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Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-OSI USA: Alaska Congressional Delegation Welcomes $277 Million in Fishery Disaster Funding for Alaska

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    09.23.24
    Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-AK) and Representative Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK) welcomed the announcement of $277 million in funding for Alaska fishery disasters from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Funding for a number of salmon and crab fisheries from 2020-2023 will be transmitted to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission for distribution to fishermen, their crews, seafood processors, and communities impacted by these fishery disasters.
    “There is no question that fisheries and coastal communities in Alaska need help as they navigate catastrophic fishery collapses,” Senator Murkowski said. “Although I am grateful our fishermen and communities will finally see some relief, for many it might be too little too late. After years of waiting, some have already moved onto other professions, and in some cases have even left the state. I will continue working with my colleagues to pass legislation to streamline the process so these regulatory delays are a thing of the past. I am hopeful this assistance will help Alaska’s hardworking fishermen recover from a devastating few years so they can get back on the water and return to their active role in this critical industry.”
    “I’m glad to see this significant batch of federal relief dollars finally being distributed to our hard-working fishermen and coastal communities,” said Senator Sullivan. “These Alaskans should never have had to wait this long to see this relief processed—a frustration I raised with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and NOAA Fisheries Director Janet Coit on numerous occasions in recent months. The Commerce Department must address the serious disruptions caused by their new financial management system and other bureaucratic hurdles. I have put forward legislation with Senator Rick Scott to enact timelines on the executive branch’s approval process for these disasters to ensure our fishermen are receiving the relief dollars they are due in a timely fashion. We need this funding to expeditiously reach Alaskans so that they can weather these disasters over the long-term and continue to responsibly harvest the freshest, most sustainable seafood in the world.”
    “Our fishermen and fishing families have suffered enough the last few years – when disaster strikes, it only sets us back further,” said Rep. Peltola. “This funding is critical in helping our fisheries recover and support the communities all over Alaska, and beyond, that rely on their seafood product output.”

    Fishery Disaster

    Allocation

    Alaska Gulf of Pacific Cod Fishery 2020

    $17,772,540

    Alaska 2018 East Side Setnet Salmon and 2020 Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Fisheries
    Alaska Copper River and Prince William Sound Salmon Fisheries, 2018 and 2020

    $43,730,937

    Alaska Bering Sea Crab Fisheries, 2021/2022
    Alaska Norton Sound Red King Crab Fisheries, 2020 and 2021
    Alaska Bering Sea Crab Fisheries, 2022/2023

    $193,915,406

    Alaska Chignik Salmon Fishery, 2021

    $4,989,902

    Alaska Norton Sound Salmon Fisheries 2021
    Alaska Kuskokwim River Salmon Fishery, 2021
    Alaska Copper River/Prince William Sound Salmon Fisheries, 2020

    $16,998,673

    Background:
    On November 15, 2022, the Alaska delegation sent a letter to Secretary Raimondo in support of Governor Dunleavy’s 2020-2023 fishery disasters declarations.
    On November 17, 2022, Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, along with Senators Cantwell and Murray (both D-Wash.), sent a letter to Secretary Raimondo requesting a federal disaster for several crab fisheries.
    On December 16, 2022, the Department of Commerce determined that fishery disasters have occurred in numerous Alaska fisheries, allowing this funding to be distributed to fishermen and their crews, seafood processors, and research initiatives in regions that experienced fishery disasters.
    On May 15, 2024, Senator Murkowski pressed Secretary Raimondo during a Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations to share an update regarding fisheries disaster funding.
    On May 23, 2024, Senator Sullivan organized and Senator Murkowski and Representative Peltola participated in an Alaska Seafood Industry Roundtable with Secretary Raimondo at the U.S. Department of Commerce to facilitate dialogue between state industry leaders and the Department.
    On September 4, 2024, Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and several colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of Commerce (DOC) demanding answers regarding the implementation of the DOC’s new financial management system that has delayed financial relief for fishery disasters.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Testimonial Story I Editorial: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2024 Finals

    Source: Samsung

    Celebrating Samsung Mentors, Learners & Teachers in the 2024 Top 10 Finals
    The Samsung Solve For Tomorrow (SFT) Competition has now reached its Final stage and the electronics giant in collaboration with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) will host the Winner Announcement Ceremony at AHA Kopanong Hotel & Conferencing in Benoni on Wednesday, 02 October 2024.
     
    In an effort to recognise and celebrate the work done by the participating schools, Samsung took the time to speak to both learners and teachers from four finalist schools that entered the competition this year. The aim of the conversation was to ascertain how these participants felt about being part of the contest, how their experience has been and how their preparations were going before the prototype presentation in October. A crucial stage that would determine which school would end up walking away with the ultimate prize; and this is what they had to say:
     
    Nomfundo Manqele, a learner from Adams College in KwaZulu-Natal expressed how thrilled she was to be part of the finalist schools. However, from time to time she did experience a bit of anxiety and a roller coaster of emotions when she was reminded just how big the competition was. Nomfundo mentioned that it was both an incredible and hectic experience for both the teachers and learners as they all learnt new things, every day.
     

     
    She also admitted to the fact that they also faced many challenges along the way, but overall, it was an affirming experience. Nomfundo added by saying: “Preparations for our final prototype are currently underway and coming along quite nicely. Although, we have encountered many challenges in this journey, we somehow found a way to persevere. In spite of the challenges, I am certain that the win is coming to KZN considering the effort we put into crafting our masterpiece.”
    To date, we’ve learnt quite a lot in this competition and one of the lessons that stands out for us and one that we will forever hold onto is that: “In life, if you want to go far, go together. Nothing beats working well as a team and having a great leader that will lead you to victory through healthy competition and teamwork.”
     
    Nomfundo’s words of encouragement to schools that haven’t yet entered the contest are: “This is a really challenging contest that requires hard work and dedication, so always bear that in mind. However, in a competition arena, resilience separates winners from the rest. There are no winners or losers, only learners – nothing more, nothing less.”

    Amyoli Resha, a grade 11 learner from Khwezi Lomso Comprehensive School at Zwide township in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape said: “Entering the Samsung SFT competition and even becoming a finalist makes me feel very ecstatic.
     
    “This competition and this milestone has brought a sense of pride, considering the fact that we are the only school in the Eastern Cape to make it to the Top 20 & Top 10, we definitely embody the spirit of the Home of Legends.”
     
    He added that it has been quite a wonderful, yet very challenging experience. From the start of the programme, their team has enjoyed a great deal of support from the entire school and its faculty. And this unwavering support is what got the team through all the challenges they faced during the process leading up to where it is today.
     
    Amyoli confidently said that the preparations for the prototype were going quite smoothly. “The team is not in panic mode because we were told that the final product may take some time to materialise into perfection. However, by the look of things and the confidence we possess – the team is more than convinced that we WILL definitely Bring the Win Home,” he added.
     
    Above all, the competition has taught the whole team from Khwezi Lomso – the importance of teamwork and believing that their combined proposals and ideas can actually make a large impact. Amyoli then called upon all schools to enter this competition so that they can unleash their learners’ potential because this contest will give them the opportunity to advance and explore their imaginations.
     
    Zandile Sonandze, a teacher also from Khwezi Lomso Comprehensive School in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape said that she’s very excited because they didn’t think that they could get this far in the competition, especially as a new entry. She said that, as an educator, the entire team’s confidence has been boosted enough to enter other competitions. “When we first entered the SFT competition, we didn’t even think that we would be selected for the first round, but look at us now,” Zandile exclaimed.
     
    According to this enthusiastic teacher: “This experience has been exciting and overwhelming at the same time, because everything had to go as planned. Our learners are also excited to be in the Finals and for the opportunity to fly to Johannesburg. Our educators and the entire school are also cheering for us – they are all very proud of how far we’ve come.”
     
    Zandile also explained that the preparations are not yet 100%, and that there are still some finer details they are trying to wrap-up in an effort to help the team to win the competition. However, she said that they are trying their best to be as creative as possible – the team is now just hoping for the best. She has also taken the time to encourage other schools to enter the competition as this has been an eye opening experience for their entire school.
     
    Phume Unarine, a learner and group leader from Thengwe High school located in the Limpopo Province said that she’s very happy and looking forward to what the finals have in store for them. For Phume and her team, this has been one of the most interesting and exciting experiences that the learners, teachers and their whole school has participated in.
     

     
    “The preparations for our prototype went according to our plans,” Phume added confidently. “We’ve faced every obstacle that came our way with the full support of our mentor whose support has been crucial to us reaching this stage of the competition. I have confidence in my team and I’m convinced that we’re going to come out victorious.”
    During this competition, we learnt that people aren’t the same and their differences are what makes them unique. She added that she learnt that teamwork is not only about being part of a group and that a great leader is made by the motivated people around him or her. I’d like to advise other schools that have not yet participated in this contest to take a leap of faith and enter because this will help them discover more knowledge and open them up to new experiences that they wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else.
     
    Makhosazana Mazibuko, a learner and team leader from Mandisa Shiceka School of Specialisation in Gauteng appreciated being part of the SFT competition and found the contest to be a very exciting experience that she thoroughly enjoyed. She also saw this as an opportunity to improve her community. For Makhosazana, the competition was full of research and helped their team members to create lasting bonds. As far as preparation for the prototype presentation is concerned, she said: “It’s going very well, we are productive and are dealing with our trial and errors very well. Our idea involves one of the basic necessities in our community and is unique, so I’m very confident that we will win.”

    During this competition, Makhosazana believes that she learnt how to be patient, how to “turn down” ideas and how to be a better leader. Overall, she’s learnt to be kinder and more understanding with circumstances, peers, adults and above all herself. She also feels that her presentation skills have improved and that she’s gained more confidence, in herself and her intellect.
     
    And lastly, Nonki Bridgette Motlogelwa, an educator from Mandisa Shiceka – a Gauteng-based Maths, Science & ICT School of Specialisation, with a focus in mining and manufacturing said: “As a new entry, I feel so honoured and grateful to be part of the competition. Over the last few months, we put in so much effort into our idea and to know that it is being appreciated – has truly made us feel on top of the world. Now, we feel like we can do anything as long as we put our minds to it.” 
     
    Nonki expressed how proud and blown away she was by the learners from her school. She explained how they have shown so much courage, creativity and teamwork, a clear indication that they are heading in the right direction. During the competition process, the learners started feeling the pressure but fortunately they pulled through and decided to do hydroponics. This technique involves growing plants using water-based nutrient solution rather than soil.
     
    When it was announced that the school is in the top 10, the entire school was so happy, this has motivated other school learners to want to enter next year. Having a Samsung mentor as well, she believes, made this challenging experience much easier, because she was able to guide the team through.
    For Nonki, the overall experience was amazing and thought-provoking. She also confirmed that their preparations for the prototype presentation are going well, the learners are putting their all and their teamwork is superb. The learners were also able to alternate themselves in terms of building the prototype and preparations for the final presentation. 
     
    Nonki is encouraging learners from other schools who have not yet participated in this SFT competition to always take chances and believe in themselves, because the future is in their hands. “Because all the learners have the brains and creativity, its important to let them shine and show the world that every individual deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances,” concluded Nonki.
     

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gun violence in Philadelphia plummeted in 2024 − researchers aren’t sure why, but here are 3 factors at play

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Carla Lewandowski, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Rowan University

    Philadelphia had 563 homicides in 2021 — the deadliest year on record. Alex Potemkin/E+ Collection via Getty Images

    Philadelphia experienced a surge in shootings and homicides during the COVID-19 years that disproportionately affected young Black and Latino men in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with drug markets.

    In 2020, Philadelphia had 499 homicides – nearly 150 more than the previous year. Gun violence worsened in 2021 – with 562 homicides that year – and then dropped slightly in 2022.

    Fortunately, recent data shows a notable decline in these crimes over the past two years. As of late September 2024, homicides are down 40% for the year to date compared with 2023. And the number of shooting victims has decreased similarly – from 1,236 in the first eight months of 2023 to 758 for the same period in 2024.

    As professors of criminal justice who live in Greater Philadelphia, we know that there is no single explanation for the drop in gun violence. Rather, many factors at both the local and national levels could be playing a role.

    Police and justice system return to (sort of) normalcy

    A shortage of police – driven by pandemic-era resignations, retirements and injuries – significantly affected cities like Philadelphia.

    Additionally, the Philadelphia Police Department’s number of traffic and pedestrian stops dropped drastically. This was due to both the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and a widespread reluctance among officers to engage with citizens after massive protests in response to the murder of George Floyd. In fact, the number of documented stops plummeted by 83% from 2019 to 2020 alone.

    Philadelphia police staffing remains nearly 20% lower than before the pandemic.
    Spencer Platt/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    As the year progressed, the department struggled with officers’ abuse of the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act. This statewide disability program allows police and firefighters injured on the job to collect their full salaries.

    By September 2021, 14% of Philadelphia patrol officers were out of work on “no duty” disability leave, according to investigations by both The Philadelphia Inquirer and the city controller.

    Though up-to-date data is unavailable, there was a 31% drop in injury claims by December 2022, 10 months after the Inquirer investigation was published.

    More recently, the Philadelphia Police Department has attempted to increase its ranks through intensified recruitment efforts. It also lowered physical requirements and eliminated certain residency restrictions.

    Despite these efforts, staffing remains nearly 20% lower than in 2019. This places considerable strain on the existing workforce.

    Of course, the COVID-19 years considerably affected the entire criminal justice system and beyond in Philadelphia. Courts operated in a limited capacity, cases backlogged, probation and parole officers were less able to supervise individuals in the community, and the jail population was reduced. The city’s array of community- and hospital-based violence intervention programs were also disrupted.

    The post-pandemic resumption of court operations, improved violence intervention programs, police recruitment efforts and reduced disability claims may help explain the recent drop in shootings.

    New leadership and crime-fighting strategies

    Reducing gun violence was a top campaign issue during Philadelphia’s 2023 mayoral race.

    Mayor Cherelle Parker, elected on a law-and-order platform, declared a public safety emergency on her first day in office.

    She also appointed Kevin Bethel as police commissioner in charge of the more than 6,000-member force. Bethel, second in command under former Commissioner Charles Ramsey, quickly released a 100-day plan that focused on crime reduction in high-crime districts, shutting down open-air drug markets in Kensington and reinforcing federal partnerships to tackle violent crime.

    Philadelphia has also adopted new policing strategies and technologies.

    In early 2022, before Parker and Bethel’s tenure, the Philadelphia Police Department under former Commissioner Danielle Outlaw designated a new unit to investigate nonfatal shootings. In 2021, only 17% of nonfatal shootings led to arrests, a failure that can fuel retaliatory violence, legal cynicism – which refers to a drop in trust of the legal system – and communities resorting to self-policing.

    While it’s not yet clear what effect the new unit has had in Philadelphia, research shows such units that prioritize resources to solving nonfatal shootings in places such as Boston and Denver have reduced gun violence.

    More recently, the city began deploying mobile surge teams on weekends to flood high-crime areas with officers to deter potential criminal activity.

    Meanwhile, Temple University attributes the reduction in crime within its patrol areas to the implementation of safety measures, including new equipment for officers such as firearms and radios, upgraded security cameras and advanced technology such as license plate readers, which help identify stolen vehicles or those linked to criminal behavior.

    Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has prioritized reducing gun violence in high-crime neighborhoods.
    Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images

    National crime trends

    While local initiatives have likely contributed to Philadelphia’s drop in violent crime, these improvements also fit into national crime trends as cities across the U.S. experienced similar declines.

    Economics and public safety expert John Roman, for example, attributes both the rise and fall of violence to pandemic-related losses in government staffing and functionality, which he argues returned to prepandemic levels in late 2023.

    Roman shows how 1.3 million government jobs were lost nationally at the outset of COVID-19, with 75% of the losses coming at the local level. These local government employees, such as social and outreach workers, often connect people in marginalized communities that bear the brunt of gun violence to crucial services such as trauma counseling, victim advocacy and legal assistance.

    In Philadelphia, approximately 3,000 local government jobs were lost between 2019 and 2022. The reopening of social services and increase in those jobs and community-based interventions post-pandemic may have helped stabilize Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

    Crime trends tend to ebb and flow. This current drop appears to align with a national de-escalation in violent crime. These factors, alongside the statistical phenomenon of regression to the mean – where crime rates normalize after extreme spikes – apply to both national and local crime rates.

    Some researchers, including Roman, have also considered the possibility that the recent 2020-2022 homicide peak killed a portion of the most violent offenders who drive shootings in their neighborhood. It’s based on the concept of the victim-offender overlap that those at the highest risk of violence are often offenders themselves.

    But crediting Philadelphia’s decline in homicides and violent crime to any single cause oversimplifies a much more intricate picture. While the exact causes of these shifts are complex, understanding the interplay of local and national forces is essential to sustaining this positive trajectory.

    John A. Shjarback receives funding from: the South Jersey Institute for Population Health; the NJ Gun Violence Research Center; and a few local/county governments including Cumberland County, NJ, Atlantic City, NJ, and Suffolk County, NY.

    Carla Lewandowski 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. Gun violence in Philadelphia plummeted in 2024 − researchers aren’t sure why, but here are 3 factors at play – https://theconversation.com/gun-violence-in-philadelphia-plummeted-in-2024-researchers-arent-sure-why-but-here-are-3-factors-at-play-235485

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Steel Calls on Columbia to Cancel Event with Communist Vietnam Leader

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Michelle Steel (CA-48)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam set to headline an event at Columbia University tomorrow, Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-45) is calling on Columbia to cancel the event and clarify whether suffocating basic human rights comports with the university’s values.

    In a letter to Columbia, Steel notes that under To Lam’s leadership Vietnam has doubled down on the repression of human rights, limiting free expression and detaining prisoners of conscience. Such abuses largely occur due to the communist regime’s crackdown on dissent from journalists and activists as well as those seeking to practice their faith.

    “To Lam is a dangerous authoritarian who has stifled free expression and taken many prisoners of conscience in Vietnam. Columbia must reverse course and refuse to grant legitimacy to someone who jails his own citizens simply for speaking their mind,” said Rep. Michelle Steel, who represents a large population of Vietnamese Americans in Orange County, CA.

    “Columbia cannot claim to foster a campus environment of free speech and expression while hosting one of the most prominent leaders of authoritarianism. Going forward with hosting To Lam would unfortunately signal more of the same from an institution that has too often identified itself with civil rights while disregarding the circumstances of those most affected,” Steel added.

    To Lam, who recently took over as Vietnam’s head of state, will be in New York for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly followed by a trip to Cuba. Even prior to his current human rights abuses, To Lam has a documented history of stifling free speech in his prior role as Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security.

    Below is a copy of Steel’s letter:

    Dear President Armstrong,

    I write to you today to express my serious concern regarding Columbia University’s planned event on September 23 with To Lam, the General Secretary for the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Columbia University’s promotion of an individual who is chiefly responsible for the ongoing repression of the Vietnamese people. Columbia University should immediately rescind its invitation to To Lam and clarify whether suffocating basic human rights comports with its values.

    Since Lam assumed the role of General Secretary, the Communist Party of Vietnam has doubled down in adopting the Chinese Communist Party model of repression. In turn, there are currently over 170 prisoners of conscience detained in Vietnam.

    Prisoners of conscience in Vietnam face lengthy prison sentences, endure solitary confinement, face unfair trials, and are arbitrarily detained by the one-party police state. In addition, Vietnamese prisoners of conscience are unable to seek care for their health conditions, subjected to forced labor, and banned by prison authorities form religious practices, such as prayer. Some have succumbed to unspecified medical issues and have died while serving life sentences.

    Just this week, Vietnam’s Hanoi People’s Court sentenced Phan Van Bach, an independent journalist and prominent activist, for “distributing anti-state propaganda after voicing his concerns about the Communist Party of Vietnam on Facebook and YouTube. While in custody, Mr. Bach’s health has seriously deteriorated according to his wife and attorney.

    Additionally, noodle vendor Bui Tuan Lam was jailed for the same “anti-state propaganda” charges last year after posting 19 videos on Facebook and 25 on YouTube that “affected the confidence of the people in the leadership of the state,” according to the indictment. Days prior, footage surfaced of then-Vietnam Minister of Public Security To Lam eating a $2,000 steak after he had visited the grave of Karl Marx.

    Sadly, Columbia University’s welcoming of To Lam is yet another example of its lack of moral clarity. Columbia cannot claim to foster a campus environment of free speech and expression while hosting one of the most prominent leaders of authoritarianism. Condoning this level of repression will only embolden further persecution of the Vietnamese people.

    Now is the time for Columbia University to define its posture toward the Communist Party of Vietnam. Going forward with hosting To Lam would unfortunately signal more of the same from an institution that has too often identified itself with civil rights while disregarding the circumstances of those most affected.

