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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom sponsors legislation to provide interest for disaster-affected homeowners

    Source: US State of California 2

    Feb 10, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom is sponsoring new legislation to allow homeowners who receive insurance payments for lost or damaged property to receive the interest accrued rather than lenders. 

    LOS ANGELES — As part of the state’s ongoing efforts to support survivors of the LA-area firestorm, Governor Newsom today announced sponsoring new legislation to ensure homeowners, not lenders, benefit from the interest earned on insurance payouts, particularly those impacted by California’s most destructive wildfires.

    The legislation, authored by Assemblymember John Haradebian (D – Pasadena), seeks to correct an inequity in current law that allows lenders to collect interest on insurance funds held in escrow after a disaster.

    “Homeowners rebuilding after a disaster need all the support they can get, including the interest earned on their insurance funds. This is a commonsense solution that ensures that they receive every resource available to help them recover and rebuild.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The legislation, authored by Assemblymember John Haradebian (D-Pasadena), seeks to correct an inequity in current law that allows lenders to collect interest on insurance funds held in escrow after a disaster.

    “Homeowners, not insurance companies, should receive the interest earned on their insurance payouts. Many Angelenos devastated by these wildfires have lost nearly everything; they are struggling and need every bit of financial support. This bill puts people over profits, ensuring that rightful insurance payments go to those who need them most,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena).

    After a disaster, insurance payouts are held in escrow until rebuilding is complete, which can take months or even years. During this time, these funds can accrue significant interest.

    While California law requires lenders to pay homeowners interest on escrowed funds for property taxes and insurance, it does not extend this requirement to insurance payouts held in escrow. This legislation would amend state law to explicitly require lenders to pay homeowners the interest earned on post-loss insurance payouts, just as they do for other escrowed property expenses

    Why this matters

    ✅ Fairness: Homeowners should receive the interest their insurance funds generate—not lenders.

    ✅ Disaster recovery: Provides much-needed financial support for wildfire victims rebuilding their homes and communities.
    ✅ No new burdens on lenders: Simply aligns insurance payout escrow rules with existing California escrow interest law.
    ✅ Protecting homeowners’ rights: Ensures insurance funds are treated the same as other escrowed property expenses.

    This legislation ensures that homeowners benefit from the interest earned on insurance funds, particularly those impacted by California’s most destructive wildfires.

    Speeding recovery, helping survivors 

    Today’s announcement adds to the Governor’s work to cut red tape, remove onerous permitting requirements, and help speed rebuilding and recovery from the Los Angeles firestorms. On January 12, Governor Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed — suspending the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act permitting requirements and review. 

    • Cutting red tape to help rebuild Los Angeles faster and stronger. Governor Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed — suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The Governor also issued an executive order further cutting red tape by reiterating that permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act are suspended for rebuilding efforts and directing the Coastal Commission not to issue guidance or take any action that interferes with or conflicts with the Governor’s executive orders. The Governor also issued an executive order removing bureaucratic barriers, extending deadlines, and providing critical regulatory relief to help fire survivors rebuild, access essential services, and recover more quickly.
    • Providing tax and mortgage relief to those impacted by the fires. California postponed the individual tax filing deadline to October 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers. Additionally, the state extended the January 31, 2025, sales and use tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County taxpayers until April 30 — providing critical tax relief for businesses. Governor Newsom suspended penalties and interest on late property tax payments for a year, effectively extending the state property tax deadline. The Governor also worked with state– and federally-chartered banks that have committed to providing mortgage relief for survivors in certain zip codes.
    • Fast-tracking temporary housing and protecting tenants. To help provide necessary shelter for those immediately impacted by the firestorms, the Governor issued an executive order to make it easier to streamline construction of accessory dwelling units, allow for more temporary trailers and other housing, and suspend fees for mobile home parks. Governor Newsom also issued an executive order that prohibits landlords in Los Angeles County from evicting tenants for sharing their rental with survivors displaced by the Los Angeles-area firestorms.
    • Mobilizing debris removal and cleanup. With an eye toward recovery, the Governor directed fast action on debris removal work and mitigating the potential for mudslides and flooding in areas burned. He also signed an executive order to allow expert federal hazmat crews to start cleaning up properties as a key step in getting people back to their properties safely. The Governor also issued an executive order to help mitigate risk of mudslides and flooding and protect communities by hastening efforts to remove debris, bolster flood defenses, and stabilize hillsides in affected areas. 
    • Safeguarding survivors from price gouging. Governor Newsom expanded restrictions to protect survivors from illegal price hikes on rent, hotel and motel costs, and building materials or construction. Report violations to the Office of the Attorney General here.
    • Directing immediate state relief. The Governor signed legislation providing over $2.5 billion to immediately support ongoing emergency response efforts and to jumpstart recovery efforts for Los Angeles. California quickly launched CA.gov/LAfires as a single hub of information and resources to support those impacted and bolsters in-person Disaster Recovery Centers. The Governor also launched LA Rises, a unified recovery initiative that brings together private sector leaders to support rebuilding efforts. Governor Newsom announced that individuals and families directly impacted by the recent fires living in certain zip codes may be eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits.
    • Getting kids back in the classroom. Governor Newsom signed an executive order to quickly assist displaced students in the Los Angeles area and bolster schools affected by the firestorms.
    • Protecting victims from real estate speculators. The Governor issued an executive order to protect firestorm victims from predatory land speculators making aggressive and unsolicited cash offers to purchase their property.
    • Helping businesses and workers get back on their feet. The Governor issued an executive order to support small businesses and workers, by providing relief to help businesses recover quickly by deferring annual licensing fees and waiving other requirements that may impose barriers to recovery.

    Get help today

    For those Californians impacted by the firestorms in Los Angeles, there are resources available.Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.  

    Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

    • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
    • By calling 800-621-3362
    • By using the FEMA smart phone application
    • Assistance is available in over 40 languages
    • If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Feb 7, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Khalil “KC” Mohseni, of Sacramento, has been appointed Commissioner of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, where he has been the Chief Deputy Director…

    Feb 7, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills: SBX1-1 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Budget Act of 2024.SBX1-2 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Budget Act of 2024. A signing message can be found…

    Feb 7, 2025

    News LOS ANGELES — Governor Gavin Newsom, LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman, Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson have teamed up through LA Rises to release a new PSA warning fire victims about predatory real estate…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Growing Colorado’s Leading Aerospace Industry: Gov. Polis Announces Digantara Expansion in Colorado Springs

    Source: US State of Colorado

    COLORADO SPRINGS – Today, Governor Polis and the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Digantara, a leading space surveillance and intelligence company specializing in space domain awareness, has selected Colorado Springs, Colorado, for expansion. 

    “I’m thrilled to welcome Digantara to Colorado, the best place to live, work, and do business. Digantara will bring 61 new, good-paying jobs while supporting safer space operations,” said Governor Polis. 

    Based in India, Digantara develops space surveillance systems designed to manage increasing orbital traffic and enhance space operations by delivering accurate and real-time orbital insights. The company’s systems pair constellations of cost-efficient nanosatellites in low earth orbit with precise modeling to enable the space industry to secure long-term spaceflight safety and build maps for space. 

    “Colorado is a leader in aerospace innovation, and we’re thrilled to welcome Digantara to our growing Aerospace community,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and co-chair of the Colorado Space Coalition. “With top research institutions, a skilled workforce, and strong industry partnerships, our state is the ideal place for companies shaping the future of space. We look forward to seeing Digantara’s impact on space sustainability and security.” 

    Digantara specializes in patented space-to-space tracking Optical and LiDAR systems. The company plans to establish a Satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) facility in Colorado Springs to develop these payloads locally, catering to the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) needs of U.S. Government and Department of Defense agencies. 

    “Colorado stands at the heart of the US aerospace-defense ecosystem, making it the perfect base for Digantara. Here, we aim to collaborate with the US aerospace and defense community locally, advancing global space security through innovation and partnership. Our mission is clear: contribute to U.S. and its allies’ defense efforts and help ensure a safe, sustainable space for a secure future,” said Anirudh Sharma, CEO of Digantara. 

    Digantara champions space sustainability, with active advocacy in the Paris Peace Forum’s Net Zero Space Initiative and the UN Space Bridge Dialogue on Global Space Traffic Coordination. In Colorado Springs, the company plans to establish a U.S. base to pursue opportunities to collaborate with U.S. defense agencies on surveillance and defense initiatives. This includes a capital investment of $35 million. Proximity to talent and the opportunity to locate in a leading aerospace market were key considerations. 

    “Colorado is now home to 2,000 aerospace companies, an increase of 26% over the last five years. When companies like Digantara expand in our state, they continue to strengthen this key sector of our economy while advancing innovative new technologies that will be critical to space and space missions,” said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman. 

    Digantara expects to create 61 net new jobs at an average annual wage of $82,645, which is 130% of the average annual wage in El Paso County. The positions will include software engineers, systems engineers, business developers, human resources, and finance roles. 

    The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved up to $759,034 in a performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit for the company over an eight-year period. These incentives are contingent upon Digantara, referred to as Project Diamond throughout the OEDIT review process, meeting net new job creation and salary requirements. The Colorado Springs City Council approved $198,225 over a four-year period in performance-based incentives. The sales and use tax rebates apply to the purchases of construction materials, equipment, machinery, furniture, and fixtures. The City’s Economic Development Department also offered to support the company through its Rapid Response Program, as well as talent and workforce development support. Additionally, El Paso County approved $812,030 in incentives. 

    “We are thrilled to welcome Digantara as they open their first U.S. office right here in our Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA,” said Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “As a key player in space surveillance and intelligence, specializing in space domain awareness, they are a perfect fit for our growing ecosystem of tech, aerospace, space, and cybersecurity companies. This is yet another example of the exciting expansion we’re seeing in this critical sector, further solidifying Colorado Springs’ position at the forefront of space innovation.” 

    “El Paso County is proud to support Digantara, which enhances our region’s leadership in the aerospace and defense industries—sectors that drive our local economy and safeguard our national security. We are committed to supporting businesses that create jobs, invest in our workforce, and strengthen our local economy. This investment goes beyond a single project; it represents a commitment to the future of our region, reinforcing our position as a place where businesses can innovate, expand, and thrive,” said El Paso County Commissioner and Chair Carrie Geitner. 

    “Digantara’s expansion is a big win for Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region, boosting our space talent and reinforcing our reputation as a prominent force in national security and a top location for aerospace and defense investments,” said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President & CEO of Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “With our strong and diverse economy, highly skilled workforce, and cutting-edge technologies, it’s clear that Colorado Springs is the ideal place for space companies to innovate and thrive.”

     In addition to Colorado, Digantara considered North Carolina, Texas and California for expansion. The company currently has 70 employees, none of whom are in Colorado. 

    About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade 

    The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor McKee Updates Rhode Islanders on State’s Readiness for Upcoming Winter Storm

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Published on Saturday, February 08, 2025

    PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, Governor McKee shared an overview of the State’s preparations for the upcoming winter storm expected to begin tonight.

    “Rhode Island is fully prepared to respond to the upcoming storm and keep residents safe. We have all necessary resources in place and remain in contact with local communities,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I urge all Rhode Islanders to prepare now and use extreme caution during the snowfall.”

    McKee Administration Preparations:

    • The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will have their crews report for duty well ahead of the storm. RIDOT has 200 state trucks and more than 250 vendor trucks ready for the storm. RIDOT also has 50,000 tons of salt available for the roads which have already been pre-treated.
    • The Office of Energy Resources is in close contact with Rhode Island Energy (RIE) and the state’s delivered fuel terminals to closely monitor the incoming storm system and its impact on power and fuel supplies across the state. RIE will have additional utility crews standing by.
    • The following emergency winter hubs, activated through the Department of Housing’s Municipal Homelessness Support Initiative, will provide additional, overnight capacity to help keep Rhode Islanders safe on a drop-in basis, meaning no referral is needed to enter the hubs:
      • West Warwick: West Warwick Convention Center, 100 Factory Street –Opening Saturday, February 8 at 4:30 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11
      • Westerly: WARM Center, 56 Spruce Street – Open 24 hours for the winter months
      • Woonsocket: 356 Clinton Street – Open 24 hours for the winter months
      • In addition to these emergency hubs, the following existing overnight shelter locations are expanding on a drop-in basis for those in need:
        • Crossroads Rhode Island: 162 Broad Street, Providence
        • Emmanuel House: 239 Public St, Providence – Open 24 hours
        • Welcome House of South County: 8 North Road, Peace Dale (South Kingstown) – Open 24 hours
        • OpenDoors: 1139 Main Street, Pawtucket – Open 24 hours 
    • Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency will monitor storm activities throughout the weekend with their state and local partners. They remain in close communication with local emergency management departments to ensure communities have the necessary supports in place. Find a list of local warming centers here: riema.ri.gov/planning-mitigation/resources-businesses/warming-centers.
    • Rhode Island State Police has called in extra troopers who will be monitoring the highways and assisting motorists if needed.
    • The Rhode Island Department of Health recommends to following tips for Rhode Islanders to stay safe:
      • Consider checking in with older family, friends, and neighbors. Older adults are more at risk for negative health impacts from significant weather events.
      • Shovel safely. Do not overexert yourself while shoveling snow. If you have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to shovel snow. Drink plenty of water, dress warmly, and warm up the muscles in your arms and legs before you start shoveling. Don’t pick up too much snow at once. Instead of throwing the snow, try to push it in the direction you want. This helps protect your back. Listen to your body—if you feel tired or feel tightness in your chest, stop shoveling.
      • Prevent slips and falls. De-ice the sidewalk, driveway, and any well-traveled areas outside your home.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Keshena Resident Receives 115-Month Prison Sentence for Serious Domestic Violence Offense on Menominee Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on February 6, 2025, John V. Miller, Jr. (age: 43), an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and former resident of Keshena, received a 115-month prison sentence following convictions for strangulation and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

    The sentence, imposed by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of guilty pleas entered by the defendant on September 27, 2024. Miller will also face three years of supervised release once he completes his sentence.

    According to publicly filed court documents, Miller severely injured his ex-wife during an assault in a wooded area outside Keshena, which is a community on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Miller kicked, struck, and punched the victim, who suffered a facial fracture and severe bruising and swelling. Miller also strangled the victim to the point of unconsciousness before leaving her in the woods. The victim awoke and found her way to a nearby mobile home, where the resident there called for help.

    In sentencing the defendant, Judge Griesbach noted the seriousness of the crime the defendant committed and remarked upon the need to punish the defendant for his “brutal” and “horrendous” acts. The court discussed the seriousness of the offense from the perspective of the effect it had on the victim and the children she shares with the defendant. The defendant’s documented history of violence against this victim and a total of 20 prior convictions also factored in the court reaching its sentence. Judge Griesbach also observed the need to incarcerate the defendant for a lengthy period to protect the victim and public.

    The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.

    # #  #

    For further information contact: 
    Public Information Officer 
    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov
    (414) 297-1700
    Follow us on Twitter  
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Charles Man Sentenced to Prison, Ordered to Pay $170,500 to Child Pornography Victims

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Monday sentenced a man from St. Charles, Missouri to 72 months in prison and ordered him to pay $170,500 in restitution to victims who appeared in the child sexual abuse material he collected.  

