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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leader responds to Accounts Commission Best Value report

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    The Accounts Commission has today (Thursday 24 October) published the findings of the Controller of Audit’s Best Value Assurance Report on the City of Edinburgh Council.

    Responding to the report, Council Leader, Cammy Day, said:

    We’re encouraged by the Commission’s findings, which recognise the good progress the Council has made since 2020.

    We’ve delivered a lot of change at a time of huge pressure on our services and on our budget, but we’ve stayed true to our priorities of protecting day-to-day services and investing in a fairer, greener future. Our aims to eradicate poverty and become net-zero by 2030 are ambitious, but we need to be aspirational to make sure they stay at the top of our priority list.

    Our focus on getting the basics right for our residents, meanwhile, is also bearing fruit with Edinburgh now a top performing Council in Scotland for street cleanliness, and continued improvements in key areas such as road conditions. We acknowledge, however, that there is still much more to be done and we’ve targeted substantial additional resources into key services such as housing, where we know performance has to improve if we are to tackle Edinburgh’s housing emergency.

    We’re continuing to adopt new technologies to make it easier for residents to come to us for help and, as recognised in the report, we’re looking forward to realising the huge benefits our Visitor Levy proposals will bring from 2026 – which we forecast will raise over £100m for the city by 2030.

    It’s no secret, however, that ever more difficult financial decisions lie ahead. Despite the unique pressures that come with being Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh remains the lowest funded council per head in Scotland, which is having a huge impact on our finances. The latest projections show that we will face a budget shortfall of at least £30m next year and we’ll need to work even harder to ensure we can keep on delivering best value for the people of Edinburgh.

    Published: October 24th 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Light and sound art show Eclipse by Nonotak is an immersive and sensory experience

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rob Flint, Senior Lecturer Nottingham in the School of Art and Design, Nottingham Trent University

    Audiovisual art is changing rapidly. Increasingly powerful projectors, screens and lighting rigs with integrated control systems, pervade the interwoven worlds of cinema, gallery and concert halls. These changes blur the borders of the art form with gaming, club and gig visuals, semi-permanent immersive experiences, and giant outdoor screens and projection-mapped buildings.

    I’m fascinated by electronic light and sound in art, music and cinema, and so was curious to experience Eclipse, “a spatial light and sound experience” by Japanese art studio Nonotak (Noemi Schipfer and Takami Nakamoto).

    You enter the exhibition into a darkened lounge bar that features the first of three separate experiences: a flat, wall-based light work titled Highway that gives a powerful sense of horizontal motion from the stepped sequence of flashing white bands of light.

    The next, Dual, is a large sound and light space that uses the kind of directional lighting seen onstage at concerts to make deep spatial patterns with beams of light against a soft haze.

    The third, Hidden Shadow, returns us to an image-based experience with directional seating and a large flat LED wall, on which shifting and dissolving points continually redefine a circle, linked to powerful overhead strobe-type lights in a way that seems to reference the installation title.

    These are all monochrome, programmed in sequences, with continuous repetition. Although the timed-entry system seems to encourage the viewer’s movement through the spaces, roughly corresponding to their duration, ending again in the lounge and bar area.

    Immersed in pulsing light and sound, I look for coordinates to ground my experience. There’s a long history of artists making light and sound do things simultaneously. Psychedelia seems an obvious ancestor.

    Even before Hoppy Hopkins made liquid light swirl to the sound of Pink Floyd at London’s UFO club in the 1960s, pioneers in the US and Europe had constructed “colour organs” to play coloured lights in a musical way and painted glass slides for theatre projection, to access the synaesthesia (a neurodivergent condition that links the senses in unexpected ways) which was believed by some to be buried deep in all of us.

    Animated film is part of this story, with Disney’s Fantasia the best-known union of music and visual movement in early popular film history, though modernists like Oskar Fischinger (who contributed to Fantasia) and Viking Eggeling made more austere abstract combinations of rhythm and graphic object for avant-garde audiences.

    Nearby the Eclipse venue, the Tate Modern shows Anthony McCall’s 1970’s Solid Light installation works. Originally developed on clattering 16mm celluloid film for dusty and cigarette-smoke-filled social spaces, they play quietly and continually now on digital projectors with programmed haze machines in a clean, purpose-built gallery.

    Closer in appearance (and in time) to the work of Nonotak are audiovisual artists like Carsten Nicolai and Ryoji Ikeda. They reconfigured the “visual music” tradition with a stripped-down and often monochromatic union of sound and light, bringing the precision of post-digital graphics to minimal techno and dub or the spookiness of glitch electronica to what is often now referred to as “a/v performance”.

    Ikeda’s 2017 installation test pattern explored a similar aesthetic across the river at London’s 180 Strand Studios, home of another organisation dedicated to expanded audiovisual art.

    Lumen Studios, who curated and presented the show, are aiming Eclipse at programmers, graphic designers and “edgy people”, literate in gaming, coding, NFTs, cryptocurrencies and other screen-based worlds and objects.

    These are not necessarily the same people who would connect McCall’s lines of “solid light” to 1970s Materialist Cinema’s highly political demand to reject the “illusionistic” conventions of mainstream realist film. Nor should they have to.

    The human eye is trained differently than it was when television ended before midnight and cinemas were not rivalled by streamed media on demand. This space could have entirely different reference points to those I am evoking. Set design, for example. On their website, Nonotak cites scenography, theatre, film, dance, architecture, and drawing among their areas of practice.

    So maybe now it’s me that is the performer, on, or inside, a virtual stage or film set. Standing in the largest of the three installations, Dual, I feel as though I might be running from an alien on a giant transport ship heading for Mars.

    I could also be in a more earth-bound comparison, standing at the back of a giant warehouse party, or a rave, away from the crush of dancing bodies while still in the synchronised cocoon of sensory electronics. It is visual, but also physical, and it creates a powerful kinetic dislocation from the space in which it is situated.

    This last comparison highlights the “in-between” nature of the Eclipse installations in its temporary accommodation in Bermondsey. The cocktail bar points gently (and legally) towards the hedonism of gigs and raves, but the regulated entry system suggests a more institutional mode of attention, closer to the time-stamped immersive museum experience or even a live-action gaming environment, like an upmarket Laserquest.

    Similarly, the audio, filled with effectively light-synchronised rhythmic pulsing, doesn’t have the gut-level bass of a contemporary club or music venue sound system. And while the slightly disembodied vitality of Dual made me think about dancing and moving in a slightly different way, it isn’t a dance floor.

    Nor did it make promises of that kind. So this is less a criticism of the work than a recognition that my coordinates will always need updating, as the spaces we move through adapt to different forms of attention. If our species is fortunate enough to continue devoting time, technology, materials and labour to human sensory curiosity in the decades that follow, there will be more hybrid collisions of light, sound, image, rhythm, music, in real and imaginary, actual and virtual, space. I very much hope so.

    Eclipse by Nonotak is on until December 8 2024 at 47 Tanner St, London


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Rob Flint 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. Light and sound art show Eclipse by Nonotak is an immersive and sensory experience – https://theconversation.com/light-and-sound-art-show-eclipse-by-nonotak-is-an-immersive-and-sensory-experience-241529

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Harris nudges ahead of Trump in the polls – but could the economy prove her downfall?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex

    Thrive Studios / Shutterstock

    The current US vice-president and Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, appears to have nudged ahead of her Republican rival, Donald Trump, in the race to the White House.

    A poll of polls, which combines polls from different agencies, published on the website FiveThirtyEight on October 22 shows that Harris leads Trump by 48.1% to 46.3% in national voting intentions. So the race remains very tight.

    There is naturally a lot of attention being paid to what is happening in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina. However, the polling in these states is not very helpful since it currently predicts a dead heat in practically all of them.

    In the key swing state of Pennsylvania, for example, 47.8% of people intend to vote for Trump compared to 47.6% for Harris. This gap is well within the margin of error, so FiveThirtyEight calls it an even contest.

    One of the surveys in the poll of polls was conducted by YouGov for the Economist newspaper. It shows that 19% of respondents have already voted in the election and a further 72% say they will definitely vote. When registered voters were asked which candidate they think is likely to win, the replies were a dead heat – 38% of them chose Harris and 38% Trump (24% are not sure).

    Another way of judging the contest is to look at who has the advantage in the key drivers of the vote in the election. In an earlier article, I argued that Harris leads Trump in the presidential race in three of the four key measures that explain voting behaviour.

    She is ahead in likeability, and is favoured by more moderates than Trump. Harris also has more support from Republican identifiers than Trump has among voters who identify as Democrats. However, in relation to the fourth driver, which is the issues voters care about, she is at a clear disadvantage.



    Read more:
    Harris leads Trump in the polls – here’s what they really tell us about her chances

    The Economist/YouGov poll shows that 96% of respondents think that jobs, inflation and the economy are important issues in the election. In the same poll 84% think immigration is important and 75% think this about abortion.

    Harris’s problem is that polling indicates she is well behind Trump on the issue of the economy. When asked if Harris or Trump would do the best job dealing with inflation, for example, 39% preferred Harris and 46% Trump. This is despite the fact that the most recent inflation rate is relatively low at 2.4%, and has been falling for some time.

    On the issue of abortion she does much better. Some 50% of Americans approve her pledge to restore the right to abortion enshrined in the Roe v Wade case from 1973, which was reversed by a Supreme Court ruling in 2022. In comparison, only 33% of Americans approve of Trump’s position to uphold the court ruling.

    The economy and voting

    Does it really matter if Harris is behind on the economy? There is historical evidence to suggest that, if we look at the actual performance of the economy as opposed to polls, Harris may have an advantage.

    The graph below shows the relationship between voting for an incumbent Democratic or Republican president (or his party’s nominee) and the state of the economy over a century of presidential elections from 1920 to 2020.

    In the chart, the performance of the economy is captured by two measures. The first is economic growth in real terms and the second is the misery index (the sum of inflation and unemployment). Both are measured in the year of the elections.

    There is a strong positive correlation between growth and voting for the incumbent president or his party’s nominee (+0.55). When growth is buoyant, the incumbent or his successor does well. And when it is weak, they do badly.

    There is also a negative relationship between the misery index and presidential voting. But, in this case, the correlation is very weak (-0.05). This means that, while voters may complain about inflation and unemployment and blame the incumbent president’s administration, economic growth is the real driver of voting in these elections.

    Economic growth is the real driver of voting in US elections


    Paul Whiteley, CC BY-NC-ND

    The Biden administration’s record on growth since 2020 has been very strong. Policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Chips Act have boosted investment, particularly in high-tech industries. This fact may give Harris the edge in the election.

    That said, Harris can still lose, and the odds that bookmakers are giving currently favour Trump to win. However, it is the American people who will decide the outcome, not betting markets, many of whom who live outside the US, who are trying to disrupt the process.

    Paul Whiteley has received funding from the British Academy and the ESRC

    – ref. Harris nudges ahead of Trump in the polls – but could the economy prove her downfall? – https://theconversation.com/harris-nudges-ahead-of-trump-in-the-polls-but-could-the-economy-prove-her-downfall-242056

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What US election interference law actually says about Labour volunteers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ilaria Di Gioia, Senior Lecturer in American Law and Associate Director of the Centre for American Legal Studies, Birmingham City University

    Shutterstock/rblfmr, Nicole Glass, Alexandros Michailidis

    With just two weeks to go until election day, Donald Trump’s presidential campaign filed a complaint with the US Federal Election Commission (FEC), requesting “an immediate investigation” into what it termed “blatant foreign interference” in the election by none other than the UK’s Labour party.

    In the letter to the FEC’s acting general counsel, the Trump campaign accused the Labour party of “apparent illegal foreign national contributions” to Harris for President. This is the principal campaign committee of Vice-President Kamala Harris.

    The contributions listed in the complaint are: meetings with Harris’ campaign team “to brief Ms Harris’ presidential campaign on Labour’s election-winning approach”, and Labour members’ trips to battleground states to help with the Harris campaign.

    Put simply: members of the UK’s Labour party have been travelling to the US to help Harris, the Democratic party candidate, campaign for the presidency.

    FEC rules state that foreign nationals “may participate in campaign activities as an uncompensated volunteer”. To that end, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said that Labour volunteers are helping the Harris campaign in their spare time, and are funding their own trips.

    Indeed, there is a long history of volunteers from both the Labour and Conservative parties supporting their respective “sister” parties in the US, and vice versa.

    What does US law say?

    To understand the US legal landscape, we must refer both to statutes (laws on the books) and the judicial cases that have put these statutes to the test.

    From a statutory point of view, foreign interference into elections is regulated by three main federal laws. These laws, enacted by Congress since 1938, came in response to various scandals involving foreign financing.

    They are: the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, all consolidated in the United States Code.

    The law explicitly prohibits foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents) from making contributions or donations to elections. It reads:

    It shall be unlawful for:

    A foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make –

    (A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State, or local election;

    (B) a contribution or donation to a committee of a political party; or

    (C) an expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement for an electioneering communication.

    The question is, therefore, whether the Labour engagement with the US election falls under the definition of “contribution or donation of money or other thing of value”.

    A key legal case

    It would seem, looking at judicial precedent, that “contribution or donation” amounts to financial contributions only.

    The law was interpreted in 2011 by the US District Court for the District of Columbia (a federal court) in Bluman v FEC.

    In this case, the plaintiffs Benjamin Bluman and Asenath Steiman were foreign citizens who lived and worked in the US on temporary visas. They wanted to donate money to candidates in elections and challenged the constitutionality of the law barring them from doing so.

    A campaign sign for Kamala Harris.
    Bluestork/Shutterstock

    The decision was authored by then Judge Brett Kavanaugh (who, seven years later, was appointed by Trump as Supreme Court justice). Kavanaugh argued that political contributions in the form of expenditure – so, financial contributions – were an integral part of the elections process. As such, it was right that foreign nationals be prohibited from making financial contributions.

    He emphasised, however, that this decision was limited to expenditure, and that it should not be read as support for bans on other types of engagement with elections. These would be protected by First Amendment free speech protections, which apply to foreign nationals within the US.

    We do not decide whether Congress could prohibit foreign nationals from engaging in speech other than contributions to candidates and parties, express-advocacy expenditures, and donations to outside groups … Plaintiffs … express concern that Congress might bar them from issue advocacy and speaking out on issues of public policy. Our holding does not address such questions, and our holding should not be read to support such bans.

    This decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court and so constitutes a convincing precedent.

    In a nutshell, US law prohibits foreign nationals from financing domestic election activity, but this is limited to financial contributions. The Labour campaign “contribution” so far does not appear to amount to financial contributions, so as long as this remains the case, it is not illegal.

    Ilaria Di Gioia received research funding from the Eccles Centre at the British Library.

    – ref. What US election interference law actually says about Labour volunteers – https://theconversation.com/what-us-election-interference-law-actually-says-about-labour-volunteers-242055

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: TMC Transformers to Bring 110 Jobs, New Manufacturing Facility To Burke County

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that TMC Transformers USA Inc. (TMC), an international dry-type transformers manufacturer for a wide range of industrial applications, will expand its footprint in Georgia by investing more than $15.3 million over the next five years in a new manufacturing facility in Waynesboro, creating at least 110 new jobs in Burke County.