    Sincerely,

    Michelle Steel
    Member of Congress

    Rep. Steel represents parts of Los Angeles County and Orange County, including the Little Saigon community, which has the largest population of Vietnamese anywhere outside of Vietnam.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: UN Summit of the Future: AI opportunity for everyone

    Source: Google

    Editor’s note: This week in New York City, leaders from around the world are gathering for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) — including the first ever “Summit of the Future” — where Google CEO Sundar Pichai delivered a keynote address today.

    What follows is a transcript of the remarks, as prepared for delivery.

    Introduction

    Mr. Secretary-General, President of the General Assembly, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen — it’s a privilege to join you today.

    I’m energized by the summit’s focus on the future. We have a once-in-a- generation opportunity to unlock human potential, for everyone, everywhere.

    I believe that technology is a foundational enabler of progress. Just as the internet and mobile devices expanded opportunities for people around the world, now AI is poised to accelerate progress at unprecedented scale.

    I’m here today to make the case for three things:

    • Why I believe AI is so transformative
    • How it can be applied to benefit humanity and make progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
    • And where we can drive deeper partnerships to ensure that the technology benefits everyone

    Expanding opportunity through technology

    But first let me share why this is so important — to me personally, and to Google as a company.

    Growing up in Chennai, India, with my family, the arrival of each new technology improved our lives in meaningful ways. Our first rotary phone saved us hours of travel to the hospital to get test results. Our first refrigerator gave us more time to spend as a family, rather than rushing to cook ingredients before they spoiled.

    The technology that changed my life the most was the computer. I didn’t have much access to one growing up. When I came to graduate school in the US, there were labs full of machines I could use anytime I wanted — it was mind blowing. Access to computing inspired me to pursue a career where I could bring technology to more people.

    And that path led me to Google 20 years ago. I was excited by its mission: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

    That mission has had incredible impact:

    Google Search democratized information access, and opened up opportunities in education and entrepreneurship. Platforms like Chrome and Android helped bring one billion people online.

    Today, 15 of our products serve more than half a billion people and businesses each. And six of them – such as Search, Maps and Drive – each serve more than 2 billion. There’s no cost to use them, and most of our users are in the developing world.

    The AI opportunity

    Today we’re working on the most transformative technology yet: AI.

    We’ve been investing in AI research, tools, and infrastructure for two decades because it’s the most profound way we can deliver on our mission — and improve people’s lives.

    I want to talk today about four of the biggest opportunities we see, many of which align with the SDGs.

    One is helping people access the world’s information and knowledge in their own language.

    Using AI, in just the last year, we have added 110 new languages to Google Translate, spoken by half a billion people around the world. That brings our total to 246 languages, and we’re working toward 1,000 of the world’s most spoken languages.

    A second area is accelerating scientific discovery to benefit humanity.

    Our AlphaFold breakthrough is solving big challenges in predicting some of the building blocks of life, including proteins and DNA. We opened up AlphaFold to the scientific community free of charge, and it’s been accessed by more than two million researchers from over one hundred and ninety countries. Thirty percent are in the developing world – for example over 25,000 researchers just in Brazil. Globally, AlphaFold is being used in research that could help make crops more resistant to disease, discover new drugs in areas like malaria vaccines and cancer treatments, and much more.

    A third opportunity is helping people in the path of climate-related disaster, building on the UN’s initiative for “Early Warnings for All.” Our Flood Hub system provides early warnings up to seven days in advance, helping protect over 460 million people in over 80 countries.

    And for millions in the paths of wildfires, our boundary tracking systems are already in 22 countries on Google Maps. We also just announced FireSat technology, which will use satellites to detect and track early-stage wildfires, with imagery updated every 20 minutes globally, so firefighters can respond. AI gives a boost in accuracy, speed and scale.

    Fourth, we see the opportunity for AI to meaningfully contribute to economic progress. It’s already enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses …empowering governments to provide public services… and boosting productivity across sectors. Some studies show that AI could boost global labor productivity by 1.4 percentage points, and increase global GDP by 7%, within the next decade.

    For example, AI is helping improve operations and logistics in emerging markets, where connectivity, infrastructure and traffic congestion are big challenges. Freight startup Gary Logistics in Ethiopia is using AI to help move goods to market faster and bring more work opportunities to freelance drivers.

    These are just early examples. And there are so many others across education, health and sustainability. As technology improves, so will the benefits.

    The risks of AI

    As with any emerging technology, AI will have limitations … be it issues with accuracy, factuality, and bias … as well as the risks of misapplication and misuse, like the creation of deep fakes.

    It also presents new complexities, for example the impact on the future of work.

    For all these reasons, we believe that AI must be developed, deployed, and used responsibly, from the start.

    We’re guided by our AI Principles, which we published back in 2018. And we work with others across the industry, academia, the UN, and governments in efforts like the Frontier Model Forum, the O.E.C.D., and the G7 Hiroshima Process.

    Preventing an AI divide

    But I want to talk about another risk that I worry about.

    I think about where I grew up, and how fortunate I was to have access to technology, even if it came slowly.

    Not everyone had that experience. And while good progress has been made by UN institutions like the I.T.U., gaps persist today in the form of a well known digital divide.

    With AI, we have the chance to be inclusive from the start, and to ensure that the digital divide doesn’t become an AI divide. This is a challenge that needs to be met by the private sector and public sector working together. We can focus in three key areas:

    First is digital infrastructure.

    Google has made big investments globally in subsea and terrestrial fiber optic cables.

    One connects Africa with Europe, and two others will be the first intercontinental fiber optic routes that connect Asia Pacific and South America, and Australia and Africa.

    These fiber optic routes stitch together our network of 40 cloud regions around the world that provide digital services to governments, entrepreneurs, SMBs and companies across all sectors.

    In addition to compute access, we also open up our technology to others. We did this with Android; and now our Gemma AI models are open to developers and researchers, and we will continue to invest here.

    A second area is about investing in people.

    That starts with making sure people have the skills they need to seize new opportunities.

    Our Grow with Google program has already trained one hundred million people around the world in digital skills.

    And today I’m proud to announce our Global AI Opportunity Fund. This will invest one hundred and twenty million dollars to make AI education and training available in communities around the world. We’re providing this in local languages, in partnership with nonprofits and NGOs.

    We’re also helping to support entrepreneurs for the AI revolution. In Brazil, we worked with thousands of women entrepreneurs to use Google AI to grow their businesses. In Asia, where fewer than six percent of start-ups are founded by women, we’re providing many with mentorship, capital, and training.

    An enabling policy environment

    The third area is one where we especially need the help of the member countries and leaders in this room: creating an enabling policy environment. One that addresses both the risks and worries around new technologies, and also encourages the kinds of applications that improve lives at scale.

    This requires a few things:

    • Government policymaking that supports investments in infrastructure, people, and innovation that benefits humanity,
    • Country development strategies and frameworks like the Global Digital Compact that prioritize the adoption of AI solutions,
    • And smart product regulation that mitigates harms and resists national protectionist impulses — that could widen an AI divide and limit AI’s benefits.

    We are excited to be your partner, and to work with you to make sure bold innovations are deployed responsibly so that AI is truly helpful for everyone.

    The opportunities are too great … the challenges too urgent … and this technology too transformational, to do anything less.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: 2024 Quad Leaders’  Summit

    Source: The White House

    On September 21, 2024, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. hosted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India in Wilmington, Delaware, for the fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit.
     
    The Quad was established to be a global force for good. This year, the Quad is proudly executing tangible projects that benefit partner countries across the Indo-Pacific—including in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region. The Quad is working together at unprecedented scope and scale to deliver on Indo-Pacific partners’ priorities. Together, the Quad is leading ambitious projects to help partners address pandemics and disease; respond to natural disasters; strengthen their maritime domain awareness and maritime security; mobilize and build high-standard physical and digital infrastructure; invest in and benefit from critical and emerging technologies; confront the threat of climate change; bolster cyber security; and cultivate the next generation of technology leaders.
     
    ENDURING PARTNERS FOR THE INDO-PACIFIC
     
    Over the past four years, Quad Leaders have met six times, including twice virtually. Quad Foreign Ministers have met eight times, most recently in Tokyo in July. Quad country representatives convene on a regular basis, at all levels, to consult one another, exchange ideas to advance shared priorities, and deliver benefits for partners across the Indo-Pacific region. All Quad governments have institutionalized the Quad at all levels and across a diverse array of departments and agencies. Today, Quad Leaders announced new initiatives to solidify these habits of cooperation and to set up the Quad to endure for the long-term.
     

    • Each Quad government has committed to work through their respective budgetary processes to secure robust funding for Quad priorities in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure an enduring impact.
    • The Quad governments also intend to work with their respective legislatures to deepen interparliamentary exchanges, and encourage other stakeholders to deepen engagement with Quad counterparts. Yesterday, Members of Congress announced the creation of a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Quad Caucus.
    • In the coming months, Quad Commerce and Industry ministers will meet for the first time.
    • Quad Leaders also welcome the leaders of the Quad Development Finance Institutions and Agencies deciding to meet to explore future investments by the four countries in the Indo-Pacific, including in health security, food security, clean energy, and quality infrastructure. This builds on a previous meeting in 2022 between the heads of the Export Finance Australia, the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, India Export-Import Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
    • The United States will host the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting, and India will host the 2025 Quad Leaders Summit.

    GLOBAL HEALTH & HEALTH SECURITY

    In 2023, the Quad announced the Quad Health Security Partnership to strengthen coordination and collaboration in support of health security in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad Health Security Partnership is delivering on its commitments to strengthen the Indo-Pacific’s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks of diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential, including through a set of new initiatives announced today.

    Quad Cancer Moonshot

    • The Quad is launching the historic Quad Cancer Moonshot, a collective effort to leverage public and private resources to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer in the Indo-Pacific, with an initial focus on cervical cancer. Altogether, the Quad Cancer Moonshot announced today is projected to save hundreds of thousands of lives over the coming decades. More information can be found here.

    Pandemic Preparedness

    • Quad countries are committed to supporting health security and resiliency efforts across the region, including continued support for the Pandemic Fund.
    • The Quad reaffirms commitment to bolstering health security across the Indo-Pacific region. In 2024, the Quad Health Security Partnership advanced regional resilience through the second pandemic preparedness table top exercise, building on the success of the Quad Vaccine Partnership to enhance prevention, early detection, and response to potential disease outbreaks, and is exploring developing Standard Operating Procedures for Pandemic Response. The Quad’s collaborative efforts included training health specialists from the Indo-Pacific to strengthen regional capabilities for health emergencies.
    • India will host a workshop on pandemic preparedness and release a white paper outlining emergency public health responses.
    • Australia is increasing the pool of public health specialists who are ready to deploy, in-country or in the region, in response to disease outbreaks, with the first training session to commence in Darwin, Australia, in the coming days.
    • In coordination with Quad partners, the United States is pledging over $84.5 million to partner with fourteen countries in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.

    Mpox

    • In response to the current clade I mpox outbreak, as well as the ongoing clade II mpox outbreak, the Quad plans to coordinate our efforts to promote equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured mpox vaccines, including where appropriate expanding vaccine manufacturing in low and middle-income countries.

    HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF (HADR)

    Twenty years ago, the Quad first came together to respond to the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, surging humanitarian assistance to affected countries. In 2022, Quad Foreign Ministers signed the Guidelines for the Quad Partnership on HADR in the Indo-Pacific. In May 2024, following a tragic landslide in Papua New Guinea, Quad countries coordinated their response in accordance with these guidelines. The Quad collectively provided over $5 million in humanitarian assistance. Quad partners continue to support Papua New Guinea in its longer-term resiliency efforts. The Quad continues to deepen HADR coordination and support partners in the region in their longer-term resiliency efforts.

    • Quad governments are working to ensure readiness to rapidly respond, including through pre-positioning of essential relief supplies, in the event of a natural disaster; this effort extends from the Indian Ocean region, to Southeast Asia, to the Pacific.
    • In the coming months, Quad HADR experts will conduct a tabletop exercise to prepare for potential future disasters in the region.
    • Quad partners are working together to provide over $4 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people of Vietnam in light of the devastating consequences of Typhoon Yagi.

    MARITIME SECURITY

    Quad partners are working side-by-side with partners throughout the region to bolster maritime security, improve maritime domain awareness, and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness and Maritime Training

    • Quad Leaders launched the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) at the 2022 Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo. This initiative provides partners with near-real-time, cost-effective, cutting-edge radio frequency data, enabling them to better monitor their waters; counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; respond to climate change and natural disasters; and enforce their laws within their waters.
    • Since the announcement, in consultation with partners, the Quad has successfully scaled the program across the Indo-Pacific region—through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, with partners in Southeast Asia, to the Information Fusion Center—Indian Ocean Region, Gurugram. In doing so, the Quad has helped well over two dozen countries access dark vessel maritime domain awareness data, so they can better monitor the activities in their exclusive economic zones—including unlawful activity.
    • In the next phase of implementation, announced today, the Quad intends to layer new technology and data into IPMDA over the coming year, to continue to deliver cutting edge capability and information to the region. The Quad intends to leverage electro-optical data and advanced analytic software to sharpen the maritime domain awareness picture for partners.
    • Today the Quad announced a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) to enable our partners in the region Indo-Pacific partners to maximize tools provided through IPMDA and other Quad partner initiatives, to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behavior. The Quad countries look forward to India hosting the inaugural MAITRI workshop in 2025. 
    • Quad countries are coordinating comprehensive and complementary training across the full suite of legal, operational, and technical maritime security and law enforcement knowledge domains. Quad partners have pledged to expand engagement with regional maritime law enforcement fora, share best practices, and improve civil maritime cooperation.

    Indo-Pacific Logistics Network

    • The Quad launches today a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, to pursue shared airlift capacity among the four nations and leverage collective logistics strengths, in order to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region. This effort will complement existing efforts with Indo-Pacific partners.

    Coast Guard Cooperation

    • The U.S. Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard plan to launch a first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025 in the Indo-Pacific to improve interoperability. Through this effort, members of Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard will spend time on board a U.S. Coast Guard vessel operating in the Indo-Pacific.  The Quad intends to continue with further missions in the Indo-Pacific.

    QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE

    The Quad is delivering quality, resilient infrastructure to the region to increase connectivity, build regional capacity, and meet critical needs.

    • This year, the Quad countries’ export credit agencies (ECAs) signed and are implementing a Memorandum of Cooperation, which supports supply chain resilience, critical and emerging technologies, renewable energy, and other high-quality projects in the Indo-Pacific. Quad ECAs are strengthening communication on pipeline information and provision of relevant financing for projects in the Indo-Pacific region, and will pursue joint business promotion efforts that involve industry experts, project developers, and other major market players.
    • The Quad released joint Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure, underscoring the Quad’s commitment to an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe, reliable, and secure digital future to advance shared prosperity and sustainable development.
    • The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure organized a workshop in India to empower partners across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen power sector resilience.

    Quad Ports of the Future Partnership

    • The Quad Ports of the Future Partnership will harness the Quad’s expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific, in collaboration with regional partners.
    • In 2025, Quad partners intend to hold the inaugural Regional Ports and Transportation Conference, hosted by India in Mumbai.
    • Through this new partnership, Quad partners intend to coordinate, exchange information, share best practices with partners in the region, and leverage resources to mobilize government and private sector investments in quality port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region.

    Quad Infrastructure Fellows

    • The Quad Infrastructure Fellowship was announced at the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit to improve capacity and deepen professional networks across the region to design, manage, and attract investment in infrastructure projects. Over the past year, it has expanded to more than 2,200 experts, and Quad partners have already provided well over 1,300 fellowships.

    Undersea Cables and Digital Connectivity

    • Through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, Quad partners continue to support and strengthen quality undersea cable networks in the Indo-Pacific, the capacity, durability, and reliability of which are inextricably linked to the security and prosperity of the region and the world.
    • In support of these efforts, Australia launched the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre in July, which is delivering workshops and policy and regulatory assistance in response to requests from across the region.
    • Japan has conducted capacity building trainings to enhance connectivity and resilience in the Indo-Pacific through cooperation with specialized agencies and international organizations. Japan intends to further extend technical cooperation to improve public information and communication technology infrastructure management capacity for an undersea cable in Nauru and Kiribati.
    • The United States has conducted over 1,300 capacity building trainings for telecommunication officials and executives from 25 countries in the Indo-Pacific; today the U.S. announces its intent, working with Congress, to invest an additional $3.4 million to extend and expand this training program.
    • Investments in cable projects by Quad partners will help support all Pacific island countries in achieving primary telecommunication cable connectivity by the end of 2025. Since the last Quad Leaders’ Summit, Quad partners have committed over $140 million to undersea cable builds in the Pacific, alongside contributions from other likeminded partners.
    • Complementing these investments in new undersea cables, India has commissioned a feasibility study to examine expansion of undersea cable maintenance and repair capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.

    CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

    The Quad is working in lockstep to stay at the forefront of technology innovation, and remains committed to harnessing emerging technologies for the benefit of people across the Indo-Pacific, and deploying these technologies to facilitate economic prosperity, openness, and connectivity.

    Open Radio Access Network (RAN) and 5G

    • In 2023, Quad partners announced the first-ever Open RAN deployment in the Pacific, in Palau, to support a secure, resilient, and interconnected telecommunications ecosystem. Since then, the Quad has committed approximately $20 million to this effort. Building on this initiative, the Quad announces an expansion of Open RAN collaboration to deliver trusted technology solutions.
    • The Quad plans to expand support for ongoing Open RAN field trials and the Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA) in the Philippines, building on the initial $8 million in support that the United States and Japan pledged earlier this year.
    • In addition, the United States plans to invest over $7 million to support the global expansion of AORA, including through establishing a first-of-its-kind Open RAN workforce training initiative at scale in South Asia, in partnership with Indian institutions.
    • Quad partners also welcome the opportunity to explore additional Open RAN projects in Southeast Asia.
    • Quad partners will also explore collaborating with the Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation to ensure the country’s readiness for nationwide 5G deployment.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    • Through the Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen Agriculture (AI-ENGAGE) initiative announced at the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit, Quad governments are deepening leading-edge collaborative research to harness artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensing, to transform agricultural approaches and empower farmers across the Indo-Pacific. The Quad announces an inaugural $7.5+ million in funding opportunities for joint research, and highlights the recent signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation among the four countries’ science agencies to connect research communities and advance shared research principles.
    • The Quad recognizes the importance of advancing international efforts to achieve safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems, including through the outcomes of the Hiroshima AI Process, GPAI New Delhi Ministerial Declaration 2023, and UN General Assembly resolution 78/625 on “Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development.” The Quad seeks to further deepen international cooperation on artificial intelligence systems and interoperability among artificial intelligence governance frameworks.
    • Quad countries, through the Standards Sub-Group, launched two Track 1.5 dialogues on AI and Advanced Communications Technologies to promote international standardization cooperation, including frameworks for AI conformity assessment.

    Biotechnology

    • The Quad partners look forward to launching the BioExplore Initiative – a joint effort supported by an initial $2 million in funding to use AI technology to study and analyze biological ecosystems across all four countries. This initiative will help advance our ability to discover and use the diverse capabilities found in living organisms to yield new products and innovations with the potential to diagnose and treat disease, develop resilient crops, generate clean energy, and much more. The initiative will also aim to build technological capacity across the Quad nations. 
    • This project will also be underpinned by the forthcoming Quad Principles for Research and Development Collaborations in Critical and Emerging Technologies, which advances sustainable, responsible, safe and secure collaborations in biotechnologies and other critical technologies among the Quad and across the region.

    Semiconductors

    • Quad Leaders welcome the finalization of a Memorandum of Cooperation for the Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network to facilitate collaboration in addressing semiconductor supply chain risks.

    The Quad Investors Network

    The Quad Investors Network (QUIN) is a nonprofit initiative launched at the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit. The QUIN aims to accelerate investments in critical and emerging technologies across the Indo-Pacific region, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, technologists, and public institutions from the Quad countries to support innovation that aligns with the Quad’s shared values and promotes economic growth, resilience, and regional stability. This year, the QUIN supported ten major strategic investments and partnerships across the Quad in the critical minerals, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and aerospace sectors.

    • The QUIN has advanced additional frameworks to foster the development of new technologies and facilitate investment partnerships for emerging startups, including through finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of a startup campus in Tokyo, supported by the QUIN and the Chiba Institute of Technology’s Center for Radical Transformation.
    • The QUIN is also working to establish a new venture accelerator in Tokyo through a collaboration between the University of Tokyo, Northeastern University, and the QUIN.  These collaborations will not only fuel technological advancements but also strengthen the economic ties among the Quad nations, contributing to a more integrated and resilient Indo-Pacific region. 
    • Finally, the QUIN developed a Quantum Center of Excellence, which produced a report this year highlighting ways each Quad country’s Quantum ecosystems can work together to collectively leverage capital and expertise.