    Judge Fleissig also fined Brian Larkin $10,000 and ordered him to pay a $20,000 assessment that will go to child pornography victims. After his release from prison, Larkin will be on supervised release for life.

    Larkin, now 54, pleaded guilty in October to one felony count of receiving child pornography. He admitted possessing over 972 image files and 962 video files containing child sexual abuse material on a thumb drive that he kept in a safe.

    The investigation began in September of 2023, when the FBI’s St. Louis office learned of Larkin’s chat room communications about child sexual exploitation. Larkin had also been the subject of two Cyber Tipline Reports to the National Center for Exploited & Missing Children reporting that he’d used Kik Messenger to upload a total of five files containing child pornography.

    During a Nov. 29, 2023, court-approved search of Larkin’s home, agents found the thumb drive in a gun safe.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Colleagues Demand VA Secretary Protect Veterans’ Private Information from Elon Musk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined colleagues in a letter calling on Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to take immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information from Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This letter follows reports of Musk’s team being granted access to the U.S. Treasury’s payment system, which includes private information of veterans and their families.
    “Among many tasks, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is entrusted with safeguarding the private and sensitive information of millions of veterans,” wrote the Senators. “Veterans risked their lives to defend our country, and they deserve better than to have an unelected billionaire reviewing their medical records, targeting the benefits they have earned, or using their private information for personal gain.”
    “During your confirmation process, you claimed you would be focused on rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability at VA, and committed to following the laws passed by Congress,” they continued. “We now call on you to respond quickly and comprehensively to these privacy violations by revoking DOGE’s access to VA systems and insisting they permanently remove all VA data collected from their files.”
    The full letter can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has been leading efforts to deliver for Nevada’s veterans. Last year, her bipartisan law to strengthen the cybersecurity of veterans’ personal information was implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen helped introduce bipartisan legislation to assist veterans with home ownership and increase awareness of VA Home Loans. Recently, a bipartisan bill she supported to expand veterans’ benefits outreach became law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Karin Keller-Sutter welcomes Holocaust survivors

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English

    On 10 February 2025, some 80 years after the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp, President Karin Keller-Sutter welcomed around 60 survivors of the Holocaust and Nazi oppression who made Switzerland their new home to a lunch at the Bernerhof in Bern. The liberation of Auschwitz symbolises the liberation of all the other concentration camps.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Controversial dental tourism to non-EU countries – E-002389/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission recognises that many EU citizens seek medical and dental treatments abroad, driven by cost differences or limited public coverage of costs in their home countries.

    To monitor this trend, the Commission collects annual data on patient mobility within EU/ European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

    It is important to note that data from non-EU countries are not included in these reports. The data are broadly categorised into planned and unplanned treatments; however, they do not provide specific disaggregation for dental treatments. For further details, the last available report is accessible online[1].

    Cross-border healthcare within the EU is governed by Directive 2011/24/EU[2] and the Social Security Coordination Regulations[3]. These legislative frameworks address key aspects such as treatment, reimbursement, patient safety, and liability issues.

    However, they do not apply to healthcare services outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, except for the United Kingdom, where social security provisions similar to the regulations apply thanks to the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

    The Commission has no legal framework for healthcare services accessed outside the EU or EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

    Citizens are strongly advised to consult their respective National Contact Points (NCPs) designated at the national level in accordance with Directive 2011/24/EU[4].

    The NCPs can provide information to the patients about their rights to cross-border healthcare, including conditions for reimbursement and procedural requirements, such as the authorisation process for planned treatments and applicable tariffs, among others.

    • [1] https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/data-cross-border-patient-healthcare-following-directive-201124eu-reference-year-2022-2024-04-19_en
    • [2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/24/oj
    • [3] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/frequently-asked-questions/faq-social-security-regulations_en
    • [4] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/24/oj

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Question to the Commission on the Scala Coeli (CS) landfill case – E-002756/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The competent authority may only authorise a landfill site if strict environmental and health requirements of the Landfill Directive[1] are complied with. T he characteristics of the site, or the corrective measures to be taken, shall indicate that the landfill does not pose a serious environmental risk[2]. The location of the landfill must take into consideration requirements relating to e.g. distance to residential and recreation areas, waterways, water bodies, agricultural or urban sites; the existence of groundwater, coastal water or nature protection zones in the area; the geological and hydrogeological conditions in the area; and the risk of flooding, subsidence, landslides or avalanches on the site[3]. Regional waste policy and measures to improve environmentally sound waste management are set out in the Calabria Region’s waste management plan of March 2024 established under the Waste Framework Directive[4].

    2. As a result of the recently revised Industrial Emissions Directive[5], Best Available Techniques reference documents will be developed for landfills, starting mid-2025.

    3. Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the relevant legal provisions and to take the necessary steps for enforcement. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission monitors the situation and may decide to take appropriate action. The Commission aims to swiftly follow up on systemic issues involving the application of EU law in EU countries. However, one-off instances of this are better dealt with at national level, as long as there are available remedies, including judicial ones. In these cases, it is up to the national courts to apply and enforce rights under EU law[6].

    • [1] Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste, OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1-19, amended by Directive (EU) 2018/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 100-108.
    • [2] Annex I, Section 1.2 and Article 8 of the Landfill Directive.
    • [3] Annex I, Section 1.1 of the Landfill Directive.
    • [4] Article 28-33 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives, OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3-30, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 109-140.
    • [5] Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 amending Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) and Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, OJ L, 2024/1785, 15.7.2024.
    • [6] As set out in the communication of 19 January 2017 (EU law: Better results through better application — C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10-20) and in the communication of 13 October 2022 (COM(2022) 518 final — Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers).
    Last updated: 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage (with photos)
    Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) sponsored the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Challenge 2025, which took place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on February 8 and 9 (Dubai time), to promote Hong Kong’s unique culture and heritage.      Held at the Dubai Creek, this year’s races attracted more than 40 teams per day with a total of about 1 400 competitors during the two-day event. Among them was a team formed by the Dubai ETO, consisting of members of the Hong Kong community living in the UAE.      Other than competitive races in various categories, the Dubai ETO also set up a promotional booth at the venue over the weekend to promote Hong Kong and provide information on her latest developments.      Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, the Acting Director-General of the Dubai ETO, Mr Leo Poon, highlighted that the Dubai ETO has brought the dragon boat racing to Dubai for the third year not just to share the fun of dragon boat racing with the local community, but also to strengthen cultural ties and social connections between the two communities of Hong Kong and Dubai.      “Hong Kong is not just an international trade hub and financial centre, we are also a dynamic city where East meets West, and home to a multitude of mega events. With the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park set for grand opening next month, Hong Kong will be hosting more international sports and cultural events, showcasing our city’s remarkable charm,” he added.      The Dubai ETO will continue to organise various events in the member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf with the aim of deepening exchanges and promoting closer co-operation.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 11, 2025Issued at HKT 2:35

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India-Israel Business & CEO Forums to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India-Israel Business & CEO Forums to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties

    India-Israel Business & CEO Forums to Strengthen Economic Cooperation High-Level Business Delegation Led by Israel’s Minister of Economy to Visit India

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 8:10PM by PIB Delhi

    India and Israel are set to deepen their economic and trade engagement with the India-Israel Business Forum and the India-Israel CEO Forum, both scheduled for February 11, 2025, in New Delhi. These forums will bring together top business leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from both countries to explore new avenues of economic cooperation, technological collaboration, and investment opportunities.

    Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and the Embassy of Israel, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is organizing the India-Israel Business Forum. The forum will focus on expanding trade relationships, fostering cross-sector collaborations, and identifying investment opportunities between Indian and Israeli businesses.

    A high-level Israeli business delegation, led by H.E. Nir M. Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry, State of Israel, will participate in the forum. The delegation includes leading Israeli enterprises and representatives from sectors such as technology, manufacturing, healthcare, agri-tech, food processing, defense, homeland security, water management, logistics, and retail.

    The event will feature a ceremonial inaugural session, followed by panel discussions and B2B meetings, allowing Indian and Israeli business leaders to explore new opportunities for joint ventures, investments, and knowledge sharing. Representatives from the Government of India, the Government of Israel, and leading business organizations will participate in these discussions, focusing on sectoral growth and innovation-driven partnerships.

    India and Israel’s shared commitment to technological advancement, innovation, and entrepreneurship makes them natural economic allies. With India’s rise as a global manufacturing and technology hub, the forum will provide a strategic platform to strengthen business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-business (G2B) ties.

    Alongside the Business Forum, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) will host the India-Israel CEO Forum, an exclusive gathering of top CEOs, senior executives, and policymakers from both nations.

    The CEO Forum will serve as a high-level platform for industry leaders to discuss investment opportunities, policy frameworks, and emerging business trends. The discussions will revolve around technology collaboration, research & development, innovation-driven growth, and trade diversification.

    Key focus areas for engagement between India and Israel include strengthening cooperation in technology and innovation, particularly in AI, digital transformation, and smart manufacturing. Defense and security partnerships will expand in areas like defense technology, cybersecurity, and homeland security solutions. Joint projects in clean energy and sustainability will promote renewable energy, water conservation, and green technologies. In healthcare and life sciences, collaborations will be enhanced in medical research, pharmaceutical trade, and biotech investments. Additionally, agriculture and food security will benefit from Israeli expertise in precision agriculture, drip irrigation, and sustainable farming solutions.

    India and Israel have witnessed steady growth in bilateral trade, which has diversified significantly beyond traditional sectors like diamonds and precious metals to include engineering goods, chemicals, electronics, defense, and agricultural products.

    Israeli investments in India have been expanding, with various Israeli companies operating in various sectors, including renewable energy, water technology, defense, and manufacturing. Similarly, Indian companies have made significant inroads into Israel, particularly in pharmaceuticals, IT, and infrastructure.

    The CEO Forum will provide a unique opportunity for business leaders to develop new partnerships, exchange insights, and explore pathways for expanding bilateral trade and investment flows.

    Both forums are in line with India and Israel’s long-term vision for economic growth and cooperation, highlighting the importance of strengthening business connections, policy discussions, and strategic partnerships. They will promote deeper engagement between Indian and Israeli industries, encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) and joint ventures, foster technology transfer and innovation partnerships, and boost trade by implementing policy reforms and establishing new agreements.

    As India moves towards its goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, and Israel continues to strengthen its global economic partnerships, these forums will play a crucial role in shaping the future of India-Israel economic ties.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Asmitabha Manna

    (Release ID: 2101505) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special campaigns have been launched for enrolling individuals under various financial inclusion Schemes

    Source: Government of India

    Special campaigns have been launched for  enrolling individuals under various  financial inclusion Schemes

    54.58 Crore Jan Dhan Accounts Opened, 55.7% held by women

    13 Lakh Banking Correspondents and 107 Digital Banking  Units are facilitating  credit access along with Jan Samarth Porta and ‘PSB Loans in 59 Minutes’ among others

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 6:24PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government initiated the National Mission for Financial Inclusion (NMFI), namely the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in August, 2014 to provide universal banking services for every unbanked household based on the guiding principles of banking the unbanked, securing the unsecured, funding the unfunded and serving unserved and underserved areas, with a strong focus on women. To give further impetus to financial inclusion initiatives of the Government, PMJDY Scheme was extended beyond 14.08.2018 and the focus was shifted to “every unbanked adult” instead of “every household”. A total of 54.58 crore JanDhan accounts have been opened till 15.01.2025, of which 30.37 crore (55.7%) belong to women. NMFI has also facilitated the coverage of women with various social security and credit linked Schemes.

    To ensure accessibility of these schemes to women, rural population, marginalised groups and underprivileged communities in the country, various steps are being taken such as:

    • Allocation of targets to all banks under each scheme;
    • Organisation of various camps and specialised campaigns to promote awareness;
    • Periodic review of performance of banks etc;

    All Banks, including private banks, participate in these activities to ensure effectiveness of these schemes and make them accessible to all stakeholders.

    Several initiatives are being undertaken in an ongoing manner by the Government along with State Authorities to address challenges such as low enrolment, lack of awareness, etc. being faced in financial inclusion schemes in the country. Some of these areas under:

    1. Several special campaigns have been launched, from time to time, at Gram Panchayat level to reach the last mile beneficiaries. These campaigns aim at enrolling individuals under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and other financial inclusion Schemes. 
    2. The State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) plays a crucial role by coordinating efforts among Banks, Government agencies, Lead District Managers, Financial Institutions, Insurance companies, and other stakeholders to increase coverage under these Schemes at the state level.
    3. Centre for Financial Literacy (CFL) pilot project on financial literacy was initiated by the Reserve Bank of India in 2017 with an objective to adopt community led innovative and participatory approaches to financial literacy.
    4. A strong network of about 13 lakh Banking Correspondents (BCs), representing the last mile connect in the Banking Services delivery system, is also enrolling eligible people under financial inclusion Schemes.
    5. To make digital financial services more accessible and user-friendly, 107 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) have been set-up by Banks (as on December 2024) with an objective to ensure the benefits of digital banking to every nook and corner of the country. These units offer facilities like opening of saving bank accounts, passbook printing, transfer of funds, loan applications, etc. 
    6. Further, various online platforms like Jan Samarth portal, PSB Loans in 59 Minutes, Stand-up Mitra, etc., have been established to provide quick and hassle-free credit to everyone in a user-friendly manner. 

     

     Financial Inclusion  Schemes and Coverage

    Category

    Grand Total

    Number of PMJDY Accounts (as on 15.01.2025)

    545,780,806

    Women PMJDY Accounts

    303,710,652

    PMJJBY Cumulative Enrolments (as on 15.01.2025)

    225,220,758

    Women PMJJBY Enrolments

    100,095,919

    PMSBY Cumulative Enrolments (as on 15.01.2025)

    491,225,285

    Women PMSBY Enrolments

    228,437,446

    APY Enrolments (as on 31.12.2024)

    72,577,540

    Women APY Enrolments

    34,415,361

    Source: Banks, Insurance Companies & PFRDA

     

    This information was given by Union Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2101428) Visitor Counter : 88

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tribal Homestays under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 5:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Government has approved the initiative to develop tribal home-stays under Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Ministry of Tourism as part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan’.  The said intervention includes development of 1000 homestays with support of upto ₹5 Lakh per unit (for new construction), upto ₹3 Lakhs (renovation) and ₹5 lakh for village community requirement.

    The Ministry of Tourism has formulated draft guidelines for the said initiative and circulated to all concerned for consultation.  As per the draft guidelines, the objective of the initiative is to develop homestays in tribal areas to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.  The draft guidelines also focus on technical up-skilling and training of the Homestay owners.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2101364) Visitor Counter : 63

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Domestic Tourism Growth

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 5:17PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and the following strategic pillars have been identified for development of sustainable tourism:

    i.    Promoting Environmental Sustainability

    ii.   Protecting Biodiversity

    iii.  Promoting Economic Sustainability

    iv.  Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability

    v.   Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism

    vi.  IEC and Capacity Building Governance 

    The Ministry also launched the Travel for LiFE Initiative to promote sustainable tourism in the country and to encourage the tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices. Travel for LiFE aims to promote sustainable tourism in the country, through mindful and deliberate actions mobilized toward tourists and tourism businesses in the consumption of tourism resources.  The Ministry of Tourism has also revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective of developing sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist & destination centric approach. Through these initiatives, the Government seeks to ensure that tourism contributes positively to the economy while safeguarding the environment and benefiting local communities. The list of projects sanctioned under the schemes of the Ministry in various States/Union Territories including in South India are placed at Annexure.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ANNEXURE

    State wise list of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme.