    “When we lead economic missions overseas and meet with companies like TMC, we do so to bring more opportunities back to hardworking Georgians, and so job creators like them can build a strong foundation alongside communities like Waynesboro,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “TMC’s decision to create over 100 well-paying jobs in Burke County comes at a critical time, and we look forward to their impact as that region of our state continues to recover and rebuild following the recent hurricanes.”

    TMC is a multinational company focused on design and production of medium and low voltage dry-type cast resin and VPI transformers. The company, which counts more than 500 employees and commercial offices in Europe, America, and East Asia, established its first U.S. production plant at the beginning of 2023 in Burke County.

    “Combining our expertise in the dry-type transformer industry with the needs of the U.S. market for accessible, reliable, and sustainable energy, the launch of the new plant highlights TMC’s strategic plans for substantial growth in North America,” said Cristiano Palladini, President of TMC USA. “We’re excited that Waynesboro will become a welcoming base for us. Georgia provides strong foundations for our business with its strategic position, the full support from Burke County and the Georgia delegation who share a business-oriented vision, and its community of hardworking and skilled Georgians in line with our needs.”

    TMC’s new facility at the Burke County Industrial Park in Waynesboro highlights its commitment to strengthening the company’s presence and investment in the United States. Operations in Burke County have already started at the company’s first facility, and the new plant is expected to be operational at the beginning of 2026. TMC is now hiring for roles in management, administrative staff, production technicians, operators, testers, sales, and quality control. Hiring will continue over the next few years as the project continues to ramp up. Interested individuals can learn more about careers with TMC at tmctransformers.us.  

    “The Development Authority of Burke County is pleased to have TMC Transformers make Waynesboro their permanent home,” said Austin Stacy, Executive Director of the Development Authority of Burke County. “Their decision to locate here is a true testament to the readiness and strong workforce that Burke County possesses. TMC’s core principles replicate our community’s values, and we look forward to continuing our work together to make Burke County a better place.”

    Senior Regional Project Manager Adela Kelley represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the Development Authority of Burke County.

    “After meeting with TMC’s leadership in Italy, we were truly impressed by their warmth, hospitality, and enthusiasm for their decision to invest in Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “The transformers TMC will manufacture in Burke County are critical in addressing energy infrastructure needs for the state and the nation. TMC is just the type of company we aim to attract to Georgia: a long-term partner committed to strengthening our communities, economy, and industry ecosystems.”

    For over a century, Georgia has fostered healthy industry practices, encouraged collaboration and innovation, and positioned itself as a leader in developing and harnessing emerging technologies for evolving industries.

    The State of Georgia has had continuous representation in Europe since 1973. Italy is a top 15 trade partner for Georgia, with $3.4 billion in total trade moving between the state’s ports and Italy in 2023. Italy was also in the list of top 10 sources for international investment in Fiscal Year 2023, and Italian companies have invested more than $411 million in Georgia since 2010 through projects with state involvement.

    About TMC Transformers

    TMC Transformers USA Inc. is a leading provider of innovative and high-quality transformer solutions, dedicated to serving the energy needs of industries across North America. With a commitment to excellence and sustainability, TMC specializes in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of dry-type cast resin and VPI transformers. Its products are engineered to meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and efficiency, ensuring optimal energy management for a wide range of applications, including utilities, data centers, semiconductors manufacturing, railways, marine and offshore, mining, and oil and gas. For more information, please visit tmctransformers.us or contact [email protected].

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Eagle Pass Police Officer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Operating Human Smuggling Stash Houses

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    DEL RIO, Texas – An Eagle Pass woman, who had served as a police detective, was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to harbor undocumented noncitizens for a human smuggling organization (HSO).

    According to court documents, Hazel Eileen Diaz, 54, rented out multiple properties she owned in Eagle Pass to assist in harboring undocumented noncitizens between September 2020 and August 2021. Diaz would often travel to the properties where the migrants were being held to collect rent payments. An investigation revealed that, in total, nearly 200 migrants were smuggled by the HSO Diaz worked for, and that she had received approximately $36,916 in cash and money service business transfers, much of which were proceeds from human smuggling. At the time of her arrest, she was in possession of $23,522 in cash from the smuggling operation.

    Co-defendant Tomas Alejandro Mendez pleaded guilty on July 11, 2022 to one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 13, 2025. Co-defendant Paola Nikole Cazares was sentenced Oct. 11, 2023 to 63 months in prison for the same offense with credit for time served since Aug. 26, 2021. Mendez and Cazares worked with Diaz to operate her properties as stash houses.

    In addition to imprisonment, Diaz will serve three years of supervised release, pay a $10,000 fine and money judgement of $237,600, and she will forfeit three properties, a truck, and $23,522.

    U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Pavlinski prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Starbox Powers 180 Degrees Brandcom with StarboxAI Pro Series, an AI-Driven Expansion into Image, Video, and Live Streaming Content

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Starbox Group Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: STBX) (“Starbox” or the “Company”), a service provider of cash rebates, advertising, and payment solutions, is excited to announce that it has started to support 180 Degrees Brandcom Sdn Bhd (“180”) with its StarboxAI Pro Series software for 180’s branding and advertising business. 180, an indirect subsidiary that is 51% owned by Starbox, is a 4A advertising agency incorporated in 2013 that offers digital marketing, advertising consulting and design services. 180 has maintained long-term relationships, with more than 20% of its existing clients for over 15 years. To enhance service quality, 180 anticipates improving brand engagement by using StarboxAI Pro Series, which provides artificial intelligence (“AI”) powered solutions for image creation, video production, and live streaming alongside data-driven marketing strategies.

    Equipped with StarboxAI Pro Series, 180 is expected to have the following new capabilities:

    • AI-powered Image Creation: Generation of campaign-specific image tailored to brand identity.
    • AI-powered Video Production: Fast, automated creation of short videos for product promotion and social media.
    • AI-powered Live Streaming: Real-time engagement with interactive features such as Q&A, purchase guidance, and dynamic content streaming.

    These AI-driven tools are expected to enable 180 to generate creative output, offer personalized campaigns, and provide real-time insights to optimize performance.

    “Through StarboxAI Pro Series, 180 will be able to join data with creativity to quickly produce engaging campaigns. Since its incorporation, 180 has been pursuing excellence in branding and advertising, serving a diverse portfolio of clients. The adoption of StarboxAI Pro Series reinforces 180’s commitment to deliver outstanding brand experiences through image, video, and live streaming solutions. With this adoption, 180 expects to continue to improve brand engagement in a competitive digital landscape,” said Lee Choon Wooi, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Starbox.  

    About Starbox Group Holdings Ltd

    Headquartered in Malaysia, Starbox is a technology-driven, rapidly growing company with innovation as its focus. Starbox is aiming to be a comprehensive technology solutions provider within Southeast Asia and also engages in building a cash rebate, advertising, and payment solution business ecosystem targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises that lack the bandwidth to develop an in-house data management system for effective marketing. The Company connects retail merchants with retail shoppers to facilitate transactions through cash rebates offered by retail merchants on its GETBATS website and mobile app. The Company provides digital advertising services to advertisers through its SEEBATS website and mobile app, GETBATS website and mobile app and social media. The Company also provides payment solution services to merchants. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.starboxholdings.com and WeChat Channels: StarboxTechnologies.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “assesses,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. References and links (including QR codes) to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

    For more information, please contact:

    Starbox Group Holdings Ltd.
    Investor Relations Department
    Email: ir@starboxholdings.com

    Ascent Investor Relations LLC
    Tina Xiao
    Phone: +1-646-932-7242
    Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/120adab1-f25c-42b0-9b96-4c1534dd2408

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia named Leader in GlobalData’s Small Cell Competitive Landscape Assessment 2024 report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia named Leader in GlobalData’s Small Cell Competitive Landscape Assessment 2024 report

    • Nokia’s award-winning small cell portfolio recognized as overall Leader in residential and outdoor categories beating competition

    24 October 2024
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia has been named Leader in GlobalData’s Small Cells: Competitive Landscape Assessment September 2024 report. The in-depth report judged all leading small cell providers and positioned Nokia as overall Leader in the Residential and Outdoor categories. In particular, Nokia was commended for being the only vendor to offer an ‘All-in-One’ 5G solution for both outdoor and residential use cases available to the global market. GlobalData is a globally recognized data analytics and consulting organization.

    GlobalData commented that: “Nokia’s outdoor small-cell portfolio offers the lightest, smallest 5G products on the market and support for a wider range of spectrum bands than nearly every other vendor. The portfolio is also distinguished by containing the only all-in-one 5G small cell supporting sub-6 GHz spectrum that is not a CBRS product – a product, branded Kolibri, that is also as compact as any outdoor small cell radio on the market. And its Shikra Outdoor Residential Enterprise.”

    GlobalData defines small cells as ‘mobile base stations that operate under lower power and with a smaller coverage range than traditional base stations. This category includes what have traditionally been called femtocells and picocells, which improve mobile coverage and capacity inside homes and businesses, respectively.’

    Nokia has the widest range of small solutions that address all deployment requirements and offer seamless coverage, capacity and performance in dense urban areas and indoor venues with minimal infrastructure, enabling flexible and scalable deployments. Its advanced indoor radio solutions and compact, plug-and-play small cells enhance in-building coverage and capacity, such as in offices, malls and enterprises. They also support mmWave bands with high bandwidth and data rates for demanding 5G applications like VR, AR and gaming as well as smart cities and IoT applications.

    Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, said: “We are proud to be named Leader in GlobalData’s small cells competitive landscape assessment report. It’s recognition of the steps we have taken to make our portfolio best-in-class for our customers. All of our solutions benefit from having the latest ReefShark chipsets and support all frequency ranges for premium coverage and capacity both indoors and outdoors.”

    Resource and additional information
    Webpage: Nokia Small Cells
    Full Report: GlobalData Report

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable, and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Drones Driven by A.I. Are Taking Over Major Industries Including Agriculture, Construction, Military & More

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Artificial intelligence (AI) and drones are a formidable combo that has the potential to transform a variety of industries. When coupled, they build intelligent and autonomous airborne systems capable of completing complicated tasks in a variety of conditions. Because of this, the combination of artificial intelligence and drone technology offers new aerial technological developments for various industries, including agriculture, construction, energy, and security, as well as a solution to many aerial imagery demands. Factors such as technological advancements, growing need for automation and efficiency, and the increasing adoption of drones in the Logistics and Delivery, Agriculture and Precision Farming, Disaster Management and Search & Rescue, Environmental Monitoring and Industrial sectors are boosting the adoption of AI solutions in the UAV landscape. A report from Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence projected that the Artificial Intelligence in drone market size is projected to show steady growth during the forecast period (2024-2029). The report said: “Booming drone adoption in the sector boosts AI in drone market growth. Drones driven by AI are taking over major sectors such as agriculture, serving as industrious field workers. They minimize human effort while monitoring crop health, accurately locating pests, and applying irrigation to maximize production and optimize resource use. The movement known as “precision agriculture” is revolutionizing the way of raising food. According to the January 2022 Press Release Bureau, the government is extending financial support under the “Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization” to encourage the use of drones in agriculture. The Agriculture Ministry will give agricultural institutions grants of up to Rs. 10 lakhs so the farmers can buy drones. When it comes to drone demonstrations on farmer fields Farmer’s Producers Organizations (FPOs) can receive funds for up to 75% of the total cost of the drone. The initiatives and factors supporting agriculture enhance the drone market.” Active Tech Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR), QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO).

    “The growing need for automation in logistics propels AI in drone market. Industries these days need effective and automated ways to handle logistics jobs. Drones and AI together present an attractive alternative for companies looking to increase productivity and accuracy as they save labor expenses and increase productivity by automating operations that were previously done by hand. By the end of 2024, Prime Air plans to expand internationally into Italy and the UK, in addition to starting drone deliveries in the United States. Similarly, in October 2023, Amazon Pharmacy launched drone delivery of pharmaceuticals. Eligible consumers in College Station, Texas, can now have their drugs delivered to their homes via drone within 60 minutes of placing their purchase with Amazon Pharmacy.”

    ZenaTech Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) Issues Big Development News Today on Adding Patent Assets to the Company – Get the full details by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Additional Groundbreaking ZenaTech Inc. Developments this week include:

    ZenaTech Announced a Software Company Acquisition Adding Significant Capabilities to Building AI Drones – ZenaTech also announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire ZooOffice Inc., the holding company for software companies Jadian and DeskFlex, from ZenaTech’s former parent company. The acquisition of these two software companies will provide important compliance and inspection software as well as scheduling and mapping software that will be incorporated into ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone AI drone solutions. This transaction further expands ZenaTech’s portfolio of SaaS software solutions and customer base and is expected to add to recurring revenue in the government sector among others. The acquisition is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals that may be required.

    “Adding Jadian and DeskFlex software capabilities to the ZenaTech portfolio is part of our strategy to offer full stack, integrated AI drone solutions targeted to multiple sectors such as Agriculture. Jadian’s compliance software will be integrated with ZenaDrone drone hardware and sensors to help farmers track and manage regulatory and environmental requirements such as crop traceability, fertilizer and pesticide use, water conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Deskflex scheduling and mapping software will add value integrated into our property management sector solutions,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. Read this full release at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zenatech-announces-software-company-acquisition-113000656.html

    Other recent developments in the technology industry include:

    Edgescale AI Inc. and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR) recently announced a strategic partnership to deliver Live Edge, a groundbreaking combination of Palantir Edge AI and Edgescale AI distributed infrastructure technology, designed to operationalize artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing, utilities, and other complex industrial environments.

    AI is reshaping the world and transforming our relationship with technology, yet applying AI to operational technology in industries and critical infrastructure remains a challenge. So long as the complexity and operational burden of activating machines, equipment, vehicles, and sensors in physical systems remains high, we only achieve a fraction of AI’s true potential for automating our technology and improving our lives.

    QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) recently announced that, through its subsidiary Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Aramco, and Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) are planning to launch Design in Saudi Arabia (DISA). DISA is envisaged to be an incubator program for Saudi Arabia that aims to support startups that are adopting AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and wireless technologies for industrial use cases.

    This initiative aims to support early-stage startups in the high-tech sector by guiding them from product design and development to commercialization. It aims to provide a comprehensive suite of support that includes technical assistance, business coaching, and intellectual property (IP) training, all aimed at enhancing the Kingdom’s technology ecosystem. Should this initiative materialize, startups would gain access to resources such as Qualcomm Technologies and Aramco’s industrial experience and RDIA’s strategic guidance.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, recently issued a Letter to Stockholders from Company CEO Bill Irby.

    Dear Stockholders: First, I want to extend my appreciation for the trust and confidence you have placed in AgEagle. Upon taking over as CEO from Grant Begley (former interim CEO and current Board Chairman), we have been evolving and advancing AgEagle toward the creation of maximum long-term shareholder value.