    CLIMATE AND CLEAN ENERGY

    The Quad recognizes the existential threat climate change poses to the world, the Indo-Pacific, and in particular island nations in the Pacific and in the Indian Ocean region, and is taking ambitious steps to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, promote clean energy innovation and adoption, and support sustainable development.

    Climate Adaptation

    • The Quad intends to expand its Early Warning Systems and the Climate Information Services Initiative (CIS), announced at the 2023 Leaders’ Summit. This will help improve Pacific Island countries’ access to high-quality climate data and services, and increase partners’ capacity to prepare for and respond to climate change and its impacts.
    • The United States plans to provide 3D-printed automatic weather stations to the Pacific in 2025 to support local weather and climate forecasts, and also train experts in Fiji with the goal of operating a regional center to develop and deploy this technology.
    • Australia is also strengthening Early Warning Systems through Weather Ready Pacific, a Pacific-led initiative supported by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2021 that drives and delivers on the EWS4ALL UN initiative in the Pacific.
    • Japan is also enhancing cooperation with Pacific Island countries under its “Pacific Climate Resilience Initiative”, inter alia, by strengthening disaster risk reduction and preparedness through satellite technology and by promoting clean energy through capacity building and installation of renewable energies.
    • The Quad also plans to train experts in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu to better monitor and forecast flash floods, for timely and accurate warnings, reducing human and economic losses from flash floods.

    Clean Energy

    • Our countries intend to strengthen our cooperation to align policies, incentives, standards, and investments around creating high-quality, diversified clean energy supply chains that will enhance our collective energy security, create new economic opportunities across the region, and benefit local workers and communities around the world, particularly across the Indo-Pacific. We will work together, through policy and public finance, to operationalize our commitment to catalyzing complementary and high-standard private sector investment in allied and partner clean energy supply chains. We note the uniquely complementary capabilities Quad partners share across the battery supply chain, and pledge to focus near-term efforts on strengthening mineral production, recycling, and battery manufacturing across our respective industries.
    • Quad Leaders announced a Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program last year, which aims to support the development of secure and diversified clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia will open applications for the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chains Diversification Program in November, providing AUD 50 million to support projects that develop and diversify solar panel, hydrogen electrolyzer and battery supply chains. Secure and diversified clean energy supply chains are an integral part of achieving the Indo-Pacific’s collective energy security, emissions reduction goals and transition to a net zero future.
    • India commits to invest $2 million in new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.
    • Japan has committed to $122 million grants and loans, both public and private, in renewable energy projects in the Indo-Pacific.
    • The United States, through the DFC, has extended a $250 million loan to Tata Power Solar to construct a solar cell manufacturing facility and a $500 million loan to First Solar to construct and operate a solar module manufacturing facility in India, and continues to seek opportunities to mobilize private capital to solar, as well as wind, cooling, batteries, and critical minerals to expand capacity and diversify supply chains.
    • The Quad announces an initiative to boost energy efficiency, including the deployment and manufacturing of affordable, high-efficiency, cooling systems, to enable climate-vulnerable communities to adapt to rising temperatures while simultaneously reducing strain on the electricity grid. The United States intends to invest an initial $1.25 million of technical assistance financing to this effort.

    CYBER SECURITY

    The Quad is working together to build a more resilient, secure, and complementary cyber security environment for Quad countries and partners.

    • The Quad has [developed/released] the Quad Action Plan to Protect Commercial Undersea Telecommunications Cables, to advance the Quad’s shared vision for future digital connectivity, global commerce, and prosperity.
    • Quad countries are also partnering with software manufacturers, industry trade groups, and research centers to expand the Quad’s commitment to pursuing secure software development standards and certification, as endorsed in the Quad’s 2023 Secure Software Joint Principles.
    • Quad partners will work to harmonize these standards to not only ensure that the development, procurement, and end-use of software for government networks is more secure, but that the cyber resilience of our supply chains, digital economies, and societies are collectively improved.
    • Throughout this fall, each Quad country plans to host events to mark the annual Quad Cyber Challenge promoting responsible cyber ecosystems, public resources, and cybersecurity awareness. This year’s Cyber Challenge campaigns will focus on establishing career pathway programs to increase the number and diversity of global cybersecurity professionals, including increased participation by women, in this rapidly growing field. Last year’s Quad Cyber Challenge included over 85,000 participants across the Indo-Pacific region.
    • Capacity building projects like the Quad Cyber Bootcamp and the international conference on cyber capacity building in the Philippines are important initiatives to enhance cybersecurity and workforce development in the Indo-Pacific region.
    • The Quad is undertaking joint efforts to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities to national security and protection of critical infrastructure networks, and coordinate more closely including on policy responses to sharing of cyber threat information on significant cybersecurity incidents affecting shared priorities.

    COUNTERING DISINFORMATION

    The Quad is working together to foster a resilient information environment, including through its Countering Disinformation Working Group, by supporting media freedom and addressing foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, which undermines trust and sows discord in the international community.

    PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES

    Quad countries are building enduring ties between their peoples. Stakeholders from Quad countries have participated in International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other exchanges, on topics related to cyber security, workforce development for critical and emerging technologies, women in STEM, government transparency and accountability, combating disinformation, and regional maritime governance.

    The Quad Fellowship

    • Together with the Institute of International Education, which leads implementation of the Quad Fellowship, Quad governments welcome the second cohort of Quad Fellows and the expansion of the program to include students from ASEAN countries for the first time. The Government of Japan is supporting the program to enable Quad Fellows to study in Japan. The Quad welcomes the generous support of private sector partners for the next cohort of fellows, including Google, the Pratt Foundation, and Western Digital.
    • The Quad looks forward to the Quad Fellowship Summit in Washington, DC, in October, organized by the Institute of International Education.

    Additional People-to-People Initiatives

    • India announces a new initiative to award fifty Quad scholarships, worth $500,000, to students from the Indo-Pacific to pursue a 4-year undergraduate engineering program at a Government of India-funded technical institution.

    SPACE

    The Quad recognizes the essential contribution of space-related applications and technologies in the Indo-Pacific. The four countries plan to continue delivering Earth Observation data and other space-related applications to assist nations across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen climate early warning systems and better manage the impacts of extreme weather events.

    • The Quad welcomes India’s establishment of a space-based web portal for Mauritius to support the concept of open science for space-based monitoring of extreme weather events and climate impact.

    Space Situational Awareness Initiative

    • Quad partners intend to share expertise and experience in space situational awareness (SSA), contributing to long-term sustainability of the space environment. Cooperation is intended to leverage SSA and space traffic coordination capabilities in the civil domain, including to help avoid collisions in outer space and manage debris.

     
    COUNTERING TERRORISM
     
    The Quad hosted its first Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) in 2023 and will meet annually to discuss CT threats, Quad CT good practices, and ways the Quad can work together to mitigate acts of terrorism through information sharing, consequence management and strategic messaging.  The Quad CTWG currently focuses on countering the use of unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear devices (CBRN), and the internet for terrorist purposes. The Quad CTWG discusses new CT lines of effort on which to collaborate, hosts technical workshops for establishing CT good practices, and explores ways to engage non-Quad members with Quad-established CT expertise.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fact Sheet: 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 22 SEP 2024 8:58AM by PIB Delhi

    On September 21, 2024, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. hosted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India in Wilmington, Delaware, for the fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit.

    The Quad was established to be a global force for good. This year, the Quad is proudly executing tangible projects that benefit partner countries across the Indo-Pacific—including in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region. The Quad is working together at unprecedented scope and scale to deliver on Indo-Pacific partners’ priorities. Together, the Quad is leading ambitious projects to help partners address pandemics and disease; respond to natural disasters; strengthen their maritime domain awareness and maritime security; mobilize and build high-standard physical and digital infrastructure; invest in and benefit from critical and emerging technologies; confront the threat of climate change; bolster cyber security; and cultivate the next generation of technology leaders.

    ENDURING PARTNERS FOR THE INDO-PACIFIC

    Over the past four years, Quad Leaders have met six times, including twice virtually. Quad Foreign Ministers have met eight times, most recently in Tokyo in July. Quad country representatives convene on a regular basis, at all levels, to consult one another, exchange ideas to advance shared priorities, and deliver benefits for partners across the Indo-Pacific region. All Quad governments have institutionalized the Quad at all levels and across a diverse array of departments and agencies. Today, Quad Leaders announced new initiatives to solidify these habits of cooperation and to set up the Quad to endure for the long-term.

    Each Quad government has committed to work through their respective budgetary processes to secure robust funding for Quad priorities in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure an enduring impact.

    The Quad governments also intend to work with their respective legislatures to deepen interparliamentary exchanges, and encourage other stakeholders to deepen engagement with Quad counterparts. Yesterday, Members of Congress announced the creation of a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Quad Caucus.

    In the coming months, Quad Commerce and Industry ministers will meet for the first time.

    Quad Leaders also welcome the leaders of the Quad Development Finance Institutions and Agencies deciding to meet to explore future investments by the four countries in the Indo-Pacific, including in health security, food security, clean energy, and quality infrastructure. This builds on a previous meeting in 2022 between the heads of the Export Finance Australia, the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, India Export-Import Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

    The United States will host the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting, and India will host the 2025 Quad Leaders Summit.

    GLOBAL HEALTH & HEALTH SECURITY

    In 2023, the Quad announced the Quad Health Security Partnership to strengthen coordination and collaboration in support of health security in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad Health Security Partnership is delivering on its commitments to strengthen the Indo-Pacific’s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks of diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential, including through a set of new initiatives announced today.

    Quad Cancer Moonshot

    The Quad is launching the historic Quad Cancer Moonshot, a collective effort to leverage public and private resources to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer in the Indo-Pacific, with an initial focus on cervical cancer. Altogether, the Quad Cancer Moonshot announced today is projected to save hundreds of thousands of lives over the coming decades. More information can be found here.

    Pandemic Preparedness

    Quad countries are committed to supporting health security and resiliency efforts across the region, including continued support for the Pandemic Fund.

    The Quad reaffirms commitment to bolstering health security across the Indo-Pacific region. In 2024, the Quad Health Security Partnership advanced regional resilience through the second pandemic preparedness table top exercise, building on the success of the Quad Vaccine Partnership to enhance prevention, early detection, and response to potential disease outbreaks, and is exploring developing Standard Operating Procedures for Pandemic Response. The Quad’s collaborative efforts included training health specialists from the Indo-Pacific to strengthen regional capabilities for health emergencies.

    India will host a workshop on pandemic preparedness and release a white paper outlining emergency public health responses.

    Australia is increasing the pool of public health specialists who are ready to deploy, in-country or in the region, in response to disease outbreaks, with the first training session to commence in Darwin, Australia, in the coming days.

    In coordination with Quad partners, the United States is pledging over $84.5 million to partner with fourteen countries in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.

    Mpox

    In response to the current clade I mpox outbreak, as well as the ongoing clade II mpox outbreak, the Quad plans to coordinate our efforts to promote equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured mpox vaccines, including where appropriate expanding vaccine manufacturing in low and middle-income countries.

    HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF (HADR)

    Twenty years ago, the Quad first came together to respond to the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, surging humanitarian assistance to affected countries. In 2022, Quad Foreign Ministers signed the Guidelines for the Quad Partnership on HADR in the Indo-Pacific. In May 2024, following a tragic landslide in Papua New Guinea, Quad countries coordinated their response in accordance with these guidelines. The Quad collectively provided over $5 million in humanitarian assistance. Quad partners continue to support Papua New Guinea in its longer-term resiliency efforts. The Quad continues to deepen HADR coordination and support partners in the region in their longer-term resiliency efforts.

    Quad governments are working to ensure readiness to rapidly respond, including through pre-positioning of essential relief supplies, in the event of a natural disaster; this effort extends from the Indian Ocean region, to Southeast Asia, to the Pacific.

    In the coming months, Quad HADR experts will conduct a tabletop exercise to prepare for potential future disasters in the region.

    Quad partners are working together to provide over $4 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people of Vietnam in light of the devastating consequences of Typhoon Yagi.

    MARITIME SECURITY

    Quad partners are working side-by-side with partners throughout the region to bolster maritime security, improve maritime domain awareness, and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness and Maritime Training

    Quad Leaders launched the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) at the 2022 Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo. This initiative provides partners with near-real-time, cost-effective, cutting-edge radio frequency data, enabling them to better monitor their waters; counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; respond to climate change and natural disasters; and enforce their laws within their waters.

    Since the announcement, in consultation with partners, the Quad has successfully scaled the program across the Indo-Pacific region—through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, with partners in Southeast Asia, to the Information Fusion Center—Indian Ocean Region, Gurugram. In doing so, the Quad has helped well over two dozen countries access dark vessel maritime domain awareness data, so they can better monitor the activities in their exclusive economic zones—including unlawful activity.

    In the next phase of implementation, announced today, the Quad intends to layer new technology and data into IPMDA over the coming year, to continue to deliver cutting edge capability and information to the region. The Quad intends to leverage electro-optical data and advanced analytic software to sharpen the maritime domain awareness picture for partners.

    Today the Quad announced a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) to enable our partners in the region Indo-Pacific partners to maximize tools provided through IPMDA and other Quad partner initiatives, to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behavior. The Quad countries look forward to India hosting the inaugural MAITRI workshop in 2025.

    Quad countries are coordinating comprehensive and complementary training across the full suite of legal, operational, and technical maritime security and law enforcement knowledge domains. Quad partners have pledged to expand engagement with regional maritime law enforcement fora, share best practices, and improve civil maritime cooperation.

    Indo-Pacific Logistics Network

    The Quad launches today a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, to pursue shared airlift capacity among the four nations and leverage collective logistics strengths, in order to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region. This effort will complement existing efforts with Indo-Pacific partners.

    Coast Guard Cooperation

    The U.S. Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard plan to launch a first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025 in the Indo-Pacific to improve interoperability. Through this effort, members of Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard will spend time on board a U.S. Coast Guard vessel operating in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad intends to continue with further missions in the Indo-Pacific.

    QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE

    The Quad is delivering quality, resilient infrastructure to the region to increase connectivity, build regional capacity, and meet critical needs.

    This year, the Quad countries’ export credit agencies (ECAs) signed and are implementing a Memorandum of Cooperation, which supports supply chain resilience, critical and emerging technologies, renewable energy, and other high-quality projects in the Indo-Pacific. Quad ECAs are strengthening communication on pipeline information and provision of relevant financing for projects in the Indo-Pacific region, and will pursue joint business promotion efforts that involve industry experts, project developers, and other major market players.

    The Quad released joint Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure, underscoring the Quad’s commitment to an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe, reliable, and secure digital future to advance shared prosperity and sustainable development.

    The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure organized a workshop in India to empower partners across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen power sector resilience.

    Quad Ports of the Future Partnership

    The Quad Ports of the Future Partnership will harness the Quad’s expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific, in collaboration with regional partners.

    In 2025, Quad partners intend to hold the inaugural Regional Ports and Transportation Conference, hosted by India in Mumbai.

    Through this new partnership, Quad partners intend to coordinate, exchange information, share best practices with partners in the region, and leverage resources to mobilize government and private sector investments in quality port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region.

    Quad Infrastructure Fellows

    The Quad Infrastructure Fellowship was announced at the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit to improve capacity and deepen professional networks across the region to design, manage, and attract investment in infrastructure projects. Over the past year, it has expanded to more than 2,200 experts, and Quad partners have already provided well over 1,300 fellowships.

    Undersea Cables and Digital Connectivity

    Through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, Quad partners continue to support and strengthen quality undersea cable networks in the Indo-Pacific, the capacity, durability, and reliability of which are inextricably linked to the security and prosperity of the region and the world.

    In support of these efforts, Australia launched the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre in July, which is delivering workshops and policy and regulatory assistance in response to requests from across the region.

    Japan has conducted capacity building trainings to enhance connectivity and resilience in the Indo-Pacific through cooperation with specialized agencies and international organizations. Japan intends to further extend technical cooperation to improve public information and communication technology infrastructure management capacity for an undersea cable in Nauru and Kiribati.

    The United States has conducted over 1,300 capacity building trainings for telecommunication officials and executives from 25 countries in the Indo-Pacific; today the U.S. announces its intent, working with Congress, to invest an additional $3.4 million to extend and expand this training program.

    Investments in cable projects by Quad partners will help support all Pacific island countries in achieving primary telecommunication cable connectivity by the end of 2025. Since the last Quad Leaders’ Summit, Quad partners have committed over $140 million to undersea cable builds in the Pacific, alongside contributions from other likeminded partners.

    Complementing these investments in new undersea cables, India has commissioned a feasibility study to examine expansion of undersea cable maintenance and repair capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.

    CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

    The Quad is working in lockstep to stay at the forefront of technology innovation, and remains committed to harnessing emerging technologies for the benefit of people across the Indo-Pacific, and deploying these technologies to facilitate economic prosperity, openness, and connectivity.

    Open Radio Access Network (RAN) and 5G

    In 2023, Quad partners announced the first-ever Open RAN deployment in the Pacific, in Palau, to support a secure, resilient, and interconnected telecommunications ecosystem. Since then, the Quad has committed approximately $20 million to this effort. Building on this initiative, the Quad announces an expansion of Open RAN collaboration to deliver trusted technology solutions.

    The Quad plans to expand support for ongoing Open RAN field trials and the Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA) in the Philippines, building on the initial $8 million in support that the United States and Japan pledged earlier this year.

    In addition, the United States plans to invest over $7 million to support the global expansion of AORA, including through establishing a first-of-its-kind Open RAN workforce training initiative at scale in South Asia, in partnership with Indian institutions.

    Quad partners also welcome the opportunity to explore additional Open RAN projects in Southeast Asia.

    Quad partners will also explore collaborating with the Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation to ensure the country’s readiness for nationwide 5G deployment.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    Through the Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen Agriculture (AI-ENGAGE) initiative announced at the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit, Quad governments are deepening leading-edge collaborative research to harness artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensing, to transform agricultural approaches and empower farmers across the Indo-Pacific. The Quad announces an inaugural $7.5+ million in funding opportunities for joint research, and highlights the recent signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation among the four countries’ science agencies to connect research communities and advance shared research principles.

    The Quad recognizes the importance of advancing international efforts to achieve safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems, including through the outcomes of the Hiroshima AI Process, GPAI New Delhi Ministerial Declaration 2023, and UN General Assembly resolution 78/625 on “Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development.” The Quad seeks to further deepen international cooperation on artificial intelligence systems and interoperability among artificial intelligence governance frameworks.

    Quad countries, through the Standards Sub-Group, launched two Track 1.5 dialogues on AI and Advanced Communications Technologies to promote international standardization cooperation, including frameworks for AI conformity assessment.

    Biotechnology

    The Quad partners look forward to launching the BioExplore Initiative – a joint effort supported by an initial $2 million in funding to use AI technology to study and analyze biological ecosystems across all four countries. This initiative will help advance our ability to discover and use the diverse capabilities found in living organisms to yield new products and innovations with the potential to diagnose and treat disease, develop resilient crops, generate clean energy, and much more. The initiative will also aim to build technological capacity across the Quad nations.

    This project will also be underpinned by the forthcoming Quad Principles for Research and Development Collaborations in Critical and Emerging Technologies, which advances sustainable, responsible, safe and secure collaborations in biotechnologies and other critical technologies among the Quad and across the region.

    Semiconductors

    Quad Leaders welcome the finalization of a Memorandum of Cooperation for the Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network to facilitate collaboration in addressing semiconductor supply chain risks.

    The Quad Investors Network

    The Quad Investors Network (QUIN) is a nonprofit initiative launched at the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit. The QUIN aims to accelerate investments in critical and emerging technologies across the Indo-Pacific region, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, technologists, and public institutions from the Quad countries to support innovation that aligns with the Quad’s shared values and promotes economic growth, resilience, and regional stability. This year, the QUIN supported ten major strategic investments and partnerships across the Quad in the critical minerals, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and aerospace sectors.

    The QUIN has advanced additional frameworks to foster the development of new technologies and facilitate investment partnerships for emerging startups, including through finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of a startup campus in Tokyo, supported by the QUIN and the Chiba Institute of Technology’s Center for Radical Transformation.