    (Rs. in Crore)

    S. No

    Name of State/UT

    No. of Projects

    Sanctioned Amount

    Amount released

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    4

    150.22

    84.55

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    1

    37.88

    21.95

    3

    Assam

    1

    29.8

    29.8

    4

    Bihar

    2

    33.25

    33.25

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    1

    48.44

    32.13

    6

    Gujarat

    4

    152.94

    113.48

    7

    Goa

    1

    16.46

    0

    8

    Haryana

    1

    48.53

    34.68

    9

    Jammu & Kashmir

    1

    40.46

    34.3

    10

    Jharkhand

    1

    36.79

    34.95

    11

    Karnataka

    1

    45.71

    0

    12

    Kerala

    1

    45.19

    45.19

    13

    Madhya Pradesh

    2

    93.92

    78.67

    14

    Maharashtra

    1

    42.18

    29.93

    15

    Meghalaya

    1

    29.29

    24.92

    16

    Mizoram

    1

    44.89

    13.18

    17

    Nagaland

    2

    43.38

    32.24

    18

    Odisha

    1

    50

    10

    19

    Punjab

    2

    37.97

    23.89

    20

    Rajasthan

    1

    32.64

    26.11

    21

    Sikkim

    1

    33.32

    28.31

    22

    Tamil Nadu

    2

    18.85

    18.85

    23

    Telangana

    3

    142.28

    54.32

    24

    Tripura

    1

    34.43

    25.62

    25

    Uttar Pradesh

    6

    130.27

    110.82

    26

    Uttarakhand

    3

    145.28

    83.37

    27

    West Bengal

    1

    30.03

    23.39
     

    Grand Total

    47

    1594.4

    1047.92

     

    State wise list of projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme till 31.12.2024

     (₹ in crore)

    S. No

    State / UTs

    Swadesh Darshan

    No. of Projects

    Amount Sanctioned

    in ₹ Crore

    Amount Released

    /

    Authorised*

    in ₹ Crore

    Amount Utilised

    in ₹ Crore

    (as per UC submitted by the Implementing agency)

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    3

    152.62

    147.40

    148.81

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh 

    2

    146.49

    139.16

    139.16

    3

    Assam

    2

    185.66

    185.65

    176.36

    4

    Bihar

    5

    262.72

    250.37

    247.03

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    1

    96.10

    94.23

    94.23

    6

    Goa

    2

    197.00

    197.00

    195.24

    7

    Gujarat

    3

    176.97

    165.74

    161.11

    8

    Haryana

    1

    77.39

    76.74

    76.74

    9

    Himachal Pradesh

    1

    68.34

    64.54

    62.56

    10

    Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh

    6

    519.58

    453.46

    423.43

    11

    Jharkhand

    1

    30.44

    28.04

    28.04

    12

    Kerala

    5

    312.47

    259.13

    222.05

    13

    Madhya Pradesh

    4

    349.70

    342.14

    342.14

    14

    Maharashtra

    2

    64.53

    61.29

    55.85

    15

    Manipur

    2

    117.57

    106.65

    104.29

    16

    Meghalaya

    2

    184.10

    184.07

    176.08

    17

    Mizoram

    2

    158.63

    145.35

    145.35

    18

    Nagaland

    2

    195.50

    195.50

    190.63

    19

    Odisha

    1

    70.82

    67.28

    59.47

    20

    Punjab

    1

    85.32

    81.05

    81.05

    21

    Rajasthan

    4

    283.47

    265.88

    275.45

    22

    Sikkim

    2

    193.37

    192.73

    187.96

    23

    Tamil Nadu

    1

    73.13

    71.03

    71.03

    24

    Telangana

    3

    268.39

    241.73

    262.10

    25

    Tripura

    2

    127.68

    113.01

    100.13

    26

    Uttar Pradesh

    8

    490.95

    452.08

    437.39

    27

    Uttarakhand

    2

    145.49

    138.08

    138.11

    28

    West Bengal

    1

    67.99

    65.07

    65.07

    29

    Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    1

    27.57

    22.13

    22.08

    30

    Puducherry

    3

    142.84

    135.54

    135.34

    31

    Wayside Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

    1

    15.07

    14.32

    15.83

    Total

    76

    5287.90

    4956.39

    4840.11

    * Includes amount of authorization to CNA through TSA Model I for Central Sector Scheme.

    List of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 as on 31.12.2024

    S. No

    State

    Destination

    Name of the Experience

    Sanctioned Cost

    (₹ Crore)

    Date of Sanction

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    Araku-Lambasingi

    Borra Cave Experience at Araku

    29.87

    05-03-2024

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Nacho

    Unlock Nacho Expedition

    14.02

    05-03-2024

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Mechuka

    Mechuka Cultural Haat

    18.48

    05-03-2024

    4

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Mechuka

    Mechuka Adventure Park

    12.75

    05-03-2024

    5

    Assam

    Kokrajhar

    Kokrajhar Wetland Experience

    26.67

    05-03-2024

    6

    Assam

    Jorhat

    Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate

    23.91

    05-03-2024

    7

    Goa

    Porvorim

    Porvorim Creek Experience

    23.56

    20-08-2024

    8

    Goa

    Colva

    Colva Beach Experience

    15.65

    20-08-2024

    9

    Karnataka

    Hampi

    Setting up of ‘Traveller nooks’

    25.64

    29-02-2024

    10

    Karnataka

    Mysuru

    Tonga ride Heritage experience zone

    2.72

    29-02-2024

    11

    Karnataka

    Mysuru

    Ecological Experience Zone

    18.47

    05-03-2024

    12

    Kerala

    Kumarakom

    Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience

    13.92

    05-03-2024

    13

    Ladakh

    Leh

    Julley Leh Biodiversity Park

    24.89

    05-03-2024

    14

    Ladakh

    Kargil

    Exploring LOC and Hundarman village Experience

    12.01

    05-03-2024

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    Gwalior

    Phoolbagh Experience Zone

    16.73

    29-02-2024

    16

    Madhya Pradesh

    Chitrakoot

    Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot

    27.21

    05-03-2024

    17

    Maharashtra

    Pune

    Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3

    76.22

    21-09-2024

    18

    Meghalaya

    Sohra

    Waterfall Trails Experience

    27.84

    05-03-2024

    19

    Meghalaya

    Sohra

    Meghalayan Age Cave Experience

    32.45

    04-03-2024

    20

    Nagaland

    Chumoukedima

    Eco-Tourism Exp at Chumoukedima viewpoint

    7.87

    20-08-2024

    21

    Nagaland

    Chumuoukedima

    Tribal Cultural Experience at Midway Retreat

    21.56

    05-03-2024

    22

    Puducherry

    Karaikal

    Karaikal beach and waterfront experience

    20.29

    05-03-2024

    23

    Punjab

    Kapurthala

    Eco Tourism experience at Kanjli wetland

    20.06

    05-03-2024

    24

    Punjab

    Amritsar

    Border Tourism Experience at Attari

    25.90

    20-08-2024

    25

    Rajasthan

    Bundi

    Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan

    17.37

    29-02-2024

    26

    Sikkim

    Gyalshing

    Eco-Wellness Experience at Yuksom Cluster

    15.40

    05-03-2024

    27

    Sikkim

    Gangtok

    Gangtok Cultural Village

    22.59

    29-02-2024

    28

    Tamil Nadu

    Mamallapuram

    Immersive experience at Shore Temple

    30.02

    29-02-2024

    29

    Telangana

    Bhongir

    Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone

    56.81

    29-02-2024

    30

    Telangana

    Ananathagiri

    Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest

    38.00

    05-03-2024

    31

    Uttar Pradesh

    Prayagraj

    Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj Trail Exp

    13.02

    05-03-2024

    32

    Uttar Pradesh

    Naimisaranya

    Vedic- wellness Experience

    15.94

    05-03-2024

    33

    Uttarakhand

    Pithoragarh

    Rural Tourism Cluster Experience at Gunji

    32.20

    05-03-2024

    34

    Uttarakhand

    Champawat

    Tea Garden Experience

    11.21

    05-03-2024

    TOTAL AMOUNT 

    791.25

     

    List of Destination Identified under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme

    S. No.

    State

    Destination

    Category

    Funding Amount (₹ Crore)

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    Nagarjuna Sagar

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    Ahobilam Temple

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Kibitho

    Vibrant Village Programme

    5.00

    4

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Bichom Dam Site

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    5

    Assam

    Sivasagar

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    6

    Bihar

    Bhagalpur

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    7

    Bihar

    Saran Dist. (Sonepur Fair)

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    8

    Chhattisgarh

    Mayali Bagicha

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    9

    Goa

    Mayem Village

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    10

    Gujarat

    Porbandar

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    11

    Gujarat

    Thol Village

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    12

    Gujarat

    Vadnagar

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    13

    Himachal Pradesh

    Kaza

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    14

    Himachal Pradesh

    Rakchham, Chhitkul

    Vibrant Village Programme

    5.00

    15

    Jharkhand

    Ramrekha Dham

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    16

    Kerala

    Varkala

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    17

    Kerala

    Thalassery

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    18

    Karnataka

    Bidar

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    19

    Karnataka

    Udupi

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    20

    Ladakh

    Mushkoh Village

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    21

    Lakshadweep

    Lakshadweep

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    22

    Madhya Pradesh

    Mandu

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    23

    Madhya Pradesh

    Orchha

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    24

    Maharashtra

    Ahmednagar

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    25

    Manipur

    Langthabal Konug

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    26

    Meghalaya

    Nartiang Village

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    27

    Meghalaya

    Mawphlang Village

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    28

    Nagaland

    Doyang Reservoir

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    29

    Nagaland

    Impur Village

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    30

    Puducherry

    White Town

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    31

    Punjab

    Ferozpur (Hussainiwala Border)

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    32

    Punjab

    Rupnagar (Anandpur Sahib)

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    33

    Sikkim

    Gnathang Village

    Vibrant Village Programme

    5.00

    34

    Sikkim

    Kabi

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    35

    Tamil Nadu

    Rameswaram Island

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    36

    Tamil Nadu

    Thanjavur

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    37

    Telangana

    Nalgonda

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    38

    Telangana

    Kamareddy

    Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites

    10.00

    39

    Uttar Pradesh

    Mahoba

    Culture & Heritage

    25.00

    40

    Uttarakhand

    Mana Village

    Vibrant Village Programme

    5.00

    41

    Uttarakhand

    Jadung

    Vibrant Village Programme

    5.00

    42

    Uttarakhand

    Kainchidham

    Spiritual Tourism

    25.00

    TOTAL

    800.00

     

    List of Project shortlisted by Ministry of Tourism in consultation with the State Governments on the given parameters and funded by Department of Expenditure for development

     

    S. No.

    State/UT

    Name of the Project

    Sanctioned Cost

    (₹ Crore)

    Date of Sanction

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    Enriching the fort and Gorge Experience in Gandikota

    77.91

    26-11-2024

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok Bridge & Pushkar Ghat) in Raja Mahendravaram,

    94.44

    26-11-2024

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat in Pasighat

    46.48

    26-11-2024

    4

    Assam

    Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati

    97.12

    26-11-2024

    5

    Assam

    Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar

    94.76

    26-11-2024

    6

    Bihar

    Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa

    97.61

    26-11-2024

    7

    Bihar

    Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat

    49.51

    26-11-2024

    8

    Chhattisgarh

    Development of Chitrotpala Film City in Raipur

    95.79

    26-11-2024

    9

    Chhattisgarh

    Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre in Raipur

    51.87

    26-11-2024

    10

    Goa

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Ponda

    97.46

    26-11-2024

    11

    Goa

    Townsquare in Porvorim

    90.74

    26-11-2024

    12

    Gujarat

    Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar) in Porbandar

    99.50

    26-11-2024

    13

    Gujarat

    Tented City and Convention Centre in Dhordo

    51.56

    26-11-2024

    14

    Jharkhand

    Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya” in Koderma

    34.87

    26-11-2024

    15

    Karnataka

    Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru

    99.17

    26-11-2024

    16

    Karnataka

    Development of Savadatti Yallammagudda in Belgavi

    100.00

    26-11-2024

    17

    Kerala

    Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub in Kollam

    59.71

    26-11-2024

    18

    Kerala

    Global Gateway to Malabar’s Cultural Crucible in Sargaalayaa

    95.34

    26-11-2024

    19

    Madhya Pradesh

    Orchha A Medieval Splendour in Orchha

    99.92

    26-11-2024

    20

    Madhya Pradesh

    International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal

    99.38

    26-11-2024

    21

    Maharashtra

    INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg

    46.91

    26-11-2024

    22

    Maharashtra

    Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik

    99.14

    26-11-2024

    23

    Manipur

    Loktak Lake Experience in Loktak

    89.48

    26-11-2024

    24

    Meghalaya

    MICE Infrastructure in Mawkhanu

    99.27

    26-11-2024

    25

    Meghalaya

    Redevelopment of Umiam Lake in Shillong

    99.27

    26-11-2024

    26

    Odisha

    Development of Hirakund

    99.90

    26-11-2024

    27

    Odisha

    Development of Satkosia

    99.99

    26-11-2024

    28

    Punjab

    Development of Heritage Street as a tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam, Sardar Bhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar

    53.45

    26-11-2024

    29

    Rajasthan

    Development at Amber-Nahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur

    49.31

    26-11-2024

    30

    Rajasthan

    Development at Jalmahal in Jaipur

    96.61

    26-11-2024

    31

    Sikkim

    Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang in Namchi

    97.37

    27-11-2024

    32

    Sikkim

    Border Experience in Nathula

    68.19

    27-11-2024

    33

    Tamil Nadu

    Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram

    99.67

    26-11-2024

    34

    Tamil Nadu

    Garden of Flowers in Devala

    70.23

    26-11-2024

    35

    Telangana

    Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Ramappa

    73.74

    13-12-2024

    36

    Telangana

    Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala

    68.10

    13-12-2024

    37

    Tripura

    Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati

    97.70

    26-11-2024

    38

    Uttar Pradesh

    Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra

    74.05

    26-11-2024

    39

    Uttar Pradesh

    Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti

    80.24

    26-11-2024

    40

    Uttarakhand

    Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting Base Station in Rishikesh

    100.00

    26-11-2024

    TOTAL

    3295.76

     

     

    List of Projects Sanctioned under the Scheme Assistance to Central Agencies

    S. No

    Name of Project

    State

    Agency

    Sanction Date

    Amount sanctioned

    Amount Released

    1

    Sound and Light Show at Dal Lake (Nigeen Lake)

    J&K

    ITDC

    25-06-2012

    500

    400

    2

    Cruise Passenger Facilities Centre in the existing Passenger Terminal at Chennai Port.