    To fund our aggressive growth plans, we recently completed a $6.5M capital raise. The market’s reaction was a continued decline in our stock price. It became necessary to plan and execute a 50:1 reverse stock split. Our trading was halted October 4th but has since resumed, and I am truly optimistic regarding the path ahead as I believe that the company is currently under-valued… In conclusion, through a combination of our key initiatives, growing demand, and demonstrated progress in our newest market, I believe AgEagle is on the correct path to increase long-term shareholder value. We appreciate your continued support. Sincerely, Bill Irby, CEO

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), an award-winning, industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, recently announced its participation in the upcoming Wings of Saskatchewan event in Regina, from October 30 to October 31, 2024. Draganfly will showcase its latest drone technology advancements, contributing to discussions on industry trends, safety, and regulatory considerations alongside key stakeholders in the aviation sector.

    The Wings of Saskatchewan Conference, hosted by the Saskatchewan Aerial Applicators Association and the Saskatchewan Aviation Council, serves as a vital gathering for the aviation community. This year’s event will bring together leaders from both civil and commercial aviation sectors to discuss technological advancements, regulatory updates, and future trends within the industry.

    About FN Media Group:
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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.  FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release.  FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected”, “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually”, or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in the Outaouais region

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    Chelsea, Quebec, October 24, 2024 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Sophie Chatel, Member of Parliament for Pontiac, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Mayor of Gatineau, Pierre Guénard, Mayor of Chelsea and David Gomes, Mayor of Cantley.

    Date:
    Friday, October 25, 2024

    Time:
    9:30 a.m. (HNE)

    Location: 
    Chelsea Library
    100 chemin d’Old Chelsea
    Gatineau (Québec), J9B 1C1

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    Sofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
    613-960-9251
    Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
    Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
    Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    Émilie Rachiele-Tremblay
    Assistant Executive Director
    MOBI-O
    819-205-2085, ext. 104
    emilie.rachiele@mobi-o.ca

    Laurent Lavallée
    Communications Director
    City of Gatineau
    613-606-7242
    lavalle.laurent@gatineau.ca

    Ghislaine Grenier
    Interim Communications Officer
    Municipality of Chelsea
    819-827-1124, ext. 202
    g.grenier@chelsea.ca

    Johanne Albert-Cardinal
    Communications Officer
    Municipality of Cantley
    819-827-3434, ext. 6838
    communications@cantley.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $100 Million to Expand Free and Low-Cost Afterschool Programs

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State has awarded about $100 million in grants to support free and low-cost afterschool programs serving nearly 40,000 children in high-need areas statewide. State officials from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) also participated in the 25th Annual Lights on Afterschool initiative today by visiting programs in New York City and the Capital Region.

    “Afterschool programs give our kids outlets to explore their creativity, build their skills and thrive in a supportive environment,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to invest in free and low-cost afterschool programs and expanding access to affordable child care to help young people grow and give families the support they need.”

    The State grants announced today were awarded by OCFS through the Learning and Enrichment Afterschool Program Supports (LEAPS) initiative to help fund new or continuing afterschool programs targeted to children in high-need areas in New York State.

    These LEAPS grants were awarded to a total of 238 afterschool program sites statewide. The full list of awarded sites can be seen here.

    Site Awards by Region
    Region Number of Sites Awarded Funding Awarded
    Capital Region 22 $6,480,000
    Central New York 18 $6,400,000
    Finger Lakes 17 $5,750,000
    Long Island 20 $8,920,000
    Mid-Hudson 22 $12,340,000
    Mohawk Valley 19 $4,960,000
    New York City 74 $38,690,000
    North Country 14 $3,380,000
    Southern Tier 5 $1,530,000
    Western New York 27 $8,450,000

    As a part of the OCFS Commissioner’s participation in the Lights On Afterschool initiative, Dr. DaMiaHarris-Madden visited programs in the Bronx operated by the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families and Good Shepherd Services, while other members of the OCFS leadership team visited the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club in Troy. Now in its 25th year, the initiative recognizes the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering educational opportunities and the development of new skills.

    Programs eligible for LEAPS grants included State-licensed school-age child care programs – or organizations interested in becoming a licensed school-age child care provider – that serve children in high-need school districts. Per-site funding amounts were based on each program’s OCFS-licensed capacity. The grants are intended to fund the critical programming and other costs of developing and running the program. Grants are contingent on programs completing all licensing and contract requirements and therefore subject to change.

    The grants announced today are part of Governor Hochul’s continued efforts to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible. Other recent efforts include expanding access to the State’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Eligible families can apply online for CCAP, which currently covers free or low-cost child care for 130,000 children statewide. While eligibility is based on multiple factors, including income and family size, many families may qualify for CCAP if their household income is at or below 85 percent of the State Median Income. Currently, 85 percent of the State Median Income for a family of four is approximately $108,000. Under CCAP, most eligible families pay no more than $15 per week for child care.

    OCFS Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, “We thank Governor Hochul and the afterschool providers across NYS for ensuring that are children have protective and stimulating environments during the challenging hours of 3-6 p.m. Afterschool programs are tried-and-true interventions that keep our kids safe and engaged through a variety of pro-social experiences and positive youth development opportunities to include the arts, academics, sports, and college/career exploration. Structured programming that introduces caring adults also aids in the development of children’s emotional and physical well-being and provides alternatives to unproductive use of leisure time.”

    OCFS Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Child Care Services Nora Yates said, “The new LEAPS funding will provide the high-quality afterschool academic support and enrichment vital to enabling our children and youth to reach their full potential and keep them engaged in healthy, productive activities during out-of-school time. The programs will ensure higher pay rates for staff and also help mitigate the ongoing impacts from the pandemic by expanding students’ access to social and emotional support services as well as other family and community supports.”

    New York State Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs Executive Director Jackie Negri said, “Governor Hochul’s new streamlined LEAPS initiative demonstrates unprecedented support for community-based afterschool programs across the State and the youth they serve. After-school programs like Boys & Girls Clubs are proven to provide academic support, enrichment and a safe place for New York’s youth. This initiative will increase positive youth development programs and services for more youth and families in high-needs areas statewide.”

    New York State Network for Youth Success Chief Executive Officer Kelly McMahon said, “The NYS Network for Youth Success celebrates the transformative impact of the LEAPS grant, which is expanding access to high-quality afterschool programs across New York. With significant improvements to funding structures, including streamlined processes, added technical assistance and enhanced support per student, LEAPS addresses long-standing challenges and lays a stronger foundation for the future. This moment reinforces our commitment to meeting afterschool needs in every community and underscores the importance of achieving universal afterschool access for all.”

    New York State YMCAs Executive Director Kyle A. Stewart said, “On behalf of the 36 YMCAs and their more than 140 branches across the Empire State, the Alliance of New York State YMCAs was pleased to embrace and promote the LEAPS initiative and applauds Governor Hochul for prioritizing the development of a more streamlined and holistic school-age child care system. YMCAs are proud to serve over 25,000 youth as the largest provider of out-of-school time programs across New York State. Furthermore, the Alliance of New York State YMCAs appreciates our longstanding partnership with OCFS and their efficient LEAPS implementation process. YMCAs are poised to continue serving youth alongside other LEAPS grantees and look forward to continuing to build a robust afterschool system in New York State.”

    Governor Hochul also highlighted that the State is lighting landmarks yellow and blue tonight in recognition of Lights on Afterschool. The following landmarks will be lit yellow and blue:

    • One World Trade Center
    • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
    • Kosciuszko Bridge
    • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
    • State Education Building
    • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
    • Empire State Plaza
    • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
    • Niagara Falls
    • The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
    • Albany International Airport Gateway
    • MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
    • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
    • Moynihan Train Hall
    • Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sheffield could see more events hosted in the city and more benefits for local people Sheffield could play host to more major events and events that have a greater impact on the city and its residents, if plans are approved to develop a new city-wide events strategy. 24 October 2024

    Source: City of Sheffield

    Sheffield it already go to Tramlines, one of the UK’s longest running, city-based music festivals

    Sheffield could play host to more major events and events that have a greater impact on the city and its residents, if plans are approved to develop a new city-wide events strategy.

    Sheffield already has an excellent reputation as a city of major events, festivals and conferences.

    The city has played host to some of the UK’s biggest events in recent years, from Women’s Euros 2022 and the Rugby League World Cup, to the 2024 MOBO Awards, and most recently, the third leg of the Tour of Britain. Sheffield was also shortlisted to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in solidarity with Ukraine.

    Alongside successfully bidding for some of the most high-profile and internationally significant events, Sheffield is also home of network of its own home-grown festivals.

    From DocFest, which has been in the city for over 30 years, to Tramlines, one of the UK’s longest running, city-based music festivals. Sheffield is also home of Off the Shelf and No Bounds, which was recently described by the Guardian as ‘dizzingly daring’ and ‘impressive’.

    Earlier this year, a brand-new podcast festival, Crossed Wires, was also launched in the city, attracting talent from across the UK and beyond, to Sheffield.

    The city also has a strong track-record for bidding for and hosting a range of world-leading conferences, including the International Coeliac Disease Symposium and the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons.

    Esther Britten, Deputy Director and Head of Events at UK Sport, said:

    “Sheffield has been a supportive partner and host to UK Sport funded major events over the last decade.

    “Their commitment to not only staging the very best events but maximising their impact on the local community has enhanced the city’s reputation through the UK as a recognised host of the very best major international sporting events, we see them as a key host city looking into the future.”

    A new proposal from Sheffield City Council to develop a city-wide major events strategy would seek to take things a step further – attracting more events to the city, better events and by creating a framework to ensure events hosted have a lasting, positive impact on local people, local businesses, communities and the Sheffield economy.

    If given the go ahead, a new major events plan will be developed, aiming to provide a clearer ambition for events in the city and an action plan to transform Sheffield into a recognised destination for home-grown, curated, commissioned, and nomadic events.

    Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:

    “Events are big business, not just in Sheffield, but across the UK.

    “Not only is the economic impact of events significant for the city, but events help us build our reputation and allow others to see and experience Sheffield on a different scale. Events bring people together, they celebrate our diversity and all of our local communities, helping to make Sheffield the vibrant place it is to live in and visit.  

    “Hosting more events, and more diverse events will help us attract more visitors to the city, generate more income, they will bring investment and help us to grow our economy.”

    The idea behind the proposed plan is to create an approach that helps decision-makers identify the very best and most beneficial events for Sheffield and its people.

    The plan would focus on ensuring events being held in the city are of a real benefit, with things like economic impact, community benefits and ensuring inclusivity and diversity, always considered when bidding for and putting on events.

    It will look to identify opportunities across sport, business and culture and find events that Sheffield is not only a good fit for, but that are also a good fit for Sheffield and the city’s ambitions.

    Councillors will be asked to approve proposals to begin development of the Major Events Plan for Sheffield at an Economic Development and Skills Committee meeting on Thursday 31st of October 2024.

    If agreed, the first phase of development will involve engaging with experts in the field and local partners to help identify future opportunities for Sheffield.

    This will be vital in ensuring the pipeline of events is right for the city and well positioned to attract wider investment.

    You can read the full report on the Sheffield City Council website. 

    You can watch the full committee meeting at 10am on Thursday 31st of October 2024 via the webcast. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ports’ importance to city highlighted in new strategy

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Top fact – did you know that Plymouth employs more people in the marine sector than any other local authority area in the country?

    The city’s marine and defence sector employs 20,110 people – that’s 18 per cent of the city’s work force, more than Southampton and Barrow in Furness, for instance.

    The importance of the ports to the city’s economic livelihood has been brought into focus by a recently completed Plymouth Port Strategy – which has been created to get a clear picture of the current status of Plymouth’s ports as well as chart their future direction.

    The city’s ports are Devonport, Cattewater, Millbay and Sutton Harbour, each have very distinct roles and the strategy gives a fascinating insight into the sheer scale and variety of jobs and opportunities that exist in and around the Sound.

    Devonport Dockyard is the largest naval base in western Europe and is the largest land user in the city – covering 650 hectares, with 14 dry docks, 25 tidal berths and four miles of docks.

    On the east side of the Sound, Cattewater is home to several commercial  wharves handling nearly 2m tonnes of cargo every year, including fuel, feed, cement and clay. 

    In the middle is Millbay with Brittany Ferries operating passenger and cargo routes to Europe while Sutton Harbour is the base for Plymouth’s fishing fleet.

    Other facts include:

    • There are 16 leisure and boatyards around the Sound including 1,400 gold anchor berths
    • Currently, 12 cruise ship visit Plymouth every year with plans to more than double this number in the coming years
    • Plymouth is at the forefront of marine technology and innovation, including research organisation and companies at the cutting edge of work to develop autonomous vessels.

    The importance of the Sound’s environment, which is part of the National Marine Park is also highlighted. It is home to over 1,000 species and 6,402 hectares are in an area of special scientific interest.

    The Council secured funding from the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund for the study to understand the ports’ economic contribution and to develop a strategy to support the future development including the transition to net zero and the creation of green jobs.

    Council leader Tudor Evans said: “We talk about the ports’ importance to Plymouth but this strategy is a great reminder of the sheer scale and variety of opportunities in our ports. The National Marine Park sets out our intention to look more to the sea and the Sound as a city and this strategy will help to us develop the ports’ role economically.

    “This is a starting point, a clear recognition of the role of the ports and a call for co-ordinated action to ensure they continue to thrive for the benefit of Plymouth and the wider regional and national economy.”

    The report highlights that supporting future growth in Plymouth’s ports underpins growth in the wider marine sector and has the potential to create an additional 2,600 graduate level jobs in the local economy by 2030. 

    The report and its key findings are going to be discussed at the Council’s Natural Infrastructure and Growth Scrutiny panel which meets on 29 October.

    The key findings are:

    • The strength of Plymouth’s ports lies in its diversity. While Devonport underpins the economic contribution of the ports and the marine sector there is a significant and diverse leisure sector, vessel manufacturing and servicing and freight operations.
    • Plymouth is a leading light on marine technology and manufacturing and engineering which greatly enhance the city’s competitive edge in sectors with high growth potential such as autonomous vessels, Floating Offshore Wind and alternative fuels.

    The strategy highlights that the nature of ports is changing worldwide, and investment will be required to ensure that Plymouth maintains its current market presence and capabilities. 

    While the Council does not play a direct role in port operations, it can and should play a significant role in supporting the future development and growth of the ports through advocacy, leadership, co-ordination and the creation of a supportive policy environment.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: VIPER Taskforce execute 27 warrants and lay Commonwealth charge of directing a criminal organisation

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    Detectives from the VIPER and Lunar taskforces have this morning charged eight people with Commonwealth offences for their part in directing and assisting an organised crime syndicate.

    It will be alleged the syndicate was leasing stores, employing staff as supervisors, store managers and couriers and commencing deliveries under the guise of operating the stores as legitimate gifts and confectionary stores, while selling only illicit tobacco and related products.

    Investigators have obtained transactional records which reflect the syndicate earned over $30 million in a 12-month period through the sale of illicit tobacco in these stores.

    Supported by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Border Force’s (ABF) Illicit Tobacco Taskforce and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), officers today executed more than 27 search warrants across Victoria as part of an ongoing investigation targeting serious organised crime in the illicit tobacco market.