    The QUIN is also working to establish a new venture accelerator in Tokyo through a collaboration between the University of Tokyo, Northeastern University, and the QUIN. These collaborations will not only fuel technological advancements but also strengthen the economic ties among the Quad nations, contributing to a more integrated and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

    Finally, the QUIN developed a Quantum Center of Excellence, which produced a report this year highlighting ways each Quad country’s Quantum ecosystems can work together to collectively leverage capital and expertise.

    CLIMATE AND CLEAN ENERGY

    The Quad recognizes the existential threat climate change poses to the world, the Indo-Pacific, and in particular island nations in the Pacific and in the Indian Ocean region, and is taking ambitious steps to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, promote clean energy innovation and adoption, and support sustainable development.

    Climate Adaptation

    The Quad intends to expand its Early Warning Systems and the Climate Information Services Initiative (CIS), announced at the 2023 Leaders’ Summit. This will help improve Pacific Island countries’ access to high-quality climate data and services, and increase partners’ capacity to prepare for and respond to climate change and its impacts.

    The United States plans to provide 3D-printed automatic weather stations to the Pacific in 2025 to support local weather and climate forecasts, and also train experts in Fiji with the goal of operating a regional center to develop and deploy this technology.

    Australia is also strengthening Early Warning Systems through Weather Ready Pacific, a Pacific-led initiative supported by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2021 that drives and delivers on the EWS4ALL UN initiative in the Pacific.

    Japan is also enhancing cooperation with Pacific Island countries under its “Pacific Climate Resilience Initiative”, inter alia, by strengthening disaster risk reduction and preparedness through satellite technology and by promoting clean energy through capacity building and installation of renewable energies.

    The Quad also plans to train experts in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu to better monitor and forecast flash floods, for timely and accurate warnings, reducing human and economic losses from flash floods.

    Clean Energy

    Our countries intend to strengthen our cooperation to align policies, incentives, standards, and investments around creating high-quality, diversified clean energy supply chains that will enhance our collective energy security, create new economic opportunities across the region, and benefit local workers and communities around the world, particularly across the Indo-Pacific. We will work together, through policy and public finance, to operationalize our commitment to catalyzing complementary and high-standard private sector investment in allied and partner clean energy supply chains. We note the uniquely complementary capabilities Quad partners share across the battery supply chain, and pledge to focus near-term efforts on strengthening mineral production, recycling, and battery manufacturing across our respective industries.

    Quad Leaders announced a Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program last year, which aims to support the development of secure and diversified clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia will open applications for the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chains Diversification Program in November, providing AUD 50 million to support projects that develop and diversify solar panel, hydrogen electrolyzer and battery supply chains. Secure and diversified clean energy supply chains are an integral part of achieving the Indo-Pacific’s collective energy security, emissions reduction goals and transition to a net zero future.

    India commits to invest $2 million in new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.

    Japan has committed to $122 million grants and loans, both public and private, in renewable energy projects in the Indo-Pacific.

    The United States, through the DFC, has extended a $250 million loan to Tata Power Solar to construct a solar cell manufacturing facility and a $500 million loan to First Solar to construct and operate a solar module manufacturing facility in India, and continues to seek opportunities to mobilize private capital to solar, as well as wind, cooling, batteries, and critical minerals to expand capacity and diversify supply chains.

    The Quad announces an initiative to boost energy efficiency, including the deployment and manufacturing of affordable, high-efficiency, cooling systems, to enable climate-vulnerable communities to adapt to rising temperatures while simultaneously reducing strain on the electricity grid. The United States intends to invest an initial $1.25 million of technical assistance financing to this effort.

    CYBER SECURITY

    The Quad is working together to build a more resilient, secure, and complementary cyber security environment for Quad countries and partners.

    The Quad has [developed/released] the Quad Action Plan to Protect Commercial Undersea Telecommunications Cables, to advance the Quad’s shared vision for future digital connectivity, global commerce, and prosperity.

    Quad countries are also partnering with software manufacturers, industry trade groups, and research centers to expand the Quad’s commitment to pursuing secure software development standards and certification, as endorsed in the Quad’s 2023 Secure Software Joint Principles.

    Quad partners will work to harmonize these standards to not only ensure that the development, procurement, and end-use of software for government networks is more secure, but that the cyber resilience of our supply chains, digital economies, and societies are collectively improved.

    Throughout this fall, each Quad country plans to host events to mark the annual Quad Cyber Challenge promoting responsible cyber ecosystems, public resources, and cybersecurity awareness. This year’s Cyber Challenge campaigns will focus on establishing career pathway programs to increase the number and diversity of global cybersecurity professionals, including increased participation by women, in this rapidly growing field. Last year’s Quad Cyber Challenge included over 85,000 participants across the Indo-Pacific region.

    Capacity building projects like the Quad Cyber Bootcamp and the international conference on cyber capacity building in the Philippines are important initiatives to enhance cybersecurity and workforce development in the Indo-Pacific region.

    The Quad is undertaking joint efforts to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities to national security and protection of critical infrastructure networks, and coordinate more closely including on policy responses to sharing of cyber threat information on significant cybersecurity incidents affecting shared priorities.

    COUNTERING DISINFORMATION

    The Quad is working together to foster a resilient information environment, including through its Countering Disinformation Working Group, by supporting media freedom and addressing foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, which undermines trust and sows discord in the international community.

    PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES

    Quad countries are building enduring ties between their peoples. Stakeholders from Quad countries have participated in International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other exchanges, on topics related to cyber security, workforce development for critical and emerging technologies, women in STEM, government transparency and accountability, combating disinformation, and regional maritime governance.

    The Quad Fellowship

    Together with the Institute of International Education, which leads implementation of the Quad Fellowship, Quad governments welcome the second cohort of Quad Fellows and the expansion of the program to include students from ASEAN countries for the first time. The Government of Japan is supporting the program to enable Quad Fellows to study in Japan. The Quad welcomes the generous support of private sector partners for the next cohort of fellows, including Google, the Pratt Foundation, and Western Digital.

    The Quad looks forward to the Quad Fellowship Summit in Washington, DC, in October, organized by the Institute of International Education.

    Additional People-to-People Initiatives

    India announces a new initiative to award fifty Quad scholarships, worth $500,000, to students from the Indo-Pacific to pursue a 4-year undergraduate engineering program at a Government of India-funded technical institution.

    SPACE

    The Quad recognizes the essential contribution of space-related applications and technologies in the Indo-Pacific. The four countries plan to continue delivering Earth Observation data and other space-related applications to assist nations across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen climate early warning systems and better manage the impacts of extreme weather events.

    The Quad welcomes India’s establishment of a space-based web portal for Mauritius to support the concept of open science for space-based monitoring of extreme weather events and climate impact.

    Space Situational Awareness Initiative

    Quad partners intend to share expertise and experience in space situational awareness (SSA), contributing to long-term sustainability of the space environment. Cooperation is intended to leverage SSA and space traffic coordination capabilities in the civil domain, including to help avoid collisions in outer space and manage debris.

    COUNTERING TERRORISM

    The Quad hosted its first Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) in 2023 and will meet annually to discuss CT threats, Quad CT good practices, and ways the Quad can work together to mitigate acts of terrorism through information sharing, consequence management and strategic messaging. The Quad CTWG currently focuses on countering the use of unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear devices (CBRN), and the internet for terrorist purposes. The Quad CTWG discusses new CT lines of effort on which to collaborate, hosts technical workshops for establishing CT good practices, and explores ways to engage non-Quad members with Quad-established CT expertise.

    *****

    MJPS/ST/SKS

    (Release ID: 2057460) Visitor Counter : 32

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024: Indian Coast Guard organises a nationwide campaign

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 21 SEP 2024 7:59PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in alignment with the Government’s ongoing ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, organised the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 (ICC-2024) across all coastal states and Union Territories on September 21, 2024. A large contingent of NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and school & college students also joined the effort, reflecting the growing commitment of India’s younger generation to safeguarding the environment.

    The ICC-2024 campaign was marked by significant collaboration between Central & State government organisations, municipal corporations, non-governmental organisations, fisheries associations, ports, oil agencies, and other private enterprises. This united effort highlights the collective dedication towards marine conservation and environmental protection.

    Participants worked tirelessly throughout the event, removing litter and debris from the country’s coastlines and promoting a cleaner, healthier marine ecosystem. In addition to physical cleaning, the event aimed to raise public awareness about sustainable practices and the detrimental impact of pollution on marine life.

    Celebrated globally on the third Saturday of September each year under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme, ICC Day serves as a critical environmental initiative. The Indian Coast Guard has spearheaded this movement in India since 2006, fostering a sense of community engagement and environmental stewardship.

     

    *****

    SR/MR/KB

    (Release ID: 2057398) Visitor Counter : 60

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Yinchuan enters harvest season of aquatic products

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

    China’s Yinchuan enters harvest season of aquatic products

    Updated: September 22, 2024 20:40 Xinhua
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. With abundant water resources from the Yellow River, Yinchuan has vigorously developed fisheries in recent years. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member shows crabs at paddy fields of Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    In this aerial drone photo, staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member catches crabs at paddy fields of Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member sorts out crabs at a distribution center of Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2024 shows a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member feeds prawns at a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 20, 2024 shows an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2024 shows a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2024 shows a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: VATICAN/ANGELUS – The Pope: “We are all alive because we have been welcomed”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Sunday, September 22, 2024

    Vatican Media

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “We, all of us, are alive because we have been welcomed”. Pope Francis returns to St. Peter’s Square for the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer and thus comments on today’s Gospel passage, in which Jesus announces his death and resurrection to his disciples. But “while Jesus confided to them the meaning of his life”, Francis points out, “they spoke of power. And so now shame closes their mouths, just as pride had previously closed their hearts”. Yet Christ, explains the Pontiff, “openly responds to the whispered words along the way: ‘If anyone wants to be first, let him be last’. Do you want to be great? Make yourself small, put yourself at the service of all”. “This makes you great”, adds the Bishop of Rome off the cuff, then pointing out the reason why the Master “calls a child, places him among the disciples and embraces him. The child has no power: he needs. When we take care of man, we recognize that man always needs life”. “We are all alive because we have been welcomed, but power makes us forget this truth. Then we become masters, not servants, and the first to suffer are precisely the last: the small, the weak, the poor”. “How many people – warns Francis – suffer and die because of power struggles! They are lives that the world rejects, as it rejected Jesus. When He was delivered into the hands of men, He did not find an embrace, but a cross. The Gospel remains, however, a living word full of hope: He who was rejected, is risen”. After the blessing, the Pope’s thoughts go to Honduras, where Juan Antonio López, delegate of the Word of God, coordinator of the social pastoral care of the Diocese of Trujillo and founding member of the pastoral care of integral ecology in Honduras, was killed: “I join in the mourning of that Church – the words of the Pontiff – and in the condemnation of every form of violence. I am close to those who see their basic rights trampled upon and to those who are committed to the common good in response to the cry of the poor and the earth”. Then, a new appeal for peace: “Let us continue to pray for peace. Unfortunately, tension is very high on the war fronts. Let us listen to the voice of the peoples, who ask for peace. Let us not forget the tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, many countries that are at war. Let us pray for peace”. Finally, the inevitable greeting: “I wish everyone a happy Sunday. And please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and goodbye!”. (FB) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2024) Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Address by President Viola Amherd at the UN Summit of the Future

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

    Bern, 22.09.2024 – Address by President Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), at the UN Summit of the Future, New, York, Sunday, 22 September 2024.

    Check against delivery

    Mister President,
    Mister Secretary-General,
    Heads of State and Government,
    Excellencies,
    Ladies and gentlemen

    The Charter of the United Nations entered into force almost 80 years ago. It established a general prohibition on the use of force, respect for human rights, and laid the foundations for international cooperation.

    This was accompanied by a solemn undertaking that states would work together for a more stable, just and peaceful world.

    At that point, the international community confronted the most pressing issues of its time. The charter was visionary and remains so to this day.
    Today more than ever, we must follow the example of our predecessors. The constant here is multilateralism with the UN at its core.

    In order to drive forward the necessary reforms, we not only need a strong political will, but we also need to rebuild trust.
     
    I believe that this is urgently needed. Unfortunately, all our efforts were almost undone when the adoption of the Pact for the Future was jeopardised today. We regret this.

    However, almost all member states were in favour of a strong negotiated text for which everyone had had to make compromises, some of them painful.

    And perhaps because of these difficulties, the Pact is proving to be an important and clear signal of commitment to the multilateral system.

    It is our duty as members of the international community to work together across our differences and to ensure that our common future is not determined exclusively by national self-interest.

    We must not be discouraged by these challenges – quite the opposite.

    It is a wake-up call for all of us to intensify our efforts, and that – together – we can still succeed.

    So now is the time to act with even more determination.

    Multilateralism needs this and we need multilateralism. We must not be deterred or give up, but must continue to move forward together.

    Ladies and gentlemen

    Switzerland is ready to fulfil its responsibilities. We remain firmly committed to the values of multilateralism and are determined to continue on the path towards a more sustainable, just and peaceful world.

    Let us work towards a strong and focused multilateralism; multilateral agencies and organisations that focus on priorities and work together effectively; and a system that addresses current challenges efficiently and effectively.

    Switzerland invites all states to join in these efforts.

    Thank you.

    Address for enquiries

    DDPS Communication
    Federal Palace East
    3003 Bern

    Publisher

    Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
    http://www.vbs.admin.ch

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech – Kitmap: supporting a thriving science, innovation and technology sector

    Source: Callaghan Innovation

    The Science, Innovation and Technology sector is working together to improve collaboration and access to infrastructure and expertise via a new online platform.

    Kitmap is an online directory and database of scientific infrastructure and equipment owned by publicly funded institutes and is the first of its kind for Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Kitmap was announced today by Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Judith Collins. The online platform is part of a wider project led by the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that seeks to optimise the use of Aotearoa New Zealand’s science and technology research infrastructure.

    “We are excited to be part of the delivery and management of a tool that streamlines access to facilities that also helps to enhance collaboration and efficiency,” says Callaghan Innovation Chief Executive, Stefan Korn.

    It includes advanced facilities such as clean rooms, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified testing, pilot and manufacturing infrastructure, and specialised Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy  capabilities that are now more accessible.

    Kitmap currently catalogues 260 R&D items of infrastructure, specialised equipment, much of which are found nowhere else, or not easily accessible in this country.

    It provides easy access to equipment and facilities owned by Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), the National eScience Infrastructure (NeSI) and Callaghan Innovation.

    “Our colleagues at MBIE have done the heavy lifting gathering the relevant information for this tool. As an innovation agency and R&D provider, we are very happy to host and promote Kitmap to support improved collaboration, and optimised resource use across the public sector and beyond.

    “We engaged with MBIE late last year to see what we could do to help. They welcomed our input and their shared requirements for an online tool. We assembled our own team to deliver a dynamic platform that provides instant access to a comprehensive directory of R&D infrastructure and equipment.

    “As scientific fields, interdisciplinary research and private sector R&D areas continue to evolve rapidly, it’s crucial that our public science and technology resources are deployed to the areas where they can deliver the greatest impact for New Zealand.

    “And as the fourth industrial revolution gathers pace, Kitmap will offer valuable insights and access to a broad spectrum of research facilities and equipment, ensuring Kiwi innovators have the tools they need to successfully develop products and inventions.

    “In the near future Kitmap will look to incorporate generative AI functionality to suggest potential methods and machinery required for rapid prototyping of new products or innovations,” says Stefan Korn.

    Kitmap resource categories include:

    • Laboratories: Conventional research rooms/buildings
    • Field sites: Physical spaces for non-laboratory research activities
    • Livestock facilities: Spaces for rearing or researching livestock, including animals, fish, and insects
    • Vessels: Ships or boats equipped for sea research
    • Digital collections: Online databases and digital archives
    • Computing: Physical computing hardware or virtual networks
    • Workshops: Spaces with CNC machinery, tools and equipment for rapid prototyping
    • Sample collections: Physical specimen collections
    • Monitoring: Networks of monitoring equipment
    • Pilot plants: Facilities for pre-commercial production technology trials.

    Visit Kitmap : https://www.kitmap.govt.nz/

    About Callaghan Innovation  

    Callaghan Innovation is New Zealand’s innovation agency. It activates innovation and helps businesses grow faster for a better New Zealand.  The government agency partners with ambitious businesses of all sizes, delivering a range of innovation and research and development (R&D) services to suit each stage of their growth. Its staff – including more than 150 of New Zealand’s leading scientists and engineers – empower innovators by connecting people, opportunities and networks, and providing tailored technical solutions, skills and capability development programmes, and grants co-funding. Callaghan Innovation also enhances the operation of New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem, working closely with MBIE, NZTE, NZVIF, Crown Research Institutes, and other organisations that help increase business investment in R&D and innovation. The agency operates from five urban offices and a regional partner network in a further 12 locations across Aotearoa.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACCC takes Woolworths and Coles to court over alleged misleading ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ claims

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    The ACCC has commenced separate proceedings in the Federal Court against Woolworths Group Limited (Woolworths) (ASX: WOW) and Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (Coles) (a subsidiary of Coles Group Limited – ASX: COL) for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law by misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.

    The ACCC’s allegations relate to products sold by each of Woolworths and Coles at regular long-term prices which remained the same, excluding short-term specials, for at least six months and in many cases for at least a year.

    The products were then subject to price rises of at least 15 per cent for brief periods, before being placed in Woolworths’ ‘Prices Dropped’ promotion and Coles’ ‘Down Down’ promotion, at prices lower than during the price spike but higher than, or the same as, the regular price that applied before the price spike.

    “Following many years of marketing campaigns by Woolworths and Coles, Australian consumers have come to understand that the ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ promotions relate to a sustained reduction in the regular prices of supermarket products. However, in the case of these products, we allege the new ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ promotional prices were actually higher than, or the same as, the previous regular price,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We allege that each of Woolworths and Coles breached the Australian Consumer Law by making misleading claims about discounts, when the discounts were, in fact, illusory.”

    “We also allege that in many cases both Woolworths and Coles had already planned to later place the products on a ‘Prices Dropped’ or ‘Down Down’ promotion before the price spike, and implemented the temporary price spike for the purpose of establishing a higher ‘was’ price,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    The ACCC alleges the conduct involved 266 products for Woolworths at different times across 20 months, and 245 products for Coles at different times across 15 months. The representations were made on pricing tickets displayed to consumers in-store on supermarket shelves and online, usually with a ‘was’ price displayed showing what the price was during the short-term price spike and the date of that price.

    The ACCC identified this conduct through consumer contacts to the ACCC and social media monitoring, and then conducted an in-depth investigation using its compulsory powers.

    “Many consumers rely on discounts to help their grocery budgets stretch further, particularly during this time of cost of living pressures. It is critical that Australian consumers are able to rely on the accuracy of pricing and discount claims,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We allege these misleading claims about illusory discounts diminished the ability of consumers to make informed choices about what products to buy, and where.”

    The ACCC estimates that Woolworths and Coles sold tens of millions of the affected products and derived significant revenue from those sales.

    The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, costs and other orders. The ACCC is also seeking community service orders that Woolworths and Coles must each fund a registered charity to deliver meals to Australians in need, in addition to their pre-existing charitable meal delivery programs.

    Alleged conduct

    The ACCC alleges that the supermarkets offered certain products at a regular price for at least 180 days. They then increased the price of the product by at least 15 per cent for a relatively short period of time, and subsequently placed it onto their ‘Prices Dropped’ or ‘Down Down’ program.

    The ACCC alleges the display of the Prices Dropped and Down Down tickets was misleading, as the price of the products was in fact higher than or the same as the regular price at which the supermarket had previously offered the products for sale.

    Alleged conduct by Woolworths

    The ACCC alleges that Woolworths made false or misleading representations to consumers about the prices of 266 products during the period between September 2021 and May 2023.

    Products affected include Arnott’s Tim Tams biscuits, Dolmio sauces, Doritos salsa, Energizer batteries, Friskies cat food, Kellogg’s cereal, President butter, Listerine mouthwash, Moccona coffee capsules, Mother energy drinks, Mr Chen’s noodles, Nicorette patches, Ocean Blue smoked salmon, Oreo cookies, Palmolive dishwashing liquid, Raid insect spray, Sprite soft drink, Stayfree pads, Twisties, Uncle Tobys muesli bars, and Vicks VapoDrops.

    Example – Oreo Family Pack Original 370g

    From at least 1 January 2021 until 27 November 2022, Woolworths offered the Oreo Family Pack Original 370g product for sale at a regular price of $3.50 on a pre-existing ‘Prices Dropped’ promotion for at least 696 days.

    On 28 November 2022, the price was increased to $5.00 for a period of 22 days. On 20 December 2022, the product was placed on a ‘Prices Dropped’ promotion with the tickets showing a ‘Prices Dropped’ price of $4.50 and a ‘was’ price of $5.00. The ‘Prices Dropped’ price of $4.50 was in fact 29 per cent higher than the product’s previous regular price of $3.50.