    Tamil Nadu

    Chennai Port Trust

    24-09-2012

    1724.66

    1724.66

    3

    Implementation of Multimedia /Laser show at Tilyar Lake 

    Haryana

    ITDC

    30-04-2013

    500

    224.05

    4

    Construction of Interpretation Centre at the World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi.

    Delhi

    Aga Khan Foundation

    04-03-2014

    4944.84

    4944.84

    5

    Cruise Terminal Building at Mormugao Port Trust

    Goa

    Mormugao Port Trust

    24-06-2014

    879.04

    767.18

    6

    Sound & Light Show at Diu Fort, Diu

    Daman & Diu

    ITDC

    28-02-2015

    775.54

    620.43

    7

    Illumination of monuments in Varanasi/Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa in SarnathChaukhandi Stupa in Sarnath, Tomb of Lalkan in Sarnath and Man Mahal in Banaras).

    Uttar Pradesh

    ITDC

    28-02-2015

    512.43

    381.47

    8

    Development of Kanoji Angre Lighthouse as a tourist Destination

    Maharashtra

    Mumbai Port Trust

    09-08-2016

    1500

    1500

    9

    Development of a Walkway/Promenade on Willingdon Island, Cochin, Kerala

    Kerala

    Cochin Port Trust

    28-10-2016

    901

    826.29

    10

    Central Financial Assistance for upgrading of Births & Backup area of Ernakulam Wharf

    Kerala

    Cochin Port Trust

    31-03-2017

    2141

    1912.8

    11

    Project for Up-gradation of Golf Course at SAI Trivandrum Golf Club by the Sports Authority of India

    Kerala

    SAI

    31-03-2017

    2464.99

    1232.49

    12

    Sound and Light Show at Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore, Haryana.

    Haryana

    ITDC

    16-10-2017

    600

    300

    13

    Sound and Light Show at Puttaparthy, Andhra Pradesh

    Andhra Pradesh

    ITDC

    27-11-2017

    708.67

    354.34

    14

    Up-gradation/ modernization to International Cruise terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai. 

    Maharashtra

    Mumbai Port Trust 

    29-12-2017

    1250

    1250

    15

    Illumination of three monuments in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh-
    1. Dashashwamedh Ghat to Darbhanga Ghat (stretch of 300 m)
    2.  Tulsi Manas Mandir
    3. Sarnath Museum

    Uttar Pradesh

    CPWD

    21-12-2017

    293.55

    293.55

    16

    Infrastructural Development at JCP Attari, Wagha Border

    Punjab

    BSF

    12-06-2018

    1312

    1029.59

    17

    Improvement of immigration facility and deepening of existing cruise berth at Mormugao Port Trust

    Goa

    Mormugao Port Trust

    24-08-2018

    1316.4

    658.2

    18

    Developing infrastructure at Cochin Port Cruise Terminal.

    Kerala

    Cochin Port Trust

    12-12-2018

    120.79

    114.17

    19

    Creation of additional tourism facilities at the Cochin Port Trust Walkway

    Kerala

    Cochin Port Trust

    12-12-2018

    466.47

    466.47

    20

    Construction of Cruise-Cum-Costal Cargo Terminal at Channel berth area in Outer Harbour of Visakhapatnam Port

    Andhra Pradesh

    Visakhapatnam Port Trust

    14-12-2018

    3850

    2991

    21

    Restoration/ Renovation of ‘Jallianwala Bagh Memorial’ & Additional work to be taken at Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial at Amritsar, Punjab.   

    Punjab (GFR)

    ASI

    08-03-2019

    2302

    2250

    22

    Sound and Light Show at (Purana Quila) Delhi

    Delhi

    ITDC

    05-08-2019

    1404

    685

    23

    Development of Additional infrastructure in the new Cochin Port Trust Terminal

    Kerala

    Cochin Port Trust

    13-12-2019

    1029.7

    888.62

    24

    Illumination of Building of National Gallery of Modern Art

    Delhi

    NCSM

    19-12-2019

    380

    304

    25

    Development & renovation of selected facilities of National Museum

    Delhi

    NCSM

    26-12-2019

    4373

    2186

    26

    Development of Jetties at 9 main points of embarkation/disembarkation of River Cruize on National Water ways No. 1 & 2

    Assam

    IWAI

    28-04-2020

    2803.05

    700.76

    27

    Tourism Infrastructure at Beltaal Lake, Damoh, Madhya Pradesh by ITDC.

    Madhya Pradesh

    ITDC

    29-09-2020

    2315.30

    1008.27

    28

    Sound & Light Show at Leh, Ladakh & Water Screen Projection Multimedia Show at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil, Ladakh

    Leh & Ladakh

    ITDC

    26-11-2020

    2321.99

    765.99

    29

    3D visual projection mapping of NGMA Building

    Delhi

    NCSM

    31-03-2021

    616.27

    464.58

    30

    Development of Convention Centre and associated Infrastructure at Aizawl.

    Mizoram

    WAPCOS

    31-03-2021

    3994.75

    3057.03

    31

    Development of International and Domestic Cruse Terminal and allied facilities at Murmugao Port Trust, Goa

    Goa

    Mormugao Port Trust

    10-09-2021

    5000

    4000

    32

    Upgradation/Modernization to International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai Port Trust

    Maharashtra

    Mumbai Port Trust

    20-12-2021

    3750

    3000

    33

    Development of 22 viewpoints in North Eastern State
    (i) Nagaland (2 view points)- Rs.5.77 Crore
    (ii) Meghalaya (3 view points) – Rs.6.26 Crore
    (iii) Mizoram (9 view points)- Rs.12.78 Crore
    (iv) Arunachal Pradesh (4 view points) – Rs.6.25 Crore
    (v) Manipur (3 view points)- Rs.5.93 Crore
    (vi) Sikkim/West Bengal (1 view point)- Rs.3.70 Crore

    NER

    NHIDCL

    11-10-2022

    4444

    3555.4

    34

    Development of Border Tourism at Shri Tanot Complex, Jaisalmer Sector

    Rajasthan

    BSF

    05-07-2022

    1767.66

    883.83

    35

    Multimedia Laser Show with Water Screen and Musical Fountain at Sanjeevaiah Park, Hyderabad, Telangana

    Telangana

    BECIL

    31-10-2022

    5000.04

    4090

    36

    Design, Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Digital Multimedia Technology and Lightings at Osmania Arts University, Hyderabad Telangana

    Telangana

    BECIL

    22-12-2022

    1179.93

    943.47

    37

    Project ‘Major Upgradation of National Science Centre

    Delhi

    NCSM

    27-03-2023

    3180

    18

    38

    Installation of Musical Fountain & Water Screen Multimedia based projection show at Nawal Sagar Lake, Bundi

    Rajasthan

    ITDC

    04-10-2023

    925.67

    92.57

    39

    Development of Light & Sound and Multimedia Show at Rashtrapati Bhawan

    Delhi

    ITDC

    28-03-2024

    4712.4

    471

    40

    3D Mapping with Aqua Screen Projection and Sound Show at Buxar, Bihar and Dynamic Lighting & Motif at Ram Rekha Ghat, Bihar

    Bihar

    BECIL

    10-06-2024

    599.96

    59.99

     

    Total (Lakhs)

    78,861.10

    51,416.04

     

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2101365) Visitor Counter : 70

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Stakeholder consultation on proposed regulatory regime for Basic Housing Units concludes (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Stakeholder consultation on proposed regulatory regime for Basic Housing Units concludes (with photos)
    Stakeholder consultation on proposed regulatory regime for Basic Housing Units concludes (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The stakeholder consultation on the proposed regulatory regime for Basic Housing Units (BHUs) launched by the Housing Bureau (HB) on December 2, 2024 concluded today (February 10).      Since the establishment of the Task Force on Tackling the Issue of Subdivided Units (SDUs) (the Task Force) in October 2023 until the end of the stakeholder consultation period, under the lead of the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, as the Head and the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, as the Deputy Head, the Government organised and joined nearly 40 engagement sessions, meeting nearly 700 participants and gathering views from political parties, academics, professional bodies, non-governmental organisations, estate agents, renovation services industry and contractors associations as well as concern groups on tackling the SDU issue and the BHU regulatory regime. At the same time, as at 6pm today, we received nearly 2 200 submissions of views (including around 1 600 submissions using six different templates with largely similar contents) mainly through email and post, etc.      The HB will work at full steam to consolidate the views received on the BHU regulatory regime and report to the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Housing on the summary of views and seek the Panel’s views on the latest proposal on the regulatory regime as soon as possible. Subsequently, the HB will introduce the relevant Bill into the LegCo and strive for its passage within this year. Upon completion of the legislative process, registration for pre-existing SDUs under rental will commence, with applications for recognition as BHUs to be accepted concurrently. A grace period will be granted to landlords of SDUs that have been successfully registered to provide reasonable time for them to discuss tenancy agreements with their tenants and to convert their SDUs to up-to-standard BHUs.      With regard to the new market supply of BHUs as well as the supply of public rental housing, Light Public Housing (LPH), Transitional Housing (TH), etc, the Government will adopt a pragmatic approach and adhere to the people-oriented principle when taking enforcement actions against illegal renting of substandard SDUs in an orderly manner upon completion of registration period to gradually eradicate substandard SDUs. To ensure that SDU households affected by the enforcement actions will not be displaced, the Government will provide assistance on a need basis in identifying other rental accommodation in the private market for relocation, as well as flexibly deploy other housing resources (such as interim housing, LPH, TH, transit centres, etc) to provide temporary shelter for the households in need.      A spokesman for the HB said, “The Government would like to express gratitude to stakeholders for their active expression of views on the BHU regulatory regime, and is glad that different sectors of the society generally support the proposed framework of the BHU regulatory regime while giving suggestions on the implementation and execution details. Opinions from stakeholders are crucial to the policy formulation and legislative process. The Government will carefully consider and study the views collected when formulating the latest proposal of the BHU regulatory regime, and is determined to strive for completing the relevant legislative work this year as planned, with a view to gradually improving the living conditions of SDU tenants and thus tackling the ‘long-standing, big and difficult’ issue of substandard SDUs.”      The current-term Government faces up to the issue of SDUs and acknowledges its complexity and urgency, while understanding that this long-standing issue must be handled with prudence. The Government is determined to work out solutions to eradicate substandard SDUs at their roots and has been widely listening to views from different stakeholders. The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address to put in place through legislation, a system on the renting of SDUs in residential buildings under which only up-to-standard SDUs could be recognised as BHUs (the BHU regulatory regime). After legislation, SDUs in residential buildings must comply with a set of minimum standards (including requirements in respect of floor area, headroom, structural and fire safety, ventilation, lighting, hygiene, water and electricity meters, etc.) before being recognised as BHUs and allowed to be rented out, so as to ensure the provision of reasonable and safe living conditions.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 10, 2025Issued at HKT 20:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Allocation of Grants to Autonomous Bodies

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 5:10PM by PIB Delhi

    Details of Grants allocated to various Autonomous Bodies under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture is annexed at Annexure –I.

    There have been the demands of excess budget during the said period by some Autonomous Bodies and the same have been met. Autonomous Bodies are continuously advised to enhance their internal revenue generation to meet the excess demand. Details of the excess demand and the reasons there for is at Annexure-II.

    Grants are allocated to Autonomous Bodies keeping in view the overall allocation of the Ministry and their proposed programmes/activities during the year. Additional grants sought by the Autonomous Bodies are met through the Supplementary demands as per the GFR provisions. However, Autonomous Bodies are continuously encouraged to enhance their internal revenue generation to meet the excess demand.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    Annexure-I

    AUTONOMOUS BODIES BE/RE FROM F.Y. BE 2021-22 TO 2023-24                                                                                                (Rs. in lakh)

    S.No.

    Organizations

    BE 21-22

    RE 21-22

    BE 22-23

    RE 22-23

    BE 23-24

    RE 23-24

    I

    Support to Akademies

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1

    Sangeet Natak Akademi

    5925.00

    6087.00

    6315.00

    6660.52

    6555.00

    6855.00

    2

    Sahitya Akademi

    3910.00

    3787.00

    3920.00

    4198.16

    3805.00

    4055.00

    3

    Lalit Kala Akademi

    2620.00

    2558.00

    2650.00

    3310.80

    2855.00

    3255.00

    4

    National School of Drama

    7065.00

    6445.00

    6975.00

    4333.52

    4855.00

    5955.00

    5

    Centre for Cultural Resources and Training

    2555.00

    2455.00

    2495.00

    2495.00

    2545.00

    2545.00

    6

    Indira Gandhi National Culture for the Arts

    5005.00

    5330.00

    5505.00

    19005.00

    10010.00

    10010.00

    7

    Kalakshetra Foundation

    1767.00

    1872.00

    1927.00

    1977.00

    2452.00

    2662.00

    8

    Zonal Cultural Centers

    5310.00

    6419.00

    6748.00

    6748.00

    7050.00

    8208.00

     

    Total- Support to Akademies

    34157.00

    34953.00

    36535.00

    48728.00

    40127.00

    43545.00

    II

    Support to Museum

     

     

     

     

     

     

    9

    Victoria Memorial Hall

    3377.00

    3029.00

    3099.00

    2877.00

    3134.00

    3134.00

    10

    National Council of Science Museum

    13186.00

    13187.00

    13902.00

    14592.00

    17260.00

    20460.51

    11

    Allahabad Museum

    1077.00

    937.00

    967.00

    877.00

    962.00

    962.00

    12

    Indian Institute of Heritage (IIH)-NMI

    2057.00

    2057.00

    2087.00

    1902.00

    1222.00

    1222.00

    13

    Salarjung Museum

    2397.00

    2397.00

    2487.00

    2397.00

    2522.00

    2522.00

    14

    Indian Museum

    2457.00

    2392.00

    4040.00

    3282.00

    4042.49

    4042.49

    15

    Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sanghralaya

    1772.00

    1652.00

    1702.00

    1977.00

    2355.00

    2355.00

    16

    Prime Minister Museum & Library

    3058.00

    3058.00

    3248.00

    3608.00

    4242.00

    4242.00

     

    Total- Support to Museum

    29381.00

    28709.00

    31532.00

    31512.00

    35739.49

    38940.00

    III

    Support to Libraries

     

     

     

     

     

     

    17

    Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation

    2707.00

    2707.00

    2752.00

    3319.00

    3367.00

    3287.00

    18

    Delhi Public Library

    3627.00

    3237.00

    3367.00

    3252.00

    3558.00

    3538.00

    19

    Asiatic Society Library

    2342.00

    2342.00

    2541.50

    2261.50

    2437.00

    2237.00

    20

    Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library

    632.50

    544.50

    580.50

    595.50

    622.00

    622.00

    21

    Rampur Raza Library

    702.00

    651.50

    672.00

    652.00

    662.00

    662.00

     

    Total- Support to Libraries

    10010.50

    9482.00

    9913.00

    10080.00

    10646.00

    10346.00

    IV

    BTI and Memorials

     

     

     

     

     

     

    22

    Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti

    1402.00

    1302.00

    1366.00

    1602.00

    1560.00

    2010.00

    23

    Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies

    465.00

    465.00

    477.00

    492.00

    653.50

    653.50

    24

    Nava Nalanda Mahavihara

    1309.00

    1609.00

    1678.00

    2177.00

    2555.00

    3804.50

    25

    Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh.