    With assistance from Taskforce Lunar, the Armed Crime Squad, the Illicit Firearms Squad, Financial Crime Squad, Criminal Proceeds Squad, Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, Echo Taskforce, Cybercrime Squad, Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team, Wyndham, Knox, Hobsons Bay, Echuca, Cobram, Ararat, Northern Grampians and Geelong Crime Investigation Units, Westgate Divisional Response Unit, Eastern Region Crime Squad and State Highway Patrol, search warrants were executed from 5am this morning at tobacco stores, warehouses and residential addresses statewide.

    Three industrial properties in Truganina were searched, as well as residential addresses in Truganina, Hoppers Crossing (3), Glen Waverley, Lara, Grovedale, Footscray and Mount Cottrell, and tobacco stores in Herne Hill, Bell Park, Grovedale, Werribee (2), Dallas, Kensington, Boronia, Ararat (3), Kyabram, Echuca (2) and Yarrawonga.

    A 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was arrested at Melbourne Airport just before 6:00 am.

    He has since been charged with the Commonwealth offence of directing the activities of a criminal organisation, possess tobacco products with the intent of defrauding the revenue (Customs Act 1901), possess proceeds of crime and sell/distribute e-cigarettes.

    He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today.

    Directing the activities of a criminal organisation carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

    Four other people were arrested and have been charged with the same offences.

    They include:

    • a 26-year-old Hoppers Crossing man, who will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today
    • a 21-year-old Hoppers Crossing man, who will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today
    • a 50-year-old Grovedale woman, and
    • a 51-year-old Glen Waverley man, both of whom have been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday (28 October).

    Five other people were arrested, including:

    • a 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man, who was arrested in Ararat and charged with support a criminal organisation and illicit tobacco offences
    • a 46-year-old Ararat man, who was arrested in Ararat and charged with support a criminal Organisation and illicit tobacco offences
    • a 38-year-old Tarneit man who was arrested attempting to remove stock from a retail outlet in Werribee. He was charged with support a criminal organisation and illicit tobacco offences
    • a 50-year-old Mount Cotterill man was arrested in relation to illicit tobacco and possession of commercial cigarette manufacturing equipment located. He was released and is expected to be charged on summons, and
    • a 21-year-old Yarrawonga man was interviewed and released, he is also expected to be charged on summons.

    During the warrants, police seized a Lamborghini Coupe and Range Rover from the Hoppers Crossing address, at least 600,000 illicit tobacco sticks, over 75 kgs of loose-leaf tobacco and a significant quantity of cash from the residential addresses as well as utilities and vans investigators will allege were used in the distribution of illicit tobacco.

    Searches of the tobacco stores are still underway with total seizures to be confirmed.

    The investigation commenced in December 2023 to specifically target and disrupt the trade of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes linked to this organised crime syndicate.

    Over 130 members were involved in today’s activities, including the entirety of the VIPER Taskforce office.

    Victoria Police continues to support local councils and the Victorian Department of Health who have responsibility for tobacco and vape enforcement and compliance.

    Detectives continue to work alongside external agencies such as the ABF, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AFP, TGA, ATO and interstate counterparts.

    Victoria Police has identified a number of state, national and global organised crime syndicates involved in the illicit tobacco conflict.

    These syndicates are comprised of personnel from Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs who are then engaging local networked youth and youth gangs to carry out the offending.

    Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who have information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.

    Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco trade is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link

    Victoria Police quotes

    Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said:

    “Organised crime syndicates and their serious offending linked to the infiltration of the tobacco industry remain a top priority for Victoria Police.

    Those involved have the potential and the propensity to commit serious acts of violence and given their complete disregard for the safety of others, pose a serious risk to the community. Their criminality cannot be tolerated.

    The disruption of this syndicate today will have a substantial impact on the illicit tobacco trade. These were significant players who we believe were directing the activity of a criminal organisation, turning a huge profit at the expense of others.

    We have said a number of times that Victoria Police is focused on targeting syndicate leaders, directors, facilitators and organisers. That remains critical for us, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to bring this criminality to an end and to make involvement in illicit tobacco as hostile a proposition as possible for organised crime groups.”

    ABF quotes

    Assistant Commissioner Tony Smith said:

    “ABF continues to work closely with our partners to disrupt and deter attempts by criminal syndicates seeking to profit from the illicit tobacco trade in Australia.

    We remain committed to seizing illicit tobacco and dismantling these supply chains which we know criminals use to make immense profits as well as to fund a whole host of other nefarious criminal enterprises.”

    ATO quotes

    Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Clarke said:

    “Today’s whole of government response has been a successful step forward in addressing the Victorian tobacco dispute. These arrests and seizures show our commitment to stamping out illicit tobacco and removing it from our communities.

    With the help of our partners, we continue to support coordinated efforts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle these organised crime syndicates who use profits from illicit tobacco to fund other serious illegal activities.

    Organised crime costs Australians around $60 billion each yearExternal Link and the illicit tobacco trade not only takes away vital funding from essential community services, but it also disadvantages small businesses who do the right thing.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Medium and emerging private groups tax performance program

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    About the program

    We use a risk-based approach to:

    • identify groups with higher risk and consequence tax reporting
    • support them in meeting tax obligations.

    By doing this we strengthen community confidence that they are paying the right amount of tax.

    Information and findings we gather from working with medium and emerging private groups improves our awareness of the population and risk environment. It also complements our development of a range of differentiated response strategies.

    Through the medium and emerging private groups tax performance program, we have improved our knowledge and understanding of:

    • business operating environments
    • tax risks and issues that are present or may be emerging.

    We have learned from our work across the different industries and risks over the past few years. We are well-positioned and capable to respond to existing and emerging risks and issues with effective strategies and tailored activity.

    Who is covered by the program

    The program covers both:

    • private groups linked to Australian resident individuals who, together with their associates, control wealth between $5 million and $50 million
    • businesses with an annual turnover of more than $10 million, that are not public or foreign owned and are not linked to a high wealth private group.

    Our focus is on engaging with:

    • larger and higher risk private groups and entities
    • private groups experiencing rapid growth, increasing foreign links, looking to expand offshore or where controlling individuals are transitioning to retirement
    • foreign investment focused on acquiring high value assets in Australia and structured wealth extraction
    • private groups with higher risk issues or concerns.

    The program doesn’t cover private groups or businesses that are already part of the:

    We use data-matching and analytic models to identify wealthy individuals and link them to associated entities. We consider the group of entities together.

    The private group approach helps us understand your business better. It enables us to provide a tailored experience, including focusing on specific potential areas of risk and entities within the group.

    For more, read about the:

    How we tailor our approach to you

    We continue to improve our understanding of medium and emerging business and the environment within which you operate.

    To support our understanding, we use sophisticated data and analytics techniques. We use intelligence and insights gathered through our engagements to identify trends, priority and emerging risks specific to medium and emerging private groups.

    Through our increased understanding, we tailor our approach and develop strategies to support you to identify and mitigate tax risks within your private group.

    We’ll work with you by:

    Types of engagement you can expect

    Our engagement with you may include:

    • review of areas of correct tax reporting risk specific to your business
    • pre-lodgment compliance agreement for commercial deals and restructure events
    • leveraged engagements for areas of potential risk that are generally more easily resolved.

    We will work with you to resolve any concerns or issues that arise from our risk modelling and analysis of data from:

    Reviews

    We will streamline our engagement with you for simple issues and potential risks. We may require an extensive review for complex matters involving multiple issues and risks.

    Our reviews focus on specific risks and issues. In most cases, we aim to complete our reviews within 180 days.

    Reviews generally focus on issues that can be resolved by getting more information from you. For example, this could be completing a specific action such as lodging an outstanding return or schedule.

    We monitor many potential risks and issues. Some focus areas include:

    • where we have identified income from third-party information attributable to you but did not see this income reported on your tax returns or activity statements
    • where an entity in your group has not lodged tax returns or activity statements resulting in a shortfall of tax paid
    • late or incorrect lodgments of tax returns, schedules or activity statements
    • instances where you do not appear to have enough income to cover your expenses or to acquire the assets that you own
    • inappropriately accessing tax concessions, credits and offsets that you are not entitled to
    • large, one-off, or unusual transactions, including the transfer or shifting of wealth
    • trust structures
    • wealth extraction, including Division 7A, where we seek verification of complying loan agreements, genuine repayments and minimum yearly repayments.

    We encourage and support good tax governance as it helps taxpayers to meet their taxation obligations. However, it’s not a risk factor we consider in the program reviews.

    GST integrated reviews

    We also undertake goods and services tax (GST) integrated reviews as part of the program.

    These reviews consider potential GST risks or issues. We will request information and documentation from you in support of your GST treatment.

    Characteristics of medium and emerging groups

    Medium and emerging groups have certain characteristics and attributes. See more about the:

    Overall demographics

    There are around 273,000 private groups that are part of the program. These groups report holding approximately $3.2 trillion in net assets and contributing more than $61.3 billion in tax revenue.

    A typical medium and emerging group consists of 5 entities with a mix of:

    • companies
    • trusts
    • other entities.

    The profile of a typical medium and emerging group includes:

    • 5 entities consisting of 2 companies, 2 trusts and another entity such as a self-managed super fund
    • individuals
    • a group head aged 63 years old
    • 14 employees
    • total income of $651,000
    • net wealth of $7.9 million
    • income tax of $104,300
    • net GST of $18,200
    • pay as you go (PAYG) withholding of $92,600.

    Typical medium and emerging group

    Groups by location

    The population is mainly located on the east coast (over 84%) and distributed across Australia as follows:

    • New South Wales – 106,519
    • Victoria – 81,984
    • Queensland – 39,213
    • Western Australia – 22,206
    • South Australia – 15,393
    • Australian Capital Territory – 3,583
    • Tasmania – 3,324
    • Northern Territory – 948

    Medium and emerging groups by location

    Groups by entity type

    The program includes more than 1.4 million entities. Group structures may be complex and some groups may have many associated entities.

    There may be a combination of various entity types with companies, partnerships and trust structures operating within and outside of consolidated groups.

    The program includes:

    • 470,453 companies
    • 475,267 individuals
    • 328,870 trusts
    • 151,334 super funds
    • 61,959 partnerships.

    Medium and emerging groups by entity type

    Groups by industry

    A wide range of different industries are represented in the population. The 5 main industries represent more than half of businesses.

    The industries include:

    • financial and insurance services – 26.2%
    • other industries – 22.8%
    • professional, scientific and technical services – 9.5%
    • construction – 6.6%
    • agriculture, forestry and fishing – 6.4%
    • health care and social assistance – 6.3%
    • rental, hiring and real estate services – 5%
    • retail trade – 4.3%
    • wholesale trade – 3.7%
    • manufacturing – 3.4%
    • accommodation and food services – 1.9%
    • transport, postal and warehousing – 1.5%
    • other services – 1.2%
    • administrative and support services – 1.2%

    Medium and emerging groups by industry type

    How much tax they pay

    The population:

    • owns $3.2 trillion in net assets
    • earns $1.10 trillion in total income
    • pays over $61.3 billion income tax
    • pays over $18.9 billion in net GST
    • employs more than 7.5 million people, paying $42.4 billion in PAYG withholding.

    Tax governance and reporting

    Effective tax governance means having oversight frameworks with clear processes and procedures. This supports decision making and ensures you meet your tax and super obligations.

    When we engage with you as part of the medium and emerging program, we don’t consider or review your tax governance processes. However, good tax governance does help support taxpayers to meet their taxation obligations.

    To ensure your risks are mitigated and to improve certainty that the group is paying the right amount, you need:

    • good tax governance
    • internal controls
    • business processes and procedures.

    Clearly defining and documenting the roles and responsibilities within a group and sharing them with advisors is a key governance requirement.

    To ensure correct tax treatment and reporting, it is important to maintain:

    • oversight and independent approval of the preparation of tax returns and BAS
    • segregation of duties with review
    • checking of material transactions.

    Well-designed control systems and reporting frameworks with good governance, checking and review are key to:

    • ensuring accurate treatment
    • record keeping
    • identifying errors or mistakes and correcting them.

    In broad terms a business with a focus on ensuring risk and issue mitigation will apply:

    • well-designed and documented corporate and tax governance frameworks
    • internal controls and compliance practices appropriate to the size and complexity of the business
    • systems that respond to business growth and increasing complexity through improvement in governance focus and sophistication, internal controls, recording and reporting
    • use of automated and integrated business systems that are regularly reviewed for suitability and accurate performance
    • suitably capable and skilled personnel with regular development and ongoing responsibility to understand, manage and report tax obligations
    • segregation of duties across reporting and approval functions
    • regular review and reconciliation of business systems reporting
    • review of the tax treatment of large, unusual and irregular transactions
    • established procedures for monitoring tax reporting and correcting mistakes and errors
    • ensuring that large, unusual and irregular transactions including those between group members and associates, are properly recorded and included in tax returns
    • seeking advice as business grows and for the treatment of new, unusual, one-off and large transactions.

    For more information you can:

    For more support, see:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Naked protests in South Africa: a psychologist explores the emotional power of this form of activism

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mpho Mathebula, Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand

    Naked protests are a form of public demonstration where individuals, often women, use the symbolic power of their naked bodies to challenge injustices. These protests have become an increasingly visible form of resistance, particularly in response to state violence, economic exploitation, and the oppression of women by men.

    While naked protests might seem provocative or shocking, they have a long and storied history in Africa. They are not only a powerful statement but also a direct challenge to norms in society around decency, control and vulnerability.

    As a research psychologist, I was drawn to the study of naked body protests because of their profound affective power. That’s to say I study how emotions like anger, fear, joy and empowerment are expressed and experienced by both the protester and the observer. I’ve interviewed numerous South African women who have taken part in naked protests in the past decade.



    Read more:
    Undressing for redress: the significance of Nigerian women’s naked protests

    My studies, which take an African feminist approach, show that these protests are not just acts of desperation or shock tactics. They’re rooted in a long tradition of resistance and decolonisation, drawing on generational power and emotional expressions. They are a feminist tactic that embodies both vulnerability and strength, using the body as a site of resistance and empowerment.

    Naked protests are complex – and, I argue, a powerful tool for reclaiming African women’s agency, dignity and voices.

    Colonialism and nakedness

    During colonialism, European countries ruled over African nations. Colonisers imposed their values, laws and social systems – including strict ideas about how women should behave and dress. These replaced many traditional African practices and beliefs. African women were required to cover their bodies because nakedness was seen as shameful or improper according to European moral standards.



    Read more:
    Naked protest: how ordinary citizens reveal truth to repressive regimes

    By protesting naked, African women are rejecting these colonial ideas and reclaiming their bodies as a form of resistance. They’re saying they refuse to be controlled by these outdated beliefs. So, naked protests are a decolonial action.

    African feminism sheds further light. It highlights the unique historical and social conditions that shape African women’s struggles. It recognises that African women’s bodies have been sites of both oppression and resistance for a long time, subjected to patriarchal and colonial control.

    Naked body protests in South Africa

    In South Africa, colonialism was followed by white minority rule. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination, made law from 1948 to 1994. Black South Africans were denied political rights, restricted from owning land in white areas, and subjected to pass laws that controlled their movement. Black women bore the brunt of this oppression.