    In this example, the ACCC alleges Woolworths had planned the temporary price spike to establish a new higher ‘was’ price for the subsequent ‘promotion’. Woolworths had decided (after a request from the supplier for a price increase) on or around 18 November 2022 to take the product off ‘Prices Dropped’, increase the price, and then put the product back on to ‘Prices Dropped’ three weeks later.

    Alleged conduct by Coles

    The ACCC alleges that Coles made false or misleading representations to consumers about the prices of 245 products during the period between February 2022 and May 2023.

    Products include Arnott’s Shapes biscuits, Band-Aids, Bega cheese, Cadbury chocolates, Coca Cola soft drink, Colgate toothpaste, Danone yoghurt, Dettol multi-purpose wipes, Fab laundry liquid, Karicare formula, Kellogg’s snack bars, Kleenex tissues, Libra tampons, Lurpak butter, Maggi two-minute noodles, Nature’s Gift dog food, Nescafe instant coffee, Palmolive shampoo, Rexona deodorant, Sakata rice crackers, Sanitarium Weet-Bix cereal, Strepsils lozenges, Sunrice rice, Tena pads, Viva paper towels, Whiskas cat food, and Zafarelli pasta.

    Example Strepsils Throat Lozenges Honey & Lemon 16 pack

    From at least 1 January 2021 until 11 October 2022, Coles offered the Strepsils Throat Lozenges Honey & Lemon 16 pack product for sale at a regular price of $5.50 (on a pre-existing ‘Down Down’ promotion) for at least 649 days, including one seven-day short-term special.

    On 12 October 2022, the price was then increased to $7.00 for a period of 28 days. On 9 November 2022, the product was placed on a ‘Down Down’ promotion with the tickets showing a ‘Down Down’ price of $6.00 and a ‘was’ price of $7.00. The ‘Down Down’ price of $6.00 was in fact 9 per cent higher than the product’s previous regular price of $5.50.

    In this example, the ACCC alleges Coles had planned the temporary price spike to establish a new higher ‘was’ price for the subsequent ‘promotion’. Coles had decided (after a request from the supplier for a price increase) on or around 7 October 2022 to take the product off ‘Down Down’, increase the price, and then put the product back on to ‘Down Down’ four weeks later.

    ACCC Supermarkets inquiry

    The ACCC was directed by the Treasurer in January 2024 to conduct an inquiry into the Australian supermarket sector, pricing practices and the relationship between wholesale, farmgate and retail prices.

    The ACCC’s investigation into the conduct which is the subject of these proceedings pre-dates this inquiry. The inquiry will not consider the issues in dispute in these proceedings.

    Note to editors

    The ACCC does not regulate supermarket prices.

    The ACCC has taken proceedings in respect of alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law, which provides that businesses must not make false or misleading statements about prices.

    Separate proceedings are brought against Woolworths and Coles, and the ACCC is not making any allegation of any collusion or anti-competitive conduct by Woolworths and Coles as part of these proceedings.

    The ACCC is not alleging any contravention of the ACL by any of Woolworths’ and Coles’ suppliers in these proceedings.

    The maximum penalty for each breach of the Australian Consumer Law increased on 10 November 2022, part way through the period of the alleged conduct. For contraventions from 10 November 2022, the maximum penalty is the greater of:

    • $50,000,000
    • if the Court can determine the value of the ‘reasonably attributable’ benefit obtained, three times that value, or

    • if the Court cannot determine the value of the ‘reasonably attributable’ benefit, 30 per cent of the corporation’s adjusted turnover during the breach turnover period for the contravention.

    Any penalty that might apply to this conduct is a matter for the Court to determine and would depend on the Court’s findings. The ACCC will not comment on what penalties the Court may impose.

    Background

    Woolworths runs the largest supermarket chain in Australia, with about 1,140 Woolworths supermarket stores across the country.

    The ‘Prices Dropped’ Program is promoted by Woolworths as a shelf price reduction program designed to offer Woolworths’ customers consistently low prices over a prolonged period. The objective of the Prices Dropped Program was to lower the standard shelf price of a product from its previous standard (or regular) shelf price.

    Example of a Prices Dropped ticket

    Coles is the second-largest supermarket chain in Australia, operating more than 840 stores nationally.

    Coles introduced the ‘Down Down’ Program in June 2010 and marketed it as a promotional campaign designed to reduce the regular shelf price of commonly purchased products — thereby offering customers predictable and reliable value on the items they purchased the most and reducing the cost of their shopping basket.

    Example of a Down Down ticket

    Separate to these proceedings, in December 2023, following a complaint by CHOICE and an investigation by the ACCC, Coles announced refunds for thousands of customers after it raised the price on 20 products that it had promised would remain ‘locked’ for a certain period of time as part of Coles’ ‘Dropped and Locked’ promotion.

    Concise statements

    ACCC v Coles – Concise Statement ( PDF 322.43 KB )

    ACCC v Woolworths – Concise Statement ( PDF 383.83 KB )

    These documents contain the ACCC’s initiating court documents in relation to these matters. We will not be uploading further documents in the event these initial documents are subsequently amended.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Move over Olympians, Australia’s wildlife are incredible athletes

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University

    Now that the Paris Olympics and Paralympics have disappeared from our screens, let’s get back to watching animal videos.

    But seriously, have you ever paused to think about the athletic abilities of Australian wildlife?

    In my research as an ecologist, I’m constantly amazed by the strength, speed and resilience of our native animals. Their prowess is testament to the wonders of evolution, and the necessity of species having to adapt to challenging and changing environments in order to survive.

    Let’s take a closer look at some of our best competitors and how might they fare, against humans and overseas entrants. On your marks, get set… swim, hop, dig, dance, glide!

    Swimming

    Australians are renowned for being strong swimmers. But what is the fastest swimmer in the animal kingdom?

    On this there is much debate. Some suggest it’s the Indo Pacific sailfish, clocking in at about 30km/hr. That’s impressive, but much slower than oft-cited (but inaccurate) claims it can travel at more than 100km/hr.

    For perspective, the fastest human to swim the 50 metres freestyle is American Caeleb Dressel, completing this in a time of 20.16 seconds. That’s roughly 9km/h – faster than many people jog, but still no match for a sailfish.

    As in humans, swimming speed in fishes tends to increase with body length. Larger species that challenge sailfish for the fastest swimmer title include blue or black marlin. Shorter, torpedo-like bluefin tuna are also in contention. All are found in Australian waters, though not exclusively.

    While American swimmer Michael Phelps put in an impressive showing against a simulated great white shark, no human would beat much faster sailfish, marlin and tuna.

    Sprinting, long and high jump

    Aussie icons, red kangaroos can reach speeds of around 60-70km/hr. But they are no match for cheetahs, which can move at more than 120km/hr.

    Long jump is surely the kangaroo’s main event. Red kangaroos can jump a staggering 13 metres or more. Amazingly, this might not be enough to clinch gold. Snow leopards can jump more than 15 metres.

    Kangaroos can clear heights of up to 3m, so would perform well in the high jump. But they’d finish behind bottlenose dolphins, which can jump over 7m in the air, just for kicks.

    Scaled for body size, though, both species would be embarrassed by a tiny insect known as a froghopper. It jumps to heights of more than 140 times its body length.

    Kangaroos sure can jump, but they’re not the greatest of all in the animal kingdom.

    Battles of strength

    African elephants can lift more than 1,000kg and weaver ants more than 100 times their own body weight.

    But relative to size, a truly impressive champion is Australia’s horned dung beetle. At just a centimetre long, these diminutive powerhouses can pull more than 1,100 times their own body weight, roughly equating to an average man lifting two fully-loaded 18-wheeler trucks.

    And yet, horned dung beetles might still only claim silver. Another invertebrate Aussie, the tiny tropical moss mite, is perhaps the world’s strongest animal. It can pull more than 1,180 times its weight.

    Bigger does not always equal stronger.

    Packing the fastest, deadliest punch

    In terms of combat sports, bigger is not always better.

    Peacock mantis shrimps – invertebrates found in Australian marine waters and elsewhere – have the swiftest and most powerful punch in the lightweight crustacean division.

    They kill prey by punching them with strong, club-like appendages. They deliver blows at up to 23m per sec, akin to the speed and force of a .22 calibre bullet being fired.

    So powerful is the punch, it vaporises water and creates a super-hot shockwave that breaks up and incapacitates its prey.

    Nature’s deadliest punch?

    Tantalising contests

    What about a digging contest? Eastern barred bandicoots can shift 4.8 tonnes of soil a year. How would that stack up against marsupial moles, which can disappear almost instantly into desert sands? Or the expert excavations of wombats and aardvarks that can dig more than half a metre in 15 seconds?

    In terms of free-diving and flying, there’s really no contest. Cuvier’s beaked whale can dive nearly 3000m and peregrine falcons can reach over 320 km/hr. These animals are found across the globe, however – not just in Australia.

    Australia’s largest gliding marsupial, the greater glider, can sail up to 100m between trees. But gliding gold would surely go to the giant flying squirrel, which can glide up to 450m.

    I’d love to see a shooting contest between Australia’s archer fish and Madagascar’s panther chameleon. But finding the right arena for both aquatic and land-based sharpshooters would be tricky.

    Raygun’s kangaroo hop is now legendary, but a breaking (break dancing) contest between a peacock spider, spanish dancer (a type of nudibranch) and a magnificent riflebird might genuinely break the internet.

    Step aside, Raygun, peacock spiders are taking the floor.

    Appreciating wildlife athletes

    So who would win a global contest for the best wildlife athlete overall?

    If the competition was on land and focused on running, jumping, strength and climbing, it’s hard to go past the overall abilities of a Bengal tiger.

    Many amazing wildlife athletes are threatened with extinction. Others are gone forever.

    They include the incredible oolacunta – also known as the desert rat kangaroo. It’s powers of endurance in the desert are the stuff of folklore. As legendary Australian mammalogist Hedley Herbert Finlayson wrote in 1931:

    Its speed for such an atom, was wonderful, and its endurance amazing … when we finally got it, it had taken the starch out of three mounts and run us 12 miles; all under such adverse conditions of heat and rough going, as to make it almost incredible that so small a frame should be capable of such an immense output of energy.

    Let’s celebrate wildlife and their athletic abilities and ensure they have a secure future.

    Euan Ritchie receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action. Euan is a Councillor within the Biodiversity Council, a member of the Ecological Society of Australia and the Australian Mammal Society, and President of the Australian Mammal Society.

    – ref. Move over Olympians, Australia’s wildlife are incredible athletes – https://theconversation.com/move-over-olympians-australias-wildlife-are-incredible-athletes-238303

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Speech – ECA WA Conference

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    Good morning everyone. This really brings back memories. I’ve given many lectures in this room, and every time I lectured in this room, I never stood here. 

    So I’m going to stand here, and can you hear me at the back? 

    Excellent. Well, thank you so much, Amy, for that wonderful introduction, and I also want to thank you Auntie Robyn for that beautiful welcome to country.   

    Can I start also by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet, the Whadjuk Noongar people, and I want to pay my respects to elders, past, present and emerging and celebrate the diversity of First Nations people, their ongoing cultural and educational practices and their connection to the land, water and skies. And I acknowledge any First Nations people joining us here this morning on a beautiful Saturday morning. 

    I was saying earlier, I don’t think there is any other sector that would come out on a Saturday morning of a long weekend to a conference, so kudos to each and every one of you who are here. 

    Can I take a moment just to acknowledge a few other people; my dear friend, Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Professor of Autism Research at the Telethon Kids Research Institute. I’m sure that you are going to be blown away by Andrew’s presentation. Every time Andrew and I sit down together, and I learn about the work he is doing, it really just blows my mind. 

    Can I also acknowledge the ECA WA Committee members here, all the early childhood leaders and educators here today as well, the most important people in the room, of course.

    So I’m really – I’m just really honoured to be here to welcome you today to this day‑long conference. I was in Brisbane for the ECA Conference, it feels like a long time ago, but it actually was only two or three days ago, and that was a fabulous conference too. 

    I remember my very first ECA conference which was in Canberra. I’m a professor before I became a politician, so I’m an academic in nature, and so coming to conferences is like Disneyland for me. I find them incredibly exciting. 

    Unfortunately I have to get on a plane straight after this, so I cannot join you for the rest of the day, but I know that it will be a day filled with incredible insights, an opportunity to share, an opportunity to learn and opportunity to network, and I think they are some of the invaluable things that you can take away from days like today. 

    I’m actually not going to read this speech, because I’d much rather talk to you like this. It’s a really exciting time to be in the early childhood education sector at the moment, because we are on the cusp of a lot of reform. 

    I think that when I went to the very first ECA Conference, at the end of the conference – because I stayed for the whole thing – at the end of the conference they put up findings from the very first conference, which was way back in 1983, or 82, and it was really interesting that they contrasted them with the findings or the outcomes of the conference in 2022, it was at the time, and not much had changed. 

    In fact. nothing had changed. The issues were still the same, the concerns were still the same, the things that needed reform were still the same. And I think that speaks to the fact that this is a sector that is essentially, provides an essential service, not just for families who work, or where care givers work, but particularly for children in those first five years of their lives, the transformational benefits that you all bring to children and their families. 

    And I think that it is high time that the sector had the level of attention that it deserves. You as educators and leaders getting that recognition for the professionalism that you bring to your work. Dedication is great, and I know you all love your jobs, but I also know that you need to be recognised as professionals. 

    And as I said earlier, being here on a Saturday morning on a long weekend is demonstration of that, of that commitment to professionalism, as well as that dedication to the children that you teach, that you educate every day and the families that you help, it’s that dedication to the professionalism of what you do. 

    It’s been a long time coming, but I can tell you our government does not see you as babysitters, does not see you as care givers. We understand, and we know that what you do is education. 

    I often say this to people: I often say, you know, we talk about a child learning to talk, we say “They learnt to walk., they learnt to use a spoon or a fork, or the potty”. Those first five years of a child’s life are education, and we know from research – I actually studied my Masters of Education here, and I studied my post graduate here in Child Language Acquisition. And we know from research and cases where children have not had that interaction, that they don’t learn these things naturally. These are things that are taught to them, and that is the critical role that early childhood education and early childhood educators play in the shaping of a child’s life, not just in those first five years, but into their childhood, their adolescence, their adulthood. So it’s a critical time for that recognition of professionalism. 

    Now we’ve done a number of things. We know that the Prime Minister has articulated a commitment to universal early childhood education and care. I translate that as a sector that is affordable, accessible, and importantly inclusive. That’s really the key part of what you do, is that inclusivity. 

    When we first came into government, one of the first things we did was increase the Child Care Subsidy, and that’s helped about a million families across Australia, the ACCC review found that that’s reduced out‑of‑pocket costs by around 11 per cent. 

    In fact, I was on the Radio 6PR, the other day, and the presenter was saying that his fees went from $70 a day to $40 a day, which makes a huge difference to families, right, and to children. 

    The second thing that we did was recently announced a pay increase for early childhood educators, a 15 per cent pay increase, 10 per cent this year, 5 per cent next year. That comes on top of increases from the Fair Work Commission, particularly for some of the lowest‑paid educators in the sector and workers in the sector. 

    That 15 per cent increase also applies to out‑of‑school‑hours care, and we are working really hard with family day care and in‑home care to see how it can also apply to them. 

    That’s the second thing, because everything that we know, every report, every review, everybody knows that if we want to build that universal early childhood education sector that we want to see that is world‑class quality, affordable, accessible, inclusive, we need a strong and stable workforce, and one that is fairly remunerated for the work that they do and recognised as the professionals that they are. 

    So that’s a big part of what I do as the Early Childhood Education Minister, is looking at how we strengthen the workforce, but importantly how we contribute as leaders, as politicians, as policy makers to that recognition of the professionalism of the workforce. 

    Now last week, on Wednesday, we released the Productivity Commission Review. Now what we wanted the Productivity Commission to do was to give us some ideas in helping us chart that path to universal early childhood education and care. 

    I know from speaking to the sector, from speaking to early childhood educators, to academics, to advocates, to leaders, that we’re on the same page in terms of what we want for children. 

    We want every child to be able to access the transformational benefits of early childhood education and care. We’re on the same page with what we mean by “universal”. It means that every child has access. 

    But how do we get there? How do we get there? How do we get there within the constraints of what the sector looks like? The diversity within the sector, the different and sometimes competing priorities in the sector. The diversity of service delivery, but also the diversity of contexts in which services are delivered; rural/regional, low socio‑economic, high socio‑economic, the different contexts in which they’re delivered. First Nations, you know delivering culturally appropriate and culturally responsive early childhood education and care in place. 

    And that’s what the Productivity Commission was tasked with. So they’ve come out with a number of recommendations, and you might have read about some of them, you might have heard about some of these. 

    Primarily their recommendations are around – well, their findings aren’t anything that we didn’t know, that some of the most vulnerable children are the ones who are missing out.

    So their findings are around abolishing the activity test and making early childhood education and care free for people earning under $80,000 a year for one child, and $140,000 a year for two or more children in ECEC, with a tapering rate according to parents’ incomes. 

    Abolishing the activity test, and a guarantee of 30 hours a week – or three days for every child – a guarantee, and an ECEC Commission to oversee this. 

    Now we’re going to be considering all of those recommendations that the Productivity Commission makes, and we’ll be considering them along with the ACCC Review. 

    One of the things I’m incredibly conscious of as the Minister is that within this sector every lever that you pull has a flow‑on effect ‑ and I know that Andrew’s talk is all about the ripple effect ‑ every lever that we pull has a ripple effect and a flow‑on effect to another part of the sector. 

    And so just as we look at child development holistically, with early childhood education, health, parenting, social services being all part of that development, as we did with the Early Years Strategy, we also have to look at the sector and the reform that we make holistically. 

    What is it, when we do one thing in one space, what impact does it have on other spaces, particularly considering the diversity of the sector, the diversity of services and the diversity of place and context, as I mentioned earlier. 

    Now, I don’t know – who was – was anyone in Brisbane on Wednesday? 

    So Professor Paul Leseman’s talk was all about governance and localised governance, and that was a really interesting talk. And I’m constantly looking at international examples and international research to how we can create a uniquely Australian sector, but take with us the lessons, develop that with the lessons that have been learnt internationally. 

    And that’s what makes this time really, really exciting. Because right now internationally there are so many lessons that are being learned from different countries in the ways in which they attempted to, or instigated, reforms within early childhood education, from the Nordic countries, to Canada, to New Zealand, to all different countries. 

    So as academic nerd I’m basically eating the research for breakfast, along with my coffee. And so for me as the Early Childhood Education Minister, you know, I know where we want to be, and I know that we share that vision with each and every one of you. 

    It’s a beautiful vision, right, and wow, how would it be if we could achieve that? That every child, no matter who they are, no matter what their background, no matter where they live can access this really high‑quality transformational early childhood education and care. 

    Because one of the first things I said to my department when I took on this portfolio was that the principle that guides us is that no child born into disadvantage should have to carry that disadvantage through their life, and the key to that is what you all do. 

    I speak to that not just as an academic who studied early childhood and – not early childhood, but childhood language and has a Master of Education, I speak to that as a mother. I speak to that as a single mum who was fleeing domestic violence, who has an unending gratitude to the early childhood educators who helped me through the most difficult time of my life. 

    Sorry. A few months ago, I was at a different conference, and at the back of the room was the educator who cared for my children, and we saw each other, and we just hugged each other and cried, and I said to her, “Do you have any idea how much you saved me? Do you have any idea what was going on in my household?” And she said, “Anne, we all knew, we all knew”. 

    That is the difference that you make to people’s lives. That is the difference that you make. 

    So I’m going to stop, because I’ve got to catch a plane, and I hate it when I cry before I get on a plane. 

    But look, I just want to say to you, I’m really excited. I am really excited about what we can do together, hand‑in‑hand, moving forward on this pathway, on this journey. And I’m excited too by what’s at the end of this journey, and I am incredibly honoured to be the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Care. It is a portfolio that – not just because I get to play with babies – but because of you, because the heart, the dedication, the professionalism that you bring to the work that you do inspires me every single day to be better and to do better for you. 

    So thank you so much for hearing me rant. And I wish you all the best for the rest of the conference. Enjoy it, and I hope you get so much value out of it, and I look forward to seeing all your faces again soon.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Families fired up about ceramics

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Like most, Sun Lixin, the eldest child in the family-run businesses in Jingdezhen, east China’s Jiangxi province, was born with a mission — succession.

    The firstborn son was followed by a brother and a sister in a family that has made porcelain for four generations and was trained to inherit the family’s ceramic making skills since he was a child.

    His father, Sun Tongxin, has a masterly skill for blue and white painting on porcelain and was a trailblazer in splash ink painting on ceramic panels, blending the innovative contemporary high-temperature technique with the expressive methods of traditional Chinese blue and white ink painting. One of Sun Sr’s pieces was collected by the Palace Museum in Beijing.

    Ink color is one of the color painting decoration methods of ceramics. It refers to a kind of porcelain painting technique that uses thick or bright black as the main colorant to paint on ceramics, presenting a light-black ink effect. It has a strong literati charm and an artistic appeal, showing an elegant and simple, green and subtle aesthetic feeling.

    “I grew up in an environment surrounded by ceramics and ceramists,” Sun Lixin, 57, said.

    He recalled that he did homework at the workshops where his parents worked when primary school finished. The three went home together after the adults got of work.

    In 1976, then premier Zhou Enlai decreed the protection for traditional craftsmanship of porcelain production.

    Thanks to the regulation, a group of teens in Jingdezhen was recruited by the local 10 state-owned porcelain factories to be trained in pottery-making techniques.

    “Though being wet behind the ears, I was thrilled to be an apprentice in a state-owned factory,” Sun Lixin said.

    He was only 13.

    “I liked to learn how to make ceramics, such as drawing, throwing and painting as many of my peers were also in the factory,” he said.

    Sun Lixin’s teacher was his father, who was very strict with the naughty boy. Luckily, his peer apprentices, in his words, learned from their parents’ friends, who were very friendly.

    “I was always sniveling as my father bawled me out for doing things frolicsome with other children,” Sun Lixin said. “One day, I ran away from home, saying to myself that I was damned if I was going to do pottery again.”

    However, he had no choice but to return home and continue his apprenticeship and his father had more teachers for the boy to sharpen his skill of Chinese painting.

    Sun Lixin was a fast learner and became a skilled porcelain painter.

    Time of change

    But things turned bad in Jingdezhen in the late 1980s and early 90s as all the workers were laid of due to the restructuring of the state-owned factories. Sun Lixin and other potters had to do something else to make a living.

    An entrepreneur from Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province, invited Sun Lixin to work for him, offering a fat salary of more than 2,000 yuan ($275) a month.

    “His offer is very impressive to me. You know, I earned a monthly income of only 300 yuan in Jingdezhen at that time,” Sun said.

    His parents were also among the massive layoffs, instead bringing home the bacon by drawing for some local people who were the first to run their own porcelain workshops.

    Sun Lixin returned to Jingdezhen from Guangzhou when he was told that his grandfather was fatally ill.

    “I am his firstborn grandson, whom the big family has great expectation on,” Sun said.

    He took with him all the money he had saved over several years in Guangzhou and rebuilt the kiln that the family had before 1949.

    Most of the Sun family members are artisans. Sun Lixin’s uncle has a mastery of porcelain pigments.

    In January 1975, the Jingdezhen-based ceramic research institute affiliated to China’s former ministry of light industry was assigned the special mission of making porcelain for Chairman Mao Zedong. More than 100 sets of porcelain, or nearly 10,000 pieces, which were coded as 7501, were produced in a year.

    Sun Lixin’s mother, who is specialized in underglaze polychrome enamels, was in the team for the important assignment.

    “In my childhood, I saw my mom doing underglaze enameling on a very thin piece in the middle of night. There was a slight sound of cracking. I saw a tear rolling down her cheek,” Sun Lixin recalled compassionately.

    “Flaws make porcelain prices drop, so no single flaw is allowed on ceramic pieces,” he said.

    But Sun has kept piles of porcelain wares with flaws, which, in his words, remind him of the time and effort his parents invested.

    “Hard work and dedication is the character of the Sun family to the core. I have a sense of purpose for making the family craftsmanship better,” Sun Lixin said.

    Family craftsmanship

    He is devoted to making the Sun’s kiln not only a workshop but also a place for doing research on ceramic making.

    Sun Lixin’s modern aesthetic perfectly complements the craftsmanship of the classic designs from Chinese ink painting.

    His ceramic panels are widely collected by museums such as the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, as well as individuals. He is one of the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage conferred by the Jingdezhen authorities.

    In 2006, the Jingdezhen ceramic hand-making technique was included in the first batch of traditional skills in China’s national intangible cultural heritage list. There are 1,899 inheritors of Jingdezhen’s intangible cultural heritage, more than 90 percent of whom are engaged in the inheritance of ceramic hand-making skills.

    When Sun Lixin found that his son was not into the porcelain making, he and his wife decided to have one more child. They had a daughter when Sun Lixin was 41.

    The girl’s early interest in drawing gives her parents and grandparents pleasure. “It seems that drawing is in her bones. She is making sketches much better than I do,” Sun Lixin said as he beamed with pride.

    While his 24-year-old son was studying biological engineering in Dalian city in Northeast China’s Liaoning province, his daughter, 16, is learning fine art in Beijing.

    As the intangible cultural heritage inheritor, Sun Lixin is taking on six young people as his apprentices. They learn to draw the traditional Chinese patterns such as lotus, peony, peach, bat and persimmon.

    “These flora and animals used as decorative motifs on porcelain pieces are symbols of traditional Chinese culture, which young people had better have a understanding of,” Sun Lixin said.

    The Bat, for example, represents good fortune, lotus stands for good luck and the peach means longevity.

    “I am obliged to tell them what I know about traditional Chinese culture,” he said.

    Linglong ware

    Lyu Yating, 31, is also the firstborn of a family that makes ceramics for five generations. She has a younger sister who does not find porcelain making appealing, as well as a younger brother who is still a middle school student.

    Shortly after graduating from a university where she studied international business management in the United Kingdom in 2014, the 21-year-old Lyu returned to Jingdezhen to take over the family business. “My mother told me that my father, 62, was out of sorts as he always put his nose to the grindstone,” she said.

    Lyu’s father started the Fuyu blue and white linglong ceramic company in the 1990s when the state-owned porcelain factories could not survive. He recruited all six of his brothers and sisters who were laid off from the factories, as well as other skilled artisans.

    Jingdezhen is the only place where linglong porcelain is produced. Grain-sized holes are hollowed out in the thin roughcast and covered with several layers of glaze when ceramists make linglong porcelain, also known as a “porcelain inlaid with glass”. It is famous for its exquisite carving patterns and glittering, translucent appeal. The process requires a high level of craftsmanship.

    Linglong porcelain is one of the most famous types of ceramics Jingdezhen produces. The others include famille-rose porcelain, blue-white porcelain and color-glazed porcelain.

    Like Sun Lixin, Lyu also grew up at the ceramic-making workshop.

    At that time, she dreamed of doing something different from what her parents did. The young artisan said: “I wanted to be independent.”

    But she has no heart to let her parents down. The Lyu family has a formula for glaze handed down from her great-great-grandfather.

    “After all, I am the eldest child and my father’s technique should be passed on. Our family business is well established in Jingdezhen,” Lyu said.

    She feels a sense of pride when she sees Chinese porcelain, especially items made in Jingdezhen, exhibited in foreign museums.

    Lyu started studying ceramic making comprehensively — the way to make the linglong glaze in particular — shortly after coming back to Jingdezhen.

    “Though I had no experience for ceramic making at that time, I was of intellectual curiosity and thought outside the box,” she said.

    The family business produces daily use porcelain at its production lines. At the same time, Lyu has a team focusing on research and development.

    She and her team have been experimenting with new media to achieve the best effects for linglong porcelain.

    “I want to find a type of glaze that can make the linglong ceramic more beautiful and more translucent,” Lyu said.

    “Fortunately, the production of the daily use ceramics has increased significantly and made big profit so that investment in R&D is possible,” Lyu said.

    New ways forward

    Now the young entrepreneur is dedicating herself to building brands as she knows that her production lines cannot churn out as much as the companies in Dehua, Fujian province, and Chaozhou, Guangdong province. The two places have a pile-it-high-and-sell-it-cheap strategy.

    “I don’t want to be an original equipment manufacturer. Instead, I want to sell our brands overseas,” she said.

    Lyu described herself as a well balanced person who is calm and reasonable and shows good judgment.

    “I hope that products of intangible cultural heritage can be salable rather than merely a symbol. In so doing, people can understand what the charm of intangible cultural heritage is,” Lyu said.

    Lyu, also a designated inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in Jingdezhen, is ambitious to make ceramics that could be handed down from generation to generation.

    “I am grateful to my father who has created such a wonderful company,” she said.

    Her company has four brands; one started by her father and the other three by her. She is pouring a lot of effort into developing products such as coffee and tea sets, jardinieres and copies of antique porcelain.

    In Lyu’s words, the spirit of artisans means their craftsmanship and pursuit of excellence.

    Lyu received offers for graduate study from four foreign universities after her undergraduate education in the UK. When asked whether she regrets not undertaking graduate studies, Lyu said she had no choice but inherit the family business.

    ” Now I am having a great life, and I have no regrets,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First of its kind trilateral trade meeting held to celebrate Pacific partnership

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Trade Minister Todd McClay hosted Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Hon Manoa Kamikamica and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell for trilateral trade talks in Rotorua over the weekend.

    “The meeting was an opportunity to understand how we can all best support each other. As friends and partners, we want to increase the benefits of trade for the people of Fiji and the broader region,” Mr McClay says.

    “This is especially important given Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have set an ambitious goal to hit NZ$2 billion of two-way trade by 2030.”

    The trilateral talks included discussion of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus and how it could support investment and jobs, improve living standards, and deepen Pacific trade connections.  

    Ministers also addressed Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji’s collaborative efforts to encourage World Trade Organisation members to ratify the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, which encourages ethical fishing practices. 

    The trade ministers released a trilateral joint statement following the meeting. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Heroes Hit the Streets for Heart Kids This Week – Join the Mission to Support Kiwi Families!

    Source: Heart Kids NZ

    On Friday, September 27, and Saturday, September 28, 2024, Heart Kids NZ will bring kind-hearted ‘Heroes’ to street collection sites across Aotearoa New Zealand for their annual street appeal, ‘Heroes for Heart Kids,’ coinciding with World Heart Day on Sunday, 29 September. 
    This vital appeal raises awareness and much-needed funds to support children with heart conditions and their families. We encourage all Kiwis to support this important cause by donating at collection sites across the motu, online at www.heroesforheartkids.org.nz or by texting ‘HERO’ to 2427 to donate $3.
    Every week, 12 families in Aotearoa NZ receive the heart-breaking news that their child has a heart condition. Unfortunately, there is no cure for childhood heart conditions, and these families face ongoing challenges.
    This is where Heart Kids NZ steps in – providing lifelong practical and emotional support not only to heart kids, but to their entire whānau. Heart Kids NZ walks alongside families, offering vital care through every stage of life. Our support begins in infancy and continues throughout childhood, teenage years, and into adulthood, as heart conditions often require ongoing management.
    We understand that the impact of a heart condition is not limited to the child but affects the entire family. That’s why we offer comprehensive support, providing guidance, resources, and emotional care to siblings, parents, and caregivers. Whether it is navigating hospital stays, preparing for surgeries, or managing everyday challenges, Heart Kids NZ is here to ensure no family ever faces their journey alone.
    Heart Kids NZ receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of donors and the public to ensure no heart family ever faces their journey alone. With your help, we can continue offering these essential support services.
    A Family Battling Long QT Syndrome: Lleyton and Lilian’s Inspiring Fight Against a Rare Heart Condition
    Lleyton Barrow was born in October 2010 with Tetralogy of Fallot and had his first open-heart surgery at just six weeks old. His first year was spent in and out of the hospital, undergoing multiple procedures, including a cardiac catheter procedure at eight months old to widen his narrow pulmonary arteries. Over the years, Lleyton has undergone more than five cardiac catheter procedures and, at age six, had a reveal device implanted under his skin to monitor his heart.
    At just 2.5 years old, Lleyton faced his second open-heart surgery. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome – a hereditary heart condition that affects the electrical system of the heart. This meant a lifetime of medication and carrying an automatic external defibrillator (AED) with him everywhere he goes.
    Now 14 years old, Lleyton has just had another open-heart surgery, but he has not let his heart condition slow him down. A sports enthusiast, he loves cricket, basketball, and spending time with his friends. Lleyton remains focused on living life to the fullest and dreams of working in the medical field when he grows up.
    Lleyton’s younger sister Lilian, now 9 years old, was also diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome and has just had a reveal device implanted. Like her brother, she takes medication and has an AED at home. Thankfully, Lilian’s condition has had minimal impact on her life, and she enjoys hockey, dancing, and attending Heart Kids NZ’s annual camps, where she has found comfort in meeting other heart kids like herself.
    Lleyton and Lilian’s mum, Claire Sword, shared how Heart Kids NZ has been a lifeline for their family. 
    “Heart Kids NZ has provided us with support, resources, advice, and hope. I remember attending my first Heart Kids NZ event with Lleyton as a tiny baby, struggling with low oxygen levels. Seeing older heart kids running around, smiling, and living life gave us so much hope.”
    Claire hopes their family’s story will inspire other heart families. “Now, when I look at Lleyton and Lilian, I see the hope that inspired us and hope their journey inspires others too.”
    Heart Kids chief executive, David Pimblott says that with the support of generous Kiwis, the organisation can continue to provide the vital resources, care, and hope that heart kids and their whānau need. 
    “At Heart Kids NZ, we understand the immense challenges that heart families like Lleyton and Lilian’s face every day. Our mission is to ensure no family has to navigate this journey alone. The courage these young people show, in the face of life-threatening heart conditions like Long QT Syndrome, inspires us all.”
    Join the Mission
    Be a hero for heart kids by supporting Heart Kids NZ’s street appeal. Whether you donate in person or online, every contribution helps provide life-changing support to children like Lleyton and their families.
    To Donate:
    Text ‘HERO’ to 2427 to donate $3
    About Heart Kids NZ
    • Heart Kids NZ is the only national organisation in Aotearoa providing lifelong support to children with heart conditions. From birth through to adulthood, we offer practical, emotional, and financial support to help families navigate the challenges of living with a heart condition.
    • Every year in Aotearoa NZ, over 600 major heart surgeries and procedures are performed on children or babies (sometimes in their first few hours of life). For many this will not be their last and they will continue to face the day-to-day challenges associated with their heart condition.
    • Annually, approximately 50 heart children will lose their battle and become heart angels. 
    • Congenital heart defects are the number one cause of death for infants and newborns in Aotearoa NZ.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Closure period – common dolphinfish (coryphaena hippurus) – P-001516/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The management plan for the sustainable exploitation of common dolphinfish, adopted by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in 2023[1] and incorporated into EU law through Regulation EU 2024/259 establishing the fishing opportunities for 2024 for the Mediterranean Sea[2], covers only the fisheries targeting this species which uses Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD). However, there can be bycatches of this species in other fisheries, which can be marketed.

    To ensure the control of the common dolphinfish fishery, the GFCM adopted a permanent international inspection scheme[3] in 2023. In 2024, the European Fisheries Control Agency coordinated the deployment of one of its patrol vessels in the Strait of Sicily, for a joint inspection campaign with the relevant contracting parties.

    The campaign, carried out by the EU-GFCM fisheries inspectors in the South of Sicily, ended on 3 September 2024. So far, no suspected infringements for fishing dolphinfish with FADs during the closure period were detected.

    Ensuring a level playing field is one of the main objectives the Commission pursues at the level of the GFCM, where it initiated the above-mentioned management and control measures, in close cooperation with the Member States.

    Finally, as determined by the EU Fisheries Control Regulation[4], the responsibility for the operational implementation of applicable control measures and the enforcement in case of violation of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy lies with the Member States.

    • [1] Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/14 establishing a multiannual management plan for the sustainable exploitation of common dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea, repealing Recommendations GFCM/30/2006/2, GFCM/43/2019/1 and GFCM/44/2021/11.
    • [2] Council Regulation (EU) 2024/259 of 10 January 2024 fixing for 2024 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/259/oj
    • [3] Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/17 on an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme for common dolphinfish fisheries outside waters under national jurisdiction in the Mediterranean Sea.
    • [4] Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/2842.
    Last updated: 20 September 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 20.09.2024 Szczecin Szczecin is preparing for every scenario

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Prime Minister Donald Tusk took part in the crisis headquarters in Szczecin, where he received reports on the state of preparations of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship to face the threat of flooding. The Prime Minister addressed words of gratitude to local government officials and services for their invaluable support. He also expressed his appreciation for the Polish women and men who are mobilizing and supporting people affected by the effects of the disaster. Report from Szczecin The last few years and days have shown that we must be prepared for every scenario. In the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, preparations for the arrival of the wave have been underway for several days. “We greatly appreciate that you are prepared for every scenario. Fortunately, there is no indication that this was a worst-case scenario,” said the head of government in Szczecin. The services are focused on protecting the population and their property from the great flood. West Pomerania helps flood victims The Prime Minister thanked local government officials and services from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship for their help in the post-flood areas in southern Poland. “I want to start by thanking you for your solidarity. […] When I heard your reports from the fire department, from the army, about where you are, how you are helping, I want to tell you that people there really appreciate it and have been waiting for it,” expressed his gratitude Donald Tusk. Soldiers from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and the surrounding areas are helping people in the most critical places affected by the flood, e.g. in Stronie Śląskie, Lądek-Zdrój or Brzeg. “The situation there is still critical. We would all very much like to protect Brzeg from flooding, and your presence is very practical help that gives a lot of encouragement to the residents,” said the Prime Minister during the crisis team. The government, local governments, services, non-governmental organizations, companies and citizens are working for the benefit of people who suffered in connection with the flood. The Prime Minister emphasized how important bromea con support is. He added that one of the first needs of flood victims is to dry out buildings, and for this purpose dehumidifiers are needed. He also asked for support in the field of construction supervision. “Seven inspectors have already been selected and will go. […] We are collecting a few more applications and, to the extent possible, we will send construction inspectors to the south,” said Adam Rudawski, West Pomeranian Voivode. He also declared help in the matter of delivering the necessary equipment to places affected by the flood.

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Announces $2.4 Million to Protect Lake Michigan Shoreline, Improve Access in Green Bay

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    GREEN BAY, WI  – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced the City of Green Bay will receive $2.4 million in federal funding to install a wildlife viewing platform and shoreline walk at the Bay Beach Amusement Park on Lake Michigan, enhancing recreation, learning, and community opportunities within the Bay. Funding comes from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which Baldwin has worked to secure continued funding for in the annual appropriations process and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  
    “Wisconsin’s fresh coasts and the communities on them are not only home to so many Wisconsin families, they are a critical driver for our economy and tourism,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to champion the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and deliver funding that will bring economic, health, and recreational benefits to the City of Green Bay, while preserving our freshwater resources and protecting habitats for generations to come.”
    “The City of Green Bay is thrilled to accept these funds to jumpstart our long-planned efforts to improve our shoreline and provide enhanced access to the Bay, home to the largest freshwater estuary in the world!” said Mayor Eric Genrich. “Special thanks to Senator Baldwin for her steadfast support for our Great Lakes and our Bay, Administrator Regan for his forward-looking leadership, and the Biden-Harris administration for the priority they’ve placed on strengthening local communities across the country.”
    Funding for the City of Green Bay will be used to build a wildlife viewing platform and shoreline walk with a related retaining wall and fence at Bay Beach Amusement Park within the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern, or environmentally degraded sites along the Great Lakes. Once installed, the project will address two Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) associated with Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations, and Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. The project will bring enhanced recreation, learning opportunities, wildlife viewing, fishing opportunities, and waterfront access at the park and within the Bay.
    Earlier this year, Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024, which extends this critical program for another five years through 2031 and increases its annual funding. The Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is also making a $1 billion investment in the Great Lakes to clean up Areas of Concern.
    One independent economic study found that for every dollar the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative invests, it produces an additional $3.35 of economic activity. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, more than $816 million in GLRI funding has made over 1,200 projects possible throughout Wisconsin’s Great Lakes basin.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Blaine’s Bulletin – From Friendship to Fraud

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)

    Recently, I spoke with a resident from right here in Missouri who had fallen victim to a scam that seemed like something out of a thriller but, unfortunately, is becoming all too common. She shared a story about “Anna,” someone she believed she knew everything about—a person who had carefully built a genuine connection over time. “I had zero doubt that Anna was who she said she was. I knew everything about her, and I was certain she cared about me,” she explained. But that trust was shattered when the truth came out: it was all a carefully orchestrated scam.

    Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case. Many Missourians, or someone they know, have come dangerously close to being deceived. Whether it’s clicking a link that looks like it’s from your local bank or engaging with someone posing as a friend in need, we’re all just a moment away from falling into a scammer’s trap. These criminals are constantly evolving, using more sophisticated and deceptive tactics every day. Their goal is simple: steal your hard-earned money and personal information.

    Scammers are targeting Missourians through a variety of schemes—fake investments, fraudulent purchases, crypto, phony charities, and more. They’ve mastered the art of making their texts, phone calls, and online interactions appear legitimate, luring people into their web. Research shows that most scam victims don’t report these crimes. While property theft or vandalism is often reported to law enforcement, less than 30% of scam victims take that step. This underreporting is concerning because these scams are on the rise, and their financial and emotional toll can be just as devastating.

    Even here in Missouri, the anxiety over being scammed is growing. Over half of Americans say they frequently or occasionally worry about being tricked into sending money or sharing financial details. Even if you think you’re safe, nearly 20% of people admit to worrying occasionally, and with scammers becoming bolder, those numbers are likely to rise. These schemes leave deep scars—not only financially but emotionally. They prey on your trust, emotions, and the desire to improve your financial future, making them hard to detect until it’s too late.

    This week, my colleagues and I in Congress addressed this pressing issue during a hearing titled, “Protecting Americans’ Savings: Examining the Economics of the Multi-Billion Dollar Romance Confidence Scam Industry.” My top priority is combating these increasingly sophisticated criminals and the risks they pose to Missouri’s families and the nation’s financial security. While our U.S. financial system has safeguards to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism, scam victims are still being manipulated into unknowingly wiring large sums to foreign accounts. Scammers often coach their victims to bypass safeguards in the banking system like suspicious activity reports and finding ways around the system. It’s time to put an end to this chaos.

    I urge everyone to stay vigilant and protect yourself from falling victim. Don’t trust unsolicited messages or emails, especially if they request personal information or money. Verify any financial opportunities with trusted professionals or secure sources. Be cautious of anyone who tries to build a quick, deep connection, especially if they bring up investments or money.

    If you are ever targeted by a scam, report it to ic3.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.  It’s one of the most powerful tools we have in fighting back against these criminals and protecting our community from their traps.

    CONTACT US: I encourage you to visit my official website or call my offices in Jefferson City (573-635-7232) or Cottleville (636-327-7055) with your questions and concerns. If you want even greater access to what I am working on, please visit my YouTube site, Facebook page, and keep up-to-date with Twitter and Instagram.

                                                                                                                                                                         ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott, Rounds Slam Biden-Harris Administration’s Botched Rollout of FAFSA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced a resolution slamming the Biden-Harris administration’s botched rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 school year. The resolution condemns the problematic rollout, calls for the Department of Education (ED) to identify and fix any issues for this year and asks leaders to testify before congressional committees regarding the rollout.

    FAFSA historically has opened applications on October 1 of the year prior to the start of the academic school year. For the academic year of 2024-2025, the applications opened three months later in December. ED subsequently did not start sending FAFSA data to universities until March. Because of this delay, many students did not receive their financial aid awards until after May 1, 2024, the date that many institutions require students to commit to attending for the fall semester.

    For the academic year of 2025-2026, ED has already announced that the applications will again be delayed until December of this year.

    “Higher education has been a key in many Americans’ path to their American Dream. Unfortunately, the futures of thousands of Americans are being delayed under the Biden-Harris administration as a result of their extreme policies,” said Senator Scott. “The Biden-Harris administration’s student loan giveaway has pushed FAFSA out of focus and added yet another obstacle for lower-income and minority students to reach their dreams. Unlocking access to a better future tends to start with access to education. I am glad to be on the front lines fighting for the interest of American students and families and taking the necessary steps to right the wrongs of this administration for next year.” 

    “Students and parents must be able to make an informed decision about where they’re attending college before the decision deadline,” said Senator Rounds. “A big piece of this decision is considering how much college will cost them and knowing how much aid they’ll get to help. It’s unacceptable that the Department of Education’s botched FAFSA rollout has hurt America’s students and institutions of higher education. My colleagues and I strongly condemn this massive failure and call on the Department of Education to take necessary steps to fix the FAFSA for this next school year.”  

    Senators Scott and Rounds were joined on this resolution by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

    Click HERE for the full resolution.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Bera, Rep. Wittman, Sen. Duckworth, and Sen. Ricketts Launch Bipartisan, Bicameral Quad Caucus Ahead of Quad Leaders Summit

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

    Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE)—members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee—launched the bipartisan House and Senate Quad Caucuses. 

    This announcement comes ahead of this weekend’s Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware where President Biden will welcome heads of state from Australia, India, and Japan. 

    The Quad is committed to supporting the region’s development, stability, and prosperity to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders’ ambitious efforts include major initiatives on infrastructure, maritime security, public-private partnership, climate, health, critical and emerging technologies, and space.

    “As the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly important to global security and economic prosperity, it is essential that the United States continues to strengthen relationships with our Quad partners,” said Representative Bera. “The launch of the Quad Caucus underscores our shared commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development in the region. By promoting collaboration on key issues like maritime security, infrastructure, and climate, we can ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all.” 

    “Cooperation between the United States, Japan, India, and Australia is crucial for the future stability of the Indo-Pacific,” said Representative Wittman. “The Quad’s support for the governance of emerging technologies, countering illegal fishing, and enhanced maritime domain awareness proves that we will build a better future for the region by working together. I am proud to join my colleagues to launch this bicameral, bipartisan Quad Caucus to foster stable collaboration for years to come.”  

    “Over the years, the Quad has represented the United States’ steadfast commitment to the current and future prosperity, strength and stability of the Indo-Pacific region—and proof of our ability to come together with allies and partners to uphold our shared principles,” said Senator Duckworth. “In a strong display of bipartisan support for the region, I’m proud to help launch the Senate’s first-ever Quad Caucus alongside co-chair Senator Ricketts ahead of President Biden’s leaders’ summit this weekend. Together, we’re sending a strong message to our allies and partners—and our competitors—that the United States is here for the long haul.”

    “Partnerships like the Quad are our greatest strength in protecting a prosperous, free and open Indo-Pacific against coercion and malign aggression The launch of the bipartisan Senate Quad Caucus should send a clear signal about the growing importance of the United States, Australia, Japan, and India working closely together in the region. We are committed to finding tangible ways to bolster collaboration with our Quad partners,” said Senator Ricketts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Stop Gun Trafficking into Caribbean Countries

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 12 attorneys general calling on Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking from the United States to Caribbean countries. In their letter, the attorneys general write that gun trafficking from the United States has contributed to gun violence in Caribbean countries, where many New Yorkers and Americans have families. The coalition outlines a number of measures Congress can take to help reduce gun trafficking into the Caribbean, including ensuring inspectors at ports have enough resources to make inspections and passing the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act. The CATCH Act would provide state and federal governments with more information about gun trafficking into the Caribbean and determine which anti-gun trafficking methods are working to reduce gun violence.

    “American-made guns are flowing into Caribbean nations and communities and fueling violence, chaos, and senseless tragedies throughout the region,” said Attorney General James. “This issue hits especially close to home, as many New Yorkers have family in Caribbean nations who are enduring dangerous conditions, partially because of easy access to dangerous weapons from our country. We have a responsibility to address this crisis, and that is why I am calling on Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking into Caribbean countries. When we tackle the gun violence crisis from every angle, we protect everyone.”

    In their letter, Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general write that the number of guns smuggled into the Caribbean from the United States has surged in recent years and contributes significantly to gun violence in those countries. For instance, a 2023 United Nations report indicated that the United States has been a “principal source of firearms and munitions in Haiti.” Additionally, the Jamaican Security Ministry estimates that at least 200 guns are trafficked from the United States into the country each month. The attorneys general write that addressing the outbound flow of guns from the United States is “a service to our constituents,” many of whom have ties to family and loved ones in the Caribbean.

    Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general are calling on Congress to pass the CATCH Act, which would give both state and federal governments much-needed information about gun trafficking into Caribbean countries and anti-trafficking measures. In addition, the attorneys general are asking Congress to take additional steps to stop gun trafficking into those countries, including by:

    • Ensuring that inspectors at American ports are given sufficient resources to inspect shipments being sent from the United States to countries in the Caribbean; 
    • Ensuring that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has sufficient funding to inspect federal firearms licensees that are responsible for a disproportionate number of firearms that are traced after having been used in crimes in countries in the Caribbean; and
    • Requesting briefings from the United States Postal Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice about their ongoing efforts to interdict shipments of guns from the United States to countries in the Caribbean, with a focus on what additional resources and legal tools they need to accomplish this important task.

    Joining Attorney General James in sending today’s letter are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

    “I am appreciative of Attorney General James on these latest actions to stop gun trafficking from the U.S. to Caribbean nations,” said U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat. “I introduced legislation in Congress to reauthorize funding for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), which further strengthens our actions to combat crime and illicit drug trafficking, while supporting peace and stability to the region. I commend Attorney General James and each of the attorneys general for their ongoing state-federal collaboration to stop the flow of gun trafficking between our nations.”

    “American gun manufacturers aren’t just flooding our own streets with weapons of war, they’re exporting our gun violence epidemic to neighboring nations like Haiti,” said U.S. Representative Dan Goldman. “I welcome Attorney General James’ leadership in calling for the stemming of illegal international gun trafficking and will continue working in Congress to crack down on illegal gun traffickers by finally passing commonsense gun safety legislation that safeguards communities both at home and abroad.” 

    “Gun trafficking is having devastating impacts on families here at home and around the world. We must do everything in our power to stop this illegal flow of weapons that is leading to deadly gun violence,” said U.S. Representative Joe Morelle. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have continually called for sufficient funding for ATF and increased resources to stop gun trafficking. I am grateful to Attorney General James for her leadership and partnership on this important issue and I look forward to our continued work together.” 

    “The unfettered flow of illegal guns from States without gun safety laws doesn’t just harm Americans—these weapons are being trafficked out of the country to facilitate crimes in Caribbean countries,” said U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler. “I applaud Attorney General James’ leadership to fight the epidemic of gun violence and will continue to support these commonsense efforts to end the trafficking of weapons both within and from the United States.”  

    “As we work to root out gun violence at home, we must also act to eliminate the scourge of arms trafficking on our neighbors,” said U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez. “Weapons trafficking is currently fueling instability in Caribbean nations, particularly in Hati, where guns from the United States are empowering gangs to terrorize their communities, and I thank Attorney General James for highlighting this issue. Congress must pass the CATCH Act to help provide authorities with the information needed to disrupt trafficking networks and ultimately make the U.S. and the nations of the Caribbean safer.”  

    “We’ve long known that firearms are being trafficked around the US, flooding our communities with deadly weapons and putting our lives and safety at risk,” said Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie. “I’m proud to have written the nation’s first law to hold bad actors in the gun industry liable for reckless conduct that allows this situation to occur, and honored to stand with our Attorney General as she leads the fight against gun trafficking from the US to Caribbean nations.”              

    “We cannot turn a blind eye to the devastating impact that gun trafficking from the United States is having on our Caribbean neighbors and it is our duty to take action. The CATCH Act is a crucial step toward implementing effective measures to combat this crisis,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “I thank Attorney General James and the attorneys general for helping to protect communities both here and abroad from the scourge of gun violence.” 

    “Attorney General James’ leadership in calling for the CATCH Act is a vital step toward protecting our communities,” said Senator Luis Sepulveda. “Gun trafficking from the U.S. into the Caribbean has devastating consequences, and we must do everything in our power to combat this crisis. I stand firmly with the Attorney General in urging Congress to take action.”

    “America’s deadly gun epidemic is spreading like wildfire to vulnerable Caribbean nations,” said Assemblymember Khaleel M. Anderson. “Weapons trafficking from within the United States exports violence into the Caribbean, destabilizes island nations, and jeopardizes their sovereignty. We owe it to the millions in diaspora in New York to take meaningful action to stem the flow of illegal firearms into the Caribbean. I am proud to stand with Attorney General James in urging swift federal action to ensure justice and save countless innocent lives.” 

    “The unchecked flow of illegal guns from the United States into the Caribbean is fueling violence and destabilizing communities across the region,” said Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest. “Congress must act now to pass comprehensive legislation to stop gun trafficking, and I applaud Attorney General James for her leadership on this issue. Our Caribbean neighbors deserve safety, stability, and the ability to thrive without the constant threat of gun violence, which we know all too well here at home. By strengthening enforcement, closing loopholes, and promoting regional cooperation, we can protect lives on both sides of our borders and build a safer future for all.” 

    “Thank you, Attorney General James, for enforcing laws meant to protect the lives of Americans,” said Assemblymember Charles Lavine. “We all must continue to fight the pandemic of gun violence using all means necessary which includes action such as this and passing strong but sensible gun legislation.”   

    “The inexcusable violence that continues in the Caribbean cannot be fueled by trafficked American weapons,” said Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages. “Congress must work collaboratively with states, local governments, and our international partners to ensure enough is being done to stop this gun trafficking. Passing the CATCH Act will help stop this outflow of weaponry which is making the humanitarian situation worse in Haiti and across the region. I commend Attorney General James and this coalition of state attorneys general for their efforts to make everyone safer from gun violence.” 

    “We commend Attorney General James for leading the charge to urge Congress to pass the CATCH Act which will help curb the devastating gang violence occurring in the Caribbean, most notably in Haiti,” said Assemblymember Clyde Vanel. “Curbing the flow of illegal firearms from the United States is critical to promote security in our hemisphere and it also deeply impacts families and communities here in New York, including many New Yorkers like myself who have direct ties to these regions. We must do all we can to protect our loved ones and foster stability both at home and abroad.” 

    “I join Attorney General James and concerned residents here and abroad in calling on Congress to take action to stop the illegal trafficking of guns from America to Caribbean countries,” said Assemblymember Latrice Walker. “Passing the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act will help federal and local authorities figure out the best ways to combat the flow of weapons, which inevitably fall into the hands of criminals. I have many friends in my district in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and in neighboring communities who have relatives in Jamaica and Haiti, two of the countries that, unfortunately, are far too often destinations for these guns. This legislation would pay safety dividends to the people of the Caribbean. I urge Congress to pass it.” 

    “As the co-chair of the Anti-Gun Violence Subcommittee of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, and an advocate for over 20 years, representing one of the largest Caribbean communities in New York, it is imperative that in efforts to heal our communities of gun violence, we continue to advocate for support beyond our borders by putting an end to gun trafficking,” said Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman. “I stand with Attorney General James and my fellow colleagues in the legislature to highlight the urgent need to reduce gun trafficking impacting the peace and security of our beloved Caribbean nations. Supporting the CATCH Act is vital for state and federal governments to ensure we receive the necessary information to activate working methods to reduce gun trafficking.” 

    “As a strong supporter of long-overdue gun safety initiatives in the United States, I am especially cognizant of how preventing the flow of illegal firearms is both a matter of public safety and promoting in Caribbean nations just a short distance from America’s shores,” said Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker. “I applaud Attorney General James for spearheading a vital effort to disrupt international crime syndicates that enhances America’s security both at home and abroad.” 

    Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General James has removed more than 7,400 firearms from New York streets and communities through buyback events and takedowns of illegal gun trafficking rings. In May 2024, Attorney General James took more than 200 guns off the streets in Kingston and Watervliet. Attorney General James has also been a national leader in protecting New Yorkers from gun violence. In August 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of commonsense state and federal laws that regulate the sale of guns to keep communities safe. In April 2024, Attorney General James took down gun traffickers for selling ghost guns and other firearms in Central New York. In March 2024, Attorney General James secured a $7.8 million judgment against gun retailer Indie Guns for illegally selling ghost gun components in New York. In February 2024, Attorney General James announced the takedowns of a gun trafficking network that sold ghost guns and assault-style rifles and a narcotics trafficking network in Dutchess County.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas, Jacobs, Levin Reintroduce Legislation to Address Harmful Impact of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, Guarantee VA Benefits for LGBTQ+ Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    On the 13th anniversary of the full repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Equality Caucus, alongside Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) reintroduced theSecuring the Rights our Veterans Earned (SERVE) Act to guarantee and protect VA benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans discharged from the Armed Forces due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

    During DADT, many LGBTQ+ veterans who were discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity received Other Than Honorable (OTH) or Entry-Level Separation (ELS) discharges, preventing access to VA health care and benefits such as education, burial and memorial services, and home loans. Since its repeal in 2011, impacted veterans appealing for VA benefits have reported a prolonged and burdensome process, often requiring the use of a lawyer, to seek the respect and benefits they earned. Additionally, far too many veterans discharged under DADT are still unaware they can seek an upgrade or where to start the process.

    The SERVE Act would take critical steps to address this problem by:

    • Extending VA benefits eligibility to veterans who received an “Other Than Honorable” discharge or entry-level separation solely due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, including medical and disability benefits, pensions, veteran center readjustment counseling and mental health services, burial benefits, educational benefits, and housing loans.
    • Requiring VA to conduct outreach to veterans who may be eligible for VA benefits under the legislation and to conduct outreach to Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and military service organizations about the new eligibility criteria.
    • Requiring VA to report to Congress on the benefits provided under the legislation during the first year of enactment, including the number and demographic information of individuals who received such benefits.

    “Veterans and their families deserve our thanks and gratitude for their service and sacrifice. It’s deplorable that LGBTQ+ service members and veterans ever suffered from the discriminatory policies of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, and that thirteen years since its repeal, countless veterans continue to be impacted by this injustice, affecting the benefits and care many rightfully deserve for serving our country,” said Congressman Pappas. “Today I’m re-introducing the SERVE Act which would take important steps to ensure LGBTQ+ service members who were unjustly discharged receive the benefits they earned.”

    “Anyone who has served and sacrificed so much for our country should have full access to their VA benefits,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “But even 13 years since the repeal of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, many LGBTQ+ veterans are still denied their VA health care and benefits because of who they are and who they love. We owe our veterans so much more than this. I’m proud to co-lead the SERVE Act to right this wrong and provide the care and benefits our LGBTQ+ veterans have rightfully earned.”

    “The discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy wrongfully ended the military careers of thousands of service members and, although it is no longer in place, its consequences are still felt today. Veterans discharged under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell are being denied the benefits they rightfully earned, and we must correct this wrong. I’m proud to co-lead this important legislation that will unlock VA benefits for veterans who were wrongfully discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Those who serve our country deserve the upmost respect and gratitude, regardless of their sexual orientation. We must grant them the benefits they deserve. I thank Rep. Pappas for his leadership and look forward to moving this bill through the legislative process,” said Congressman Levin.

    The legislation has been endorsed by Equality California, Human Rights Campaign, Minority Veterans of America (MVA), Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), and Silver State Equality.

    “For decades, the selfless service of our nation’s LGBTQ+ veterans has been diminished by unequal treatment, rooted in discriminatory regulations. Many LGBTQ-identifying veterans left service involuntarily, and often without the ability to access benefits and services that were largely available to cisgender and heterosexual veterans. Now that discriminatory policies are relics of the past, we must do the work necessary to ensure that our community receives those benefits and services. We applaud Congressman Pappas and the sponsors of this Bill for their dedication to righting historic wrongs and advocating for our most marginalized and underserved populations,” said Peter Perkowski, Legal & Policy Director, Minority Veterans of America.

    “We owe all of our veterans a debt of gratitude for their service in protecting our country, and that includes LGBTQ+ veterans. Unfortunately, too many LGBTQ+ veterans don’t have full access to VA benefits due to outdated and discriminatory rules and laws that were in place at the time they served. The passage of the SERVE Act will help to right some of these wrongs, and we thank Rep. Chris Pappas and the bill’s cosponsors for reintroducing this important legislation,” said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Human Rights Campaign Director of Government Affairs.

    “Modern Military Association of America applauds Representative Pappas for his enduring commitment to LGBTQ+ veterans and ensuring they are afforded the benefits they rightfully earned after serving their country. The reintroduced SERVE Act is a significant step toward restoring benefits to the more than 114,000 service members discharged under discriminatory service bans and policies. The SERVE Act provides an opportunity for the Department of Veterans Affairs to rebuild trust with LGBTQ+ veterans by ensuring effective implementation and accountability,” said Rachel Branaman, Executive Director, Modern Military Association of America.
    “For too long, LGBTQ+ servicemembers faced the ugly reality of discrimination — many were not only discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but denied access to benefits and health care from the VA,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “Anyone who signs up to defend our nation deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, which is why we are grateful to Congressman Pappas for his reintroduction of the SERVE Act. This important legislation will ensure that those LGBTQ+ veterans discharged because of who they are or who they love will now be able to access the benefits they are entitled to. It is incumbent upon us to keep our promise to look after all our military veterans, including those who are LGBTQ+.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Internship Engages Native and Minority Students in Cybersecurity Projects

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    The 2024 Enabling Native Researchers and Other Minorities Through Graduate Engineering (ENRGE) internship cohort. From left, Javier Moscoso, Chelsea Neely, Success Oluwole, Adrian Gomez, Zain ul Abdeen, and Danish Saleem. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    Internships offer students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in their field before joining the workforce—but for interns at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), they have the added motivation of contributing to meaningful work in energy efficiency and renewable energy. For interns in the Enabling Native Researchers and Other Minorities Through Graduate Engineering (ENRGE) program, undergraduate and graduate students at minority-serving institutions gain valuable experience in power, energy, and cybersecurity. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program, which aims to create and support a sustainable career pathway that prepares a diverse workforce of talented students to make immediate and significant contributions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

    ENRGE brings undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at minority-serving institutions with underrepresented backgrounds—such as Native, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Latino Americans—to NREL for hands-on summer internships. The interns work on research projects that look at how human or natural threats may disrupt the U.S. electrical grid, assess the cybersecurity of distributed energy systems, or research pathways to strengthen the U.S. electrical grid.

    “Many companies and teams look forward to new pools of student interns, as they’ll bring with them fresh ideas, new perspectives, and creative approaches to the projects or processes,” said NREL’s Danish Saleem, senior engineer and ENRGE program leader.

    This past summer, Javier Moscoso, Adrian Gomez, Zain ul Abdeen, and Success Oluwole participated in NREL’s second ENRGE summer internship program. 

    “We were fortunate to have Javier, Zain, Adrian, and Success this year at NREL,” Saleem said. “Their exceptional work, dedication, and contributions toward NREL’s clean energy goals was invaluable.”

    Making the Personal Universal

    Javier Moscoso. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    For Javier Moscoso, energy and climate issues hit home—that is, they affect him and all the people of Puerto Rico. “It’s a personal mission,” Moscoso said.

    Hurricanes Maria and Fiona wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico in 2017 and 2022. Fiona knocked out power for 80% of the island’s customers who depended on an already fragile power system. Moscoso has witnessed the damage the hurricanes—and the loss of power—cause. He spoke with a woman using an oxygen tank earlier in 2024 about issues she faced when power goes away. She died following a power outage this summer. “I’m talking because I live this,” he said.

    The ENRGE internship allows Moscoso to work on important cybersecurity projects, but it also allows him to talk with NREL people—like Laboratory Director Martin Keller, who Moscoso met with earlier this summer—about the issues Puerto Rico faces. “Not having a strong cybersecurity background before coming here, I have felt comfortable with my team, and I was always eager to learn more and get out of my comfort zone,” Moscoso said. “It gives me the opportunity to test out what I like and see new things that I maybe didn’t think I would ever like or work with. I have come to familiarize myself with cybersecurity and how crucial it is in power systems today. If I’m honest, I have come to appreciate how impactful this experience will be for my future. I think there is no better place than NREL to be exposing myself to this through many readings, workshops, and conversations with mentors. I look forward to continue learning and contributing in the best way I can.”

    Moscoso’s work at NREL involves looking at the cybersecurity of utility-scale batteries and distributed energy resources (DER) deployment for underserved communities on separate projects. He completed a literature review on the cybersecurity of DERs, and his background informed the case studies he wrote on Puerto Rico. “It’s my opportunity to give visibility to Puerto Rican communities,” he said.

    Moscoso said that there is intention to everything he does, which is why the ENRGE internship was enticing. It allowed him to bring his personal story and experience to NREL, which he will then take back to Puerto Rico. Encouraged by his time at NREL and with ENRGE, he will begin graduate school in Puerto Rico, where part of his time will be spent continuing a renewable energy project he began before coming to NREL.

    Prior to arriving at NREL, Moscoso engaged other students on the design and architecture of a solar gazebo to be constructed at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. The gazebo will provide power on campus for students in the event of an outage. Moscoso has presented on this project at NREL and to many national outlets. The project includes an educational component where talks will be given on renewable energy and energy consumption.

    What started as a napkin drawing is morphing into a reality that will benefit other Puerto Ricans, and Moscoso hopes that this first gazebo can be replicated across the island.

    “Javier serves as an excellent example of someone who took full advantage of the networking and professional development opportunities that NREL and the ENRGE internship offered,” said NREL’s Chelsea Neely, cybersecurity researcher and ENRGE program coordinator. “Almost every week, he came to me to tell me who he met at NREL and what research and development opportunities he was excited about. We are so proud of the impact he has made here at NREL and can’t wait to see him continue his mission towards clean energy transformation.”

    Exploring a New Career Pathway

    Adrian Gomez. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    The path to NREL was not a straight line for Adrian Gomez. From the U.S. Army to education in criminal justice, his background was outside of energy. When Gomez decided that the criminal justice route was not what he wanted, he enrolled in the Ecotech Institute to learn about sustainable technologies.

    Then the school closed permanently.

    Gomez returned to criminal justice briefly before he learned about ENRGE. When he found the ENRGE internship opportunity at NREL, it felt like a fit. “It’s the right choice,” he said. “Everything led up to this. This is something I can do.”

    At NREL, Gomez brings a cybersecurity background to the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator—which aims to expedite the deployment of novel or emerging operational technology security solutions—and learned from researchers involved in the cybersecurity situational awareness tool designed for renewable energy systems. For the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator, Gomez researched cyberattack scenarios involving solar panels and what types of attacks might cause disruptions.  

    “It’s interesting to see how everything is interconnected—how everything in a system affects everything else,” Gomez said. Researching cybersecurity has made Gomez hyperaware of cybersecurity concerns. He is paying attention to what is happening in the world in that regard. “I’m vigilant about those interconnections and how my role in cybersecurity is involved in that sphere.”

    Following the ENRGE internship, Gomez will return to school to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity.

    “For someone new to research, Adrian embraced the uncomfortable, often nonlinear path his research took him down this summer,” Neely said. “I was impressed with his ability to take on new concepts and come away from this experience with research he felt proud of. With the encouragement of researchers at NREL, we’re thrilled to hear he’s decided to pursue an advanced degree in cybersecurity. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him as he builds on the skills he has learned here at NREL.”

    Meeting the Challenges of Cybersecurity Through Computational Science

    Zain ul Abdeen. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    Zain ul Abdeen came to NREL with a background in machine learning and artificial intelligence through a previous internship in NREL’s Computational Science Center, which comes in handy when asked to anticipate and respond to cyberattacks on power systems. Zain had worked as a computational scientist prior to arriving at NREL, and his computational skills were put to good use on cybersecurity projects.

    Zain helped to test the performance of power system algorithms during adversarial attacks and built a model to detect anomalies in the system. With both, Zain was able to apply computational knowledge to specific challenges in cybersecurity. “We considered various kinds of attacks on the grid and how the algorithm was affected and how another model performed at detecting the attack,” he said.

    A key component of Zain’s work is training models well enough that they are trustworthy when it comes to detecting and responding to attacks. That means designing robust systems that are well trained on possible scenarios and attacks.

    “ENRGE is so well structured, and the mentors are very helpful,” he said. “They’re always there to help you solve a problem in your research. They listen, provide guidelines, and guide you in the right direction.”

    “Zain’s final presentation of his projects this summer were incredibly impressive,” Neely said. “He made a big impact on his projects in such a short period of time. His successes clearly reflect the strong relationships he built with his mentors, Dr. Shuva Paul and Dr. Vivek Singh. We were very lucky to have his talents in the cybersecurity center this summer, and I can’t wait to read his next publications!”

    Seizing an Unexpected Opportunity

    Success Oluwole. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    When Success Oluwole went to her mentor and mechanical engineering department chair at Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University, she asked him to keep his ears open for relevant opportunities. He called her up one day and directed Oluwole to an opportunity in the ENRGE program.

    “I noticed it was a cybersecurity position and I’m quite in the mechanical engineering field,” she said. “So, I remember saying, ‘I’m not sure if this is the right fit for me.’”

    The chair told Oluwole that she should not think like that—that she should be open to opportunities, even if the fit is not a direct match for her experience.

    She applied to the ENRGE program. “I have always wanted to work at a national lab because I have research experience and working at the lab will give me more opportunities to do research full time,” she said.

    When she interviewed for the role, it was the first time Oluwole had been interviewed by a panel, and she was nervous but optimistic, she said. When the offer came, Oluwole jumped at it. “The program gives people from minority communities the opportunity to work at a national lab. I’m Nigerian, and not many international students like me who come to this country have this opportunity. I knew working at NREL would be a great stepping stone for my career.”

    Oluwole quickly realized that there was overlap between cybersecurity and mechanical engineering. She said she had the notion that there would be a lot of coding, but the actuality of the cybersecurity projects she worked on allowed her to use skills she brought with her to NREL.

    She was able to deploy project management experience—data collection and budgeting—to help coordinate Liberty Eclipse, an annual full-scale cybersecurity preparedness exercise run by the U.S. Department of Energy. Oluwole also worked on a project involving cyber-informed engineering (CIE), which provides engineers a framework to integrate cybersecurity into the early design stages and throughout the life cycle of engineered systems. “I’ve been trying to apply the principles of CIE to the design, development, and operations of the wind turbines in the United States. I’ve been trying to apply the 12 principles of CIE to basically each level of a wind turbine,” she said.

    “Success truly blossomed during her 10 weeks here at NREL,” Neely said. “She did a fantastic job collaborating with her mentor and I could tell she was really open trying things outside of her comfort zone. The fact that she left her experience better able to understand how cybersecurity affects her work as a mechanical engineer is a huge win for all of us. I feel so privileged to witness her growth and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for such a promising young researcher.”

    Oluwole values the experiences she is gaining in the ENRGE program.

    “Every single day since I started my internship here, I have been grateful, because this has been a blessing,” she said. “This program has been transformative. I’ve met great people. I’ve been able to apply my academic knowledge. I hope the program grows so that other people from minority communities can have the opportunities to learn like I have this summer.”

    Before joining NREL, Oluwole did not have cybersecurity as a potential career path, but she is glad she has been able to gain this experience in an unexpected field.

    ENRGE began with one intern in 2023 and has grown to four interns, two of whom have decided to pursue higher education as a result of their time in the program.

    “Coming from diverse engineering and technical backgrounds, ENRGE interns learned to appreciate the importance of taking an interdisciplinary approach to the cybersecurity of energy systems,” Neely said. “Each of them has a very bright future as leaders in this important field. I hope their experience at NREL influences how they design and build critical cyber-physical systems of the future.”

    Learn more about NREL’s ENRGE program and about NREL’s internship opportunities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis and Department of Agriculture Announce Launch of Support For Small Retailers and Farms to Increase Access to Healthy Foods Across Colorado

    Source: US State of Colorado

    AURORA — Today, Governor Polis and the Department of Agriculture announced a new tax credit for Colorado’s small food retailers and small family farms to help increase access to healthy groceries in communities across the state.

    Eligible businesses who have made equipment purchases for the purpose of expanding access to healthy food for low access populations can apply for the refundable income tax credit for eligible equipment purchases. Starting this year, up to $10 million per year is available to help small businesses that fit the criteria. The Community Food Access Tax Credit will continue through 2030.

    “Colorado is the proud home to the best produce and food in the world, and this new support will increase access to healthy food and decrease the cost of groceries, especially in underserved rural and urban areas. It will also support small farms and food retailers that put food on the table for millions of people here in Colorado and around the world,” said Governor Jared Polis.

    “Both rural and urban communities across Colorado experience lack of access to freshly harvested or grown food. This refundable tax credit program will help small food retailers and small farms bring healthy food to communities with low access to fresh, nutritious food,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. “Small businesses will be able to get back 75 percent or more of the cost of expensive equipment necessary to provide fresh produce, meat, and dairy products to communities across Colorado.”

    The Community Food Access Tax Credit is intended to increase access to healthy groceries and help to lower their cost. Communities with low access to fresh and healthy food can be found across the state. These tax credits, funded through House Bill 23-1008, will build on the success of the Community Food Access Grants, which were created through House Bill 22-1380, signed by Governor Polis. These grants help stores, farm stands, farmers markets, and farms purchase equipment or cover operating expenses that would allow them to increase the availability of healthy food. To date, 117 grants have been awarded in 42 Colorado counties. Of those, 45 percent of awarded businesses self-identified as BIPOC led, and 58 percent were located in rural Colorado. A total of $5 million in grants has been awarded.

    Kusi Appiah, owner of Ghana International Market in Aurora, received a Community Food Access Grant to purchase new refrigeration equipment for his store.

    “My retail store is an African International grocery retail store that serves mostly low-income population including mostly refugees, Caribbeans, other international [people] residing in Aurora, East Colfax Neighborhood,” Appiah said. “I would not have been able to afford this freezer or this cooler without the grant funds. I am already seeing an impact on my electricity bill.”

    The improved and expanded cold storage at Ghana International Market will allow for better storage of healthy food like eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, fish and meat. It will also result in lower prices due to the savings from more energy-efficient equipment.

    The Community Food Access Tax Credit is intended to be used by small food retailers, farm-direct operations, and small family farms who are serving low-income, low-access communities in Colorado. Examples of such businesses include:

    • Grocery, corner and convenience stores
    • Carnicerías, bodegas, or mercantiles
    • Farmers’ markets, farm stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSAs)
    • Small farms, ranches, dairies, poultry farms, etc.

    The tax credit is available for costly equipment purchases that will increase access to or lower prices for healthy foods in low-income, low-access areas. Businesses can receive tax credits for items such as cold storage, food preservation equipment, shelving and displays, delivery vehicles, and more. Non-eligible expenses include things such as office supplies, food and product costs, installation costs, or salaries.

    Coloradans can learn more about the tax credit program by attending a virtual presentation:

    • September 27, from 12 pm – 1 pm
    • Spanish-only presentation on October 1, from 1 pm to 2 pm

    Anyone interested in attending can register on the Community Food Access website.

    Reducing food insecurity has been one of the strategic priorities CDA has focused on over the past several years, in partnership with other state agencies and food access nonprofits. This tax credit program is operated by the Community Food Access team at CDA, which has helped improve the infrastructure for small retailers and small farmers to bring fresh food to their communities through a grant program.

    More about Community Food Access grants
    The Small Food Business Recovery and Resilience grants were established through House Bill 22-1380. The final round of funding was just awarded in the program. You can review the map identifying grant recipients on the Small Food Business Recovery and Resilience website.

    To qualify for the Community Food Access grants, stores, farm stands, farmers markets, and farms submitted proposals to purchase equipment or cover operating expenses that would allow them to increase the availability of healthy food for sale in low income, low access communities.

    Through a competitive grant process, 117 applications were selected to be awarded in 42 Colorado counties. Of those, 45 percent of awarded businesses self-identified as BIPOC led, and 58 percent were located in rural Colorado. A total of $5 million in grants has been awarded.

    The application and selection process was developed with the guidance of the Small Food Business Recovery and Resilience Grant Advisory Committee, made up of farmers, retailers, as well as financing and food justice experts. The program also hosted three public listening sessions to gain insight on the program’s development.

    “The success of this grant program can really be attributed to the great number of stakeholders who engaged with its development and conception,” said Amanda Laban, Markets Division Director at CDA.

    To educate Colorado’s eligible businesses about the grant, CDA contracted with seven grassroots organizations across the state to help businesses learn about and apply for the grant. The application was offered in English, Spanish and any other language by request to encourage diverse businesses to apply.

    “Technical assistance from trusted local organizations was an essential part of reaching retailers in communities that would benefit from this grant the most,” said Mickey Davis, Community Food Access Program Manager. “Without the help of our partners, these small businesses may never have known about this opportunity, or may have been too intimidated to apply.”

    The grant – which had a maximum award value of $50k and an average amount of $43,000 – is already making a big impact in Colorado communities.

    The Community Food Access program is funded by the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Statement on Northwest Energy Planning Project

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) released the following statement upon the launch of the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Regional Energy Planning Project.
    “The last thing Idahoans need is the Biden-Harris administration forcing its extreme mandates on our energy planning, transmission, and infrastructure decisions. This is another thinly veiled attempt to push for breaching the lower Snake River dams. We need more reliable, baseload power, not less. Fortunately, this administration has absolutely no authority to remove these dams. That power rests with Congress alone. These dams aren’t going anywhere.”
    Risch has been a staunch defender of the lower Snake River dams and introduced the Northwest Energy Security Act to protect the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System.
    In 2022, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a draft report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advocating for breaching at least one of the Lower Snake River dams to improve salmon populations. It also published a study commissioned by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) laying out scenarios to replace power generated by the dams.
    Following four years of comprehensive scientific study of the Columbia River System Operations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration released a record of decision in September 2020 affirming the four dams’ critical importance to the region.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: Healthy Moms and Babies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    Q: How are you supporting families who are struggling with infertility?
    A: According to recent federal statistics, more than 13 percent of women under age 49 are affected by infertility. Coping with infertility, miscarriages and stillbirths takes a painful, emotional toll on families. I’m co-sponsoring legislation that affirms support for those facing infertility and fosters solutions to make meaningful medical advances in reproductive care. The Reproductive Empowerment and Support through Optimal Restoration (RESTORE) Act would expand access to restorative reproductive medicine within existing federal programs. Americans struggling with the anguish and uncertainty of infertility deserve better testing, diagnoses and treatment that a whole-of-government approach can bring. As a co-sponsor of the RESTORE Act, I support marshalling federal resources to promote research on the leading causes of infertility and provide training for medical professionals to learn how to diagnose and treat infertility. Let’s do what’s possible to ensure aspiring parents have information about evidence-based treatments to address underlying medical issues related to their fertility challenges.
    Unfortunately, the issue of reproductive health has been turned into a political football during this presidential election year. Specifically, the Democrat Majority Leader has scheduled votes twice in four months to manufacture a crisis about access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is not in question. Democrats intentionally loaded up their bill with poison pills like expensive programs and mandates that go well beyond simply protecting access to IVF while rejecting Republican alternatives to further support families utilizing IVF. The Democrat Majority is needlessly creating anxiety for people who already shoulder burdens of loss and despair. The RESTORE Act seeks to beef up the medical community’s focus on underlying reproductive health issues, such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and more. Treating underlying conditions causing infertility is a common sense solution. Learning more about the causes of infertility will help find cures and answer the prayers of so many Americans who want to be called “Mom” and “Dad.” Although IVF is one example of the miracles of modern medicine, we also must pursue robust holistic approaches to reproductive care and infertility, including education, testing, diagnosis and treatment. Let’s also be clear on one important fact: Access to IVF is not in jeopardy. It’s legal in all 50 states. I know many families, including pro-life families, who have benefitted from IVF. I support IVF and am proud to advocate for pro-life, pro-family and pro-mother policies in the United States Senate.
    Q: What other priorities are you pushing to improve maternal health?
    A: This summer Rep. Ashley Hinson and I scored a victory for expectant moms across America when our bill to help reduce stillbirths was signed into law. Tragically, approximately 21,000 babies are stillborn every year in the United States. The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act paves the way for Title V funds of the Social Security Act to be used for stillbirth prevention activities and programs. It will help curb infant mortality by enabling evidence-based stillbirth initiatives to qualify for federal funding. The tragedy of losing a baby to stillbirth after 20 weeks of pregnancy delivers immeasurable pain and heartache to families. What’s more, women who experience a stillbirth are more likely to die and have increased morbidity. Our bill will help improve maternal health and save babies by expanding resources for health care providers to proactively talk to their patients about stillbirth prevention strategies. I give a lot of credit to Iowa grassroots advocates for their leadership and commitment to help get this bill across the finish line. It’s an example of government of, by and for the people. For the third consecutive year, I co-sponsored the bipartisan National Stillbirth Prevention Day resolution to recognize those who have endured loss through stillbirth. Raising public awareness will lend urgency to public health efforts to help save lives.
    As an outspoken advocate for rural health care, I’m aware of the challenges faced by expectant moms living in rural areas to access prenatal and OB care. A lack of obstetric services and shortages in the health care workforce put patients and quality of care in rural areas at risk. I’ve introduced the Healthy Moms and Babies Act to address the maternal health crisis that particularly affects women of color and mothers living in rural America. In Iowa, more than 20 labor and delivery units have closed in the last decade. I’ll continue working with stakeholders to push for community-driven solutions and supports, including expanding telehealth services. My Healthy Moms and Babies Act would expand telehealth access for expectant and postpartum mothers to help lower mortality rates and improve patient outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. I’ll continue pushing at the federal level to improve access to high-quality care for moms and babies, including my long-time support for the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.
    National Stillbirth Prevention Day is September 19, 2024. Sen. Grassley delivered remarks at a reception hosted by Iowa-based Healthy Birth Day, Inc. to celebrate congressional progress on stillbirth awareness and prevention measures.
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    MIL OSI USA News –