    2946.40

    2576.40

    2706.50

    3338.50

    3198.00

    3545.00

    26

    Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies,Sarnath

    5401.70

    6283.90

    4908.50

    3935.50

    3902.00

    4032.00

    27

    Central Institute of Himalayan Cultural Studies, Dahung

    1190.70

    1151.70

    1166.00

    1211.00

    1222.00

    1352.00

    28

    Tabo

     

     

    2.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

        (Rs. in lakh)

    S.No.

    Organizations

     

    BE 21-22

    RE 21-22

    BE 22-23

    RE 22-23

    BE 23-24

    RE 23-24

     

     

    Total- BTI and Memorials

    12714.80

    13388.00

    12304.00

    12756.00

    13090.50

    15397.00

     

    Total- Autonomous Bodies

    86263.30

    86532.00

    90284.00

    103076.00

    99602.99

    108228.00

                   

    STATEMENT REFERRED TO PART(b) & (c) OF THE QUESTION NO. 1126 REGARDING ‘ALLOCATION OF GRANTS TO AUTONOMOUS BODIES’

    (Rs. in lakh)

    Annexure-II

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    1

    Sangeet Natak Akademi

    5925.00

    6087.00

    5716.87

     

    6315.00

    6660.52

    6505.52

    For conducting various programmes/activities

    6555.00

    6855.00

    7105.00

    Additional requirement is for fellowship awards for the year.

    2

    Sahitya Akademi

    3910.00

    3787.00

    4369.77

    For payment to the CPWD Bengaluru towards construction of the sales-cum-godown and setting up of Metro Book Shop at their Kempe Gowda Metro Station

    3920.00

    4198.16

    4381.96

    For conducting various programmes/activitiesb

    3805.00

    4055.00

    4356.59

    For Festival of Letters was conducted at the large scale involving more than 1100 writers from across the nation, due to which amt of more than Rs. 4 crore was incurred and the bills are pending i.r.o. honorarium and TA to the writers and various vendors

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    3

    Lalit Kala Akademi

    2620.00

    2558.00

    3022.57

    For renovation work of old building of Regional Centre of Kolkata & Chennai and infrastructure development of newly built building at Regional Office, Kolkata, etc.

    2650.00

    3310.80

    3110.80

    For conducting various programmes/activities

    2855.00

    3255.00

    3530.00

    For maintenance of all regional centre and pension to staff for the month of Feb, 2024/salary to outsourced staff etc.

    4

    National School of Drama

    7065.00

    6445.00

    5593.58

     

    6975.00

    4333.52

    4333.52

     

    4855.00

    5955.00

    6255.00

    For pending payment of bill related to BRM

    5

    Centre for Cultural Resources and Training

    2555.00

    2455.00

    3114.36

    Rs. 2cr. To CCRT towards payment of construction of CCRT Regional Centre building of Udaipur & purchase of new furniture/fixture & equipment

    2495.00

    2495.00

    2511.20

    For conducting various programmes/activities.

    2545.00

    2545.00

    2595.00

     

    6

    Indira Gandhi National Culture for the Arts

    5005.00

    5330.00

    5330.00

    To meet committed liabilities during the year

    5505.00

    19005.00

    23208.82

    For recoupment of advance taken of Rs.56.60 crore from Contingency fund of India in r/o IGNCA for parliament art works

    10010.00

    10010.00

    10910.00

    For Prerna School, Digitization of Sampurnand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalya and G20 Summit

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    7

    Kalakshetra Foundation

    1767.00

    1872.00

    1872.00

    To meet committed liabilities during the year

    1927.00

    1977.00

    2127.00

    For project sanitization, language moderation by third party agency for Mera Estimated exp. of Rs.

    2.50 cr. By Kalakshetra foundation till 31.03.2023

    2452.00

    2662.00

    2662.00

    For creation of EL Fund with LIC

    8

    Zonal Cultural Centers

    5310.00

    6419.00

    6499.56

    To meet committed liabilities during the year

    6748.00

    6748.00

    6746.00

     

    7050.00

    8208.00

    11019.00

    For organizing program on Cultural Components(Anant Sutra,Vande Bharatam and Tableau)during 75th Republic Day Celebrations,2024

     

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    9

    National Council of Science Museum

    13186.00

    13187.00

    13287.00

     

    13902.00

    14592.00

    14230.50

    For development of Planetarium software by NCSM

    17260.00

    20460.51

    20650.51

     

    10

    Indian Institute of Heritage(IIH)-NMI

    2057.00

    2057.00

    2057.00

     

    2087.00

    1902.00

    1934.90

     

    1222.00

    1222.00

    1578.75

    For expenditure towards special projects and enhanced expenditure on IIH campus such as security, housekeeping, horticulture, AMC of building, generator expenses etc.

    11

    Salarjung Museum

    2397.00

    2397.00

    3046.00

    To meet the committed liabilities during the year

    2487.00

    2397.00

    2397.00

     

    2522.00

    2522.00

    2522.00

     

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    12

    Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya

    1772.00

    1652.00

    1729.10

    To meet the expense of DCRG fund, open air and indoor exhibition and other routine expense

    1702.00

    1977.00

    1942.00

    IGRMS for EPF  arrears, DCRG fund

    2355.00

    2355.00

    2545.25

    For

    Wages, Tagore Scholarship,Biennale2023-24, Audit fee,

    EPF Interest payable etc.

    13

    Prime Minister Museum & Library

    3058.00

    3058.00

    3366.62

    To incur the expenditure towards water, electricity charges and other general expenditure, to Tagore National Fellowship for Culture Research Scheme for local TA/Honorarium, stationery, travel project staff, accommodation, misc., software and on account of financial impact of implementation of 7th CPC benefits for the pensioner

    3248.00

    3608.00

    3555.00

    Rs. 1.50 cr. for office expenses of PM Museum, electricity bill, etc. by PMM&L

    4242.00

    4242.00

    7938.00

    To facilitate the payment of property tax/ service charges to NDMC under the Grant-in-aid General head.

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    14

    Delhi Public Library

    3627.00

    3237.00

    3256.07

     

    3367.00

    3252.00

    3252.00

     

    3558.00

    3538.00

    3638.00

    For payment of communication to 12 pensioners, reimbursement of medical expenses to pensioners

    15

    Asiatic Society Library

    2342.00

    2342.00

    2402.05

    Additional Fund  given by the Ministry under the Object Head ‘GIA-General’ to meet expenses on account of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava  and Digitization Project.

    2541.50

    2261.50

    2189.50

     

    2437.00

    2237.00

    2024.30

     

    16

    Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library

    632.50

    544.50

    544.50

     

    580.50

    595.50

    608.50

    For conducting various programmes/activities

    622.00

    622.00

    700.47

    For

    Payment of corporation tax and repairing of Old A. C. Plant

     

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    17

    Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies

    465.00

    465.00

    465.00

     

    477.00

    492.00

    602.00

    For conducting various programmes/activities

    653.50

    653.50

    763.50

    For repair & renovation of Azad Bhawan premises of MAKAIAS

    & to conduct seminar/workshop/symposium/lecture session

    liability

    18

    Nava Nalanda Mahavihara

    1309.00

    1609.00

    2291.57

    To Nav Nalanda Mahavihara for upgradation of existing Residential Complex and administrative building, etc

     

    1678.00

    2177.00

    2177.72

    For conducting various programmes/activities

    2555.00

    3804.50

    3804.50

     

    19

    Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh.

    2946.40

    2576.40

    2704.23

    To central Institute of Buddhist Studies for clearing  existing liabilities of CPWD, etc.

    2706.50

    3338.50

    3044.30

    For conducting various programmes/activities

    3198.00

    3545.00

    3845.00

    For CIBS to razzing and finishing of compound wall at new campus, repair and renovation of guest house and vertical extension of senior secondary school building another storey of classroom

     

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

    S. No.

     

    Organizations

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

     

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

     

    BE

     

    RE

    Funds Status after adjustments

    Reasons for excess demands

    20

    Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath

    5401.70

    6283.90

    6129.40

    For maintenance of Sowa Rigpa Bhawan (academic & hospital) under Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi

    4908.50

    3935.50

    4347.58

     

    3902.00

    4032.00

    4032.00

    For maintenance of Sowa Rigpa Bhawan (academic & hospital) under Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi

    21

    Central Institute of Himalayan Cultural Studies, Dahung

    1190.70

    1151.70

    1146.83

     

    1166.00

    1211.00

    1216.40

    For conducting various programmes/activities

    1222.00

    1352.00

    1352.00

    To meet the committed liabilities during the year
                                 

     

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2101353) Visitor Counter : 48

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Listen to the Beat – Heart Health Month at NHB

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Take heart.

    There are several heartfelt static displays, informative presentations and knowledge-based exhibitions throughout Naval Hospital Bremerton acknowledging February as Heart Health Month.

    Whether it’s operational readiness or household responsibilities, from the deckplate to the domestic, cardiovascular endurance is a must.

    At any age.

    “Take steps now to adopt a healthier lifestyle to keep your heart healthy and avoid heart disease,” said Patricia Skinner, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton’s Health Promotion and Wellness coordinator. “While heart disease is often viewed as something to worry about when you get older, about six in 10 preventable heart disease and stroke deaths happen to people under age 65.”

    There is a crucial need to remind every age group on having a healthy heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., with one person dying every 33 second from cardiovascular disease, with over 700,000 fatalities in 2022.

    “Heart disease is a topic for adults of any age, including young adults,” Skinner continued. “Take steps now to reduce the risk of developing this disease which can negatively affect someone’s military career and compromise mission readiness,”

    Although cardiologists note that there are a number of factors which can lead to heart disease, there are overlapping lifestyle indicators which are the usual suspects, such as tobacco usage, excessive alcohol intake, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits and carrying extra weight. All puts a stress on the heart and entire cardiovascular system.

    Skinner is helping lead the educational cardiovascular charge tailored for all age groups, advocating that everyone should choose a healthy eating plan, be physically active and learn the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke.

    “Take care of your heart whatever age you are,” stressed Skinner, “Each age group is impacted differently by heart disease and can be prevented by establishing health habits early, like getting in regular physical activity in childhood, maintaining healthy weight, monitoring cholesterol levels and blood pressure in middle age and managing any chronic medical conditions to ensure a healthy lifestyle across all stages of life.”

    Health Promotion and Wellness recommends the following for each age group:

    In the 20s, people should find a doctor and ensure they have regular health [and dental] wellness exams. They also need to avoid nicotine products and steer clear of secondhand smoke.

    “Smoking impacts the cardiovascular system in a number of ways from narrowing and thickening the arteries to raising blood pressure and heart rate to reducing oxygen supply,” Skinner said.

    In the 30s, goals towards improved health should be to manage stress, be aware of family medical history and make heart-healthy living a family affair.

    “There are a number of simply and effective ways to manage stress which include getting eight hours of sleep [preferably uninterrupted], daily exercise and focusing on nutritious eating habits,” stated Skinner.

    In the 40s, people need to [continue to] watch their weight, find a workout routine they enjoy, and have their blood sugar level checked.

    In the 50s, people need to get smart on warning signs. Heart attack symptoms in women can be different than a man. People also need to follow their treatment plan regarding lifestyle and diet change(s) and medication needs.

    “Women can feel dizziness, upper back pressure, check discomfort, shortness of breath, feeling of indigestion, occasional neck, teeth or jaw discomfort, and fainting or extreme fatigue,” explained Skinner. “Men can feel a cold sweat, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath or dizziness and pain in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw and abdomen.”

    In the 60s, people need to watch their blood pressure, cholesterol and other related numbers closely. They also need to continue to exercise on a regular basis, consume smaller portions of nutrient-rich foods to maintain a healthy weight.

    Health Promotion and Wellness is based upon the three foundational principles of nutrition, wellness and fitness. Food consumption plays a sizable role in heart health. In accentuating the nutritional aspect, Machinist’s Mate, Nuclear Power 2nd Class Grace McCracken created a display showcasing a variety of multicolored foods, each offering a wide range of nutrients.

    Red colored foods, such as strawberry and apples are considered good for the heart.
    Orange colored foods like carrots and tangerines help eyesight.
    Yellow foods like a yellow pepper can help a body heal cuts.
    Brown fruits and vegetables give the body energy.
    Blue foods – like blueberries – have nutrients and antioxidants to help reduce high blood pressure.
    Green foods from kiwis to peas to broccoli help to combat germs.

    Skinner noted that even though February is designated as heart health month and some New Year resolutions for getting back into shape include developing healthy heart habits, that enthusiasm can fade.

    “It’s a concern all year,” exclaimed Skinner.

    Skinner gave heart in summing up their campaign theme, “Bringing awareness about heart disease to those who are concerned about their health is gratifying, especially when those same individuals share their progress in losing weight, reducing their cholesterols levels, or getting their blood pressure under control. It’s a step in the right direction for those who take their heart health seriously and maintain consistent healthy habits throughout the year.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Tells GOP: Hands Off Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    02.10.25
    Cantwell Tells GOP: Hands Off Medicaid
    House Republicans recently revealed proposal to cut $2.3 trillion from Medicaid to pay for Trump policy priorities
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Committee on Finance and ranking member of the Commerce Committee, joined a letter with 46 Senators calling on Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson to reject any legislation or budget proposals that would make cuts to Medicaid.
    “Republicans are proposing cuts to the Medicaid program from hundreds of billions to multiple trillions of dollars,” the Senators wrote. “States simply cannot absorb these massive funding cuts without hurting children, seniors, people with disabilities, tribal populations, patients with chronic illnesses, and many other Americans who rely on Medicaid.”
    “Given that levels of abuse and waste within Medicaid are not commensurate to cutting billions from the program, President Trump and Congressional Leadership should uphold this commitment to enhance, rather than gut, Medicaid. The American people should be assured that Medicaid will be protected. We urge you to reject proposals that use Medicaid as a piggy bank for partisan priorities and continue to defend the importance of this vital program,” the Senators concluded. 
    More than 1.8 million Washingtonians are enrolled in Medicaid (Apple Health). One in six adults, two in five children, three in five nursing home residents, and three in eight people with disabilities in Washington are covered by Medicaid. Any cuts in federal Medicaid funding would not only reduce the number of enrollees, it would potentially exacerbate Washington state’s budget deficit as states would have to make up for the shortfall by lowering coverage levels or cutting services.
    Sen. Cantwell is a longtime advocate for expanding and protecting Medicaid and Medicare. Rather than cutting Medicaid payments, Sen. Cantwell has introduced legislation to generate cost savings for American taxpayers. Sen. Cantwell has championed the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act to crack down on PBMs and ban “spread pricing,” the PBM practice of charging a health insurance plan more to process a prescription than it reimburses the pharmacy and pocketing the difference – the spread. According to a recent CBO report, eliminating spread pricing in just the Medicaid program would result in approximately $900 million in savings over 10 years.
    Sen. Cantwell has also introduced legislation to expand Medicaid payments for low-barrier fentanyl treatment programs and rural hospitals’ labor and delivery units.
    The full text of the letter is HERE and below.
    Dear Majority Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson,
    As we begin a new Congress, we seek to pursue policies that improve the lives of Americans across this country. However, we are deeply concerned about recent reporting on Republican plans to use the budget reconciliation process to advance President Trump’s reckless agenda.  While we disagree on these costly and misguided policies, we are hopeful that there is bipartisan understanding of Medicaid’s importance for millions across the country, that the Medicaid program should be enhanced rather than cut, and that Republican policies should not be paid for at the expense of working-class Americans losing their health care.  
    Medicaid is a lifeline for communities across the country. Nearly 80 million Americans get their health insurance through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provide services Americans rely on to remain healthy, go to school, and thrive at work. Medicaid pays for nearly half of all births in the U.S., provides health insurance coverage to nearly half of all of America’s children, provides care to 3 in 5 nursing home residents, and provides peace of mind to 17 million women of reproductive age. Medicaid is also a lifeline for rural communities, with children and non-elderly adults in rural areas more likely to be covered by Medicaid compared to those in urban areas.
    Republicans are proposing cuts to the Medicaid program from hundreds of billions to multiple trillions of dollars. [1] Cuts to Medicaid through drastically changing the program’s financing structure or imposing additional barriers to coverage are dangerous to the millions of people who rely on the program. These proposals will also force states to make difficult decisions that will result in millions getting kicked off their coverage and providers struggling to keep their practices open. States simply cannot absorb these massive funding cuts without hurting children, seniors, people with disabilities, tribal populations, patients with chronic illnesses, and many other Americans who rely on Medicaid.
    Speaking about Medicaid last week, President Trump said, “We’re not going to do anything with that, unless we can find some abuse or waste.  The people won’t be affected. It will only be more effective and better.”[2]
    Given that levels of abuse and waste within Medicaid are not commensurate to cutting billions from the program, President Trump and Congressional Leadership should uphold this commitment to enhance, rather than gut, Medicaid. The American people should be assured that Medicaid will be protected. We urge you to reject proposals that use Medicaid as a piggy bank for partisan priorities and continue to defend the importance of this vital program. 
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group President Calviño in Kyiv on first official visit outside EU to announce new major projects for critical energy infrastructure, basic services for citizens and investment in SMEs across Ukraine

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The EIB President is leading the EIB delegation to Ukraine on her first visit outside the EU since taking up office last year.
    • Calviño stressed the EIB Group’s long-term commitment to Ukraine in talks with the government and business leaders in Kyiv.
    • The projects announced under EU’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility include €420 million in investment for the public sector to restore and protect energy supplies, and for water, heating, housing and other critical infrastructure.
    • The support also includes new loan and guarantees for SMEs, unlocking almost €500 million of new finance.
    • The EU 112 emergency call system will be rolled out in Ukraine with EIB backing.
    • A €16.5 million grant provided by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to an EIB International Climate Initiative Trust Fund has been signed for renewable energy in Ukraine.
    • There are plans for close cooperation to advance social housing in the country.

    On her first official visit outside the European Union since taking up office a year ago, European Investment Bank (EIB) Group President Nadia Calviño is visiting Kyiv today to meet top Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The objective of the visit is to agree on new financing operations for Ukraine and stress Europe’s long-term commitment to the country. President Calviño is leading the delegation that also features EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska and EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová.

    The package – part of the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility – includes €420 million for new public-sector projects to restore and protect energy supplies, heating systems and other critical infrastructure that has been damaged since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The EIB and the European Commission are set to finalise the approval of a €2 billion EIB contribution under the Facility.

    The latest round of European funding announced today will also benefit Ukraine’s private sector, with the aim of bolstering thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the country’s economy. It combines a €100 million loan and guarantees aimed at unlocking around €400 million in lending to SMEs through key Ukrainian banks – including Ukreximbank, ProCredit Bank and Ukrgasbank – with which the EIB has signed agreements today.

    Another element of the package is the planned rollout of the European Union’s common 112 emergency number and call system across Ukraine to enhance public safety. President Calviño visited an operating centre in Kyiv that will run the new system to mark the signing of a €40 million EIB loan for the initiative, which is complemented by a €12 million EU grant and funding from Member States under the EU for Ukraine Fund.

    “This is my first official visit outside the European Union since  taking up office as President of the EIB Group last year. Support for Ukraine is a top priority and that is why I am so pleased to be here to announce new major projects for SMEs, energy, water and other essential services that will help people to continue with their daily lives and support the country’s economic resilience, while also laying the foundation for a stronger Ukraine on its path to EU membership,” said EIB Group President Nadia Calviño.”

    “The financing package that we have announced reflects our ongoing and unwavering commitment, since the very first day of this war, to help Ukraine recover, rebuild, and thrive despite the immense challenges it faces. This is a joint effort of Team Europe made possible through close collaboration with the European Commission and EU Member States,” added EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees the Bank’s operations in Ukraine.

    “This support package, developed with the EIB, further demonstrates the European Union’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. With the Ukraine Facility, we are restoring vital infrastructure and helping businesses grow – crucial projects as Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression. Together, we will continue to support Ukraine, working on key areas, such as energy, housing, and public safety to build a stronger and more sustainable future,” said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová.

    Today, four projects worth €420 million were announced under the EU’s Ukraine Facility. They will help to restore critical infrastructure and services and ensure a stable energy supply. The projects include the €100 million “Ukraine Recovery III”, €100 million “Ukraine Water Recovery”, and the €100 million “Ukraine District Heating”, which will be channelled through Ukreximbank. These initiatives aim to ensure that millions of Ukrainians in more than 100 communities across the country have access to heating, water, hospitals, schools and housing for internally displaced people. The €120 million “Support of Ukrhydroenergo Stability and Recovery” loan to the largest hydropower generating company in Ukraine will help to restore hydropower plants and thus reinforce the Ukrainian energy system.

    Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine — Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba said: “We deeply value the strong cooperation with the European Investment Bank, in particular under the recovery programmes, which are playing, since 2014 a key role in supporting more than 100 communities across the country. We are grateful for the support to the communities that are de-occupied or close to the front line. The provision of social, medical, logistical, educational and other infrastructure is essential to ensuring our communities remains strong and resilient. Today we sign €100 million of the multi-sector Ukraine Recovery III loan for the restoration and modernization of critical infrastructure, such as heating, hospitals and housing for IDPs and we sign €100 million of Ukraine Water Recovery dedicated to water and wastewater. Our collaboration on social housing is another key component, reflecting our shared commitment to providing essential infrastructure and stability for those in need. The grant for renewable energy, which we also signed today, will play a vital role in ensuring that critical buildings, like hospitals, can continue serving the population amidst power cuts. Together, these initiatives not only accelerate our recovery but also help us build a more resilient and sustainable future for our country.”

    The financing provided for the 112 call system in Ukraine will expand data centres across the country and upgrade their technological capacity, ensuring that critical services are reliable and efficient.

    “Implementing and developing the 112 emergency call system has become a crucial component in enhancing public safety in Ukraine and in aligning our infrastructure to European standards. Thanks to the EIB loan and support from European partners, we will be able to improve cooperation between emergency services, particularly through the automatic detection of the caller’s geolocation. We will strengthen our ability to assist individuals with hearing and speech impairments, as well as foreign citizens. This project is about enhancing the safety of our citizens and providing timely assistance to those in need,” said Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko.

    The EIB is also signing a €16.5 million grant from the German government with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine to promote renewable energy. The grant comes through the EIB’s International Climate Initiative Fund and is part of the Ukraine Energy Rescue Plan announced by the EIB in October 2024.

    The grant will help integrate renewable energy systems into public buildings undergoing renovation works under EIB municipal loans. This will upgrade social infrastructure and make energy more reliable, cleaner and less costly. The grant will also help to decentralise energy generation, ensuring that critical public buildings in towns and villages are less reliant on electricity supplies from large power stations, making them less vulnerable to blackouts in the event of an airstrike.

    Berthold Goeke, Director-General for Climate Action, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) said: “Through the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) is helping smaller Ukrainian communities — those most affected by the war and in urgent need — to implement climate-friendly technologies. This support enables Ukraine to reduce energy costs and modernize outdated infrastructure in public buildings, laying the foundation for a stable and renewable energy future. In this way, the German government is addressing two critical challenges in Ukraine’s energy system. First, we are supporting the development of a decentralized and resilient energy supply, particularly for essential public infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. Given the ongoing Russian aggression and the destruction of central energy infrastructure, this is vital for ensuring stability and security. Second, our initiative contributes to Ukraine’s long-term energy transition by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, paving the way for a climate-neutral energy system.”

    Social housing is one of the most pressing issues in Ukraine, with 10% of the country’s housing stock damaged as a result of the war. The EIB is supporting the government in drafting a new housing code and exploring the possibility of financing the construction of homes that are publicly owned.

    Background information

    EIB in Ukraine 

    The EIB Group has been supporting Ukraine’s resilience, economy and efforts to rebuild since the very first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion. In 2024, we supported projects aimed at securing Ukraine’s energy supply, repairing critical infrastructure that has been damaged, and ensuring that essential services continue to be delivered across the country. This brings the total amount of aid we have disbursed since the start of the war to over €2.2 billion. This funding has played a crucial role in ensuring that vital services continue to be delivered to people in Ukraine. For example, this year we inaugurated the water supply facility in Bucha that was rebuilt, and which provides clean water to 9 000 residents. We also opened five new schools in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Ternopil Oblasts, helped build a department for children’s infectious diseases at a hospital in Zhytomyr Oblast, and significantly improved sanitation through the upgraded sewerage collector in Vinnytsia Oblast. Furthermore, our investments have helped modernise street lighting in Dnipro, benefitted the reclamation of the Hrybovychi landfill in Lviv, and helped to upgrade water infrastructure in Mykolaiv. We have also strengthened Ukraine’s transport networks to ensure resilient and sustainable mobility for businesses and residents. With our support, cities such as Lviv, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa, and Sumy have purchased new buses, trolleybuses, and trams. In addition, we have funded the reconstruction of the M01 Kyiv-Chernihiv-Novi Yarylovychi section of road that had been damaged in the war. To enhance Ukraine’s energy resilience, we have launched the Energy Rescue Plan, securing €600 million in EU-backed financing, including €86 million to build anti-drone shelters to protect critical electricity transmission infrastructure. These measures are crucial to maintaining stable power supply across the country amid ongoing challenges. In 2024, we signed over €250 million in new investment for projects to further enhance social infrastructure and support businesses that are the backbone of Ukraine’s economy.

    The EU for Ukraine Fund (EU4U) was established in 2023 as part of a larger EU for Ukraine initiative. The fund aims to accelerate EIB Global’s support for Ukraine’s most urgent infrastructure needs and help sustain its economy. The Fund supports both public and private sector projects to rebuild critical municipal infrastructure and improve access to finance for entrepreneurs.

    The International Climate Initiative (IKI) Fund was established in 2019 in partnership with the government of Germany, with the aim of catalysing investment for ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in developing and emerging countries. The IKI Fund seeks to do this by providing investment grants, financial instruments and technical assistance to public and private sector beneficiaries, as well as advisory services to central banks and financial institutions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why so many Latino voters supported Donald Trump

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Julia Young, Associate Professor, History, Catholic University of America

    For many observers of the 2024 US presidential election, Donald Trump’s ability to harness so much of the Latino vote remains one of the more puzzling issues. Latino voters – men in particular – swung decisively towards Trump last November: increasing by 16 points from 2016 to 42% of the bloc in 2024.

    This despite Trump’s consistent history of antagonistic remarks about Latino immigrants. It also appears to fly in the face of the fact that his policies on tariffs, border militarisation and mass deportations will likely affect Mexico, Panama and several other Latin American countries.

    Clearly, Latinos swung towards Trump for the same reason many other voters did. Many were unhappy with the economy (particularly inflation). There was also widespread anxiety about a marked increase in immigration at the southern border.

    But there are more profound reasons driving the dramatic shift in the Latino vote. A closer look at some of the historical dynamics that have shaped the Latino electorate gives a clue for the reason behind this seeming paradox.

    The Latino vote comprises about 14.7% of all eligible US voters. Yet it is far from a monolith. It is a heterogeneous group of people who trace their roots to Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the rest of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    Each of these countries has a different political landscape. They are made up of vastly different people with a different background and distinct cultures. And these differences shape disparate Latino identities in the United States. The term “Latino” itself is a blanket term. It can include extremely different populations: Afro-Dominicans in the Bronx, white Cubans in Miami, indigenous Mexicans in Los Angeles, mestizo Salvadorans in Washington DC and a vast array of others.

    Even within these national groups, there are also significant divisions. Partly, this is based on a person’s time of arrival in the US. Mexican-Americans whose families immigrated to California from border cities like Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez in the early 1940s as seasonal (and legal) agricultural workers will have different experiences and priorities than Mexicans who arrived more recently from the southern states of Chiapas and Oaxaca and settled in New York City without any legal pathway to citizenship. Meanwhile, Nicaraguan-American families who arrived in Miami in the 1980s fleeing the Sandinista revolution will have a different economic outlook from those escaping Daniel Ortega’s current dictatorship.

    There’s no such thing as a generic “Latino” voter. The Latino population in the US needs to be understood as a heterogeneous one, made up of people with different experiences, priorities and preferences.

    Latino conservatism

    For many decades, Latinos were reliable Democratic voters – and many pundits predicted that they would stay that way, tipping the political scales decisively away from the Republican Party. But there has always been a strong strain of Latino conservatives voting Republican.

    Religion plays a key role here. The majority of people of Latino heritage are Catholic. But there is a growing population of Evangelicals and other Christian denominations, reflecting a growth of those groups in some Latin American countries.

    In El Salvador, for example, the rise of Evangelical religions has produced an increasingly culturally conservative population, who support the “mano dura” (strong hand) policies of Nayib Bukele. A similar trend can be found among Latino communities in the US, where Latino Evangelicals strongly supported Trump in 2024.

    The political history of many Latin American countries is a clue to the make-up for migrants to the US. Mexico’s Cristero War in the 1920s prompted thousands of Catholics to flee the country’s anti-clerical government by migrating northwards. Three decades later, the Cuban revolution of 1959 produced large refugee flows of conservative and anticommunist migrants. These exiled groups – most notably, Cubans in South Florida – would ally with Republicans based on their punitive policies towards Cuba. This has helped turn Florida into a Republican stronghold.

    More recently, 7 million Venezuelans fled the left-wing government of Nicolás Maduro. This has led to a more general antipathy among many Latino voters towards left-wing politics and politicians. Trump’s condemnation of Maduro and Venezuela has endeared him to politically conservative Latino voters of all national backgrounds.

    Race, class, and immigration

    Interestingly, it was also clear that some Latino voters are suspicious and resentful of newer waves of migrants, particularly recent asylum-seekers from Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba.

    This dynamic between earlier arrivals and new immigrants is nothing new in the US. Earlier waves of immigrants and their descendants, such as Irish or Italian immigrants, also adopted nativist attitudes towards newer arrivals. In some ways, each generation of immigrants has tried to “pull up the bridge” to the generation that comes after them.

    Yet these negative reactions also relate to racial and class hierarchies both within and between Latin American countries. Like the US, Latin American countries have a long history of racism and colour discrimination, as well as deep class divides and very high rates of income inequality.

    New immigrants who have arrived in recent years from places such as Venezuela, Honduras, Cuba and Nicaragua are poorer than earlier generations of immigrants – and often have darker skin. As a result, cultural divides may impede a strong sense of solidarity between earlier generations of Latino immigrants and recent arrivals.

    This is not to suggest that racism and classism are the dominant drivers behind Latino support for Trump. But it may help explain why Trump’s campaign comments about recent Latino immigrants were not a dealbreaker for every Latino voter.

    Ultimately, the Latino Trump supporter may not represent such a paradox after all. The so-called “Latino voter” is really a multiethnic, diverse bloc of people. While they share common linguistic and cultural features, Latinos are also motivated by a wide variety of religious, political and cultural factors that can be traced back to their own or their families’ experiences in Latin America.

    The Latino vote is complex. Politicians who want to win their support would do well to understand how these complicated identities inform their political decisions and allegiances. It appears at the moment the Republicans are doing this better than their Democratic rivals.

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

    – ref. Why so many Latino voters supported Donald Trump – https://theconversation.com/why-so-many-latino-voters-supported-donald-trump-248806

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $17.9 million for flood mitigation, generators and Hurricanes Ida, Laura aid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $17,860,797 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for flood mitigation projects and emergency power generator installations in Louisiana.

    “Our communities depend on projects to help them prepare for storms and recover from disasters. This $17.9 million will help Louisianians with flood mitigation, emergency generators and permanent repairs after Hurricanes Ida and Laura,” said Kennedy 

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $7,239,362 to Lake Charles for permanent repairs to the Purple Heart Recreation Center and Gymnasium due to Hurricane Laura. 
    • $3,632,990 to St. John the Baptist Parish for the elevation of 21 residential structures.
    • $1,908,921 to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the instillation of two permanent generators in Monroe, La.
    • $1,906,342 to St. John the Baptist Parish for management costs as a result of Hurricane Ida. 
    • $1,492,935 to Livingston Parish for the replacement of the Lod Stafford Road Bridge as a result of Hurricane Ida.
    • $1,421,300 to Winn Parish for the installation of 15 emergency power generator systems.
    • $201,832 to St. John the Baptist Parish for management costs associated with the elevation of 21 residential structures.
    • $57,115 to Winn Parish for management costs associated with the installation of the 15 emergency power generator systems.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Co-Sponsors Bill to Keep Ski Fees Local

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    February 10, 2025

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would let  National Forests retain a portion of annual fees paid by ski areas operating on U.S. Forest Service lands in Oregon and nationwide.

    Ski areas operating on Forest Service lands pay fees to the Forest Service averaging more than  $40 million annually in exchange for their ability to have access to some of America’s most stunning public lands. 

    The Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act (SHRED) Act would establish a framework for local National Forests to retain a portion of ski fees to offset the impacts of increased recreational use, giving them the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed the most.

    “Oregon is rich in natural splendor and outdoor recreation opportunities,” Wyden said. “It’s important to nurture this wealth of public lands by ensuring recreational funds that are paid locally stay local. This will help us better address Oregon’s specific needs around wildfire mitigation, visitation impacts and housing shortages. Oregonians know what Oregon needs better than anyone and I’m gratified this bill will help ski resorts throughout the state create a richer, more sustainable recreation future for years to come.”     

    The SHRED Act would do the following:

    • Keep Ski Fees Local: By establishing a Ski Area Fee Retention Account to retain the fees that ski areas pay to the Forest Service. 

    • Support Winter Recreation: In each forest, 75 percent of the retained funds are directly available to support the Forest Service Ski Area Program and permitting needs, process proposals for ski area improvement projects, provide information for visitors and prepare for wildfire. 

    • Address Broad Recreation Needs: In each forest, 25 percent of the retained funds are available to support a broad set of year-round local recreation management and community needs, including special use permit administration, visitor services, trailhead improvements, facility maintenance, search and rescue activities, avalanche information and education, habitat restoration at recreation sites and affordable workforce housing. This set-aside would dramatically increase some Forest Service unit’s budgets to meet the growing visitation and demand for outdoor recreation.

    The legislation was led by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and John Barrasso, R-Wyo. Along with Wyden, co-sponsors of this legislation include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Tim Sheehy, R-Mont. This legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Blake Moore, R-Utah, and Joe Neguse, D-Colo..

    Full text of the legislation is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: Court Orders Trump Administration to Immediately Restore All Frozen Federal Funding

    Source: US State of California

    Monday, February 10, 2025

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

    State attorneys general continue to secure favorable decisions reining in Presidential overreach 

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement in response to a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island to enforce the court’s prior order preventing the Trump Administration from implementing its freeze of up to $3 trillion in federal funding. The decision follows a motion to enforce filed by state attorneys general on Friday in light of evidence that the Trump Administration was continuing to block the disbursement of important state funding, including funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, and for the National Institutes of Health. 

    “The Trump Administration continued to improperly freeze vital federal funding more than a week after a court ordered it not to, jeopardizing California’s efforts to strengthen domestic energy security and the construction of critical infrastructure projects,” said Attorney General Bonta. “No Administration is above the law. In every case we’ve filed to date, state attorneys general have successfully restrained the President’s abuse of executive power – and we will continue to hold him accountable; our democratic institutions depend on it. The court’s decision today is unequivocal: The Trump Administration must fully comply with the court’s order and immediately restore all federal funding while our litigation continues.”

    Attorney General Bonta is leading a coalition of 23 attorney general, along with the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Illinois, in bringing this litigation.

    A copy of the court’s decision in available here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury convicts 2 defendants who were charged with 23 other Ohioans in narcotics distribution ring

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    One defendant also convicted of sex-trafficking victims through use of drug withdrawals, violence

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted two local men for their roles in a narcotics distribution ring involving bulk amounts of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine & other narcotics. As part of this case, the government has seized more than $1.7 million, 50 firearms, and nine vehicles, including a motorcycle. One of the defendants convicted at trial also sex-trafficked at least three adult victims.

    The jury found David Price, 56, of Columbus, guilty on all counts, and Tavaryyuan Johnson, 25, of Columbus, guilty on drug trafficking counts.

    The verdict was announced on Feb. 5 following a trial that began on January 13, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

    A multi-agency law enforcement task force initially announced the case in July 2022 after a federal grand jury initially indicted 11 defendants for distributing bulk amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in central Ohio within 1,000 feet of a Columbus elementary school.

    A superseding indictment returned in October 2022 charged additional co-conspirators with distributing those same drugs in addition to methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax and Oxycodone.

    Price, who is also known as “DP,” was charged in a third superseding indictment in December 2024 with 11 drug, firearm and sex trafficking crimes. He faces a minimum of 25 years and up to life in prison.

    Johnson is also known as “Gucci” and “TJ,” and was also charged in a third superseding indictment in December 2024. He was convicted of four drug offenses, including using a family residence in Columbus as his stash house for bulk amounts of narcotics. Johnson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

    According to court documents and trial testimony, the two men were part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 280 grams or more of “crack” cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, as well as marijuana, oxycodone and alprazolam. The drug trafficking organization operated from January 2008 until it was dismantled by law enforcement in 2022.

    Drug offenses took place at residences on Burgess and Harris avenues, which are within 1,000 feet of Burroughs Elementary School.

    In July 2021, Price distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine that resulted in the overdose death of an adult female.  The testimony at trial indicated he purposefully killed her to get rid of her as she was talking to the police about his drug business.

    The government also proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that Price conspired to commit sex trafficking. From 2016 until 2022, Price and other members of the conspiracy would force and/or coerce adult female drug addicts into performing commercial sex acts by providing, withholding, or threatening to withhold controlled substances and lodging. Law enforcement’s investigation showed that various women engaged in a “rinse and repeat” cycle where they would be allowed to stay at a drug residence associated with Price, receive a front of drugs so they were not in active drug withdrawal, go to Sullivant Avenue, have sex for money, pay the debt from the front drugs, and then be allowed to remain at the house.

    Price was also found guilty of three counts of sex trafficking related to his violence and coercion towards three adult females.  The testimony at trial indicated that he would lock the females inside his residence for days or weeks at a time and refuse to let them leave, forcing them to engage in sex acts.  One victim was locked in a dog cage, shot and stabbed by Price. Another was restrained.  A third was beaten and choked and left with a black eye. Price would refuse to provide them drugs unless or until they engaged in the sex acts, forcing them into withdrawal if they did not comply.

    U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker commended the investigation coordinated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission task force, which includes Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Andrew Lawton, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other agencies that have assisted the task force with the investigation include the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, HIDTA Task Force, IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Pickerington Police Department, New Albany Police Department, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Prichard and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Earth is already shooting through the 1.5°C global warming limit, two major studies show

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne

    Earth is crossing the threshold of 1.5°C of global warming, according to two major global studies which together suggest the planet’s climate has likely entered a frightening new phase.

    Under the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, humanity is seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep planetary heating to no more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial average. In 2024, temperatures on Earth surpassed that limit.

    This was not enough to declare the Paris threshold had been crossed, because the temperature goals under the agreement are measured over several decades, rather than short excursions over the 1.5°C mark.

    But the two papers just released use a different measure. Both examined historical climate data to determine whether very hot years in the recent past were a sign that a future, long-term warming threshold would be breached.

    The answer, alarmingly, was yes. The researchers say the record-hot 2024 indicates Earth is passing the 1.5°C limit, beyond which scientists predict catastrophic harm to the natural systems that support life on Earth.

    2024: the first year of many above 1.5°C

    Climate organisations around the world agree last year was the hottest on record. The global average temperature in 2024 was about 1.6°C above the average temperatures in the late-19th century, before humans started burning fossil fuels at large scale.

    Earth has also recently experienced individual days and months above the 1.5°C warming mark.

    But the global temperature varies from one year to the next. For example, the 2024 temperature spike, while in large part due to climate change, was also driven by a natural El Niño pattern early in the year. That pattern has dissipated for now, and 2025 is forecast to be a little cooler.

    These year-to-year fluctuations mean climate scientists don’t view a single year exceeding the 1.5°C mark as a failure to meet the Paris Agreement.

    However, the new studies published today in Nature Climate Change suggest even a single month or year at 1.5°C global warming may signify Earth is entering a long-term breach of that vital threshold.

    What the studies found

    The studies were conducted independently by researchers in Europe and Canada. They tackled the same basic question: is a year above 1.5°C global warming a warning sign that we’re already crossing the Paris Agreement threshold?

    Both studies used observations and climate model simulations to address this question, with slightly different approaches.

    In the European paper, the researchers looked at historical warming trends. They found when Earth’s average temperature reached a certain threshold, the following 20-year period also reached that threshold.

    This pattern suggests that, given Earth reached 1.5°C warming last year, we may have entered a 20-year warming period when average temperatures will also reach 1.5°C.

    The Canadian paper involved month-to-month data. June last year was the 12th consecutive month of temperatures above the 1.5°C warming level. The researcher found 12 consecutive months above a climate threshold indicates the threshold will be reached over the long term.

    Both studies also demonstrate that even if stringent emissions reduction begins now, Earth is still likely to be crossing the 1.5°C threshold.

    Heading in the wrong direction

    Given these findings, what humanity does next is crucial.

    For decades, climate scientists have warned burning fossil fuels for energy releases carbon dioxide and other gases that are warming the planet.

    But humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase. Since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its first report in 1990, the world’s annual carbon dioxide emissions have risen about 50%.

    Put simply, we are not even moving in the right direction, let alone at the required pace.

    The science shows greenhouse gas emissions must reach net-zero to end global warming. Even then, some aspects of the climate will continue to change for many centuries, because some regional warming, especially in the oceans, is already locked in and irreversible.

    If Earth has indeed already crossed the 1.5°C mark, and humanity wants to get below the threshold again, we will need to cool the planet by reaching “net-negative emissions” – removing more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than we emit. This would be a highly challenging task.

    Feeling the heat

    The damaging effects of climate change are already being felt across the globe. The harm will be even worse for future generations.

    Australia has already experienced 1.5°C of warming, on average, since 1910.

    Our unique ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, are already suffering because of this warming. Our oceans are hotter and seas are rising, hammering our coastlines and threatening marine life.

    Bushfires and extreme weather, especially heatwaves, are becoming more frequent and severe. This puts pressure on nature, society and our economy.

    But amid the gloom, there are signs of progress.

    Across the world, renewable electricity generation is growing. Fossil fuel use has dropped in many countries. Technological developments are slowing emissions growth in polluting industries such as aviation and construction.

    But clearly, there is much more work to be done.

    Humanity can turn the tide

    These studies are a sobering reminder of how far short humanity is falling in tackling climate change.

    They show we must urgently adapt to further global warming. Among the suite of changes needed, richer nations must support the poorer countries set to bear the most severe climate harms. While some progress has been made in this regard, far more is needed.

    A major shift is also needed to decarbonise our societies and economies. There is still room for hope, but we must not delay action. Otherwise, humanity will keep warming the planet and causing further damage.

    Andrew King receives funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather and the National Environmental Science Program.

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

    – ref. Earth is already shooting through the 1.5°C global warming limit, two major studies show – https://theconversation.com/earth-is-already-shooting-through-the-1-5-c-global-warming-limit-two-major-studies-show-249133

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Nature and shops: here’s what people told us they want most from urban planning

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Iain White, Professor of Environmental Planning, University of Waikato

    Getty Images

    Urban planning has a long history of promoting visionary ideas that advocate for particular futures. The most recent is the concept of the 15-minute city, which has gained traction globally.

    But empirical evidence on public preference for what people want is surprisingly thin on the ground.

    To help address this gap, we conducted a national survey (1,491 responses) in Aotearoa New Zealand to find out what amenities people want to have easy access to, how much time they prefer to spend getting there, and how this differs between different groups in the population.

    Our recently published research provides more depth. The headline messages have significant implications for politicians, policy-makers and others interested in planning cities to better meet the needs of citizens.

    People want green space and local shops

    The first message is that visions such as 15-minute cities tend to promote the idea of livability connected to easy access to multiple amenities – from education to employment and culture.

    However, when we asked what amenities people prefer the most, two things came out far above others: local nature and local shops.

    This finding is important as it allows cash-strapped local authorities to prioritise and sequence spending. It also supports the agenda of those who are advocating for an increase in urban green space or local living.

    A complete shift to a 15-minute city can be daunting, but investment in these two specific areas could be an excellent first step in improving livability in a way that reflects what citizens want from planning.

    We also asked people for their preferred maximum travel time to their most preferred amenity for a one-way trip, using different modes. Nationally, the data were consistent, identifying around 20 minutes as a good rule of thumb for maximum preferred travel time.

    Importantly, this time was broadly similar regardless of the transport mode chosen. Whether walking, cycling or travelling by micro-mobility modes such as e-scooters, people wanted to spend no more than 20  minutes doing so – even though the distances vary.

    It is important to acknowledge this time is a maximum, not a preference. It is better understood as a threshold or decision point after which people are much more likely to drive or choose not to travel.

    This evidence has a wider resonance.

    First, it strongly reinforces the 15-minute city or 20-minute neighbourhood as accurately reflecting public preferences for travel time to reach destinations, especially as this figure was consistent regardless of the travel mode.

    Second, people are willing to walk further than we typically plan for.

    For example, planners may typically apply a walkable catchment of an 800-metre radius around the central business district or transit nodes to allow for higher-density zoning. This distance is a walk of about ten minutes. Our data suggest this area could be expanded and more opportunities created to increase housing volume and diversity.

    One size does not fit all

    One crucial aspect for improving livability is recognising differences in people’s ability or willingness to walk, cycle or use micro mobility. To explore this, our survey asked people how comfortable they were using each active travel mode after dark.

    We reveal a strong gender difference. For example, 41% of people said they were uncomfortable walking after dark. Of this group, 86% were female.

    For all travel modes, there was a similar story with females more likely to change travel behaviour, mostly due to safety concerns. The survey also revealed that people with a disability are significantly less comfortable travelling after dark than those without.

    This finding is useful for those concerned with equity. Citizen movement is typically modelled on the idea of an able-bodied person who feels equally comfortable in all urban spaces at all times of day or night.

    Without considering difference across populations, advocates may promote an equitable 15-minute city during the day and an inequitable car-dependent one after dark.

    This also highlights that any new urban strategy or investment needs to understand existing behaviour and the risks of making current disadvantages worse.

    Agendas such as 15-minute cities hold significant value in planning for wellbeing and health, economic activity or decarbonisation. They also hold potential for planners to engage with communities to explain the value of planning, the kind of lifestyle citizens can expect in the future, and why authorities are spending public money.

    But urban researchers also need urban concepts to be grounded in evidence to avoid becoming the next urban imaginary accused of failing to be transformative.

    Our research helps provide some clarity. The general message is that people want easy access to green spaces and local shops more than anything else and they want to spend no more than 20 minutes getting there.

    It also highlights context and differences between groups. We need to marry promising urban concepts to empirical research designed to support people’s preferences and encourage movement and equity.

    Iain White receives funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund and from the Natural Hazards Commission. He is New Zealand’s national contact point for the Horizon Europe program for the climate, energy and mobility research cluster.

    Silvia Serrao-Neumann receives funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund and from the Natural Hazards Commission.

    Xinyu Fu receives funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund and from the Natural Hazards Commission.

    – ref. Nature and shops: here’s what people told us they want most from urban planning – https://theconversation.com/nature-and-shops-heres-what-people-told-us-they-want-most-from-urban-planning-247994

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney

    For a long time, it seemed refugee law had little relevance to people fleeing the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    Nearly 30 years ago, the High Court of Australia, for instance, remarked that people fleeing a “natural disaster” or “natural catastrophes” could not be refugees.

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Canada had said “victims of natural disasters” couldn’t be refugees “even when the home state is unable to provide assistance”.

    It was back in 2007 that I first started considering whether international refugee law could apply to people escaping the impacts of drought, floods or sea-level rise. At the time, I also thought refugee law had limited application. For a start, most people seeking to escape natural hazards move within their own country and don’t cross an international border. That fact alone makes refugee law inapplicable.

    Refugee law defines a refugee as someone with a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.

    So one challenge was in classifying supposedly “natural” events as “persecution”, which requires an identifiable human actor.

    It was also widely thought such events were indiscriminate and couldn’t target people on account of their race, religion or one of the other five grounds. This is partly why some advocates called for an overhaul of the Refugee Convention to protect so-called “climate refugees”.

    However, we have learned a lot in the intervening years.

    A new approach

    It’s become clear the impacts of climate change and disasters interact with other social, economic and political drivers of displacement to create risks for people.

    This is what some legal experts have called the “hazard-scape”.

    And the impacts of climate change and disasters are not indiscriminate – they affect people in different ways. Factors such as age, gender, disability and health can intersect to create particular risk of persecution for particular individuals or communities.

    For example, a person who is a member of a minority may find their government is withholding disaster relief from them. Or, climate or disaster impacts may end up exacerbating inter-communal conflicts, putting certain people at heightened risk of persecution.

    Now, we have a much more nuanced understanding of things. Refugee law (and complementary protection under human rights law) do have a role to play in assessing the claims of people affected by climate change.

    No such thing as a ‘climate refugee’ under the law

    There isn’t a legal category of “climate refugee” – a popular label that has caused confusion. However, there are certainly people facing heightened risks because of the impacts of climate change or disasters. These impacts can generate or exacerbate a risk of persecution or other serious harm.

    This means that when it comes to the law, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

    Instead, by applying existing legal principles and approaches, it’s clear some people impacted by climate change already qualify for refugee status or complementary protection (under human rights law).

    One instructive case, heard in New Zealand, involved a deaf and mute man from Tuvalu who was seeking to avoid deportation on humanitarian grounds. He was found to be at heightened risk if a disaster struck because he could not hear evacuation or other warnings. He also didn’t have anyone who could sign for him or ensure his safety.

    In another case, an older couple from Eritrea were found to be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of “their elderly status and lack of family support”, in circumstances where they would be exposed to “conditions of abject poverty, underdevelopment and likely displacement”. This, in addition to other conditions in Eritrea, meant that there was “a real chance they would suffer cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by way of starvation and destitution”. They were granted complementary protection.

    A practical way forward

    New Zealand has led the way on showing how existing international refugee and human rights law can provide protection in the context of climate change and disasters. It’s time for the rest of the world to catch up.

    With colleagues from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, I’ve helped create a practical toolkit on international protection for people displaced across borders in the context of climate change and disasters.

    This is a detailed resource for legal practitioners and decision-makers tasked with assessing international protection claims involving the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    It shows when, why and how existing law can apply to claims where climate change or disasters play a role.

    Inaccurate but popular labels aren’t helpful

    Inaccurate but popular labels – such as “climate refugee” – have caused confusion and arguably hampered a consistent, principled approach.

    Some judges and decision-makers assessing refugee claims may be spooked by “climate change”. They may think they need specialist scientific expertise to grapple with it.

    The new toolkit shows why international protection claims arising in the context of climate change and disasters should be assessed in the same way as all other international protection claims. That is, by applying conventional legal principles and considering the facts of each case.

    The toolkit stresses that it’s important to assess the impacts of climate change and disasters within a broader social context.

    That includes examining underlying systemic issues of discrimination or inequity that may impact on how particular people experience harm.

    The toolkit also shows why a cumulative assessment of risk is necessary, especially since risks may emerge over time, rather than as the result of a single, extreme event.

    And it emphasises the need to look at the “hazard-scape” as a whole in assessing the future risk of harm to a person.

    We hope the toolkit helps to debunk some common misunderstandings and charts a clear way forward. Our ultimate ambition is that people seeking international protection in the context of climate change and disasters will have their claims assessed in a consistent, fair and principled way.

    Jane McAdam receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a member of the expert sub-committee of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration. She thanks the Open Society Foundations (OSF) for its generous support of this project and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its endorsement.

    – ref. Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims? – https://theconversation.com/climate-impacts-are-forcing-people-from-their-homes-when-how-and-why-do-they-have-valid-refugee-claims-248865

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Google has dropped its promise not to use AI for weapons. It’s part of a troubling trend

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zena Assaad, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Australian National University

    Ziv Lavi/Shutterstock

    Last week, Google quietly abandoned a long-standing commitment to not use artificial intelligence (AI) technology in weapons or surveillance. In an update to its AI principles, which were first published in 2018, the tech giant removed statements promising not to pursue:

    • technologies that cause or are likely to cause overall harm
    • weapons or other technologies whose principal purpose or implementation is to cause or directly facilitate injury to people
    • technologies that gather or use information for surveillance violating internationally accepted norms
    • technologies whose purpose contravenes widely accepted principles of international law and human rights.

    The update came after United States President Donald Trump revoked former President Joe Biden’s executive order aimed at promoting safe, secure and trustworthy development and use of AI.

    The Google decision follows a recent trend of big tech entering the national security arena and accommodating more military applications of AI. So why is this happening now? And what will be the impact of more military use of AI?

    The growing trend of militarised AI

    In September, senior officials from the Biden government met with bosses of leading AI companies, such as OpenAI, to discuss AI development. The government then announced a taskforce to coordinate the development of data centres, while weighing economic, national security and environmental goals.

    The following month, the Biden government published a memo that in part dealt with “harnessing AI to fulfil national security objectives”.

    Big tech companies quickly heeded the message.

    In November 2024, tech giant Meta announced it would make its “Llama” AI models available to government agencies and private companies involved in defence and national security.

    This was despite Meta’s own policy which prohibits the use of Llama for “[m]ilitary, warfare, nuclear industries or applications”.

    Around the same time, AI company Anthropic also announced it was teaming up with data analytics firm Palantir and Amazon Web Services to provide US intelligence and defence agencies access to its AI models.

    The following month, OpenAI announced it had partnered with defence startup Anduril Industries to develop AI for the US Department of Defence.

    The companies claim they will combine OpenAI’s GPT-4o and o1 models with Anduril’s systems and software to improve US military’s defences against drone attacks.

    Defending national security

    The three companies defended the changes to their policies on the basis of US national security interests.

    Take Google. In a blog post published earlier this month, the company cited global AI competition, complex geopolitical landscapes and national security interests as reasons for changing its AI principles.

    In October 2022, the US issued export controls restricting China’s access to particular kinds of high-end computer chips used for AI research. In response, China issued their own export control measures on high-tech metals, which are crucial for the AI chip industry.

    The tensions from this trade war escalated in recent weeks thanks to the release of highly efficient AI models by Chinese tech company DeepSeek. DeepSeek purchased 10,000 Nvidia A100 chips prior to the US export control measures and allegedly used these to develop their AI models.

    It has not been made clear how the militarisation of commercial AI would protect US national interests. But there are clear indications tensions with the US’s biggest geopolitical rival, China, are influencing the decisions being made.

    A large toll on human life

    What is already clear is that the use of AI in military contexts has a demonstrated toll on human life.

    For example, in the war in Gaza, the Israeli military has been relying heavily on advanced AI tools. These tools require huge volumes of data and greater computing and storage services, which is being provided by Microsoft and Google. These AI tools are used to identify potential targets but are often inaccurate.

    Israeli soldiers have said these inaccuracies have accelerated the death toll in the war, which is now more than 61,000, according to authorities in Gaza.

    Google removing the “harm” clause from their AI principles contravenes the international law on human rights. This identifies “security of person” as a key measure.

    It is concerning to consider why a commercial tech company would need to remove a clause around harm.

    Avoiding the risks of AI-enabled warfare

    In its updated principles, Google does say its products will still align with “widely accepted principles of international law and human rights”.

    Despite this, Human Rights Watch has criticised the removal of the more explicit statements regarding weapons development in the original principles.

    The organisation also points out that Google has not explained exactly how its products will align with human rights.

    This is something Joe Biden’s revoked executive order about AI was also concerned with.

    Biden’s initiative wasn’t perfect, but it was a step towards establishing guardrails for responsible development and use of AI technologies.

    Such guardrails are needed now more than ever as big tech becomes more enmeshed with military organisations – and the risk that come with AI-enabled warfare and the breach of human rights increases.

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

    – ref. Google has dropped its promise not to use AI for weapons. It’s part of a troubling trend – https://theconversation.com/google-has-dropped-its-promise-not-to-use-ai-for-weapons-its-part-of-a-troubling-trend-249169

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Florida Car Dealer Turned Carjacker Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A federal judge has sentenced 59-year-old Erik Hadad to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release after a federal jury convicted him of carjacking a customer of the car dealership that Hadad operated with his sons.

    In October 2023, Hadad’s car dealership, Guru Auto Sales, sold a salvaged 2020 Honda Accord to a 24-year-old Haitian legal immigrant (the victim). The sale terms bound the victim to pay $30,000 over five years at annual 24.22% interest rate. When Guru Auto closed the deal, it sold the loan to a finance company for a lump sum payment of about $13,800. The sale, however, allowed the finance company to claw back its lump sum to Guru Auto if the car buyer was late on either of his first two payments.

    When the victim was late on payment one, the finance company enforced the claw-back provision, demanding that Guru Auto return roughly $13,000. The finance company also informed Guru Auto that it had no legal right to the 2020 Honda Accord and could not demand payment from the buyer or repossess the vehicle until Guru Auto paid the money back. 

    On Dec. 19, 2023, five days after Guru Auto received the finance company’s clawback demand and after the victim had caught up on his payments, Hadad staked out the victim’s home. When the victim left his home, he entered his 2020 Honda and began driving to Miami International Airport, where he works as a baggage loader and bathroom cleaner. Hadad followed the victim in a BMW, tailgating him down the highway. When the two cars exited the highway and reached a red light, Hadad got out of the BMW, approached the Honda, ripped off the car’s temporary paper tag, and yelled at the victim to get out of the car. The victim drove away; Hadad jumped back inside the BMW and followed. When they reached a train station, Hadad completed the carjacking: Hadad again approached the victim and demanded that he surrender the key to his Honda. This time, Hadad lifted his shirt and flashed a loaded Smith & Wesson pistol holstered in his waistband. The victim turned over his keys and later called police. Officers arrested the armed Hadad on-scene.

    United States District Judge K. Michael Moore imposed the sentence.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division made the announcement.

    ATF Miami investigated the case with assistance from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Keller and Brianna Coakley prosecuted it.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20220.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: EMGS reports fourth quarter 2024 results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA’s (“EMGS” or the “Company”) financial report and market presentation for the fourth quarter of 2024 are attached.

    Summary:

    * The Company recorded revenues of USD 9.7 million, up from USD 1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    * Adjusted EBITDA (including capitalised multi-client expenses and vessel and office lease expenses) of USD 7.9 million, up from negative USD 1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    * Free cash decreased with USD 4.1 million during the quarter, to USD 9.1 million.

    A pre-recorded presentation will be available over the internet from 20:00 (local time Norway) today. To access the presentation, please go to the Company’s homepage (www.emgs.com) and follow the link.

    Contact
    Anders Eimstad, Chief Financial Officer, +47 94 82 58 36

    About EMGS
    EMGS, the marine EM market leader, uses its proprietary electromagnetic (EM) technology to support oil and gas companies in their search for offshore hydrocarbons. EMGS supports each stage in the workflow, from survey design and data acquisition to processing and interpretation. The Company’s services enable the integration of EM data with seismic and other geophysical and geological information to give explorationists a clearer and more complete understanding of the subsurface. This improves exploration efficiency and reduces risks and the finding costs per barrel. CSEM technology can also be used to detect the presence of marine mineral deposits (primarily Seabed Massive Sulphides) and EMGS believes that the technology can also be used to estimate the mineral content of such deposits. The Company is undertaking early-stage initiatives to position itself in this future market.

    This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    Attachments

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