    In Durban in 1959, South African women protested against the 1908 Native Beer Act, which banned them from brewing traditional beer. Protesters attacked state beerhalls and, in a bold act of defiance, exposed their bodies as they faced police barricades. The police were often hesitant to confront or harm the women.

    In 1990, during the Dobsonville housing protest, women in Soweto stripped and protested against the demolition of their shacks by municipal police. They successfully drew media attention to their demands.

    This form of protest has endured, even in the country’s democratic era. As recently as 2024, women from the South African Cleaners, Security and Allied Workers’ Union staged a naked protest against the sudden termination of their contracts by private security companies.

    Psychology study

    But a primary focus of my research was the South African student protests that began in 2015. The #FeesMustFall movement saw students protesting against sexual violence and the high cost of education. Naked protests took place at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and related #RUReferenceList protests against rape at Rhodes University in Makhanda.

    My PhD study set out to understand naked body protests and contribute to their psychological understanding. I wanted to find out why women in particular use this form of decolonialist protest and what its emotional and social role is during and after the actions.

    I interviewed 16 women who participated in the protests, as well as drawing from podcast interviews with two other participants and a video of the 1990 Dobsonville protests.

    Anger and confrontation

    I found that anger and confrontation played a central role. During the #FeesMustFall protests, women’s decision to use their naked bodies was a deliberate, transgressive act aimed at disrupting structures that wanted to silence them.

    They weaponised their vulnerability and exposed the contradictions within these systems – where women’s bodies are often sexually objectified but deemed unacceptable when used as instruments of protest. By baring their bodies, these women confronted the state, universities, and society at large by placing their physical bodies in direct opposition to deeply ingrained social hierarchies.



    Read more:
    Angry student protests have put rape back on South Africa’s agenda

    The anger expressed in these protests is not random; it’s rooted in a collective and historical sense of injustice. The women told me they were responding to both the immediate issue of being excluded from higher education facilities and also broader, generational experiences of gender-based violence, racism and economic disenfranchisement. Anger became a way to assert control over their bodies in spaces where their presence had been marginalised, ignored or actively suppressed.

    By channelling their anger, these women redefined their relationship to both their own bodies and the public spaces they occupied. Their protests highlighted the connection between personal anger and systemic oppression.

    Joy in struggle

    Joy is another important affect in these protests. Women often experience a sense of joy and empowerment when they achieve the goals of their protests.

    This joy is not just a personal feeling but a collective one that binds women together. Joy is a form of resistance in itself because it defies the narrative of women as passive victims.

    Empowered and powerful

    When women take part in naked protests, they show that they have the power to make their own decisions. They feel more confident and in control.

    Participants made it clear that being part of these protests can deeply change how women feel about themselves. They discover their strength and ability to fight back.

    The #IAmOneInThree hashtag was based on the United Nations estimate that one in three women around the world will be sexually abused in their lifetime. A #IAmOneInThree naked protest took place at the University of the Witwatersrand in solidarity with #RUReferenceList protests at Rhodes University. Sibu, who took part, shared how carrying a sjambok (a whip) and singing struggle songs with other women made her feel:

    For me that moment was affirming … I felt powerful somehow. Because when you … have been raped … it made me feel weak … It made me feel like an object and not a person. And so I remember that moment feeling empowered, right, I have my sjambok, I have my sisters around me.

    Naked body protests in South Africa are a powerful form of feminist resistance that draws on deep historical and cultural traditions. These protests are strategic and affective forms of resistance that challenge patriarchy, sexism and colonialism.

    Mpho Mathebula 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. Naked protests in South Africa: a psychologist explores the emotional power of this form of activism – https://theconversation.com/naked-protests-in-south-africa-a-psychologist-explores-the-emotional-power-of-this-form-of-activism-238530

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seeks local power in DRC, not just control over mining operations

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ken Matthysen, Researcher, IPIS

    The violence wrought by the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23 Movement is often narrowly framed as intended to control eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s resource-rich mining sites. The rebel group launched its most recent offensive in 2021 and currently controls vast territories in the south-east of North Kivu province, surrounding and cutting off the main city of Goma.

    Eastern DR Congo mines produce crucial raw materials such as tin, tantalum and tungsten, as well as abundant quantities of gold. It therefore seems logical to reduce explanations of conflict to the ambition by M23, and Rwanda behind it, to control the mines directly.

    We belong to a team of researchers who examine the various dimensions of conflict from different perspectives. Our findings, based on fieldwork and conducted in collaboration with in-country experts, show that this popular analysis does not paint the full picture.

    Conflict analysis often ignores historical and local dimensions. Our investigation with the Goma-based civil society organisation Association pour le Développement des Initiatives Paysannes therefore explored the local stakes and impacts of the M23 crisis. We interviewed more than 55 people in North Kivu (DR Congo), including members of M23, as well as soldiers and armed groups fighting them, local chiefs, state agents, teachers, taximen, traders and farmers who live on the frontline of the conflict.

    Our research reveals that M23 employs a more profound strategy to boost its position and military strength (through Rwandan support) in local struggles over land, authority and rents. M23’s disruptive strategy aims to replace Congolese authorities and overhaul local governance in areas it controls in eastern DR Congo. Key to this strategy is:

    • undermining and replacing local (customary) authorities

    • taking over strategic trade routes

    • the installation of an elaborate taxation regime.

    These strategies also allow M23 – and Rwanda – to generate revenues from the local economy, including rents from DR Congo’s mineral wealth, without necessarily directly controlling mines.

    Historical struggles over land

    Interviewees attached great importance to the historical context of the M23 conflict, explaining how struggles over land date back to independence in 1960. Going back to the 1930s and 1940s, the Belgian colonial administrators already organised large movements of migrant workers from Rwanda to work on plantations in DR Congo. The Rwandophone migrants and their descendants settled in North Kivu, becoming part of the local population.

    After independence, Hutu and Tutsi (Rwandophone) communities began to jostle for control over North Kivu’s fertile farmland with the Hunde and Nyanga communities there. As grievances over access to land and property rights increased, Rwandophone communities were stigmatised as “non-indigenous” and their land claims as illegitimate.

    As the Congo Wars broke out in the 1990s, people began seeking recourse to armed groups to settle land conflicts. Before the rise of M23 in 2012, two other groups (Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie and later Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple) rose to protect the Rwandophone population in eastern DRC. They also grabbed and sold vast concessions of land – held by the state or other communities – to allied farmers and business people. These were typically from the Tutsi community.

    Given the country’s complex and under-enforced land laws, land claims became exceedingly difficult to verify or prove. This has strengthened the belief that the only way to secure access to land is by resorting to armed groups. Thus, M23 is perceived as the guardian of the Tutsi community’s access to land.

    This perception is well illustrated by a testimony of a local leader in Masisi territory:

    The wars of the last three decades have been motivated by a struggle for control over land … Indigenous people are driven out, dispossessed of their land in favour of others who are considered foreigners and refugees. … the M23 is made up of (Tutsi) pastoralists … and there are fields that their rivals had seized … it was one of their (M23) first concerns to start exploiting them.

    Most Congolese Tutsi have not asked for this “protection” by M23. But the ensuing grievances and ethnic tensions will haunt the relations between communities for years to come.

    Struggles over customary authority

    In DR Congo, customary chiefs play an important role in local land governance. They also adjudicate conflicts, bind people together through rituals, and represent the symbolic claim by a specific community to a given place.

    Many Congolese we spoke to perceive M23’s main aim to be control of power at the local level — undermining the existing authorities. The group has indeed sought to replace customary authorities with M23-appointed ones, at times assassinating Congolese chiefs. Local sources said M23 even burnt chiefdom archives, destroying evidence of claims to customary authority.

    M23’s economic grip

    Wherever M23 has a foothold, it installs an elaborate taxation regime. This involves checkpoint tolls, household taxes, dues on business, harvest taxes and forced labour. In doing so, the group generates the revenues to sustain the conflict. But this also strengthens its politico-administrative hold on the population, as taxation is a symbolic interface of public authority.

    Local armed groups that joined with the Congolese army to combat M23 deepen the problem. Called wazalendo (“patriots”), they are often unpaid and therefore rely on payments from the population to sustain their counter-offensive. As a result, taxation in eastern Congo has become heavily “militiarised”. Taxed by government forces, wazalendo and M23, civilians pay a heavy toll.

    The military nature of local governance could jeopardise future efforts to bring peace to eastern DRC.

    What about minerals?

    M23 has an impact on all aspects of local governance in eastern DR Congo. It has found ways to control and profit from the local economy in North Kivu, including mineral supply chains. It operates checkpoints along arteries and taxes minerals smuggled to Rwanda, alongside other trade flows.

    Having M23 control strategic trade routes in DR Congo, including those crossing into Uganda, is a benefit for Rwanda. From Kigali’s perspective, the resurgence of M23 in 2021 came at a perfect time to block Uganda’s efforts to improve the road network in eastern DR Congo towards its own territory. Rwanda and Uganda are locked in intense competition for Congolese informal trade, re-exporting its timber and minerals as their own, gaining taxes and foreign earnings that ought to benefit the Congolese treasury and population.

    What must be done?

    DR Congo’s resources play a large role in the M23 conflict, but our study underscores the historical roots of the conflict and its profound local impacts. These findings should inform locally meaningful and sustainable conflict resolution strategies.

    Since the M23 revival, land access, trade and security have become increasingly mediated by armed actors. Even after a possible M23 defeat, it will take years of local dialogue and mediation to undo this involvement of militia in local governance, resolve land issues, repair inter-community relations and remake customary authority. But that’s the only way to reach sustainable peace in North Kivu.

    Ken Matthysen works for the International Peace Information Service (IPIS)

    This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of IPIS and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the Belgian Development Cooperation.

    – ref. Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seeks local power in DRC, not just control over mining operations – https://theconversation.com/rwandan-backed-m23-rebel-group-seeks-local-power-in-drc-not-just-control-over-mining-operations-231318

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Blinken holds a joint press availability with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Al Thani

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken holds a joint press availability with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, Qatar, on October 24, 2024.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH1EgtRhUCU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Naked protests in South Africa: a psychologist explores the emotional power of this form of activism

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mpho Mathebula, Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand

    Naked protests are a form of public demonstration where individuals, often women, use the symbolic power of their naked bodies to challenge injustices. These protests have become an increasingly visible form of resistance, particularly in response to state violence, economic exploitation, and the oppression of women by men.

    While naked protests might seem provocative or shocking, they have a long and storied history in Africa. They are not only a powerful statement but also a direct challenge to norms in society around decency, control and vulnerability.

    As a research psychologist, I was drawn to the study of naked body protests because of their profound affective power. That’s to say I study how emotions like anger, fear, joy and empowerment are expressed and experienced by both the protester and the observer. I’ve interviewed numerous South African women who have taken part in naked protests in the past decade.

    Read more: Undressing for redress: the significance of Nigerian women’s naked protests

    My studies, which take an African feminist approach, show that these protests are not just acts of desperation or shock tactics. They’re rooted in a long tradition of resistance and decolonisation, drawing on generational power and emotional expressions. They are a feminist tactic that embodies both vulnerability and strength, using the body as a site of resistance and empowerment.

    Naked protests are complex – and, I argue, a powerful tool for reclaiming African women’s agency, dignity and voices.

    Colonialism and nakedness

    During colonialism, European countries ruled over African nations. Colonisers imposed their values, laws and social systems – including strict ideas about how women should behave and dress. These replaced many traditional African practices and beliefs. African women were required to cover their bodies because nakedness was seen as shameful or improper according to European moral standards.

    Read more: Naked protest: how ordinary citizens reveal truth to repressive regimes

    By protesting naked, African women are rejecting these colonial ideas and reclaiming their bodies as a form of resistance. They’re saying they refuse to be controlled by these outdated beliefs. So, naked protests are a decolonial action.

    African feminism sheds further light. It highlights the unique historical and social conditions that shape African women’s struggles. It recognises that African women’s bodies have been sites of both oppression and resistance for a long time, subjected to patriarchal and colonial control.

    Naked body protests in South Africa

    In South Africa, colonialism was followed by white minority rule. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination, made law from 1948 to 1994. Black South Africans were denied political rights, restricted from owning land in white areas, and subjected to pass laws that controlled their movement. Black women bore the brunt of this oppression.

    In Durban in 1959, South African women protested against the 1908 Native Beer Act, which banned them from brewing traditional beer. Protesters attacked state beerhalls and, in a bold act of defiance, exposed their bodies as they faced police barricades. The police were often hesitant to confront or harm the women.

    #FeesMustFall protests in South Africa in 2016. Alon Skuy/The Times/Gallo Images/Getty Images

    In 1990, during the Dobsonville housing protest, women in Soweto stripped and protested against the demolition of their shacks by municipal police. They successfully drew media attention to their demands.

    This form of protest has endured, even in the country’s democratic era. As recently as 2024, women from the South African Cleaners, Security and Allied Workers’ Union staged a naked protest against the sudden termination of their contracts by private security companies.

    Psychology study

    But a primary focus of my research was the South African student protests that began in 2015. The #FeesMustFall movement saw students protesting against sexual violence and the high cost of education. Naked protests took place at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and related #RUReferenceList protests against rape at Rhodes University in Makhanda.

    My PhD study set out to understand naked body protests and contribute to their psychological understanding. I wanted to find out why women in particular use this form of decolonialist protest and what its emotional and social role is during and after the actions.

    I interviewed 16 women who participated in the protests, as well as drawing from podcast interviews with two other participants and a video of the 1990 Dobsonville protests.

    Anger and confrontation

    I found that anger and confrontation played a central role. During the #FeesMustFall protests, women’s decision to use their naked bodies was a deliberate, transgressive act aimed at disrupting structures that wanted to silence them.

    They weaponised their vulnerability and exposed the contradictions within these systems – where women’s bodies are often sexually objectified but deemed unacceptable when used as instruments of protest. By baring their bodies, these women confronted the state, universities, and society at large by placing their physical bodies in direct opposition to deeply ingrained social hierarchies.

    Read more: Angry student protests have put rape back on South Africa’s agenda

    The anger expressed in these protests is not random; it’s rooted in a collective and historical sense of injustice. The women told me they were responding to both the immediate issue of being excluded from higher education facilities and also broader, generational experiences of gender-based violence, racism and economic disenfranchisement. Anger became a way to assert control over their bodies in spaces where their presence had been marginalised, ignored or actively suppressed.

    By channelling their anger, these women redefined their relationship to both their own bodies and the public spaces they occupied. Their protests highlighted the connection between personal anger and systemic oppression.

    Joy in struggle

    Joy is another important affect in these protests. Women often experience a sense of joy and empowerment when they achieve the goals of their protests.

    This joy is not just a personal feeling but a collective one that binds women together. Joy is a form of resistance in itself because it defies the narrative of women as passive victims.

    Empowered and powerful

    When women take part in naked protests, they show that they have the power to make their own decisions. They feel more confident and in control.

    Participants made it clear that being part of these protests can deeply change how women feel about themselves. They discover their strength and ability to fight back.

    The #IAmOneInThree hashtag was based on the United Nations estimate that one in three women around the world will be sexually abused in their lifetime. A #IAmOneInThree naked protest took place at the University of the Witwatersrand in solidarity with #RUReferenceList protests at Rhodes University. Sibu, who took part, shared how carrying a sjambok (a whip) and singing struggle songs with other women made her feel:

    For me that moment was affirming … I felt powerful somehow. Because when you … have been raped … it made me feel weak … It made me feel like an object and not a person. And so I remember that moment feeling empowered, right, I have my sjambok, I have my sisters around me.

    Naked body protests in South Africa are a powerful form of feminist resistance that draws on deep historical and cultural traditions. These protests are strategic and affective forms of resistance that challenge patriarchy, sexism and colonialism.

    – Naked protests in South Africa: a psychologist explores the emotional power of this form of activism
    – https://theconversation.com/naked-protests-in-south-africa-a-psychologist-explores-the-emotional-power-of-this-form-of-activism-238530

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seeks local power in DRC, not just control over mining operations

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ken Matthysen, Researcher, IPIS

    The violence wrought by the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23 Movement is often narrowly framed as intended to control eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s resource-rich mining sites. The rebel group launched its most recent offensive in 2021 and currently controls vast territories in the south-east of North Kivu province, surrounding and cutting off the main city of Goma.

    Eastern DR Congo mines produce crucial raw materials such as tin, tantalum and tungsten, as well as abundant quantities of gold. It therefore seems logical to reduce explanations of conflict to the ambition by M23, and Rwanda behind it, to control the mines directly.

    We belong to a team of researchers who examine the various dimensions of conflict from different perspectives. Our findings, based on fieldwork and conducted in collaboration with in-country experts, show that this popular analysis does not paint the full picture.

    Conflict analysis often ignores historical and local dimensions. Our investigation with the Goma-based civil society organisation Association pour le Développement des Initiatives Paysannes therefore explored the local stakes and impacts of the M23 crisis. We interviewed more than 55 people in North Kivu (DR Congo), including members of M23, as well as soldiers and armed groups fighting them, local chiefs, state agents, teachers, taximen, traders and farmers who live on the frontline of the conflict.

    Our research reveals that M23 employs a more profound strategy to boost its position and military strength (through Rwandan support) in local struggles over land, authority and rents. M23’s disruptive strategy aims to replace Congolese authorities and overhaul local governance in areas it controls in eastern DR Congo. Key to this strategy is:

    • undermining and replacing local (customary) authorities

    • taking over strategic trade routes

    • the installation of an elaborate taxation regime.

    These strategies also allow M23 – and Rwanda – to generate revenues from the local economy, including rents from DR Congo’s mineral wealth, without necessarily directly controlling mines.

    Historical struggles over land

    Interviewees attached great importance to the historical context of the M23 conflict, explaining how struggles over land date back to independence in 1960. Going back to the 1930s and 1940s, the Belgian colonial administrators already organised large movements of migrant workers from Rwanda to work on plantations in DR Congo. The Rwandophone migrants and their descendants settled in North Kivu, becoming part of the local population.

    After independence, Hutu and Tutsi (Rwandophone) communities began to jostle for control over North Kivu’s fertile farmland with the Hunde and Nyanga communities there. As grievances over access to land and property rights increased, Rwandophone communities were stigmatised as “non-indigenous” and their land claims as illegitimate.

    As the Congo Wars broke out in the 1990s, people began seeking recourse to armed groups to settle land conflicts. Before the rise of M23 in 2012, two other groups (Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie and later Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple) rose to protect the Rwandophone population in eastern DRC. They also grabbed and sold vast concessions of land – held by the state or other communities – to allied farmers and business people. These were typically from the Tutsi community.

    Given the country’s complex and under-enforced land laws, land claims became exceedingly difficult to verify or prove. This has strengthened the belief that the only way to secure access to land is by resorting to armed groups. Thus, M23 is perceived as the guardian of the Tutsi community’s access to land.

    This perception is well illustrated by a testimony of a local leader in Masisi territory:

    The wars of the last three decades have been motivated by a struggle for control over land … Indigenous people are driven out, dispossessed of their land in favour of others who are considered foreigners and refugees. … the M23 is made up of (Tutsi) pastoralists … and there are fields that their rivals had seized … it was one of their (M23) first concerns to start exploiting them.

    Most Congolese Tutsi have not asked for this “protection” by M23. But the ensuing grievances and ethnic tensions will haunt the relations between communities for years to come.

    Struggles over customary authority

    In DR Congo, customary chiefs play an important role in local land governance. They also adjudicate conflicts, bind people together through rituals, and represent the symbolic claim by a specific community to a given place.

    Many Congolese we spoke to perceive M23’s main aim to be control of power at the local level — undermining the existing authorities. The group has indeed sought to replace customary authorities with M23-appointed ones, at times assassinating Congolese chiefs. Local sources said M23 even burnt chiefdom archives, destroying evidence of claims to customary authority.

    M23’s economic grip

    Wherever M23 has a foothold, it installs an elaborate taxation regime. This involves checkpoint tolls, household taxes, dues on business, harvest taxes and forced labour. In doing so, the group generates the revenues to sustain the conflict. But this also strengthens its politico-administrative hold on the population, as taxation is a symbolic interface of public authority.

    Local armed groups that joined with the Congolese army to combat M23 deepen the problem. Called wazalendo (“patriots”), they are often unpaid and therefore rely on payments from the population to sustain their counter-offensive. As a result, taxation in eastern Congo has become heavily “militiarised”. Taxed by government forces, wazalendo and M23, civilians pay a heavy toll.

    The military nature of local governance could jeopardise future efforts to bring peace to eastern DRC.

    What about minerals?

    M23 has an impact on all aspects of local governance in eastern DR Congo. It has found ways to control and profit from the local economy in North Kivu, including mineral supply chains. It operates checkpoints along arteries and taxes minerals smuggled to Rwanda, alongside other trade flows.

    Having M23 control strategic trade routes in DR Congo, including those crossing into Uganda, is a benefit for Rwanda. From Kigali’s perspective, the resurgence of M23 in 2021 came at a perfect time to block Uganda’s efforts to improve the road network in eastern DR Congo towards its own territory. Rwanda and Uganda are locked in intense competition for Congolese informal trade, re-exporting its timber and minerals as their own, gaining taxes and foreign earnings that ought to benefit the Congolese treasury and population.

    What must be done?

    DR Congo’s resources play a large role in the M23 conflict, but our study underscores the historical roots of the conflict and its profound local impacts. These findings should inform locally meaningful and sustainable conflict resolution strategies.

    Since the M23 revival, land access, trade and security have become increasingly mediated by armed actors. Even after a possible M23 defeat, it will take years of local dialogue and mediation to undo this involvement of militia in local governance, resolve land issues, repair inter-community relations and remake customary authority. But that’s the only way to reach sustainable peace in North Kivu.

    – Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seeks local power in DRC, not just control over mining operations
    – https://theconversation.com/rwandan-backed-m23-rebel-group-seeks-local-power-in-drc-not-just-control-over-mining-operations-231318

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Environment Agency increasing trout and eels in New Forest

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Sea trout and eels can now access more habitats in the New Forest after Environment Agency fits fish pass made from natural materials

    The new fish pass will help sea trout and eels move upstream.

    The Environment Agency has improved access for sea trout and eels in the upper reaches of the New Forest’s Highland Water ecosystem.  

    A bespoke structure has been built to create more favourable conditions for fish to migrate upstream over a wider range of water levels and flows. The fish can now access over 2km of habitat under a greater range of flows.  

    The multi-species fish pass was constructed where the stream passes under the A31 through a culvert onto a weir, which previously made migration more challenging. 

    The new fish pass will greet eels who have travelled 4,000 miles from the north-west Atlantic Ocean.

    Vicky Gravestock, a fisheries officer with the Environment Agency, said:  

    The barrage structures, used to ease migration, have been designed to help both sea trout and eels move upstream over a wider flow range, increasing successful migration. We hope we have played our small part in the lifecycle of these fish by making more habitat available to continue their journey.  

    We had to meet strict standards to deliver these works in the New Forest because it is a protected site. During construction, we used natural materials, which were in keeping with and sympathetic to their surroundings. We were able to use the in-house skills of our wood workshop in Rye, in East Sussex, and then apply the skills of our field team to tailor and fit the structures on site. 

    The success of the project will continue to be assessed as part of the Environment Agency’s fish-monitoring programme in Hampshire, Sussex and on the Isle of Wight, next summer. At the end of this year, the sea trout redds, which are nests created to lay their eggs, will also be counted.   

    Sea trout are known to spawn throughout the New Forest. The fish enter the river system from the Solent, in late spring making the journey upstream to spawn in December. Some of them migrate out to sea as smolts, or young trout, live their adult lives at sea and then return to freshwater to spawn again.  

    Eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea in the north-west Atlantic Ocean. From there, they journey 4,000 miles over two years to Europe. Once they reach freshwater estuaries, they turn into young eels, known as elvers, up to 12cm long and swim up into rivers. Here they can live for up to 20 years, before returning to the Sargasso Sea as mature adults to spawn.

    How it was before the fish pass went in. Conditions were less favourable for migration.

    Background: 

    Contact us:

    Journalists only: 0800 141 2743 or communications_se@environment-agency.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ministers aim to create ‘top destination for women’s sport investment’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Four Welsh organisations benefit from a UK government investment scheme as UK Government ministers seek to create a ‘top destination’ for women’s sport.

    Cricket ball next to a boundary rope.

    • Four Welsh organisations benefit from UK government investment scheme as ministers seek to create ‘top destination’ for women’s sport.
    • The Genero Adran Football League, Cardiff Dragons netball team, Celtic Challenge Rugby Union competition and England and Wales Women’s Cricket are all beneficiaries of the scheme.
    • Welsh Secretary says: “It’s really important that the UK Government develops schemes like this to make sure our female sportspeople get the investment they need to achieve success.”

    Four Welsh women’s sport organisations are set for a boost after being named as part of a UK Government scheme to grow investment in elite women’s clubs and leagues as part of a new pledge to make the UK the world’s top destination for women’s sport investment.

    The Department for Business and Trade will today [Wednesday 23rd October] launch the 2024-25 Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator scheme, which will bring over 20 elite leagues, competitions and teams together with investors and industry experts to help them secure transformational investment and sponsorships.

    It will provide them with comprehensive market insights, seminars, connections and networking opportunities over a series of sessions, led by the Department for Business and Trade in collaboration with Deloitte, which will give them the tools and expert insight to help them attract investment and grow their business.

    Elite rightsholders in Wales, the Genero Adran League, Cardiff Dragons, Celtic Challenge and England and Wales Women’s Cricket have been named to take part in the scheme. The announcement will be made at a sport investment conference at Rothschild & Co today, involving leaders from major UK sports and some the world’s most prominent international investors.

    Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said:

    Wales has a proud history of producing world class female athletes and it’s fantastic to see this scheme being set up to encourage investment in women’s sport and help develop the stars of the future.

    Women’s sport has long been underfunded to it’s really important that the UK Government develops schemes like this to make sure our female sportspeople get the investment they need to achieve success.

    Wales Netball & Cardiff Dragons CEO, Vicki Sutton, said:

    Being part of the Department of Business and Trade and Deloitte Programme for the last year has been incredibly beneficial for netball in Wales and for my development and understanding as a leader in the sports sector.

    Women’s sport is on the rise and this programme has come at exactly the right time to compliment the worldwide movement currently in progress.

    Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson said: 

    The UK is already an elite home of women’s sport, and my goal is to make us the top destination for women’s sport investment.  

    The launch of this scheme, a week after our record-breaking International Investment Summit, shows the UK is truly the best place to do business in this fast-growing industry. 

    Off the back of the latest figures showing the industry could be worth over £1 billion this year, I’m looking forward to speaking to investors and clubs, leagues and teams today about how the Accelerator can drive this growth even further.” 

    Deloitte Sports Business Group Lead Partner Tim Bridge said:

    We’re witnessing a surge in investment opportunities within women’s sport. The rise of dedicated funds and brand sponsorships for women’s and girls’ clubs, leagues and competitions signals a powerful shift.

    The Accelerator programme has been built to connect investors and brands with these opportunities, showcasing the strength and remarkable growth potential of women’s sport. This influx of investment will be instrumental in driving professionalisation and boosting participation across the UK, creating a lasting impact for women’s sport at all levels while delivering significant economic returns.

    The scheme will capitalise on the rapid growth of the women’s sport industry, which is expected to be worth over £1 billion by the end of the year according to Deloitte, marking a 300 percent increase since 2021.

    The Government’s pledge to make the UK the top destination for women’s sport investment comes after the record-breaking International Investment Summit held just last week, which secured £63 billion of private investment into the UK which will create over 38,000 new jobs across the country.

    Full list of the elite sports represented in the 2024-25 Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator: 

    • Football 
    • Cricket 
    • Rugby union 
    • Rugby league 
    • Tennis 
    • Golf 
    • Netball 
    • Volleyball 
    • Cycling

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derby celebrates over a decade of Purple Flag status

    Source: City of Derby

    With October marking Purple Flag Month, Derby is celebrating over 10 years of holding the Purple Flag accreditation. The city was first awarded the purple flag in July 2013 for its city centre evening and night-time economy.

    The Purple Flag recognises towns and cities that provide a safe, welcoming, and well-managed night-time economy, similar to the Blue Flag for beaches and the Green Flag for parks. The Purple Flag is only accredited to towns and cities that are welcoming to everyone, offer safe ways for visitors to travel home, provide a good mix of venues, and are appealing after dark.

    With safety being a top priority, the accreditation means that Derby has benefitted from more visitors, lower crime and anti-social behaviour, and a safer city centre. It also recognises the hard work that goes on both on the streets and the planning from local authorities to make the city centre safer at night.

    Visitors and residents who go on nights out in Derby can benefit from increased safety, such as the teams of volunteers and workers who give up their weekends to keep people safe. Street pastors, BID wardens, taxi marshals, licensing officers, Derbyshire Police, door staff, ambulance crews and CCTV operators also work together to ensure the safety of Derby’s visitors and residents.

    Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure said:

    I am proud to be a cabinet member of a city that has repeatedly met the high standards required for the Purple Flag status. For over a decade, Derby has been recognised as a city that puts in hard work and collaboration, from local authorities to volunteers, to ensure the safety of everyone at night.

    This recognition, for over 10 years, shows that together, we gave created an evening and night-time economy that is vibrant and safe, and we are committed to going even further in the future to ensure the safety of everyone, particularly women and girls in our city.

    Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

    I am incredibly happy to be celebrating Purple Flag Month. I am also proud that Derby has retained its status of being a Purple Flag city for over a decade now. Through a partnership effort, our teams have been working hard to ensure that Derby remains a safe city for all. This year we have also invested £147,679 of government funding in new CCTV cameras in the city centre to make everyone, particularly women and girls, feel safer at night.

    I look forward to working further on the city centre’s safety and ensuring that Derby is a safe and welcoming city for all. We have an ambition to use the next application as a launch pad to go beyond the Purple Flag standard and do even more for community safety.

    Derby City Council is currently in the process of reapplying for the Purple Flag status, and the council remains confident that the city’s vibrant and well-managed night-time economy will once again meet the high standards required. The reapplication process will be an opportunity for the Council to showcase its ongoing efforts to prioritising safety at night, particularly for women and girls.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Language is the key to understanding the soul of a country”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Photo: freepic.com

    21 countries and 52 universities open their doors every semester to HSE students participating in the international academic mobility program. In the fall semester of this year, Sofia Malyukova, a third-year student of the bachelor’s program, went to study at the Ca’Foscari State University (Venice, Italy) under the academic mobility program.Foreign languages and intercultural communication» Foreign language schools National Research University Higher School of Economics.

    Her training in Ca’Foscari, whose rich history spans over 150 years, will last for two modules: from September 2024 to February 2025.

    Why Italy and the University of Venice

    — I have dreamed of studying in Italy since the 10th grade, and today, thanks to the HSE School of Foreign Languages, my dream has come true. I chose the Ca’Foscari University of Venice thanks to the positive feedback from students of our educational program who had already studied in Venice and were absolutely delighted with this university. In addition, the process of creating a curriculum turned out to be quite easy, since Ca’Foscari offers an extensive list of subjects for international students.

    Studying at the HSE School of Foreign Languages

    — I studied Italian from the age of 14 with a teacher, outside the school curriculum, because I was always attracted by the culture and history of Italy, and language is the key to understanding the soul of the country. Now my level of Italian is C1-C2, which allows me not only to communicate freely at the university, but also to feel confident outside of it.

    Having entered the first year of the bachelor’s degree program at the School of Foreign Languages (SFL) of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, I decided to choose French as my second foreign language because I wanted to learn another language from scratch. And I continue to intensively develop my Italian skills thanks to the variety of extracurricular activities of the HSE School of Foreign Languages related to Italian: I take part in annual International scientific and practical conference for students and postgraduates “Lingua e cultura italiana: soft power in the XXI century”, and also help with the preparation of events for the Italian Club of the HSE University School of Economics.

    Educational program at the University of Venice

    — The program for this semester is intense. I will study English and French, the theory of the first foreign language, the theory of teaching a foreign language, intercultural communication. Mobility at Ca’Foscari University will certainly bring me new unique experience for my future career. This university is one of the strongest in the field of linguistics. Here I will be able to expand my knowledge in a unique intercultural academic environment and learn how cultural differences affect corporate interaction, which is especially important for my specialization “Intercultural Corporate Communication”, which I will begin studying this academic year.

    Life in a city of contrasts

    — Venice certainly made a strong impression on me right away. It is a city that seems like a fairy tale and almost unreal, especially when you see it for the first time. Walking along narrow streets, crossing numerous bridges, you understand that every corner here breathes history. Venice is a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is a tourist center, which is felt most strongly in the city center. But once you turn aside, go deeper into lesser-known neighborhoods, you find yourself in quiet, almost deserted places, where it seems that time has stopped.

    Of course, at first we had to get used to the absence of familiar streets, avenues and cars. Instead, locals travel by water trams (vaporetto), which is very convenient and fast.

    As for the climate, there is very high humidity, which is especially noticeable during the rainy season (usually late October and February). On rainy days, the streets can be slightly flooded, a phenomenon called “high water” (aqua alta), and then you have to go around the streets next to the canals. So living on the water is not only romantic, but also difficult. On the other hand, it has its charm: Venice is surrounded by water, and you always feel it.

    When I was choosing a place to live, I wanted to live not in Venice itself, but on the mainland, where there are more amenities for living. That’s why I found an apartment in the small town of Mestre, 15 minutes from Venice. These cities are connected by regular buses and trains, so there are no problems with transportation.

    And for students in Venice, there is a special transport card that allows you to move around Venice and the nearby cities (Mestre and Marghera) by bus, tram and vaporetto. Some campuses of Ca’Foscari University are located near vaporetto stops, so students also actively use this transport. However, in Italy there are often strikes during which employees of the transport industry do not work, so you have to plan your routes in advance.

    Ca’Foscari is like home

    — Studying at the University of Venice is an unforgettable experience due to the intercultural exchange, as students from all over the world study here. Among my friends there are not only Italians, but also guys from Japan, Korea, Turkey, America, Great Britain, Russia.

    All foreign students are treated very kindly, including by teachers who value foreign students very much and are always ready to help. All Italians are very hospitable and open, so I immediately felt at home among them.

    At the university, classes usually start early in the morning, but some subjects can be held in the evening, depending on the course. The class lasts for an hour and a half, which is universal for all Italian universities. In addition to classes at the Italian university, I take some compulsory subjects of my educational program at the National Research University Higher School of Economics online.

    Overall, my workload here is distributed very conveniently, thanks to which I have time to devote to additional education, my hobbies and travel around Italy. For example, I have already managed to visit seven cities: Rome, Milan, Florence, Verona, Peschiera del Garda, Padua and Treviso.

    As for the canteen, the university has one, but not all campuses. For example, some campuses are just classrooms in historical buildings, where there is no canteen. Moreover, breaks between classes last only 15 minutes, so it is best to take a snack from home to avoid standing in line at the canteen. I cook at home most often, but I also like to try different dishes of Italian cuisine. Sometimes we get together with foreign friends at Italians, cook pasta together and chat, exchanging impressions and telling each other about our cultures.

    Studying here is a unique cultural experience that I will definitely not forget. Venice teaches you not to rush, to enjoy the moment and the beauty around you. There is a special magic in Venice that cannot be explained in words, but can only be felt by seeing the city with your own eyes.

    Advice for those who want to take part in academic mobility

    — First of all, it was necessary to draw up an individual curriculum and coordinate it with the educational office. I chose the subjects that I would study in Italy and transfer upon my return. Therefore, it is very important that the content of the curriculum corresponds to the subjects studied at that time in our educational program at the School of Foreign Languages of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

    The motivation letter was also an important document, as it was where I could explain how the opportunity to participate in the mobility program was connected with my academic and career goals and why my candidacy should be selected. The motivation letter is the only opportunity to “talk” to the admission committee, so it is very important to talk about your experience, personal qualities and plans for the future. Do not be afraid to fully disclose your achievements and show your desire for new heights!

    In addition to the motivation letter, letters of recommendation from teachers play a significant role. In my experience, it is important that they reflect various aspects of your activities. For example, I attached recommendations that covered not only my academic successes, but also extracurricular achievements (active participation in the life of the HSE School of Foreign Languages and the HSE School of Foreign Languages Italian Club, experience of volunteering at Olympiads and working as a teaching assistant).

    My main advice is to start preparing for the competition in advance and carefully work through each document. Approach this process as responsibly as possible and keep in mind that the commission pays attention not only to your academic achievements, but also to how you show yourself outside of your studies. Show your activity and interests, tell how the academic mobility program is connected with your plans for the future, and then your chances of successfully passing the selection will increase significantly.

    And of course, don’t be afraid of anything. Follow your dream, dare and be sure that getting the coveted letter that you have passed the competitive selection for the academic mobility program is quite possible. Good luck!

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video message to the Virtual Launch of the UNEP Emissions Gap Report

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Download the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergr…

    The message of today’s Emissions Gap report is clear:

    We are teetering on a planetary tight rope.

    Either leaders bridge the emissions gap, or we plunge headlong into climate disaster – with the poorest and most vulnerable suffering the most.

    This report shows annual greenhouse gas emissions at an all-time high – rising 1.3 per cent last year.  They must fall 9 per cent each year to 2030 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the very worst of climate change.

    Current policies are taking us towards a catastrophic 3.1 degrees Celsius temperature rise by the end of the century.

    As this report rightly puts it, people and planet cannot afford more hot air.

    The emissions gap is not an abstract notion.  There is a direct link between increasing emissions and increasingly frequent and intense climate disasters. 

    Around the world, people are paying a terrible price.

    Record emissions mean record sea temperatures supercharging monster hurricanes;

    Record heat is turning forests into tinder boxes and cities into saunas;
     
    Record rains are resulting in biblical floods.

    Today’s report shows affordable, existing technologies can achieve the emissions reductions we need to 2030 and 2035 to meet the 1.5 degree limit.

    But only with a surge in ambition and support.

    The upcoming United Nations climate conference – COP29 – must drive progress in two ways. 

    First, COP29 starts the clock for countries to deliver new national climate action plans – or NDCs – by next year. 

    Governments have agreed to align these plans with 1.5 degrees.

    That means they must drive down all greenhouse gas emissions and cover the whole economy – pushing progress in every sector.

    And they must wean us off our fossil fuel addiction: showing how governments will phase them out – fast and fairly; and contributing to global goals to accelerate renewables rollout and halt and reverse deforestation.

    The largest economies – the G20 members, responsible for around 80 per cent of all emissions – must lead. I urge first-movers to come forward.

    Second, finance will be front and centre at COP29. 

    Developing countries urgently need serious support to accelerate the transition to clean energy and deal with the violent weather they are already facing. 

    COP29 must agree a new finance goal that unlocks the trillions of dollars they need. And provides confidence it will be delivered.

    We know the price of climate inaction is far greater.

    This would require a significant increase in concessional public finance, that can be complemented by innovative sources, such as fossil fuel extraction levies.

    The COP29 outcome must also send clear signals, to drive action on debt relief and reform of the Multilateral Development Banks to make them bigger and bolder.

    Today’s Emissions Gap report is clear: we’re playing with fire; but there can be no more playing for time.

    We’re out of time.

    Closing the emissions gap means closing the ambition gap, the implementation gap, and the finance gap.

    Starting at COP29.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada reduces immigration

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan: a plan that will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term. For the first time ever, the levels plan includes controlled targets for temporary residents, specifically international students and foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents.

    October 24, 2024—Ottawa—Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan: a plan that will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term. For the first time ever, the levels plan includes controlled targets for temporary residents, specifically international students and foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents.

    Immigration is essential to our country’s economic success and growth. As Canada reopened following the pandemic, the needs of businesses were greater than the supply of workers available to support their recovery. We took decisive measures to attract some of the world’s best and brightest to study and work in Canada, and to integrate them into the economy quickly. This meant a faster economic recovery. It also meant that robust immigration helped prevent a recession, while contributing to Canada’s workforce.

    In response to the evolving needs of our country, this transitional levels plan alleviates pressures on housing, infrastructure and social services so that over the long term we can grow our economic and social prosperity through immigration. This unprecedented plan offers a comprehensive approach to welcoming newcomers—one that preserves the integrity of our immigration programs and sets newcomers up for success. Canadians also expect a well-managed immigration system from the Government of Canada.

    The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2% in both 2025 and 2026 before returning to a population growth of 0.8% in 2027. These forecasts account for today’s announcement of reduced targets across multiple immigration streams over the next two years, as well as expected temporary resident outflows resulting from the 5% target, natural population loss and other factors.

    With this year’s levels plan, we have listened to Canadians. We are reducing our permanent resident targets. Compared to last year’s plan, we are:

    • reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000 in 2025
    • reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 380,000 in 2026
    • setting a target of 365,000 permanent residents in 2027

    The Levels Plan also supports efforts to reduce temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026. Given temporary resident reduction measures announced in September and this past year, Canada’s temporary population will decrease over the next few years as significantly more temporary residents will transition to being permanent residents or leave Canada compared to new ones arriving.

    Specifically, compared to each previous year, we will see Canada’s temporary population decline by

    • 445,901 in 2025
    • 445,662 in 2026
    • a modest increase of 17,439 in 2027

    These reductions are the result of a series of changes over the past year, including a cap on international students and tightened eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers, implemented to decrease volumes and strengthen the integrity and quality of our temporary resident programs. The changes are designed with long-term economic goals in mind to make sure that we continue to attract the best and the brightest.

    These changes will help provinces, territories and stakeholders align their capacities and allow the population to grow at a sustainable pace as we encourage institutions to do their part in better welcoming newcomers.

    Other measures from the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan include the following:

    • Transitioning more temporary residents who are already in Canada as students and workers to permanent residents
      Representing more than 40% of overall permanent resident admissions in 2025, these residents are skilled, educated and integrated into Canadian society. They will continue to support the workforce and economy without placing additional demands on our social services because they are already established, with housing and employment.
    • Focusing on long-term economic growth and key labour market sectors, such as health and trades
      Permanent resident admissions in the economic class will reach 61.7% of total admissions by 2027.
    • Strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec and supporting their economic prosperity
      Of the overall permanent resident admission targets, Francophone immigration will represent 
      • 8.5% in 2025
      • 9.5% in 2026
      • 10% in 2027

    Through this plan, we are using our existing programs so that everyone—including newcomers—has access to the well-paying jobs, affordable homes and social services they need to thrive in our beautiful country.

    Aïssa Diop
    Director of Communications
    Minister’s Office
    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
    Aissa.Diop@cic.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Communications Sector
    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
    613-952-1650
    media@cic.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Each year, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tables the Immigration Levels Plan, a forward-looking snapshot of immigration targets for the next three years.

    Each year, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tables the Immigration Levels Plan, a forward-looking snapshot of immigration targets for the next three years.

    The plan provides permanent resident admissions targets for 2025, with notional commitments for 2026 and 2027. For the first time, we’re extending our levels plan to also include targets for temporary residents, taking into account the full scope of all newcomers and helping reduce temporary resident (TR) volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026.

    Development of the levels plan

    When developing the Levels Plan, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) considers

    • priorities and objectives for immigration, including those set out in the Immigration Refugee and Protection Act
    • economic and regional needs
    • international obligations and commitments
    • processing capacity
    • the capacity to settle, integrate and retain newcomers

    Throughout the year, IRCC engages with a broad range of stakeholders and partners, including provinces and territories, to help inform our plan. IRCC also conducts public opinion research through surveys and focus groups with newcomers, Canadians living in rural areas, Francophones living in communities outside of Quebec, as well as Indigenous Peoples.

    Findings from these consultations and public engagement initiatives informed the Immigration Levels Plan and are published in the Levels Consultation Report.

    Permanent resident targets

    Permanent resident (PR) programs include economic streams, family reunification, refugees and protected persons, and humanitarian and compassionate admissions.

    This year’s levels plan reduces permanent resident targets starting in 2025 and forecasts decreases for the following two years, resulting in a pause in population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth and economic prosperity for the long term.

    The plan

    • represents an overall decrease of 105,000 admissions in 2025, as compared to projected 2025 levels
    • prioritizes in-Canada applicants and pathways for those already here
      • More than 40% of anticipated PR admissions in 2025 will be from those who are already in Canada as temporary residents.
      • Research has demonstrated that newcomers with in-Canada experience have positive long-term success. These skilled, educated newcomers can continue to support the workforce and economy, without placing additional demands on our social services.
      • Adjustments will be made to our economic immigration streams to prioritize transitions of workers already here to permanent residents and to be responsive to labour market needs—our in-Canada focus. We will put emphasis on our federal economic priorities in programs, including the Canadian Experience Class and regional immigration programs, to attract workers we need, such as in health care and trades occupations.
    • focuses on economic immigration, with approximately 62% of total permanent resident admissions that will be dedicated to the economic class, in key sectors such as health and trades, by 2027
    • continues to reunites families and loved ones, including spouses, children, parents and grandparents. In 2025, nearly 24% of overall permanent resident admissions will be allocated to family class immigration
    • upholds Canada’s long-standing commitment to resettle the world’s most vulnerable, including human rights defenders, LGBTQI+ refugees, religious and ethnic minorities, and women and children in precarious situations
    • strengthens Francophone communities outside Quebec and supports their economic prosperity. Of the overall permanent resident admission targets, Francophone immigration will represent
      • 5% in 2025
      • 5% in 2026
      • 10% in 2027

    These targets allow for a continued increase in volume year-over-year of Francophone admissions outside Quebec, despite decreased overall PR levels.

    Temporary resident targets

    In March 2024, Canada announced a plan to decrease the number of temporary residents to 5% of the total population over the next three years, including temporary foreign workers and international students. Starting in 2025, Canada will have targets for temporary residents as part of the levels plan.

    TR targets will capture the number of new workers and students arriving in Canada:

    • Student arrivals are aligned with the previously announced
    • Worker arrivals are those under the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

    TR targets were calculated by assessing a number of factors, such as the number of individuals expected to depart Canada in each program (such as when a permit expires), individuals transitioning to permanent residents, approval rates for each program, estimated renewal rates and other factors.

    As such, categories excluded from the TR targets but included in the stock of TRs are:

    • Work or study permit extensions or change of status from within Canada (since we would be counting an individual’s status more than once). This is factored into the outflows.
    • Seasonal workers who enter and leave Canada within the same year (since they aren’t a part of our year-end population count).
    • Asylum claimants who are seeking protection in Canada (since they are entitled by law to have their claim assessed so we can’t control the volumes like we do with other programs).

    Measures designed to achieve the 5% target

    • International student cap: IRCC introduced an annual cap on international student study permits, including a further 10% reduction in 2025 relative to 2024 targets.
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) reform: IRCC tightened eligibility requirements for PGWPs to better align the program with immigration goals and labour market needs.
    • Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW Program) reform: ESDC introduced a 10% cap on employers hiring temporary foreign workers under the low-wage stream, and announced an increase to the starting hourly wage for temporary foreign workers in the high-wage stream by 20%.
    • Limiting work permits for spouses of temporary residents: IRCC is tightening work permit eligibility for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers.

    For more information, please consult our latest news release on strengthening temporary residence programs for sustainable volumes.

    Taken together, the targets are expected to result in a net decrease in temporary residents over the next two years. Specifically, compared to each previous year, we will see:

    • 445,901 fewer TRs in 2025
    • 445,662 fewer TRs in 2026
    • a modest increase of 17,439 TRs in 2027

    Asylum

    Like many countries, Canada is experiencing more asylum claims as the number of displaced people worldwide continues to grow, and that contributes to growing volumes. To align with our humanitarian responsibilities, the government has been working on several measures to address integrity issues and strengthen the in-Canada asylum system, including

    • implementing a partial visa requirements for Mexican nationals
    • improving claims processing while maintaining the fairness and integrity of the asylum system, as announced in 2024
    • reviewing visa decision making so that our highly trained officers have the right tools to detect fraud and reduce the number of non-genuine visitors
    • exploring more measures to further strengthen visa integrity

    Impact of the Plan

    • The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2% in both 2025 and 2026 before returning to a population growth of 0.8% in 2027.
    • The plan will reduce the housing supply gap by approximately 670 000 units by the end of 2027.
    • Continued robust GDP growth and enable GDP per capita growth to accelerate throughout 2025 to 2027, as well as improve housing affordability and lower the unemployment rate.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: St. Louis area state parks and historic sites host fun fall activities

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 18, 2024 – Fall fun abounds at Missouri state parks and historic sites. From Halloween hikes to spooktacular events, there’s something for everyone!

    Friday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. – Halloween Night Hike at Mastodon State Historic Site.
    Celebrate Halloween with a family-friendly night hike at Mastodon State Historic Site! Participants will cover some non-spooky Halloween topics. Don’t worry – no jump scares here! Meet at the start of the Spring Branch Trail, located in the picnic area at 1800 Seckman Road in Imperial. From there, participants will hike the 0.8-mile loop, featuring an accessible packed gravel surface. Those attending are invited to wear a non-scary, family friendly Halloween costume. Costume or not, you should come dressed for the weather and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring a flashlight. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call or text 636-215-9784 or visit icampmo.com.

    Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. – Spooktacular Halloween at Meramec State Park.
    Meramec State Park is hosting its annual Spooktacular Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 19. Join the park team for a coloring contest, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, a movie and more! This will be held in the park campground at 115 Meramec Park Drive in Sullivan. The event is free, open to the public and registration is not required.

    Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – International Archaeology Day at Mastodon State Historic Site.
    Celebrate International Archaeology Day at Mastodon State Historic Site. All the free interpretive programs will be accessible from the museum parking lot at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.

    Registration is required for the Archaeological Evidence program, but not for the afternoon programs. Starting at 10 a.m. in the museum auditorium, visitors can learn about archaeological evidence with a hands-on program. Participants will learn how to order evidence and how to sort facts from inferences and opinions. They will also have the opportunity to interpret a mock archaeology site. This program is designed for families with elementary-aged children, but all are welcome. Space is limited and registration is required and can be done by calling or texting 636-215-9784. At 1 p.m., guests can discover archaeological sites around the world in this interpreter-led presentation, “Archaeology Around the World.” From 3 – 4 p.m., try your hand at the ancient hunting technique of atlatl throwing. In the event of rain or other inclement weather, this program will be canceled.

    Saturday, Oct. 19, noon – 3 p.m. – Bones, Graveyards and Burials at First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site.
    The leaves are falling, winds are howling, and ghostly spirits are calling in St. Charles, Missouri. It’s the perfectly creepy, chilly time of year to join the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site team and archaeologist for an eerie program exploring mysterious customs and the stranger side of burials. So, come learn about the interestingly spooky secrets beneath your feet and beyond! Presenters will cover topics ranging from specific challenges archaeologists face when they come across a burial, to the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery, to the history of the expression “saved by the bell.” Throughout the program, they will discuss local burials and archaeological digs that occurred right here in St. Charles. Members of the Archaeological Institute of America will also be on hand providing programs in honor of International Archaeology Day. Join the free program in the backyard of the historic site located at 200 S. Main St. in St. Charles.

    Monday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Homeschool Hour: Outdoor Literature at Mastodon State Historic Site.
    Homeschoolers are invited to join the team at Mastodon State Historic Site for fun, educational activities. Each Homeschool Hour has two time slots, with the 10 a.m. slot for all ages, while the 1 p.m. slot is strictly for homeschoolers ages 10 and up and includes more advanced activities. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, call 636-464-2976 or visit icampmo.com (morning session) or icampmo.com (afternoon session). The majority of this session will take place outside, so dress appropriately. Mastodon State Historic Site is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.

    Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. – Toddler Thursdays at Mastodon State Historic Site.
    Come learn, create and play at Mastodon State Historic Site. Designed for toddlers and their grown-ups, Toddler Thursdays focus on different topics and include activities and a craft. Join the team in the museum auditorium at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive.

    Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. – St. Francois Adventure School: Bugs at St. Francois State Park.
    Our world is full of fascinating bugs. Homeschoolers and their adults are invited to join the park naturalists to get an up-close look at some of our tiny friends that have six, eight or more legs! The day begins at 9:45 a.m. with check-in at the campground amphitheater, followed by the first portion of the program at 10 a.m. After a discussion on the diverse world of insects, spiders and other arthropods, we will head out on Swimming Deer Trail to see if we can get a bug bingo. Students ages 5-8 will have a 0.25-mile hike while students ages 9-14 will have a 2-mile hike. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, especially on the trail. Strollers will not be allowed on the trail. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, call 573-358-2173 or visit icampmo.com (ages 5-8) or icampmo.com (ages 9-14). St. Francois State Park is located at 8920 U.S. Highway 67 N. in Bonne Terre.

    Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Babler’s Halloween Weekend at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
    This event is free, open to the public and registration is not required. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is located at 800 Guy Park Drive in Wildwood.

    The weekend schedule follows:

    Saturday, Oct. 26
    10 a.m. – Wile E. Coyote – Speed on over to the park to learn about Missouri’s wiliest mammals yet: coyotes. Meet at the visitor center at 10 a.m.
    2 p.m. – Slither Me Timbers – Slither on over to meet one of Babler’s resident snakes and learn more about snakes, including how they are beneficial to you. Meet at the visitor center.
    4-8 p.m. – Babler’s Howl-oween – Trick-or-treating will be at the visitor center.
    8 p.m. – Camper Judging – Any camper who wants to participate in the Halloween decorating contest will be rated by a panel of judges. Judging starts at 8 p.m.

    Sunday, Oct. 27
    10 a.m. – Batty Business – Join an interpreter in learning about Missouri’s only flying mammals. Meet at the visitor center.

    Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-8 p.m. – St. Francois Halloween at St. Francois State Park.
    Everyone is invited to partake in some Halloween fun at the St. Francois State Park campground at 8920 U.S. Highway 67 N in Bonne Terre, Missouri. From 5-6 p.m., there will be a costume contest. The costume contest photo booth will run from 5-6 p.m. at the campground amphitheater stage, so stop by and get entered in the contest. There will be five categories: 0-3 years old, 4-7 years old, 8-12 years old, 13 years and older, and best group costume. Please keep the costumes family-friendly. From 6:30-8 p.m., trick-or-treating is open to the general public and will take place in the park campground. Driving through the campground will not be permitted during these hours. Participating campsites will be given a Halloween placard to post. Campers are responsible for providing their own candy to hand out and trick-or-treaters should bring a flashlight and bag for candy. At 8 p.m., the best decorated campsite award will be presented.

    Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Rural Heritage Day at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site.
    Join the fun at Ste. Genevieve’s annual Rural Heritage Day. This festival celebrates rural Ste. Genevieve and features activities that allow participants to explore the area’s cultural history. Activities include free self-guided tours of the Felix Vallé House at 198 Merchant St. in Ste. Genevieve as well as live demonstrations and hands-on activities in the Shaw House courtyard. This is a communitywide event with multiple locations in downtown Ste. Genevieve hosting public programs.

    Saturday, Oct. 26, 2 – 8 p.m. – Halloween Hootenanny at Washington State Park.
    Come out to Washington State Park, located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto, for the park’s annual Halloween Hootenanny.

    This year’s event schedule is as follows:

    2 p.m. – Web Master: Nature’s Greatest Artist – Join the park team at the amphitheater for a closer look at the life of an arachnid. Journey through the different species and have a closer look at Missouri spiders.
    4 p.m. – Haunted Happenings – Meet in front of the showerhouse, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy popcorn around the campfire as the park team shares spooky stories.
    6 p.m. – Masks and Mayhem – Campers and non-campers alike are invited to dress up and meet at Campsite #2, and trick or treat their way around the campground loop. Registered campers are also invited to participate in the campsite decorating contest.

    For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Adoption Week Campaign highlights the need for more adopters

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    This National Adoption Week, we’re showcasing adoption journeys of all kinds, and the important people who are there along the way, as part of this year’s You Can Adopt campaign The Journey.

    The campaign raises awareness of modern adoption and showcases the diversity of adoptive families today, showing that the journey to a family is not always a traditional one.

    This is reflected in new data commissioned for National Adoption Week, which shows 65 per cent of Brits say there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ family and 42 per cent come from a ‘non traditional’ family structure.

    The campaign will show adopters that they are not alone by highlighting the people who play a significant role in each family’s lifelong journey and makes each experience unique – from foster carers and social workers to birth families and the adoption community.

    To mark the theme of ‘The Journey’ a new short film, set onboard a train, follows the stories of 3 adoptive families on their travels, reflecting on the ups, downs and detours of their lifelong journey.  

    Rachel, who features in the film alongside her 2 year old adopted daughter Winnie, father Daniel and social worker Becky, said: “You have an idea in your head of what family looks like, and for us it’s been different, but even more wonderful in different ways. For me, it’s really important that Winnie has a sense of herself and her identity – that she understands that not only do all families look different, but she has more than one family, and that’s OK.”

    Locally, there is a particular need to find adopters that can offer safe, loving and permanent homes to those repeatedly facing the longest delays in finding a family, including children aged 5 or over, children with additional and/or complex needs, brother and sister groups, and those from some ethnic minority backgrounds. Children from these groups typically wait an average of 7 months longer to be adopted than other children.

    Simon Green, Adoption@Heart Head of Service, said: “National Adoption Week is a crucial moment to raise awareness and highlight the importance of adoption. At Adoption@Heart, we are committed to supporting both adoptive families and children throughout their adoption journey, ensuring that every child can grow up in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment.

    This week serves as a reminder of the incredible impact that adoption can have, not only for the children, but for the families who open their hearts and homes to them.

    We encourage anyone considering adoption to contact us, learn more about the process, the support available, and the life changing difference they can make”.

    People that are interested in finding out more about the adoption process are invited to an information event to find out more and get their questions answered.

    Adoption@Heart hold information events at least twice a month with the next sessions being held at 10am on Saturday 9 November and (online) and at 6.00pm on Monday 25 November in Oldbury. Bookings can be made online by visiting Adoption@Heart.

    For more information about adoption, how to access adoption support, or to enquire about becoming an adopter, contact Adoption@Heart by calling 01902 553818 or emailing info@adoptionatheart.org.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Final Defendant Pleads Guilty, Three Others Sentenced in Upstate Meth Trafficking Case

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Three members of an Upstate drug ring have been sentenced to federal prison and the final member has pleaded guilty for their role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

    Richard Brian Walker, 49, of Chesnee, was sentenced to 270 months’ imprisonment. Walker additionally pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

    Rebecca Elizabeth Whitesides, 54, of Mooresboro, N.C., 120 months’ imprisonment. Whitesides also pled guilty to money laundering. 

    Amanda Gail Tuck, 45, of Chesnee, was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment.

    The final defendant Jeffrey Michael Wilson, 54, of Commerce, Georgia pled guilty to conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Wilson was convicted in a prior federal methamphetamine conspiracy case in 2000.

    Evidence presented to the court showed that on Jan. 18, 2023, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled over Whitesides on I-85 and searched her car, finding almost two kilograms of methamphetamine. Investigation into her bank accounts demonstrated that she was assisting others to conceal payments for drug proceeds.

    On Feb. 22, 2023, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office was conducting surveillance on Walker’s home and observed Wilson’s car arrive and leave. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Wilson, locating more than 5,800 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded semi-automatic pistol with 19 rounds. Over the course of the conspiracy, Wilson was responsible for trafficking 50 kilograms of methamphetamine with Walker.

    A search warrant was also executed on Walker’s residence and storage building that day, and investigators located over 500 grams of methamphetamine and 85 grams of fentanyl, a loaded pistol, a rifle, and an unmarked short-barreled AR-15 style rifle, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.” Tuck was also located on the premises.

    Only a month later, on March 24, 2023, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled over Tuck and located almost a kilogram of her methamphetamine in a U-Haul truck.

    United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced the defendants and accepted Wilson’s guilty plea.  The court ordered each sentence to be followed by a term of supervised release. Judge Coggins will sentence Wilson at a later date. The maximum penalty for the offense is life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –