waiting for the ambulance response. I note that Ms B’s failure to re-triage Mrs A’s second 111 call may have affected her decision not to advise Mrs A to wait for the ambulance to arrive.”
    Unfortunately, despite the man’s wife telling the call handler that her husband’s condition had worsened, the call handler did not ask for any further information about his symptoms. As a result, Ms James found the call handler had breached the Code by not providing services that complied with professional standards.
    Deborah James found St John had also failed the man by not meeting expected wait times when there was a 30-minute delay in using the initial assignment tool, nor was a welfare check undertaken.
    “There will undoubtedly be times where ambulances are unavailable to respond to incidents immediately. However, it is St John’s responsibility to find ways to mitigate the risks associated with unavailable ambulances. In my view, conducting welfare checks every 30 minutes (as outlined in St John’s SOP) is an appropriate tool in mitigating such risk.”
    She also found St John breached the Code by not providing the man (through his wife) with information he could have expected to receive under the circumstances. This included not conducting a welfare check and not advising the woman about delays in dispatching an ambulance, or for her to wait for an ambulance response.
    Ms James made an adverse comment about the St John dispatcher who launched the initial assignment tool noting her concerns about the delay, despite the busyness at the time, saying it was a useful safety netting tool that should have been deployed. Ms James was also critical that the dispatcher did not document his reasons for not dispatching the first response unit.
    Ms James has recommended the call handler formally apologise to the woman. Further recommendations include that St John provide additional training for call handling and dispatch staff, on the importance of welfare checks and to update its dispatching guides to be clearer about how to use the initial assignment tool.
    St John has made a range of changes since the event which are outlined in the decision. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza: “widespread suffering persists, humanitarian situation worsens” – OCHA briefing | UN

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Security Council briefing by Lisa Doughten, Director, Financing and Partnerships Division, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in both Gaza and the West Bank.
    —
    The past year has brought unimaginable suffering. It has been one year since the horrendous attack by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel. And rockets continue to be fired indiscriminately into Israel.
    Few times in recent history have we witnessed suffering and destruction of the size, scale, and scope that we see in Gaza. In the past year, this Council has been briefed repeatedly on the horror unfolding in Gaza, at least monthly on average.
    Once again, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Unfortunately, much of what I am about to say mirrors what we reported a month ago. Widespread suffering persists while the humanitarian situation worsens.
    —
    Nearly every one of the more than 2 million people in Gaza receives some form of aid or service provision from UNRWA, along with nearly one million Palestine refugees in the West Bank. If approved, such legislation would be diametrically opposed to the UN Charter and in violation of Israel’s obligations under international law.
    —
    Evacuation orders are meant to protect civilians, but the exact opposite is happening. As we have said so many times, there is no safe place in Gaza.
    Three of the ten partially functional hospitals in the north have been ordered to evacuate all patients without providing alternatives for relocating them. We have not been able to get fuel to other hospitals in the north.
    There has been no electricity since October last year. Without electricity, or fuel for the generators, everything shuts down: medical facilities, water, sanitation, and other essential services.
    —
    Humanitarian partners report that women and children are hard-hit by the trauma of this war.
    Each day, according to UNRWA,10 children are losing one or both of their legs. Gaza is home to the largest cohort of child amputees in modern history. Women are three times more likely to miscarry, and three times more likely to die from childbirth.
    And, yet humanitarians are not giving up.
    —
    Urgent diplomatic efforts are needed to de-escalate the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to prevent a wider regional descent into bloodshed.
    Member States must take steps to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a path towards sustainable peace.
    These atrocities must end.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0RLrTbCVHU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon, Syria & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:

    – Lebanon
    – Lebanon/Humanitarian
    – Syria
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Secretary-General Travel
    – Deputy Secretary-General
    – Sudan
    – Central African Republic
    – Myanmar
    – Protection of children
    – World Mental Health Day
    – Guest today

    Lebanon
    The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a statement this morning saying that two of its peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately – this time – not serious, but the peacekeepers remain in hospital.
    In a separate incident, Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.
    Also, UNIFIL says that, yesterday, IDF soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura – where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began. Lights and a relay station were damaged.
    UNIFIL reminds the IDF and all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under a Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701. Our peacekeepers are following up with the IDF on these matters.
    This comes as the recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas.
    In the past days, our peacekeepers say incursions from Israel into Lebanon were seen in Naqoura and other areas. IDF soldiers have clashed with Hizbullah elements on the ground in Lebanon.
    Later this afternoon, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will brief Security Council members on the situation in Lebanon. That meeting will be followed by consultations.

    Lebanon/Humanitarian
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that despite the challenges and a tense security situation, humanitarian organizations continue to deliver aid in coordination with national and local authorities.
    Today, a joint mission comprising UN and NGO partners delivered 12 trucks of aid to the towns of Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Debel in the south of the country. The supplies included food, water, hygiene kits and will support more than 4,000 people. This was the first mission there since July 2024.
    UNICEF has also delivered 33 tons of medical supplies to the Ministry of Public Health, including emergency health kits to ensure safe deliveries for pregnant women, as well as essential medicine.
    To maintain these efforts, additional funding is urgently needed. While commitments are appreciated, immediate contributions to the $426 million Flash Appeal – which is 12 per cent funded – are vital to continue the response.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=10%20October%202024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgwELSf4zrQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri George Kurian Inaugurated Animal Quarantine & Certification Service at Cochin International Airport in Kerala : Aims to facilitate “Ease of Living” for Pet travelers

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 3:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian inaugurated the newly established Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) at Cochin International Airport (CIAL) in Kochi, Kerala today. This facility is a significant step in facilitating the import of pet dogs and cats, aligning with the Government’s commitment to enhancing the “Ease of Living” for pet owners.

    On this occasion, Union Minister of State Shri George Kurian invited suggestions from various stakeholders for further improving import and export processes for livestock, fishery products and related activities which is expected to boost economic activity in the region.

    In support of this initiative, Cochin International Airport has established several facilities including a 24-hour air-conditioned pet station, a dedicated cargo section, a veterinary doctor on call, a customs clearance center and a facilitation center for travelers accompanying pets. This new service marks a crucial advancement in supporting pet travelers and improving overall import and export processes related to animal and fishery products in Kerala.

    During the event an agreement was signed by Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying with CIAL for operating the Animal Quarantine facilities. Managing Director of CIAL, Mr. S. Suhas said that the decision will greatly benefit travelers accompanied by pets. This partnership aims to streamline the process, providing world-class services for pet owners and travelers making it easier to bring animals into Kerala.

    The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying regulates the import of livestock and livestock products under the Livestock Importation Act of 1898, amended in 2001, with a focus on preventing the introduction of exotic diseases into India. At present, live animals, including pets, are imported through six major entry points where AQCS stations are located: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. This new facility at Cochin International Airport will reduce the cost and effort for pet owners importing animals into Kerala, offering them a more convenient option.

                                    ***

     

    AA

    (Release ID: 2063826) Visitor Counter : 31

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Region in the context of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with the support of India’s Act East Policy (AEP)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 5:41PM by PIB Delhi

    WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of India, gathered on the occasion of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit on 10 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR;

    REAFFIRMING our commitment to promote the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, guided by the fundamental principles, shared values and norms that have steered the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations since its establishment in 1992, including those enunciated in the Vision Statement of ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit (2012), the Delhi Declaration of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to mark the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations (2018), the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity in the Region (2021), the Joint Statement on ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022), the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation (2023) and ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises (2023);

    WELCOMING the Decade of Act East Policy of India, where ASEAN is at the heart and of utmost priority, which has contributed to advancing ASEAN-India relations through cooperation in areas of political-security, economic, cultural and people-to-people relations;

    ACKNOWLEDGING the deep civilisational linkages and cross-cultural exchanges, facilitated through both land and maritime routes between Southeast Asia and India, encompassing the various seas and oceans of the Indo-Pacific, providing a strong foundation for the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership;

    WELCOMING the activities and initiatives held in the year 2024 on the occasion of the decade of Act East Policy to further strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership;

    RECOGNISING India’s support for ASEAN Centrality and unity in the evolving regional architecture and its commitment to work closely through ASEAN-led mechanisms and fora including the ASEAN-India Summit, East Asia Summit (EAS), Post Ministerial Conference with India (PMC+1), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) as well as support to ASEAN integration and the ASEAN Community building process including Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP);

    NOTING the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution A/RES/78/69 which emphasises, in the Preamble, the universal and unified character of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and reaffirms that the Convention sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out and is of strategic importance as the basis for national, regional and global action and cooperation in the marine sector, and that its integrity needs to be maintained;

    APPRECIATING efforts towards implementation of the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity in the Region through trust and confidence based on shared democratic values, strong belief in sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a shared commitment to the rule of law and the principles of the UN Charter;

    REAFFIRMING our commitment to upholding multilateralism, the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and respect for international law, while recognising ASEAN’s rising global relevance and unique convening power amid the emerging multipolar global architecture and noting the growing and active role of India in major international economic and political affairs.

    Do hereby declare to

    1. Reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, and other lawful uses of the seas, including unimpeded lawful maritime commerce and to promote peaceful resolutions of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and the relevant standards and recommended practices by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In this regard, we support the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety and look forward to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS;

    2. Build on ongoing collaboration in defense and security within the framework of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus, including the first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) in 2023 and co-chairmanship of the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (2024-2027), as well as noting the two initiatives announced at the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in 2022;

    3. Strengthen cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, military medicine, transnational crime, defence industry, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping and demining operations and confidence building measures. This will be achieved through the exchange of visits, joint military exercise, maritime exercise, port calls by naval ships and defence scholarships;

    4. Advance the implementation of ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation and continue to cooperate on areas such as maritime security, blue economy, sustainable fisheries, marine environmental protection, marine biodiversity, and climate change issues, among others;

    5. Promote and work towards the strengthening of multilateralism through the UN and the multilateral processes to address global concerns, pursue shared goals and complementary initiatives, and promote sustainable development for the benefit of our peoples;

    6. Build on the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the AOIP for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity in the Region by advancing cooperation between the AOIP and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI);

    7. Expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make it more effective, user-friendly, simple, and trade-facilitative for businesses and relevant to the current global trading practices and promote mutually beneficial arrangements and strengthen economic cooperation between ASEAN and India;

    8. Promote diverse, secure, transparent and resilient supply chains while exchanging information on identifying and proactively addressing potential risks in supply chains in areas of mutual interest to promote sustainable development;

    9. Cooperate on emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Quantum Computing, 6-G technology, building and strengthening of startups ecosystem with special emphasis on digital connectivity and financial technology;

    10. Welcome the launch of the ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future to support joint activities;

    11. Cooperate to unlock the full potential of safe, secure, responsible, trustworthy AI by promoting international cooperation and further discussions on international governance for AI, considering that the rapid progress of AI has the potential for prosperity and expansion of the global digital economy. We should endeavor to leverage AI for public good by solving challenges in a responsible, inclusive and human-centric manner while protecting people’s rights and safety;

    12. Note the proposal to celebrate the year 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism to further strengthen people-to-people ties while recognising the crucial role of tourism in promoting sustainable socioeconomic development and economic prosperity, and as one of the vehicles for achieving the SDGs. In this endeavour, we support the implementation of the ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2023-2027, and to explore deeper cooperation to support joint programs for tourism education, training and research to build capacity and ensure a high-quality tourism industry. We also encourage the expansion of business networks among travel stakeholders, the practice of sustainable and responsible tourism, as well as the exchange of tourism trends and information. In addition, we support the enhancement of crisis communications, promotion of tourism investment opportunities, as well as development and joint promotion of niche markets, cruise tourism and tourism standards;

    13. Strengthen health systems by enhancing collaboration on public health including, inter alia, in the areas of research and development (R&D), public health emergency preparedness, training of healthcare professionals, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, vaccine security and self-reliance, vaccine development and production, as well as general and traditional medicine;

    14. Enhance cooperation in the field of environment, including biodiversity and climate change as well as explore cooperation in the field of energy security, including cooperation on clean, renewable, and low-carbon energy in line with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2021-2025 and India’s renewable energy priorities, as well as other national models and priorities such as bio-circular-green development;

    15. Promote disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure systems through knowledge sharing and best practices, capacity building and technical assistance, which can be pursued such as through the framework of Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as well as the proposed Memorandum of Intent (MOI) between ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) and National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of India;

    16. Enhance connectivity between ASEAN and India in line with the “Connecting the Connectivities” approach, by exploring synergies between the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and its successor document, the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (ACSP) and India’s connectivity initiatives in the region under India’s Act East Policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision to ensure seamless connectivity in the Indo-Pacific by collaborating for quality, sustainable and resilient infrastructure and enhancing cooperation in transport in land, air, and maritime domains including through the early completion and operationalisation of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway while looking forward to its eastward extension to Lao PDR, Cambodia and Viet Nam;

    17. Stressing the importance of strengthening multilateralism and comprehensive reform of the multilateral global governance architecture, including the United Nations and international financial architecture, international financial institutions, and multilateral development banks, to make them fit for purpose, democratic, equitable, representative and responsive to the current global realities and the needs and aspirations of the Global South;

    18. Call for an inclusive and balanced international agenda, that responds to the concerns and priorities of the Global South, recognising that the principle of ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities’ (CBDR-RC) within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) applies to all relevant global challenges;

    19. Explore potential synergies with sub-regional frameworks, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), Singapore-Johor-Riau (SIJORI) Growth Triangle, Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), and Mekong sub-regional cooperation frameworks, including Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) and Ayeyawady Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), and to support ASEAN and India’s efforts in promoting equitable development by aligning sub-regional growth with the comprehensive, mutual growth and development of ASEAN and India;

    20. Continue to work together on regional and global issues of common concern while endeavouring to strengthen our partnership through the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

    ***

    MJPS/SR/SKS

    (Release ID: 2063888) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: R v. Kloubakov: Supreme Court of Canada ignores sex workers in case on sex work

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Vincent Wong, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Windsor

    The Supreme Court of Canada will soon hear a case, R v. Kloubakov, in which two men charged with financially benefiting from sex work are claiming the charges violate their Charter rights.

    The accused worked as drivers for sex workers in Calgary. A court in Alberta found them guilty of benefiting financially from prostitution and being parties to procuring women into the sex trade. They argue that Canada’s sex work laws criminalize people who work with sex workers in non-exploitative situations, and are therefore unconstitutional.

    While the appellants in this case are not sex workers themselves, the outcome greatly impacts sex workers and their rights because it could, among other things, undermine their security and ability to put in place safety measures. Migrants arrested under these laws also face the prospect of loss of status, detention and deportation.

    Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has chosen to exclude a national coalition of 23 sex worker organizations, the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform (CASWLR), and two organizations that work with migrant sex workers (the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers.

    The court has concluded their views are irrelevant to the case at hand. This exclusion rehearses Canada’s longer history of excluding those connected with sex work based on race, gender and immigration status.

    Canada’s sex work law

    This case centres on the procurement and material benefits provisions in Canada’s criminal code. They are part of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA), which was passed in 2014 after the Supreme Court struck down previous provisions targeting sex work.

    PCEPA criminalizes “everyone who procures a person to offer or provide sexual services” and anyone “who receives a financial or other material benefit” from sex work, with certain exceptions.

    The law assumes that sex workers are victims and ignores their agency and labour. While being a sex worker is not directly made an offence, the law criminalizes the purchase of sexual services and thus renders illegal all commercial transactions for sex. Activists have argued that doing so has driven sex work further underground. Sex workers, and those wishing to purchase sexual services, must avoid police for fear of detection, apprehension and in the case of migrant women, deportation.

    Going underground means sex workers are at amplified risk of exploitation and physical harm because they have reduced bargaining power and cannot use safety measures, such as hiring third parties or implementing certain vetting and safety protocols in the spaces they would like to use, for fear of attracting the attention of police.

    CASWLR argues that the law’s criminalization of sex workers and third parties replicates and even exacerbates the harms of the former laws that the Court found violated sex workers’ Charter rights to security of the person.

    As a sex worker-led umbrella organization, CASWLR members have lived expertise and intimate knowledge of how these laws still harm sex workers in ways that can crucially inform the question of whether the laws are constitutional.

    Migrant sex workers

    Aside from direct criminalization, migrant sex workers may face additional and distinct consequences under immigration laws if they are charged, convicted or merely under criminal investigation. Migrant sex workers could lose their status in Canada, be detained and deported and be barred from re-entering the country. Further, it is not just sex workers themselves who are affected. Migrant third parties and their family members’ immigration status and future could be imperilled as well.

    These potential consequences may drive migrant sex workers to do their work in unsafe conditions to avoid detection by police and immigration enforcement. Sex workers are effectively forced into these precarious conditions because of the existing laws.

    In our view, loss of immigration status and deportation for engaging in non-exploitative, consensual activity are consequences of the current law that are not justified under the Charter because of the risks of violence and other harms that arise from avoiding detection.

    The Court, however, has decided it will not be considering this aspect at all and has excluded the only two organizations that work with migrant sex workers. The Court did grant intervener status to some organizations who will do a reasonable job in detailing some of the harms of the laws. However, none are sex worker-led and none represent migrant sex workers who may experience additional harms.

    The Supreme Court denied intervener status to these organizations because they perceived their interventions as providing new information that would unduly expand the case. Denying standing to these organizations, however, has the ultimate effect of not hearing from those directly impacted by the laws being examined.

    Courts are meant to consider the wider implications of how laws are interpreted, implemented and the potential ways they affect others. This is particularly important in constitutional challenges where it is both foreseeable and expected that legal decisions will have widely ranging effects on multiple groups.

    History of migrant exclusion

    Unfortunately, this exclusion is tied to the history of discrimination and stigmatization of Asian migrant sex workers, ostensibly for their own protection. Though many Canadians may have heard of Canada’s law that restricted Chinese immigration, including the infamous Head Tax, many may not know that it explicitly barred “any Chinese woman who is known to be a prostitute.”

    This law took influence from the very first immigration ban in the United States, the 1875 Page Act. This law barred the immigration of women from “any Oriental country” if they were “imported for the purposes of prostitution.” The exclusion and policing of Asian sex workers was justified by ideas of carceral humanitarianism, which proposes that exclusion and policing are a necessary way of protecting people from being trafficked.

    These so-called safety measures did not achieve either goal — in the past or present. Migrant sex workers who are directly targeted and harmed by the law were never directly asked what they desired or whether they needed saving.

    We see these long-standing patterns at work again today with the Supreme Court’s exclusion of migrant sex workers (and other sex workers) in R v. Kloubakov. The court is demonstrating that it has clearly not learned from history.

    When courts deny those most impacted by the law a hearing, they do not take into account all of the considerations they should. Cases can take years to reach the Supreme Court. When courts do take up the task to review law, it should welcome those directly affected by it, particularly when there are groups that have been traditionally marginalized from political and legal power.

    For courts to be effective, they must hear from those who can best explain how their rights are violated and excluded from the discussion. Trust in our justice system and our laws are diminished when those directly harmed by it have no say and no recourse.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. R v. Kloubakov: Supreme Court of Canada ignores sex workers in case on sex work – https://theconversation.com/r-v-kloubakov-supreme-court-of-canada-ignores-sex-workers-in-case-on-sex-work-240417

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: DOC appalled to find second shot sea lion in Catlins

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  11 October 2024

    It’s another major setback for the species’ Southland population, where only seven pups were born this year. Sea lions began breeding in the Catlins again in 2006 and today there are just 12 breeding age females in the local area.

    The mother sea lion, named Jade, gave birth to the pup about 60 km up the Clutha River Mata-au in February, which was highly unusual behaviour.

    Jade was found by a local on Tuesday evening, about 100 m from where her pup was found dead in late-September. She had begun to decompose, and it’s believed she washed up there during the recent flooding.

    DOC Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming says shooting a sea lion is an appalling thing to do and it’s completely unacceptable.

    “Sea lions are a protected species and it’s a very serious offence to intentionally injure or kill one.

    “It goes without saying these kinds of incidents must stop. Most people will be deeply disgusted by this sort of behaviour against a protected species and the DOC team is genuinely shocked.

    “It’s a tragedy both mother and pup have been shot. DOC staff are determined to find the person responsible and urging the public to contribute any information which may help the investigation.

    “We want to find the person who has done this so they can be held accountable. Anyone with any information is asked to come forward by calling 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

    Jade was well known to the local community and her loss is devastating for locals and those who work with the species, Aaron Fleming says.

    “We don’t know when, where or why these sea lions have been shot, or if they were shot at the same time. Any information could help.”

    The NZ Sea Lion Trust is offering a $6000 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution.

    Aaron Fleming says a local vet performed an x-ray and examination, which found about 50 shotgun pellets. Some of these will be forensically tested to see if they match the pellets found in her pup.

    “She was lying down and facing away from the shooter, with most pellets entering her chest and spine.”

    NZ Sea Lion Trust Co-chair Shaun McConkey says although the sea lion population in the subantarctic continues to decline, one positive is their lives seem to be a bit easier on the mainland, which makes it even more heartbreaking when something like this happens.

    “Sea lions were wiped out on the mainland by human hunting, 250 years on and we’re still doing the same thing. The killing of a breeding female is a devastating loss to a small population that has only recently returned to the area.

    “It’s important to remember these sea lions are taking fish to feed themselves and their young not just for recreation or enjoyment.

    “Thanks to generous donations from the public the reward has increased to a maximum of $6000 for any and all information leading to a successful prosecution in regard to these recent sea lion killings. Please visit our website http://www.sealiontrust.org.nz for further details.”

    Jade was born under a crib (bach) at Kākā Point in 2016. She was named after the late son of the bach owners.

    Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to injure or kill protected native wildlife like sea lions and anyone who does so can face punishments of up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

    Background information

    Pakake have a threat status of “Nationally Vulnerable” and number about 10,000. About 96% of the population is found in the subantarctic islands and is in decline. On the mainland, there are small but growing populations in Rakiura/Stewart Island, Murihiku/Southland and Otago.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Two people rescued from Lake Whakatipu overnight

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Two people were successfully rescued overnight following a report that the pair did not return from a kayaking trip in Queenstown.

    At around 11pm, Police were notified of two people missing after going to Lake Whakatipu for their trip.

    Otago Lakes Central Acting Area Commander, Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts says, “Police Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard Queenstown, and two rescue helicopters were deployed to search for the pair.

    “They were located on the shore in the early hours of this morning, in a good condition.

    “While it is fortunate this incident was resolved successfully, this is one of the four recent Search and Rescue incidents in the last week in the Southern District, with one other involving kayaks and two with dangerous high rivers,” says Senior Sergeant Roberts.

    On 8 October, one person died following a water-related incident in Milford Sound, Southland after a report of two people needing assistance while kayaking.

    Police would like to use these incidents as a reminder for people to ensure they’re prepared when going out on a trip in the outdoors, especially in the water.

    Police urge anyone going near waters, no matter the skill level, to take the basic precautions to keep themselves safe in case something goes wrong.

    “If you get into trouble and are wearing a lifejacket, your chances of survival are much greater. Always wear a lifejacket.”

    Have a form of waterproof communication with you or use a waterproof bag to put your phone in, to put inside your lifejacket.

    “A registered personal locator beacon is the lifeline when in a life-threatening situation. It provides us with the essential information that can help us get to you.”

    New Zealand weather is unpredictable and could change at any moment, check the forecast and change your plans if needed.

    Tell someone where you are going and when you will come back – this can be crucial information for us to locate you.

    Take care of yourself and look out for each other, pack warm clothes and extra food, and take breaks often.

    Personal locator beacons can be hired for as little as $10 from many Department of Conservation Visitor Centres and outdoor tramping and hunting stores.

    If you have purchased a beacon, make sure you register it at http://www.beacons.org.nz.

    For more information on outdoor safety, helpful free resources and videos, head to https://www.adventuresmart.nz/.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Statement on Tragic Death at the Mollie Kathleen Mine

    Source: US State of Colorado

    TELLER COUNTY – Governor Polis released the following statement on the death of an individual at the Mollie Kathleen Mine.

    “I am saddened to learn of the loss of a life in this tragic accident and my heart goes out to the family and loved ones during this difficult time. While we are still gathering information, the State of Colorado is doing everything in our power to support local authorities and ensure the safe rescue of those who are still in the mine. I have been in close contact with local authorities and continue to monitor the situation closely as we direct state resources to support the swift and safe resolution of this unfortunate event,” said Governor Jared Polis.

    The state has personnel on site and more en route to assess the situation and provide on-the-ground support to local authorities. Specifically, the state has a Field Manager from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on the scene, the State Emergency Operations Center is activated and supporting resource requests, a mine rescue team from the Department of Natural Resources is en route, and the Department of Labor and Employment has a conveyances inspector en route. Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs is also en route to the site.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace Statement – Fast track ministers’ effort to avoid conflict of interest like a sordid game of Twister

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace says the information released by the Government today shows how deeply compromised the whole fast track process is and that environmental protection is totally overridden.
    Russel Norman says, “It’s like a sordid game of Twister between Shane Jones, Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop as they try to avoid all their conflicts of interest in approving fast track projects.
    “With National, Act and New Zealand First parties having received half a million dollars in campaign donations from fast track project companies and shareholders, it is no surprise that managing the conflicts of interest was such a mess.
    “In fact, it was so complicated that they seem to have failed because Shane Jones said he would recuse himself from decisions related to Trans Tasman Resources seabed mining, but there’s no mention of that.”
    Earlier in the year, Greenpeace recorded Shane Jones saying that he was the minister of fisheries as well as mining and natural resources and so had stood aside from the seabed mining project so there could be no allegation that he favoured mining or favoured fisheries.
    “New Zealanders will be appalled that the Advisory Panel report is clear that they did not consider the environmental consequences of the projects they were sending for rubber stamping. This reflects the priorities of the fast track legislation itself.
    The full Advisory Group report has now been published by the Ministry for the Environment. It provides the full list of the 384 projects that applied to be listed in the Fast-track Approvals Bill, and the Advisory Group’s recommendation for each project.
    Greenpeace occupied the Straterra building last month in a protest against the possibility of its client’s Trans-Tasman Resources seabed mining project being included. The action resulted in several arrests, but Greenpeace says it was a sign of things to come and “a demonstration of the resistance promised” in the recently published open letter to all companies considering using the Fast Track Approvals process, which has since increased from 7,500 signatories to over 14,000.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    We, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada gathered in Vientiane, Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic on 10 October 2024, at the ASEAN-Canada Special Summit on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience, in support of the priorities of the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024; 

    Recalling the establishment of an ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership on 6 September 2023 and REAFFIRMING our shared commitment to jointly address new challenges, including through cooperation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); 

    Emphasising the importance of adhering to key principles, shared values and norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN), the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); 

    Recognising the long history of cooperation between ASEAN and Canada since the establishment of Dialogue Relations in 1977; 

    Noting that both the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy share relevant fundamental principles in promoting an ASEAN-centred, open, inclusive, transparent, resilient, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law; 

    Acknowledging Canada’s support for ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture, which underscores Canada’s commitment to regional peace, security and prosperity and to ASEAN integration and ASEAN Community-building process; 

    Supporting this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”; 

    Noting that Canada, as G7 president in 2025, is keenly interested in ensuring that its presidency is informed by the views of ASEAN Member States; 

    We hereby declare our intention to:

    1. Expand collaboration through the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership which will include a special focus in 2024-2025 on ASEAN-Canada digital cooperation, and an expanded Canadian commercial engagement in the ASEAN region. 
    2. Build on the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership (2021-2025) and support the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans as well as the implementation of the AOIP.

    Connectivity 

    Cooperation on Transforming for the Digital Future 

    1. Strengthen digital cooperation between ASEAN and Canada, noting Canada’s interest in becoming a Dialogue/Development Partner of the ADGSOM. 

    Cooperation on Integrating and Connecting Economies 

    1. Strengthen economic ties by increasing ASEAN-Canada trade and investment, including through Team Canada Trade Missions to the ASEAN region. 
    2. Promote greater regional economic integration, development, and resilience, including through the timely conclusion of an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) and underscore our shared commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system; and achieve fair, open and free markets, as well as sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development. 
    3. Welcome the establishment of the Export Development Canada office in Jakarta, and planned expansion to other countries in Southeast Asia, striving to support Canadian companies doing business in Indonesia and other ASEAN markets through direct financing to Canadian exporters and investors and support local buyers involved in projects with Canadian content. 
    4. Welcome the establishment of FinDev Canada’s office in Singapore, which will accelerate the deployment of the corporation’s equity, financing, blended financing and technical assistance solutions in the region, enabling sustainable development and inclusive growth through the private sector. 

    Resilience 

    Environmental Cooperation 

    1. Support ASEAN’s objectives to enhance sustainable development, including strengthening resilience against climate risks, extreme floods and droughts, including through relevant ASEAN regional mechanisms, ASEAN centres, and institutions. 
    2. Advance ocean management initiatives in the region, in line with the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action, including by supporting ocean and climate scientific research, promoting biodiversity protection and conservation initiatives, and monitoring and enforcement capacity. 

    Food Security 

    1. Advance technical cooperation by sharing best practices and capacity building in research and development on agricultural product and agri-food innovation in the agricultural sector to support long-term, reliable trade relationships and a stronger supply chain as outlined in the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises. 
    2. Welcome the establishment of Canada’s first Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila which aims to strengthen ASEAN-Canada cooperation on food security and promote mutual trade objectives in the agriculture sector. 
    3. Explore possible cooperation to promote responsible fishing practices and to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

    Cooperation on ASEAN Centrality 

    1. Promote maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded commerce, mutual trust and confidence, the exercise of self-restraint, the non-use of force or the threat to use force, and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, the relevant Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and the relevant instruments and conventions of the International Maritime Organisation. 
    2. Enhance cooperation in maintaining peace, security and stability, and addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region, including maritime security; transnational crime such as trafficking in persons, people smuggling, illicit precursor and drug trafficking; non-proliferation and disarmament; cyber security and cybercrime; international terrorism and violent extremism, with support from Canada’s capacity building efforts, including through the Anti-Crime and Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Programs, and in alignment with the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime. 

    Cooperation on Women’s Empowerment and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) 

    1. Commit to strengthen efforts in advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda globally, including through sharing of information and best practices, enhancing security related cooperation in the context of WPS within the ASEAN-led mechanisms, launching of a regional WPS initiative; advancing the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations and regionally, the ‘Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace’ initiative and cooperation with UN Women involving CAD8.5 million to support ASEAN-led efforts to advance the WPS agenda in ASEAN including support for the implementation and localisation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on WPS. 

    Cooperation on Health Security Initiatives 

    1. Further promote health security and health system resilience through ongoing support for the ASEAN-Canada Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) in the ASEAN Region Program, including supporting the development and operationalisation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Biosafety and Biosecurity and the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and other collaboration to enhance regional preparedness and response to future health crisis. 
    2. Further strengthen collaboration through the ASEAN-Canada MBT in the ASEAN Region Program to enhance capacities to prevent, detect and respond to all manner of biological threats, whether natural, accidental or deliberate in origin. 

    Cooperation on Disaster Management 

    1. Enhance cooperation between ASEAN and Canada to support the implementation of ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme (2021-2025) and the next AADMER Work Programme, as well as strengthen collaboration with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). 

    Cross-Cutting Issues 

    1. Commit to consolidate the ASEAN-Canada partnership and strategic engagement through more frequent and meaningful dialogues at various levels. We welcome Canada’s support for ASEAN-led mechanisms and note its interest in joining the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), subject to these mechanisms’ respective enlargement processes. 
    2. Strengthen Canada’s support for ASEAN’s increased engagement with international and multilateral fora, including the UN, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20, and in Canada’s role as G7 president in 2025 to explore synergies and collaboration with ASEAN as it adopts the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans. 
    3. Support ASEAN’s efforts in narrowing the development gaps, including through the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025) and its successor documents as well as sub-regional frameworks in the ASEAN region, which would contribute to promoting sustainable and equitable development and inclusive growth across the ASEAN Community by aligning sub-regional growth with the comprehensive development of ASEAN. 
    4. Recognise the importance of further enhancing regional connectivity, including through support for the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and its successor document and the ASEAN Connectivity Post-2025 Agenda, as well as promoting links and synergies with other relevant connectivity initiatives through ASEAN’s Connecting the Connectivities approach. 
    5. As we adopt this Joint Statement, we task our relevant officials to implement the above initiatives to complement the programmes and goals identified in the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership (2021-2025) as well as the Joint Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership, based on mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit. We reaffirm our commitment to our relationship, as ASEAN and Canada commence negotiations of the next iteration of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2026 – 2030). 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is pelvic organ prolapse and how is it treated?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer King, Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Sydney

    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    As a urogynaecologist I care exclusively for women with pelvic floor problems. These are the women with leaking bladders and weak supporting tissues allowing the vaginal walls to bulge outside.

    Pelvic organ prolapse can be distressing or embarrassing and interfere with everyday activities. But it’s also common. For many women treatment is simple, effective and doesn’t involve surgery.

    What is it pelvic organ prolapse?

    Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the supporting muscles and ligaments holding up the vagina are weakened, allowing the vaginal tissues to sag or stretch. The pelvic organs behind the vaginal walls – such as the bladder, bowel and uterus – can then drop out of position.

    One or more organ may be involved. But other than being out of position, there is not necessarily any problem with how these organs function.

    Prolapse is usually described according to which organ has dropped, for example “bladder prolapse” (cystocele). Severity is graded according to extent the vaginal wall has descended from its previous position.

    Prolapse can occur when the pelvic muscles holding organs in place are weakened.
    Pepermpron/Shutterstock

    What does it feel like?

    Most women don’t know an organ or organs have prolapsed until they notice a protrusion from the vaginal opening. They may feel a soft lump bulging in the vagina when they’re washing.

    Many simply feel aware “something is coming down”.

    Other women may notice they can’t trust their bladder not to leak when they’re jumping on a trampoline or running at the gym. Or perhaps they find it harder to keep a tampon in position than it was before children.

    How common is it?

    Prolapse is very common and its likelihood increases with age. Based on routine vaginal examination (for example, for cervical screening), easily 50% of women in developed countries will be classified as having prolapse. Most of these will have no symptoms at all.

    When defined by symptoms such as a vaginal bulge or difficulty passing urine, around 5% will have specific symptoms.

    What causes pelvic organ prolapse?

    Pregnancy and vaginal birth generally cause physical changes, such as relaxation of the vaginal tissues. For most women these are minor, but for some, prolapse can seriously impact quality of life.

    After pregnancy some women may find they need to adjust physical activities – particularly high impact exercise or repetitive heavy lifting – as this can make prolapse symptoms more noticeable.

    Women who give birth via caesarean section are less likely to experience prolapse and incontinence. However as caesareans have their own risk of serious complications, they can’t be recommended purely to avoid pelvic floor issues.

    After vaginal delivery, ageing is the second-most common cause of prolapse. This is because the strength of the pelvic floor deteriorates as we age and especially after menopause.

    Excessive weight lifting and high-impact exercise can also weaken these muscles.

    Chronic lung problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, constipation and obesity further increase the severity of prolapse and incontinence.

    Some women also have genetically poorer quality connective tissues, making them more at risk.

    How is it treated?

    Severe prolapse, which persistently extends through the vagina and causes significant discomfort, is often managed with surgery.

    But it is not always required. In developed countries, only 6-18% of those diagnosed with pelvic prolapse will have surgery.

    For milder cases, a clinician will usually recommend pelvic floor therapy.

    Specific exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor during pregnancy and after child birth.
    Cerrotalavan/Shutterstock

    Structured pelvic floor muscle exercises (generally working with a therapist over time) are effective as an initial treatment when prolapse has occurred. Pelvic floor training during late pregnancy can also be used to treat and prevent further prolapse or urinary incontinence.



    Read more:
    Men have pelvic floors too – and can benefit when they exercise them regularly

    Interestingly, general body strength and fitness does not translate into strong pelvic floor muscles – only specific exercises do this. But keeping your weight under control and managing other health conditions can help reduce symptoms.

    Intravaginal support devices, called pessaries, can also substantially reduce symptoms. These are usually silicone rings or discs to help support the vaginal walls. They can be fitted by doctors, nurses or physiotherapists and can often be managed by women themselves.

    Pessaries are often made of silicone.
    Pepermpron/Shutterstock

    Prolapse can also cause mental health distress. Some women may find their body image suffers, and they may experience anxiety or depression which needs specific management.

    What does surgery involve?

    In severe cases, a clinician might recommend surgery if conservative management (such as pelvic floor muscle training) has been ineffective.

    Surgery can also be necessary in those uncommon cases where the prolapse is affecting kidney or bowel function. In these situations surgery can restore quality of life.

    Surgery for prolapse can be performed through the abdomen (usually keyhole approach) or vaginally. For most women, mesh is not required and the surgery involves reshaping and reattaching the stretched tissues to strong ligaments.

    Unfortunately this is not always successful, particularly when the tissues are very weak. Approximately 25% of women will need further surgery.

    In 2017, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration withdrew their approval for vaginal mesh products for prolapse, after safety concerns. There has since been a marked reduction in surgery for prolapse and urinary incontinence.

    However we have not seen a corresponding increase in non-surgical treatments, so we can only assume many women are simply not seeking treatment at all.

    We do need to continue working towards better and safer products to improve the durability of our pelvic floor repairs. But in the meantime we must also continue to provide individualised care for every affected woman.

    For many, maintaining pelvic floor strength and a healthy lifestyle will be enough to return to and enjoy their normal activities. The first step is to talk to your GP, who can explain what options will work best for you.

    Jennifer King is affiliated with the International Urogynecological Association – secretary

    – ref. What is pelvic organ prolapse and how is it treated? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-pelvic-organ-prolapse-and-how-is-it-treated-239199

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop – Adelaide, South Australia

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Look it is just fantastic to be here at Ferguson Australia. Can I thank Andrew and Kate and all of the staff here for taking us around and talking us through the whole process of lobsters and lobster exports. And it’s wonderful to be here with Don, my wonderful colleague, the Trade Minister, and also with Joe Szakacs, the State Minister for Trade and Investments.

    We’re here the morning after the Prime Minister has announced we have agreed a timetable with China to allow the full resumption of Australian live rock lobster exports by the end of this year. And what does that mean for Australians, for Australian jobs and Australian workers? It means that in businesses like Ferguson Australia, for workers like the team we’ve seen here today, we have been able to open up an export market which is so important to the industry, to profits, and also to jobs and wages for Australians. I know from our discussions that the Fergusons have been involved in the fishing industry here in South Australia since the 1960s, but obviously, when under the previous government, the businesses were effectively blocked from entering the Chinese market, that a lot of businesses like this one here in South Australia took a really big hit. A $700 million market was shut down overnight. But as a result of the excellent work by the Albanese Government, the Prime Minister and obviously the Trade Minister as well, we’re able to start exporting this first-rate Australian product back into the Chinese market.

    Obviously, this has occurred in the context of the stabilisation of our relationship with China. I said before the election and what we have delivered on is that we would look to stabilise the relationship with China without compromising on things which are important to Australians. When we came to government we inherited some $20 billion worth of trade impediments. $20 billion worth of trade impediments under Peter Dutton. Now, less than $500 million of those impediments remain.

    Obviously, we will continue, as we have over the last two and a bit years, to press for those trade impediments to be removed. The approach we have taken to China has been patient, it has been calibrated, it has been deliberate. And our approach has paid dividends for Australians, for Australian businesses and for Australian workers. Very pleased that we have seen this announcement overnight by the Prime Minister. Very pleased that we’ll see Australian rock lobster in the Chinese market again. And again, I thank the Ferguson’s for their hospitality today and I’ll hand over to the Trade Minister.

    Don Farrell, Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, thank you, Penny, and thank you for the really good work that you’ve done with the Prime Minister to stabilise our relationship with China that has resulted in this decision yesterday to lift the final impediment on the final product back into China. We lost more than $700 million worth of trade with rock lobster going into China. By the end of the year, of course, Chinese consumers will have the advantage of the wonderful Australian product. The best rock lobster in the world comes from Australia and particularly from South Australia. And we are so pleased that the stabilisation process that you, as Foreign Minister, undertook has resulted in now the final removal of all the products.

    As you said, two and a half years ago, we started with $20 billion worth of trade impediments. They have now been removed. And of course, what that’s meant is greater prosperity for Australian producers, and more jobs for Australian workers. But we’re not going to rest on our laurels, as you will have seen in the last week or two, we’ve negotiated new free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and we’re encouraging companies like Fergusons to expand, to look at other markets so that we diversify our trading relationships. That’s the best way we can increase our prosperity and increase the number of jobs in this country.

    I want to thank the Fergusons. I was here only a couple of months ago where we said we’d be back with some good news, and that’s today. We’ve got that good news. And I want to thank the industry for sticking with us, it’s been a tough four years for this industry and all the way along the line I’ve wanted to give them some hope to make sure that they understood that if they stick with it, we would eventually get this sort of result. And I’m so pleased that the industry have toughed it out. They’ve diversified, but now the opportunity exists for them to go back into China. We’ve got a wonderful product here. We’ve got a clean and green image in China. We know from all of the other products that we’ve got back into the Chinese market over the last two and a half years, we actually go back with a greater volume than when we started. So, I’ve got the greatest of confidence that we’re not just going to stay where we are in terms of our exports, we’re actually going to increase those exports into the Chinese markets, and that’s very good news for this country. Thank you very much. And I want to thank my state colleagues, they’ve been working really hard with us – Joe and Claire. We’ve never given up hope. We’ve kept persisting and that persistence has now paid off. Thank you very much.

    Joe Szakacs, SA Minister for Trade and Investment: Thank you, everyone. Can I start by acknowledging the incredible work of the Commonwealth Government, particularly led by Senator Wong and Senator Farrell. The stabilisation of the China relationship has meant that important trade matters for South Australia have been able to be prosecuted by the Commonwealth Government, the Albanese Government, and thanks to their hard work and the support provided by our State Government here, we’ve seen these materialise today. Just yesterday, I announced that the trade numbers, the exports to China from South Australia, have hit another all-time high at $4.27 billion. To give some context for the impact that this announcement today or yesterday will have on the local industry in lobster, this was an over $70 million industry for South Australia that flatlined overnight. So, the resumption of the full exports of South Australian lobster into China will have a material impact for local jobs and local economic prosperity.

    Can I also say that the South Australian Government has been planning for this day for some time. Just a couple of months ago, I was actually just down here with Senator Farrell and Andrew to announce the $475,000 Seafood Support Package that our government implemented. That package is now ready to go. It supports one of two things. It supports the immediate re-engagement with China of our seafood industry, and particularly our lobster industry. It also supports and builds on the important diversification work that has been occurring to other markets, like Hong Kong, like Vietnam, like Korea and Japan. And we were in there inside today and we saw fresh live lobster being packed to head over to Hong Kong. That’s exactly the work that our State Government has been undertaking to diversify.

    Also, I just want to note that with the resumption of China Southern Airlines into South Australia, into Adelaide in December, we will see 15 tonnes of air freight every flight open up. Why is that critical? Well, it’s critical for lobster. We can’t put lobster on a boat. We can’t move lobster through ports of other states or territories. We need the best South Australian lobster to be in a plane, in the belly of a plane, into market in one day. With 15 tonne of air freight every single day being opened up from Adelaide to Guangzhou, that means direct air freight route for companies like Ferguson and other local producers. So, I just, again want to say thank you and particularly pay note to the Commonwealth Government for their extraordinary efforts in this regard.

    Clare Scriven, SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development: So, this is a wonderful announcement, but particularly for our regional economies. The rock lobster industry is worth $158 million to South Australia overall, and a significant amount of that has been in terms of China and the market there. So, it’s been a really difficult time for the lobster fishermen and also for the economies in our regional areas who rely on that lobster fishing industry. So, this is a great announcement. We are really pleased that the Federal Government and State Government has worked so hard to be able to achieve this and we look forward to an uplift for our regional economies as well as our lobster fishermen.

    Foreign Minister: Thanks, Clare. Okay, happy to take questions.

    Journalist: Minister Wong, when will the first lobsters hit China? Is this an immediate thing?

    Foreign Minister: Well, the announcement is by the end of the year that the trade impediments will be removed. Obviously, we’re hoping a little bit earlier than that. I was speaking to Andrew before about how that might be operationalised by the industry. I know with wine we started with a few shipments and then obviously month by month those, those exports grew. But the announcement is by the end of the year, but we’re hoping for earlier.

    Journalist: Now, do you trust China as a trading partner after the past four years? And what lessons have you learnt here?

    Foreign Minister: Well, we learnt a few lessons as a country, didn’t we? The first is that Peter Dutton talking tough isn’t the same as being tough. And that Mister Dutton and his colleagues really took an approach to the relationship with China which ultimately didn’t end up with a relationship that was stable, where we could agree, disagree, cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest. We saw that the Opposition continues to seek to politicise the China relationship. Now, I’ve been very clear: China has a set of interests. Some of those are very different to Australia’s. There are going to be areas where we disagree and Australia has been very clear about standing up for those issues which are important to Australians. But we also know that its important to engage and we will continue to do that in a mature, calibrated and deliberate way.

    Journalist: And will you pull back on other issues you might have with China to try and keep these trade deals going?

    Foreign Minister: Well, I think you’ve seen that we have been very clear about those areas where we disagree. And the whole point about trying to stabilise a relationship is to recognise there will be areas where you disagree and those will continue. There will be areas where you can cooperate and you want to work on them. And perhaps most importantly, you have to engage. You have to keep engaging in dialogue, in visits, in discussion, and we will continue to do that. And I was very pleased, for example, last night at the airport I saw a number of the Australian parliamentarians who are going to Beijing for the first parliamentarian trip for some time. So, we will have areas where we continue to have different views. Your Government will continue to articulate Australia’s position on them in accordance with our national interests. But we also recognise that it is important for us to seek to work with China to open up these markets. The reason is what you saw in there. This is about Australian jobs.

    Journalist: I just have some questions from Canberra about the Middle East. So, the Opposition says Australians fleeing from Lebanon should be made to pay for Government-supported flights back home if they’ve ignored Government warnings. What’s your response to that?

    Foreign Minister: Look, we’re taking the same approach on this as we talk to people who had to flee in the earlier part of the conflict after the horrific events of October 7. But I would say this; we have a flight scheduled for Sunday, that’s October 13, there are no further flights scheduled beyond that. So, I’d say to Australians, there is a flight scheduled on October 13. There are no further flights scheduled and any further flights would obviously, as I said, flights are not going to be scheduled indefinitely and are subject to operational and security constraints. You should leave now if you wish to leave.

    Journalist: And did the government go too far with its wording on the October 7 motion in Parliament? Should you have ensured it was wording the Coalition would support?

    Foreign Minister: Well, you know who’s gone too far in this and that’s Mr Dutton. Mr Dutton is out of step with the majority of the international community, including allies such as the US, the United Kingdom, members of the G7. He refused to support a ceasefire in Gaza. Can I remind everybody that a ceasefire in Gaza has been called for, led by the United States and backed in by every single member of the United Nations Security Council.

    So, the United States and every member of the UN Security Council have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but Mr Dutton does not want to vote for it. I’d also make the point that we had a debate in the Senate yesterday – the Coalition there was prepared to support a broader motion, including some of the issues that Mr Dutton refused to support in the House. Mr Dutton is doing what he always does, which is to seek to divide, to seek to inflame. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, you can always count on Peter Dutton to look to divide Australians. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, Mister Dutton will always work to divide them.

    Journalist: Thank you, Ministers. I just wanted to ask about biosecurity testing requirements. Is that something we’ve agreed to?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Thanks, Dominic. So, we have been in discussions, of course, for some months now with the Chinese authorities in order to deal with all of the biosecurity issues that have been raised by the Chinese Government in the past. We have now got a way forward to resolve all of those biosecurity issues in a way that meets all of the Chinese requirements. So, what you’ll see, I think, between now and Christmas when there’s a full resumption, is a gradual resumption of exports of Australian rock lobster into China that will meet all of the requirements of the Chinese Government.

    Journalist: And what does that mean for Australian companies? Do they have to do anything extra or is that onus on the government when it comes to testing?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, every government imposes its regulations on products coming into their country. China is no different from that. But I’m very confident, as a result of all of the discussions that have taken place, particularly the good work of the Agriculture Minister, Minister Collins, and before that, Minister Watt, we will ensure that we satisfy all of the requirements that the Chinese Government require about all of the products that we export into China.

    Journalist: Thank you. And just one for the Foreign Minister, if that’s all right. Yesterday you met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar and he put forward some suggestions about how Australia could act in terms of responding to the junta’s rule. I’m just wondering if there’s any particular ideas that you were receptive to or if we’re considering any further measures that he suggested?

    Foreign Minister: We are very concerned about the situation in Myanmar. We’re concerned because, as a decent country, the loss of life and the disrespect for human rights concerns us all. We’re also concerned because Myanmar is critical to regional stability. If you look at the history of Southeast Asia, the history of ASEAN, stability in Myanmar has been a central part of the stability of the region. So, that matters to Australia. We are very concerned about the situation. We are very concerned about the behaviour of the regime. You would have seen previously that we have put sanctions on particular members of the regime. And recently I also put sanctions on particular companies, including those supplying jet fuel, given that the regime was in engaging in attacks on its own people.

    I was very pleased to meet with the Rapporteur. We discussed the situation in Myanmar. We discussed the need to focus more on the humanitarian crisis. People might recall I visited Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh some time ago. I made the point that that is Australia’s largest single humanitarian contribution, under both governments. We have put very substantial amounts of humanitarian support there because it is a humanitarian crisis in our region. And we’ll continue to work with both the international community, regional partners, to try and contribute to finding stability in Myanmar and certainly averting or dealing with the humanitarian crisis which is on our doorstep.

    Thanks very much, everybody.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Filming in the scenery, a festival of tastes and master classes: what the Moskino cinema park has prepared for this weekend

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The upcoming weekend at the Moskino cinema park will be held in the format of a cinema weekend. On October 12 and 13, Muscovites will be able to join staged filming, attend various master classes and taste unusual dishes at the Golden Autumn festival venues. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of cinema, try yourself in various creative directions and simply relax with your family and friends.

    Honey expanse and culinary master classes

    On Saturday, October 12, three tents will be open on the territory of the cinema park festival “Golden Autumn”In the first of them, from 12:00 to 19:45, three master classes will be held for visitors every hour.

    The program will open with a traditional Russian tea ceremony. Guests will try four types of hot drinks with gingerbread, buns and pretzels. You will also be able to try on Pavlovo Posad shawls, kokoshniks, caps and take photos against the backdrop of old samovars.

    The chef will teach lovers of pelmeni and vareniki how to make them correctly. Red fish and cherries are used as filling. You can taste the dishes you have prepared yourself.

    In addition, guests will be treated to a master class on making traditional Russian drinks: cherry lemonade, lingonberry mors, and honey sbiten.

    In the second tent at 11:00 there will be a master class on pumpkin carving. A specialist will teach children and adults to make real works of art from vegetables, carving ornaments and patterns on them.

    Visitors will then be able to decorate cutting boards using decoupage techniques, using lace, beads, jute and dried flowers.

    You will learn how to decorate jars in the third tent. For this, you will use burlap, lace, ribbons, beads, ears of corn and acrylic paints. Here you can also decorate wooden horseshoes.

    The next day, October 13, in the second tent, guests will be able to make candles from beeswax with the addition of essential oils, dried herbs and dried flowers, and then lip balms from natural wax.

    The third tent will host a master class on creating eco-friendly bird feeders from cardboard and based on a grid of sticks and dough. After that, guests will make a panel from cereals.

    Pumpkin latte and zucchini tortilla: what else will visitors of the Golden Autumn festival be treated to

    Guests of the cinema park will also be able to try a variety of dishes. For example, chicken and beef liver pates with berries and mushrooms, rabbit with pine nuts, trout, tuna, duck, as well as red fish riet with olives.

    In addition, visitors to the cinema park’s gastronomic venues will enjoy the following types of honey: forest, buckwheat, sweet clover, linden, acacia, taiga, bee bread and honeycomb. They will also offer gingerbread or traditional handmade gingerbread with different flavors – from berry layer to condensed milk.

    Farmers will present sausages and delicacies – raw smoked meat and dishes from duck, lamb and veal. In addition, there will be a lot of smoked and dried fish on the shelves.

    The most popular product presented in the shopping chalets will be cheese. Guests of the Moskino cinema park will be able to choose from hard, semi-soft and soft, from cow’s and goat’s milk, with or without fillers.

    Bonuses for guests of the Golden Autumn festival

    Visitors to the Golden Autumn festival who purchase farm produce at the fair will be able to use the cashback system for the purchased ticket — this is a refund of the cost of the ticket to the cinema park or a free ticket to the cinema park, which will be valid until the end of the year. Upon purchase, festival guests will receive a coupon with a number that must be indicated in a message to a special chat bot of the cinema park in the Telegram messenger.

    After processing the application, you can choose the return method – 100% cashback in money on a card or ticket. The coupon is valid until the end of the day it is issued. The cashback application will be reviewed and registered in the chatbot no later than October 17, 2024. You can receive the service once, if you try to create another application, the previous one will be canceled. You must be careful when filling in contact information. If the data is incorrect, the service cannot be provided.

    The cashback service can be provided no later than 30 days from the date of registration of the application in the chatbot.

    Photo sessions in the scenery and educational film expedition

    During the cinema weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to take a photo “from the past” against the backdrop of the “County Town” stage. And for an additional fee – a professional photo as a keepsake and a retro-style card with various filters applied.

    A costumed photo session with partisan props will be held at the Partisan Village site, and in the Cowboy Town space, in themed costumes with a frame with the inscription “Wanted.”

    In addition, those who wish will be able to dress up as movie characters and take some photos as a keepsake.

    The President of Russia and the Mayor of Moscow ceremoniously opened the Moskino cinema park

    Guests of the cinema park will be able to go on a walking tour called “Cinema Expedition”. It includes a visit to the sites “County Town”, “Pitersky Bar”, “Cowboy Town”, “City Yard”, “Streets of Berlin” and “Gonzaga Theater”. An experienced guide will tell the participants the secrets of creating scenery, the intricacies of film production in the Moskino cinema park, as well as about the projects filmed in these scenery.

    “Cinema Expedition” will appeal to both adults and children. Excursions lasting 1.5 hours will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. Meeting at the educational center, tickets can be purchased on site using a QR code. The excursion is intended for adults and children from 10 years old.

    Geometrical games and attractions

    An animation program awaits children in the fairy tale park. The kids will be able to play the game “Drawing”, which will help participants test their knowledge of geometric figures. Thus, it will be necessary to construct an oval, square or rhombus from a rope with their eyes closed. The “Mega Tetris” test is suitable for those who like active games. The relay race to find Tetris pieces will end with the creation of a high tower from them.

    Anyone can take part in the animated sports programs from 11:00 to 17:00 on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13.

    There will also be children’s attractions on the territory: excavators, a two-story carousel and a Cheburashka carousel.

    Staged shooting and a journey into the world of shadows

    Staged filming will take place on location. Everyone will have the opportunity to try on the images of the most famous heroes of Russian cinema. Comfortable conditions will be created for changing the image.

    The set of the “Pitersky Bar” is planned to be used for filming a scene from the movie “The Three Musketeers”. The “Cowboy Town” site will be used to film the famous scene of the acquaintance of the residents of an American town with the main character of the movie “The Man from Boulevard des Capucines” – Mr. Johnny Fest. All visitors to the park can take part in the staged filming.

    At the “County Town” site, visitors will see an immersive show based on the famous comedy film “12 Chairs”. On the streets, you can meet Ostap Bender and Kisa Vorobyaninov, who are trying to find the treasured chair. Guests will witness the conflict between familiar and beloved characters.

    On Saturday and Sunday, visitors to the Gonzaga Theatre will be able to go on a fascinating journey through countries with shadow theatre artists, visiting different parts of the world together, which will leave lasting impressions.

    The parking lot near the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology will host an outdoor exhibition called “Behind the Ribbon,” as well as armored vehicles for the airborne, infantry, and support vehicles: BMD-1, BTR-60, BTR-70, Ural-375, GAZ-66, BTR-60, and other models.

    Film screenings and acting workshops

    This weekend, the Moskino Kinopark cinema will delight viewers with new Russian films. Morning sessions are for the little ones, they will be shown the cartoons Luntik. Returning Home and Malyshariki. Birthday.

    In the afternoon, the program includes the films “Ruki Vverh”, “Vasilisa and the Guardians of Time” and “The Count of Monte Cristo”. All screenings are paid. The schedule and ticket purchase are available on the website.

    For an additional fee, visitors to the cinema will be able to participate in master classes where children will learn about string art, or thread graphics, create the main cinematic symbol – a clapperboard, and also attend a class on artistic makeup, where they will be able to turn into their favorite superheroes. The events are intended for children aged six and up.

    In addition, there will be master classes in acting, aimed at revealing the creative potential of the participants, studying the basics of managing emotions, and getting acquainted with different roles – from dramatic to comedic.

    And for dance lovers, there will be classes called “Dance in the World of Cinema,” where they will talk about the features of body language and the ability to express emotions through movement.

    At the master classes “Sing in the World of Cinema” you will have the opportunity to learn how to control your voice and breathing. Vocal exercises of the stars will help to reveal hidden talents.

    The cost, detailed description and time of the event can be found atcinema platform “Moskino”.

    Photoshoot in the Wild West and a master class in sand animation: how the weekend went at the Moskino cinema parkHistorical authenticity and the magic of immersion: what filming locations does the Moskino cinema park offer?

    The Million Prizes program campaign as part of the Golden Autumn Film Weekend and Festival

    This weekend, guests of the Moskino Cinema Park will be able to earn points for the city loyalty program “Million Prizes.” For visiting entertainment events at the Moskino Cinema Park, participants will be awarded 625 city points. They can only be received once if you have a full or standard account on mos.ru. To take part in the promotion, you must show your ticket and personal QR code for a participant in electronic city projects to the administrator at the entrance on the day of the event. You can find the QR code on the website, by logging in using your mos.ru account and clicking on the button with the shield image in the upper right corner of the screen.

    Points can be exchanged for goods and services from more than 400 partners of the city loyalty program “Million Prizes”. For example, you can get discounts in restaurants and pharmacies, a ticket to a museum, top up your “Troika” transport card, or donate points to charity.

    Entry to the events of the cinema weekend is by tickets, which can be purchased online only, cash payment is not accepted. Parking for personal vehicles is free.

    The cinema park is part of the Moscow Cinema Cluster, which unites infrastructure facilities, services and services for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government as part of Sergei Sobyanin’s project “Moscow – City of Cinema”. Currently, the cinema park has 18 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities, including the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “Partisan Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “Pitersky Bar” and others.

    The structure of the capital’s film cluster also includes the Maxim Gorky Film Studio (sites onRyazansky Prospect, Sergei Eisenstein Street and in Valdaisky Proezd), the Moskino cinema chain, the Moskino film commission and 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.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145102073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Heading for your own business: how the MBM Business School helps aspiring entrepreneurs

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Find an idea for a business, register your business, learn the basics of marketing and develop a strategy for promoting your personal brand – these and other important knowledge for entrepreneurs can be obtained in“MBM Business School”Any Muscovite who wants to open their own business and run it successfully can become a participant in free classes.

    In October, the MBM Business School celebrated its seventh anniversary. During this time, more than 16 thousand people have completed their studies there. Every second graduate opens your own business. Read about how experts help aspiring entrepreneurs to identify their target audience, study the market and modern trends, and work through legal and accounting issues in the mos.ru article.

    Come up with an idea and create your own brand

    Many people dream of switching from a paid job to their own business in order to freely manage their time, gain financial independence, set goals and achieve results. But starting a business and achieving success is not so easy: it requires not only courage and organizational skills, but also certain knowledge and skills. During the five-day free course at the MBM Business School, students will be helped to find an entrepreneurial idea, taught how to prepare effective presentations, “package” a product or service, analyze the market and promote a brand on social networks.

    “Every day, different speakers address the participants of the classes with specific topics. I talk about the importance of social networks for expanding the audience, attracting customers and increasing brand awareness. At the same time, it is better to limit yourself to two or three social networks at first, because you may not have enough time and energy for more. The next important point is to choose a social network that is used more often by the target audience. For example, Odnoklassniki is preferred by older people than users of the social network VKontakte. In addition, during the class, we have time to create a Telegram channel, come up with a name for it and invite the first subscribers,” says Alexandra Lynova, an expert in visual communication in digital and social media at the MBM Business School.

    To register for the school, you don’t necessarily have to have a ready-made entrepreneurial idea: anyone who wants to start their own business can join. For the convenience of participants, classes are held in person or online.

    “Everyone has entrepreneurial skills, and it’s never too late to change your life. For example, a man over 60 years old became a participant in the last cohort of the MBM Business School. He had worked in journalism all his life, and now he is thinking about his own publishing business. We also had a mother of many children who was inspired by the idea of creating a network of fitness clubs for women with small children. Experts help aspiring entrepreneurs in all matters,” continues Alexandra Lynova.

    Sobyanin: Entrepreneurs can receive educational support from the cityThe country’s first youth entrepreneurship hub has been created in Moscow — Sobyanin

    Set goals and find mentors

    The training at the MBM Business School is structured in such a way that students not only receive theoretical knowledge, but also complete practical tasks and adopt the experience of experts. Thus, the founder and director of the online educational center Diana Ipkeeva came to the MBM Business School a year ago with an already working project, but without a specific understanding of where to move next. Experts helped her refine the concept, formulate the mission and values.

    “I always wanted to work for myself, and after moving to Moscow, my husband and I started tutoring Russian and mathematics. As a result, there were so many students that we decided to open our own educational center and attract other teachers. But I didn’t know where to get them, how to train them and employ them. At the MBM Business School, I became convinced that people needed my idea, received tremendous support from teachers and other entrepreneurs, mastered accounting and legal aspects, and learned the rules of marketing,” says Diana Ipkeeva.

    After training, the entrepreneur added English to the list of subjects at her educational center, tripled the number of teachers, and the number of students increased several times.

    “On this course I found two mentors who still support me. New plans appeared, an understanding of where to grow further, we already have goals planned for two years in advance. I recommend the MBM Business School to anyone who wants to start their own business. These five days are enough to understand whether a person is ready to become an entrepreneur or if it is better for them to work for hire. For those who are not ready, this will help to avoid mistakes and disappointments, and if after the classes a person is strengthened in their desire, they will be informed enough to boldly follow this path,” the mos.ru interlocutor believes.

    From maternity leave to entrepreneurship

    Participants of the MBM Business School take various industry streams: courses for the self-employed, social business, education, restaurant business, beauty industry, marketplace business and women’s entrepreneurship. The latter is in demand among young mothers.

    “My target audience is aspiring female entrepreneurs who dream of being successful in their favorite business. And most of them are mothers who have two, three or even four children. It is important for me to show how a woman can achieve success at a comfortable pace and attract grateful clients, relying on her personal qualities,” says Oksana Sharaya, entrepreneur, coach and women’s trainer at the MBM Business School.

    One of her students, working as a marketer at a bank, decided to start her own jewelry business during the coronavirus pandemic. After completing the course, the aspiring entrepreneur created a business project, registered as self-employed, and today is the owner of a successful jewelry brand.

    “The main thing in training is the search for meaning. A female entrepreneur must understand what she can bring to this world and who will benefit from it. In classical business, it is absolutely unimportant for an entrepreneur and his target audience to have similar values, but for women’s self-realization it is important. In addition, women, as a rule, have good organizational skills and can be unobtrusive leaders, and they implement these qualities in business, inspiring and supporting their employees,” Oksana Sharaya is sure.

    Women entrepreneurs are invited to take part in the MBM mini-intensive

    Overcome the crisis and expand your business

    Participation in the MBM Business School helps aspiring entrepreneurs to work out an idea, form a concept for their brand, and strengthen their business and personal qualities. Offline stream participants prepare projects that they present at the end of the program — a business plan or strategy for developing their company. For example, fashion designer and head of a shoe fashion house Daria Detkina, studying at the business school in 2018 helped her get out of the crisis and find a new direction in her favorite business.

    “Working in one company, I grew from a designer to a creative director. At the same time, private orders began to come in, and I became more and more immersed in the world of entrepreneurship. And after 2014, I finally decided to go into my own business. Fortunately, I quickly found clients, and then a business partner. However, three years later, I realized that I needed to change somehow. Then I learned about the MBM Business School,” says Daria Detkina.

    After participating in the program, the fashion designer decided to create not only custom-made shoes, but also limited collections, and provide services to entrepreneurs who want to produce shoes under their own brand. Darya Detkina has a workshop, a production facility with 3D equipment, and a photo studio, and she recently rented another space, where she is currently renovating.

    “At business school, they told us how to analyze the target audience, create unique offers, explained accounting and legal subtleties. I save all these lectures and often review them. But the most valuable thing for me in my studies was networking. When you communicate with similarly charged, motivated people, it is very inspiring,” says the mos.ru interlocutor.

    The next stream of the MBM Business School will begin offline classes on October 14. You can register for participation by link.

    State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow” also holds free forums, seminars, trainings, conferences for entrepreneurs, which help to improve professional competencies and find like-minded people. You can get advice on opening and running your own business and learn more about measures to support entrepreneurs on the website “Small Business of Moscow”, in person at business service centers and by phone: 7 495 225-14-14.

    Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the national project “Small and medium entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiatives”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.

    Starting with coffee: entrepreneurs are invited to join the new MBM training projectInvent, produce and sell: what entrepreneurs are taught in the courses of the State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow”The number of small and medium entrepreneurs in the education sector has grown by 27 percent in three years

    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/144990073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tea ceremonies and a gastronomic route: what awaits Muscovites in the last days of the Golden Autumn festival

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The festival ends in Moscow “Golden Autumn”During its duration, residents and guests of the capital managed to try seasonal dishes, saw a gallery of art pumpkins and a fashion installation, and also followed a gastronomic route. We tell you what awaits festival guests this weekend.

    Tea ceremonies and mini tractor races

    This weekend, October 12 and 13, the Moskino Cinema Park, located in the village of Yurovo, has prepared a special program for city residents. Here, against the backdrop of film sets, a gastronomic area has appeared. Guests will be able to purchase farm products delivered from 30 farms across the country, as well as learn production secrets and recipes for all occasions.

    At creative workshops in the cinema park, children will make wooden horseshoes, decorate cutting boards using decoupage, create wax candles and eco-friendly bird feeders, and also assemble a panel from cereals and make lip balm.

    From 12:00, traditional Russian tea ceremonies will be held in a separate tent. In addition, participants will be shown how to cook pelmeni, vareniki and national drinks, as well as how to make a work of art from a pumpkin, decorating the fruit with carved floral and other ornaments and patterns.

    On Saturday, October 12, from 12:00 to 18:00, a gastromarket and two make-up vans will be open. At the same time, a picnic and a tour of the cinema park will take place. Guests will be able to feel like movie characters and take part in a filming inspired by the characters of the films “The Thaw” and “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears”. Visitors will also enjoy mini-tractor races, and a cart with a samovar and traditional Russian sweets will be installed on the site, which will be served until 21:00.

    This weekend, an unusual gallery will move to the Moskino cinema park. Guests will see 20 art objects in the form of pumpkins, painted by street artists. In addition, there will be culinary competitions between professional chefs.

    Drum and dance show and neofolk

    Artists and musical groups will perform at the venues of the Moscow Seasons cycle of city street events in different districts of the capital.

    On Saturday, October 12, at 17:00 on Admirala Rudneva Street, the cover band “VIA The Champions” will perform. On the same day, at 17:00, the performer Karl Hitch will take the stage on Volgogradsky Prospekt. Guests will enjoy a hit parade of popular songs, as well as an immersive show. And at 18:30 on Gorodetskaya Street, Muscovites will see a drum and dance show by the Drumma Queens group.

    On Sunday, October 13, at 17:00 on Krasnodarskaya Street you can listen to neofolk. Victoria Bars will perform at the new venue of the Moscow Seasons. She performs Russian folk songs in a modern style. Her repertoire includes the compositions “The Volga River Flows”, “Oh, It’s Not Evening”, “Romashki Sprytalis”, “Za Tikhoi Rekoyu”.

    Open-air theatres

    In addition to musical concerts, festival guests can also enjoy theatrical performances.

    On Saturday, October 12, at 4:00 p.m., the play “Three from Prostokvashino” will be shown on Volgogradsky Prospekt. The actors of the Pushkin Musical and Drama Theater will perform on stage.

    On Sunday, October 13, at 4:00 p.m. on Mitinskaya Street, the Magic Fan Theatre will show the play “Tales Told by the Learned Cat.” At the same time, on Krasnodarskaya Street, the Yaroslava Slavskaya Theatre will present the play “Fly-Tsokotukha.”

    Creative activities and gastronomic master classes

    One of the most popular places of the Golden Autumn festival was the site located on Tverskaya Square. This weekend, master classes will be held there for guests of all ages.

    At 13:00 you can learn how to paint clay plates, and at 14:00 you can learn how to create a decorative pumpkin that will decorate your autumn interior. Here at 15:00 guests will make a panel from cereals.

    Muscovites will be able to learn how to cook delicious dishes in a real oven on Svyatoozerskaya and Teply Stan streets. At 13:00 they will make a chicken pie with rice and seasonal vegetables, and at 15:00 – a roast with mushrooms, sweet onions and new potatoes.

    At Revolution Square, guests will try various types of pancakes, as well as grilled veal and pumpkin latte. In the Brigantina Park on Koptevsky Boulevard, you can enjoy pork ribs and brisket, which will be cooked in a smoker. In the park near Golyanovsky Pond, visitors will be offered meat solyanka.

    In addition, Tverskaya Square will feature fish delicacies from Astrakhan, craft cheeses made from premium milk, caviar and canned goods. On Dmitry Donskoy Boulevard, you can buy Dombai jam, pickles, as well as tea and herbs from Karachay-Cherkessia. Pastila and marmalade made from cheese are sold on all days of the festival at the Moscow Seasons site near the Nekrasovka metro station.

    In Kamergersky Lane, guests will be able to follow the autumn gastronomic route. About 20 restaurants will present special set menus and seasonal hot drinks. In addition, a famous DJ will perform here.

    During the Golden Autumn festival, sports, culinary and creative events will be held at venues across the capital. Guests can take part in weightlifting, push-ups, squats and other competitions. Children will learn wood carving and wickerwork. A special program will be organized at the Moskino cinema park, where a large-scale gastrofestival will take place. Guests will enjoy barbecue parties, chef battles, tastings of farm products and much more. For the first time, city fish markets located in the Kosino-Ukhtomsky and Mitino districts will become festival venues.

    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.mos.ru/nevs/item/145063073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over two million tourists from the regions visited Moscow’s cafes and restaurants in six months

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Over two million guests from Russian regions visited Moscow cafes and restaurants in the first half of 2024. Most often, these were residents of St. Petersburg, Krasnodar Krai and Tyumen Oblast, reported Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    “There are more than 22 thousand establishments in the capital – these are fine dining restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, family cafes. Many of them use farm products, the menu offers both signature versions of traditional treats and modern dishes,” said Natalia Sergunina.

    Over the past few years, demand for domestic products in Moscow has grown significantly. Now their share in the total consumption in the capital makes up 84 percent. Vegetables, cheeses, meat and fish are brought from more than 80 regions of the country.

    Festivals and culinary competitions

    Festivals, in particular “Tastes of Russia” and “Moscow — on the Wave. Fish Week”, as well as the projects “Moscow Breakfast” and “Moscow Tea Party”, introduce the variety of farm products and gastronomic concepts. The city is currently hosting festival “Golden Autumn”, where more than 150 large and small farms from all over the country presented their products.

    During the recent large-scale forum-festival “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030” a competition “Dessert of the Future” was held. It involved 30 cafes, bakeries, restaurants and hotels of the capital. Over three weeks, city residents and tourists tried 2.5 thousand portions of cakes, pastries and pastries. Among the treats were varenets with condensed milk, ice cream and lingonberries, chocolate millefeuille and sweet sushi. The results were announced in September, the winner was a team from a large hotel chain. According to its representative, festivals give chefs the opportunity to experiment with traditional and modern cooking techniques and also attract new guests.

    Another iconic gastronomic project has united regional chefs at the forum-festival “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030”. They prepared dishes worth up to 300 rubles from domestic products. You could try them on Manezhnaya Square. The main prize was contested by perepechi with farmer’s cheese and green onions, Far Eastern fisherman’s slice with crab salad, sugudai from nelma with baked potatoes, the dessert “Kalinnik” and other delicacies. The winner was mini-chebureki with crab and shrimp – visitors bought them most often.

    Center of gastronomic tourism

    Thanks to such events, interest in restaurants of regional and national cuisine is growing. For example, a representative of a Baikal and Buryat-Mongolian establishment noted that residents and tourists, who a couple of years ago cautiously ordered dishes with specific names, now come for them from all over the capital and even from other cities.

    Moscow is becoming a Russian and international center of gastronomic tourism. If you had breakfast, lunch and dinner in different establishments of the city every day, it would take 20 years to visit them all. Many restaurants and cafes are also targeting visitors from specific countries, such as China or India. They undergo certification for compliance with the culinary traditions of the country, over time they become more famous and open new places.

    Development of the tourism industry – resultcomprehensive support for the industry and close cooperation between the city and business. The volume of tourist and excursion consumption in the first half of 2024 amounted to 650 billion rubles, of which revenues to the capital’s budget are estimated at 89 billion rubles. Both figures are a third higher than in the record pre-pandemic year of 2019.

    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.mos.ru/nevs/item/145091073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Bring France into decolonisation talks, French Polynesian president tells UN

    By Stefan Armbruster 0f BenarNews

    French Polynesia’s president and civil society leaders have called on the United Nations to bring France to the negotiating table and set a timetable for the decolonisation of the Pacific territory.

    More than a decade after the archipelago was re-listed for decolonisation by the UN General Assembly, France has refused to acknowledge the world’s peak diplomatic organisation has a legitimate role.

    France’s reputation has taken a battering as an out-of-touch colonial power since deadly violence erupted in Kanaky New Caledonia in May, sparked by a now abandoned French government attempt to dilute the voting power of indigenous Kanak people.

    Pro-independence French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson told the UN Decolonisation Committee’s annual meeting in New York on Monday that “after a decade of silence” France must be “guided” to participate in “dialogue.”

    “Our government’s full support for a comprehensive, transparent and peaceful decolonisation process with France, under the scrutiny of the United Nations, can pave the way for a decolonisation process that serves as an example to the world,” Brotherson said.

    Brotherson called for France to finally co-operate in creating a roadmap and timeline for the decolonisation process, pointing to unrest in New Caledonia that “reminds us of the delicate balance that peace requires”.

    ‘Problem with decolonisation’
    In August, he warned France “always had a problem with decolonisation” in the Pacific, where it also controls the territories of New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.

    The 121 islands of French Polynesia stretch over a vast expanse of the Pacific, with a population of about 280,000, and was first settled more than 2000 years ago.

    Often referred to as Tahiti after the island with the biggest population, France declared the archipelago a protectorate in 1842, followed by full annexation in 1880.

    France last year attended the UN committee for the first time since the territory’s re-inscription in 2013 as awaiting decolonisation, after decades of campaigning by French Polynesian politicians.

    French Permanent Representative to the UN Nicolas De Rivière responds to French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson at the 79th session of the Decolonisation Committe on Monday. Image: UNTV

    “I would like to clarify once again that this change of method does not imply a change of policy,” French permanent representative to the UN Nicolas De Rivière told the committee on Monday.

    “There is no process between the state and the Polynesian territory that reserves a role for the United Nations,” he said, and pointed out France contributes almost 2 billion euros (US $2.2 billion) each year, or almost 30 percent of the territory’s GDP.

    After the UN session, Brotherson told the media that France’s position is “off the mark”.

    17 speakers back independence
    French Polynesia was initially listed for decolonisation by the UN in 1946 but removed a year later as France fought to hold onto its overseas territories after the Second World War.

    Granted limited autonomy in 1984, with control over local government services, France retained administration over justice, security, defence, foreign policy and the currency.

    Seventeen pro-independence and four pro-autonomy – who support the status quo – speakers gave impassioned testimony to the committee.

    Lawyer and Protestant church spokesman Philippe Neuffer highlighted children in the territory “solely learn French and Western history”.

    “They deserve the right to learn our complete history, not the one centred on the French side of the story,” he said.

    “Talking about the nuclear tests without even mentioning our veterans’ history and how they fought to get a court to condemn France for poisoning people with nuclear radiation.”

    France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.

    ‘We demand justice’
    “Our lands are contaminated, our health compromised and our spirits burned,” president of the Mururoa E Tatou Association Tevaerai Puarai told the UN denouncing it as French “nuclear colonialism”.

    “We demand justice. We demand freedom,” Puarai said.

    He said France needed to take full responsibility for its “nuclear crimes”, referencing a controversial 10-year compensation deal reached in 2009.

    Some Māʼohi indigenous people, many French residents and descendants in the territory fear independence and the resulting loss of subsidies would devastate the local economy and public services.

    Pro-autonomy local Assembly member Tepuaraurii Teriitahi told the committee, “French Polynesia is neither oppressed nor exploited by France.”

    “The idea that we could find 2 billion a year to replace this contribution on our own is an illusion that would lead to the impoverishment and downfall of our hitherto prosperous country,” she said.

    Copyright ©2015-2024, BenarNews. Republished with the permission of BenarNews.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Socio-economic importance of recreational fishing in inland waters – E-001955/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001955/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Benoit Cassart (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Hilde Vautmans (Renew)

    Recreational freshwater fishing presents an important source of direct and indirect income for rural communities, as well as a means of revenue diversification. The tourism surrounding this activity ensures the sustainability and good condition of fish stocks, while providing social and health benefits.

    Unfortunately, there is currently no official data on the economic importance of this sector at EU level, its environmental impact or the number of full-time jobs dependent on this activity. It seems, however, that this sector generates revenues at EU level in the order of EUR 15-20 billion per year.

    • 1.Does the Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) intend to set up an instrument to measure the financial, social and environmental impact of recreational freshwater fishing?
    • 2.What strategy does the Commission intend to launch in order to develop the underexploited potential of recreational fishing and freshwater angling tourism to attract visitors all year round, as a source of rural development and sustainable tourism?

    Submitted: 4.10.2024

    Last updated: 11 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Denmark’s interpretation of the Energy Taxation Directive – E-001953/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001953/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kristoffer Storm (ECR)

    Under the Energy Taxation Directive (2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003), there is at present a mandatory exemption for aviation and marine fuels, including in connection with fishing, unless they are used for private pleasure navigation purposes.

    On 14 July 2021 the Commission submitted a proposal for revision of the Energy Taxation Directive, as part of the Green Deal, but it has not yet been adopted and is not expected to be adopted until 2025 at the earliest.

    With that in mind:

    Does the Commission agree that the Danish Government has no legal basis for introducing a special carbon tax on commercial fishing as from 1 January 2025 and that such a tax would be contrary to the Energy Taxation Directive as it stands?

    Submitted: 4.10.2024

    Last updated: 11 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft enterprises released more than 3 million fry into Russian waters

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Rosneft’s production and processing enterprises released more than 3.3 million fish fry of various species into their natural habitat in August–October.

    Preservation of biological diversity in the regions of presence, including replenishment of water resources with valuable fish species, is one of the main priorities of Rosneft’s environmental activities. At the request of oil workers, young fish are grown in nurseries, where optimal conditions for development are created: appropriate temperature conditions, high-quality nutrition and optimal water composition, which increases the chances of survival of the fry in the natural environment.

    In the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, RN-Yuganskneftegaz employees released more than 1.5 million young Siberian sturgeon into water bodies. Tyumenneftegaz specialists released more than 200,000 young muksun, a valuable species of the whitefish family, into the Baibalakovskaya channel, from where the grown fish migrate to the Ob River. Kondaneft also replenished the rivers of the Ob-Irtysh basin with 440,000 sturgeon young, and Sibneftegaz with 140,000 young broad whitefish.

    Employees of the Slavneft-Krasnoyarskneftegaz and RN-Vankor enterprises released more than 650 thousand young sterlet of the Yenisei population into the Yenisei River in the Sukhobuzimsky District of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The release site was determined by ichthyologists taking into account the hydrological conditions of the water body, temperature, chemical composition of the water, as well as the natural food base necessary for this type of fish. Together with young specialists of RN-Vankor, schoolchildren from the Movement of the First took part in the release.

    Employees of the East Siberian Oil and Gas Company released more than 17,000 grayling fry into the Yenisei River in the Republic of Khakassia. The Yenisei waters were also replenished by RN-Shelf-Arktika – the company’s ecologists released almost 110,000 fry of the endangered Siberian sturgeon into the river. Thanks to the systematic work on artificial stocking, which is carried out by the Company’s subsidiaries, the population of valuable fish species in Siberian reservoirs has grown significantly in recent years.

    During the summer-autumn period, Bashneft released more than 100,000 sterlet, muksun, and salmon fry into the reservoirs of the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, which helps restore the ecosystems of the rivers and lakes of these regions. In September, a batch of 100,000 sterlet fry bred in specialized fish farms of the Holy Mother of God Kazan Monastery was released into the Belaya River in Bashkortostan, as well as into the Nizhnekamsk Reservoir in the Republic of Tatarstan. The sterlet was carefully transported to the release site in vehicles equipped with special devices for supplying and regulating oxygen levels and monitoring water temperature. Activists from the children’s and youth organization “Movement of the First” took part in the release of the fry.

    Workers of the Novokuibyshevsk Oil Refinery, together with their children and activists of the “Movement of the First”, released 13 thousand sterlet fry into the Volga near the village of Vinnovka in the Samara Region. The enterprise has been systematically engaged in the reproduction of the Volga’s bioresources for 10 years.

    Employees of the Syzran Oil Refinery, together with members of the Movement of the First, released more than 40,000 sterlet fry into the Saratov Reservoir. The sterlet is a native Volga fish that, due to a number of unfavorable factors, is on the verge of extinction. Thanks to a special program, in which Rosneft enterprises are also participating, the sterlet population in the Volga is gradually growing.

    The Company’s subsidiaries located in the Irkutsk Region took part in the fish stocking campaign. Verkhnechonskneftegaz released 19,000 carp fry (each fry weighs 0.5 g) into the Belaya River. Under favorable conditions, the carp fry reaches a weight of 1-1.5 kg in a year. Employees of the Angarsk Petrochemical Company released 1,500 fry of the Baikal population of Siberian sturgeon, listed in the Red Book of Russia, into Lake Baikal. This is the second year in a row that ANHK has released this valuable representative of cartilaginous fish. In natural spawning conditions, the survival rate of Baikal sturgeon is low, so breeding fish in an artificial environment and subsequent stocking is an effective way to maintain the population of fish species valuable to the region.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 11, 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/220890/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Indian woman experiences day as British High Commissioner

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    19-year-old Nidhi Gautam from Karnataka became the British High Commissioner to India for a day.

    Nidhi Gautam, British High Commissioner for the Day with Lindy Cameron, Deputy High Commissioner for the Day (on other days, British High Commissioner to India)

    Nineteen-year-old Nidhi Gautam from Karnataka became the British High Commissioner to India for one full day, getting a unique behind-the-scenes look at the life of a diplomat and seeing the UK-India partnership in action. 

    The British High Commission in New Delhi has organised the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition every year since 2017, to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child (11 October).

    The UK is committed to engaging with girls and shifting our power to them as change makers and future leaders. Protecting and promoting freedoms for women and girls in the UK and around the world is the right and smart thing to do; it is integral to creating resilient economies and strong, free societies.

    This year’s winning entry was chosen from a pool of more than 140 applications from talented young women around the country. Nidhi is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in History and Geography from Miranda House in Delhi. She is passionate about sketching, Wordle, cultural diplomacy and foreign policy.

    Nidhi Gautam, British High Commissioner for the Day, said:

    Being the British High Commissioner for a day was a transformative experience that left an indelible mark on me. I was fortunate to explore remarkable advancements, from assistive technologies to enlightening discussions on solar energy to ground-breaking developments in biotechnology and ‘femtech’. Each interaction underscored the idea that technology serves a greater purpose by creating tangible social benefits.

    Lindy’s warm encouragement and insightful thoughts throughout the day inspired me profoundly, reminding me of the importance of dedication and passion in serving one’s country. The day’s strong representation of women in leadership roles further motivated me, reaffirming my commitment to championing gender equality. Ultimately, this experience taught me that true progress is not just about advancement but about elevating lives along the way.

    Lindy Cameron, Deputy High Commissioner for the Day (on other days, British High Commissioner to India), said:

    It was fantastic to learn from Nidhi for the day. Our conversations, from the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to the role of young women in tackling global challenges, were inspiring. The High Commissioner for a Day competition embodies the idea that the world will be a better place when everyone has equal opportunities. Empowering women and girls in the UK and around the world is a priority for us and an integral part of our partnership with India on everything from technology to climate resilience.

    As the UK’s top diplomat in India, Nidhi got to experience an exciting range of activities over the course of a fully packed day. She started her day as High Commissioner getting briefed over breakfast on details of the UK-India bilateral relationship, the Technology Security Initiative announced in July, by her senior leadership team. She visited the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, where she had an immersive experience in new technologies that are helping differently abled people live their lives to the fullest. She also visited the National Institute of Immunology to see how technology is aiding the development of vaccines in India, in addition a range of meetings with government and industry partners over the course of the day.

    Further information

    • see free-to-use images of Nidhi’s day as High Commissioner

    • Nidhi Gautam was ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ on 1 October. Applicants for this year’s competition were invited to submit a 1-minute video answering the question: ‘How can the UK and India collaborate on technology to benefit future generations?’ See Nidhi’s winning entry

    • the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition, organised annually since 2017, celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child (11 October). The competition is an opportunity to provide a platform to young women to raise awareness about girls’ rights and highlight the importance of women in leadership roles

    • the International Day of the Girl is also being celebrated at the UK’s diplomatic missions in Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai where one young woman will have the opportunity to be the ‘British Deputy High Commissioner for a Day’

    Media

    For media queries, please contact:

    David Russell, Head of Communications
    Press and Communications, British High Commission,
    Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021. Tel: 24192100

    Media queries: BHCMediaDelhi@fco.gov.uk

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    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Secretary pledges to take action on poverty

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ian Murray welcomes recommendations by Joseph Rowntree Foundation and vows to work with Scottish Government to tackle associated issues and break down barriers

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray spoke at the launch of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s (JRF) annual report into poverty in Scotland this week [7 October].

    The report, summarised here, found that one million people in Scotland are living in poverty and that one in four of them are children. Recommendations were made to overhaul the social security system to tackle the problem and, in particular, for the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to make the process smoother in terms of reserved and devolved policy areas.

    An excerpt follows from the remarks made by the Scottish Secretary at the event: 

    I want to outline some of the steps that the new UK Government is taking to reduce poverty in Scotland and across the whole of the UK.

    We are committed to working together with the Scottish Government, and to reset the relationship between our two governments. Because, as this latest report highlights, it is vital that we can deliver on behalf of the people of Scotland.

    I’ve spent a lot of time with organisations such as Poverty Alliance to understand fully the complexities of what’s happening. 

    Having one million people in poverty – a quarter of those children – is really sobering. But I think the most sobering thing is that none of us are surprised, and that really should be the thing that we need to tackle in terms of policy.

    We are only 95 days into this new government and we’ve already done a lot of engagement to make sure we can develop these policies, whether it be in social security or regarding the underlying parts of poverty. 

    With the Budget coming up on 30 October, the Chancellor has been clear on two things. One is the economic inheritance that we’ve got to try and deal with and that those with the broadest shoulders will carry the majority of what needs to be done to grow the economy for all parts of our country.

    Reducing poverty across all sections of society, particularly child poverty, is in our DNA. We did it before. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to do it again. 

    We will be publishing our Employment Rights Bill this week to fundamentally transform work and pay. It will ban exploitative zero-hour contracts, outlaw fire and rehire and will make sure that the National Minimum Wage becomes a genuine living wage.

    It’s still sobering that two-thirds of children in poverty are in households where one or both adults are working full time, and that means that there’s a big problem with pay. We hope that our New Deal for Working People will start to resolve some of those issues.

    I think it’s also important to highlight our Universal Credit review, which will look at everything from the two-child cap to housing allowances.

    We’ve also launched our Child Poverty Task Force, chaired jointly by the Secretaries of State for Education and the Department of Work and Pensions. It looks at all the other big issues that are around in terms of poverty.

    Yes, it’s about the social security system, Universal Credit, but it’s also about housing, educational attainment, health inequalities, pay in the workplace, progression and skills. It’s about those underlying causes of poverty that are inherent in our society that we need to find a way to resolve once and for all.

    Having grown up on a council estate, I know that having that security of tenure of a house was the bedrock in which the family was built, and without that it’s difficult to see how you can get yourself out of poverty.

    Housing is devolved, but both governments are working very closely together to make sure that we can resolve the housing emergency that’s been declared across a lot of our local authorities. 

    We’ve made a good start over the last 95 days. There will be bumps in the road, because these are fundamental challenges, but the whole culture of the new government is to try and resolve these issues. 

    We want to make sure the system can work better, and joint working is really important in this area. There’s no reason why Social Security Scotland and the DWP can’t work jointly in terms of the delivery of social security, to make sure that we get the best out of both systems for the benefit of everyone who needs to access that system. 

    Regarding the low update of benefits by ethnic minorities, I think that’s a huge challenge for us. Not just finding those individuals and families, but actually being able to engage with them and get them what they deserve to be claiming. That’s a huge battle for us all to try to work together and resolve.

    We’ve got four big priorities as a new government and as a Scotland Office. Growth is the number one priority, but that also feeds into our green agenda, which is our second priority. Our third one is Brand Scotland to try and increase our exports, to improve our businesses and create more jobs. And the fourth one, which attached the first three, is the eradication of poverty.

    That’s something that myself and Ministerial colleague Kirsty McNeill are fundamentally committed to doing. We can only do that by all of us – devolved governments, the UK Government and organisations like JRF working together. We must find ways we can not only make the system better, but make sure that those who require access to the system, get access to that system and get the funds and support they deserve.

    There’s a huge amount of work to be done and this report gives us that very sobering starting point.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Trump accuses people of wrongdoing he himself committed − an explanation of projection

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By April Johnson, Associate Professor of Political Science, Kennesaw State University

    Donald Trump accuses others of acts he has done at an Oct. 3, 2024, rally in Michigan. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

    Donald Trump has a particular formula he uses to convey messages to his supporters and opponents alike: He highlights others’ wrongdoings even though he has committed similar acts himself.

    On Oct. 3, 2024, Trump accused the Biden administration of spending Federal Emergency Management Agency funds – money meant for disaster relief – on services for immigrants. Biden did no such thing, but Trump did during his time in the White House, including to pay for additional detention space.

    This is not the first time he has accused someone of something he had done or would do in the future. In 2016, Trump criticized opponent Hillary Clinton’s use of an unsecured personal email server while secretary of state as “extreme carelessness with classified material.” But once he was elected, Trump continued to use his unsecured personal cellphone while in office. And he has been criminally charged with illegally keeping classified government documents after he left office and storing them in his bedroom, bathroom and other places at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

    After complaining about how Hillary Clinton handled classified documents, Donald Trump stored national secrets in a bathroom.
    Justice Department via AP

    More recently, the Secret Service arrested a man with a rifle who was allegedly planning to shoot Trump during a round of golf. In the wake of this event, Trump accused Democrats of using “inflammatory language” that stokes the fires of political violence. Meanwhile, Trump himself has a long history of making inflammatory remarks that could potentially incite violence.

    As a scholar of both politics and psychology, I’m familiar with the psychological strategies candidates use to persuade the public to support them and to cast their rivals in a negative light. This strategy Trump has used repeatedly is called “projection.” It’s a tactic people use to lessen their own faults by calling out these faults in others.

    Projection abounds

    There are plenty of examples. During his Sept. 10, 2024, debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump claimed that Democrats were responsible for the July 13 assassination attempt against him. “I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things that they say about me,” he declared.

    Earlier in the debate he had falsely accused immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, of eating other people’s pets – a statement that sparked bomb threats and prompted the city’s mayor to declare a state of emergency.

    Similarly, congressional investigators and federal prosecutors have found that Trump’s remarks called thousands of people to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, encouraging them to violently storm the Capitol in order to stop the counting of electoral votes.

    Trump isn’t the only politician who uses projection. His running mate, JD Vance, claimed “the rejection of the American family is perhaps the most pernicious and the most evil thing the left has done in this country.” Critics quickly pointed out that his own family has a history of dysfunction and drug addiction.

    Projection happens on both sides of the political aisle. In reference to Trump’s proposed 10% tariff on all imported goods, the Harris campaign launched social media efforts to condemn the so-called “Trump tequila tax.” While Harris frames this proposal as a sales tax that would devastate middle-class families, she deflects from the fact that inflation has made middle-class life more expensive since she and President Joe Biden took office.

    How it works

    Projection is one example of unconscious psychological processes called defense mechanisms. Some people find it hard to accept criticism or believe information that they wish were not true. So they seek – and then provide – another explanation for the difference between what’s happening in the world and what’s happening in their minds.

    In general, this is called “motivated reasoning,” which is an umbrella phrase used to describe the array of mental gymnastics people use to reconcile their views with reality.

    Some examples include seeking out information that confirms their beliefs, dismissing factual claims or creating alternate explanations. For example, a smoker might downplay or simply avoid information related to the link between smoking and lung cancer, or perhaps tell themselves that they don’t smoke as much as they actually do.

    Motivated reasoning is not unique to politics. It can be a challenging concept to consider because people tend to think they are fully in control of their decision-making abilities and that they are capable of objectively processing political information. The evidence is clear, however, that there are unconscious thought processes at work, too.

    Influencing the audience

    Audiences are also susceptible to unconscious psychological dynamics. Research has found that over time, people’s minds subconsciously attach emotions to concepts, names or phrases. So someone might have a particular emotional reaction to the words “gun control,” “Ron DeSantis” or “tax relief.”

    And people’s minds also unconsciously create defenses for those seemingly automatic emotions. When a person’s emotions and defenses are questioned, a phenomenon called the “backfire effect” can occur, in which the process of controlling, correcting or counteracting mistaken beliefs ends up reinforcing the person’s beliefs rather than changing them.

    For instance, some people may find it hard to believe that the candidate they prefer – whom they believe to be the best person for the job – truly lost an election. So they seek another explanation and accept explanations that justify their beliefs. Perhaps they choose to believe, even in the absence of evidence, that the race was rigged or that many fraudulent votes were cast. And when evidence to the contrary is offered, they insist their views are correct.

    Vice President Kamala Harris has campaigned with Liz Cheney, right, a prominent Republican who formerly served in Congress.
    AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

    A way out

    Fortunately, research shows specific ways to reduce people’s reliance on these automatic psychological processes, including reiterating and providing details of objective facts and – importantly – attempting to correct untruths via a trusted source from the same political party.

    For instance, challenges to Democrats’ belief that the Trump-affiliated conservative agenda called Project 2025 is “dangerous” would be more effective coming from a Democrat than from a Republican.

    Similarly, a counter to Trump’s claim that the international community is headed toward World War III with Democrats in the White House would be stronger coming from one of Trump’s fellow Republicans. And certainly, statements that Trump “can never be trusted with power again” carries more weight when it comes from the lips of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney than from any member of the Democratic Party.

    Critiques from within a candidate’s own party are not out of the question. But they are certainly improbable given the hotly charged climate that is election season 2024.

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

    – ref. Why Trump accuses people of wrongdoing he himself committed − an explanation of projection – https://theconversation.com/why-trump-accuses-people-of-wrongdoing-he-himself-committed-an-explanation-of-projection-237912

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –