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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Awarding of Nuclear Test Medals marked at City Hall

    Source: City of Norwich

    A veteran of the UK’s nuclear testing programme in the 1950s received recognition for his participation in the tests in the Pacific with a presentation at Norwich City Hall today.

    David Freeman, 85, of Thorpe St Andrews, was presented with the medal by Lord Mayor Cllr Vivien Thomas.

    He was joined by the family of the late Robert (Bob) Carman, 84, from Norwich, who are recipients of the Nuclear Test Medal on Mr Carman’s behalf. Widow Pam Carman, daughters Sally Williams, Alison Carman and Sonia Billing, with grand-daughter and great grand-daughter Kasey and Lorena Williams, joined with Mr Freeman for the presentations and tea in the Lord Mayor’s parlour.

    Both Mr Freeman and Mr Carman, alongside thousands of services personnel, were at Christmas Island for the nuclear tests in 1957. Mr Freeman, who was a regular in the RAF for 12 years working with safety equipment, took part in the first test on November 8, 1957. Mr Carman, who passed away at the age of 88 in 2018, was in the Royal Engineers and was also present on that day and then took part in a second test.

    Mr Freeman, who was 18 at the time of the tests, said: “They kept everything very secret. There were rumours but we didn’t know what was about to happen. It’s something you never forget – the heat, the blast, tremendous winds. You could see the shock waves building up across the sky, and then there was torrential rain bringing down all the rubbish out of the cloud. Some of the sand turned to glass crystals. It’s a miracle that any humans were left standing.”

    Mr Freeman said there was no after care following the tests. “We were just sent home. About 6 to 7 weeks afterwards my gums started to bleed. I was told to take aspirin. Not long afterwards, I started losing my teeth. Even now I have to blend a lot of my food due to that. I still can’t get access to my medical records from that time.”

    Mr Freeman has also suffered other debilitating health issues with a long-running cough and lung problem, bowel and blood cancers, an aneurysm and he has suffered a heart attack. He also lost the sight in one eye. “But I feel I am one of the lucky ones – I am still here.”

    Mr Carman’s daughters said their father also felt he was lucky and whilst he had health issues, including prostate cancer, he “didn’t want to make a big deal of it”.

    The Carman family met with Mr Freeman after hearing him talk on Chatterbox about the Nuclear Test Medal.

    Alison Carman said: “David wanted more veterans to come forward as a lot of people are unaware of being able to receive the medal.”

    She said: “My dad used to tell us stories about the big piles of driftwood which after the bomb had exploded just turned to ash. He also said they held their hands up in front of their faces during the blast and could see all the bones in their hands. Today’s event has been lovely. It’s just a shame Dad couldn’t be here for it.”

    Mr Carman wrote down his recollection of the events on Christmas Island for his family. He said:

    “There was this huge bright flash. My goggles went white, then there was a searing blast of heat which we all felt pass through our backs and neck, and then the tremendous blast, the huge thunderclap and the island shook.

    “I turned around and it was awesome, like a giant golden ball of curling flames above the palm trees as it turned into the mushroom shape. We were allowed back to camp and our tents and belongings were thrown everywhere.”

    For the second test, he said: “The tremendous blast did not rock the island quite so much, but the heat felt like a razor cutting through my neck. I remember the Bay of Wrecks where we went a short time after the explosion. There was not a piece of driftwood to be seen. It had been evaporated by the heat. There was not a sound to be heard. The birds were all gone.”

    Lord Mayor Cllr Vivien Thomas said: “Sadly, there are lots of families whose fathers have passed away who wouldn’t know about these medals.”

    She said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome you here, to hear your stories and to pass on the medals on behalf of all of us in gratitude for what you experienced. The events which happened all those years ago should be recognised as part of our history, as should the suffering they generated.”

    The Nuclear Test Medal was released in 2023. Around 40,000 British personnel took part in the testing of atomic and hydrogen bombs in the 1950s and 1960s, and around 2,000 are believed to be still alive. 22,000 veterans are expected to be eligible for the new honour, marking their service and contribution to the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme. The medal can be awarded posthumously to a veteran’s legal next of kin.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Our system allows us to prevent data center failures”

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Photo: hackathon “Digital Breakthrough” / VKontakte

    First year student of the Master’s program “Product approach and data analytics in HR management» Konstantin Balcat and his team of like-minded people have developed a system for predicting hard drive failures based on machine learning. With this project, they are among the best at the Digital Breakthrough hackathon for the second year in a row. Vyshka.Glavnoe talked to Konstantin about developing innovations and studying at the university.

    About the project

    — The system we propose allows companies providing cloud services and using their own hard drives to promptly manage stocks and equipment in data centers, as well as effectively plan purchases and optimize the warehouse. At the same time, the possibility of warranty service for purchased batches of equipment is preserved. All this is especially important for large cloud providers.

    The idea for this solution arose from a case and problem proposed by the company “Sila”, which our project helps within the framework of the hackathon “Digital Breakthrough”. Based on historical data on the use and failure of disks, we can predict the moment of failure of a new disk in the future. At the same time, our system takes into account the features of each specific batch of equipment. This allows for more competent management of resources and prevention of failures in the operation of data centers.

    About the team

    — Our team won the regional hackathon “Digital Breakthrough” in Omsk last year with this project. In 2024, in the same hackathon, but at the federal level, we again entered the top, taking 4th place. We are currently negotiating with the company “Sila” about further development and implementation of our solution in the industry.

    The team also includes Daniil Galimov, Alexander Serov, Alexander Kharlamov and Artem Tarasov. We met two years ago at the educational forums “I am a professional” in IT and specialized programs at Sirius. Since then, we have taken part in dozens of competitions, in some of which we won or took prizes. Now, under the grant “Code-AI” of the Foundation for Assistance to Innovations, we are developing a system for identifying marine mammals using aerial photographs. All participants work as IT specialists in Russian bigtech companies: Daniil Galimov and Alexander Kharlamov are specialists in backend and Python, Alexander Serov and I are machine learning engineers and project managers.

    About HSE and studies

    – This year I entered the Higher School of Economics Faculty of Computer Science. My program, “Product Approach and Data Analytics in HR Management,” is being implemented jointly with Alfa-Bank. Having a technical education, I considered it important to delve into the field of management and people management. At the same time, I did not want to stray too far from the technical side and artificial intelligence engineering. It was in the FCN program that I saw such an opportunity. Now I am developing a solution for analyzing interpersonal communications using large language models. It was important for me to have the opportunity to discuss, collaborate with Alfa-Bank, and receive feedback on my project during classes.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.hse.ru/nevs/edu/974825227.html

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Prospect Capital Corporation Closes $764 Million of New Investments in Fiscal Year June 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: PSEC) (“Prospect”) closed $764 million of new investments during its fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, investing in 38 new and existing portfolio companies.

    91% of PSEC’s originations during fiscal year 2024 were first lien, senior secured loans.

    Selected investments in both new and existing portfolio companies during fiscal year 2024 include:

    • $56 million of first lien loans to refinance the debt of a provider of clinical trial services. The company is a clinical development services provider that operates and conducts clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers.
    • $60 million of primarily first lien loans to finance an acquisition of a provider of business process outsourcing solutions. The company provides customer experience services and business process outsourcing services, which includes customer call centers, online chat, text message, and general ‘contact center as a service’.
    • $26 million of primarily first lien loans to finance an acquisition of a healthcare services provider. The company is a detox and rehabilitation provider that offers residential inpatient treatment, partial hospital programs, and intensive outpatient care in multiple restore facilities.
    • $30 million of a first lien loan to finance a shareholder distribution for a direct-to-consumer marketing company. The company is a direct marketer and distributor of modern-era government-issued gold and silver coins.
    • $37 million of primarily first lien loans to finance an add-on acquisition and shareholder distribution for a logistics service provider. The company provides turnkey inventory management and transportation services.
    • $13 million of a first lien loan to finance an add-on acquisition by a furniture provider. The company provides furniture and furnishings to residential and commercial end markets, including churches, hospitality, offices, restaurants, and schools.
    • $10 million of first lien loans for a healthcare services provider in a secondary transaction. The company is a home-based infusion pharmacy services provider serving patients with chronic conditions.
    • $20 million of first lien loans to finance a shareholder distribution of a branded jeweler designer. The company is a designer and retailer of distinctive handcrafted gold-plated women’s jewelry decorated with semi-precious stones, including necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.

    In addition, as of October 14, 2024, Prospect is processing an investment pipeline of more than $350 million, which includes transactions where due diligence and analysis are still in process.

    The investment pipeline includes transactions for which a formal mandate, letter of intent, or signed commitment may or may not have been issued. The consummation of any of the investments in this pipeline depends upon, among other things, one or more of the following: satisfactory completion of Prospect’s due diligence investigation of the prospective portfolio company, Prospect’s acceptance of the terms and structure of such investment, and the execution and delivery of transaction documentation satisfactory to Prospect. In addition, Prospect may sell all or a portion of these investments and certain of these investments may result in the repayment of existing investments. Prospect cannot assure you that it will make any of these investments or that Prospect will sell all or any portion of these investments.

    About Prospect Capital Corporation

    Prospect is a business development company that focuses on lending to and investing in private businesses. Prospect’s investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments.

    Prospect has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). Prospect is required to comply with a series of regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act as well as applicable NASDAQ, federal and state rules and regulations. We have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, whose safe harbor for forward-looking statements does not apply to business development companies. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are highly likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under our control, and that we may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from any forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.

    For further information, contact:

    Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer

    grier@prospectcap.com

    Telephone (212) 448-0702

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wasserman Schultz, Salazar Sponsor Bipartisan REVOCAR Act to Defund Maduro’s Repression of Venezuelans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

    “Maduro’s brutal regime refuses to honor the undeniable election results, despite clear evidence proving his loss. Rescinding these special licenses, which exclusively serve to subsidize the regime’s crony corruption, violent repression, and flagrant human rights abuses, must be part of our international effort to reject Maduro’s election theft,” said Wasserman Schultz. “If we truly intend to see through a peaceful transition of power and honor the will of the Venezuelan people, we cannot afford to indulge fossil fuel companies’ investors at the expense of democracy.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), co-chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, introduced the bipartisan Revoke Exemptions for Venezuelan Oil to Curb Autocratic Repression Act, or REVOCAR Act, to prohibit new and existing licenses for companies to transact with Venezuela’s state oil company, which provides revenue for the Maduro regime’s crimes against humanity. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) previously introduced a similar bill in the Senate.

    “Maduro’s brutal regime refuses to honor the undeniable election results, despite clear evidence proving his loss. Rescinding these special licenses, which exclusively serve to subsidize the regime’s crony corruption, violent repression, and flagrant human rights abuses, must be part of our international effort to reject Maduro’s election theft,” said Wasserman Schultz. “If we truly intend to see through a peaceful transition of power and honor the will of the Venezuelan people, we cannot afford to indulge fossil fuel companies’ investors at the expense of democracy.”

    “It’s long past time to cut off the flow of money that the Maduro Dictatorship uses to oppress their people,” said Salazar. “We are sending a loud and clear message that if Maduro stays, there will be no oil money for the Venezuelan regime.”

    “Despite the sweeping and clear opposition victory in the recent Venezuelan presidential election, the Maduro regime refused to release results, announced that it had won instead, and arbitrarily arrested thousands of opposition supporters,” said Durbin. “We must put an end to the outright theft of the Venezuelan voters’ overwhelming choice for a better future.  I’m pleased that Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Salazar are introducing the House bill to terminate all U.S. petroleum cooperation and related trade with Venezuela until the legitimate results of the recent election are respected. The Maduro regime clings to power using oil revenues dependent on U.S. involvement.  Under our bill, that will end, and so will Maduro’s financial strength.”

    The REVOCAR Act would prohibit U.S. persons and entities from engaging in transactions with PdVSA, Venezuela’s regime-controlled energy company, eliminating General Licenses issued by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that allow certain companies to do business with the Maduro regime. These prohibitions would extend for three years or until the President certifies that a democratic transfer of power to Venezuelan president-elect Edmundo González has taken place.

    On July 28, 2024, more than 10,000,000 citizens of Venezuela voted in a presidential election in which meticulously documented and publicized data from credible election monitors clearly and convincingly showed that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez received more than two-thirds of the votes against the regime of Nicolas Maduro. The Maduro regime has refused to respect the overwhelming choice of the people of Venezuela and subsequently arrested and abused thousands of innocent citizens of Venezuela, including children, for peaceful political participation.

    Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Salazar have partnered on recent efforts promoting democracy in Venezuela including the VOICE Act, which would place individual sanctions on anti-democratic officials in the Maduro regime, and the AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act, which would direct U.S. support for international investigations and reporting on the Maduro regime’s criminal repression of the Venezuelan people.

    The full text of the bill can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister MacAulay announces research funding for an innovative, sustainable poultry sector

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 15, 2024 – Guelph, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Today, the Honorable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, toured the University of Guelph’s research facilities to meet with researchers and learn about their innovative work in support of a sustainable poultry sector. As part of his visit, Minister MacAulay highlighted that the Government of Canada is delivering an investment of $5,155,608 to the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

    This funding will allow the CPRC to partner on research that will ensure poultry welfare at all levels of the production chain, meeting the consumer demand for healthy and safe poultry products, and decreasing the environmental impacts of poultry farms—including ambient air quality, emissions, and the effect on humans and birds in the surrounding area.

    Some examples of Cluster activities include upcycling Canadian fruit waste to develop novel feed ingredients, managing environmental conditions to reduce the risk of avian influenza, researching alternatives to antimicrobials, and optimizing feed to reduce particulate matter emissions.

    Research funding in the poultry sector is crucial for the continued development of sustainable practices and improved animal welfare.

    Quotes

    “Investments in research are vitally important to the future of our agricultural sector. By making sure our hardworking poultry farmers are using best practices and adopting innovative solutions, we’re not only strengthening our economy, we’re building a resilient industry that meets the needs of consumers, while protecting our environment for generations to come.”

    – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

    “This new injection of funding from AAFC will ensure continued innovation and excellence in research that benefits the entire Canadian poultry supply chain. Research will focus on three main areas – environment and climate change, economic growth, and sector resilience – looking for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, find innovative approaches to disease management, and improve the overall strength of the poultry sector.”

    – Caroline Wilson, Executive Director of the Canadian Poultry Research Council

    Quick facts

    • The Canadian poultry industry contributed about $5.5 billion in farm cash receipts in 2021, with over 2,800 chicken producers, 1,200 egg producers, 513 turkey producers, and 232 hatching egg producers across the country.

    • The CPRC leads the industry in its national research endeavours and seeks to address national poultry and egg research priorities, driven by the National Research Strategy for Canada’s Poultry Sector.

    • The CPRC has delivered the 3 previous poultry clusters and is made up of five members: the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, the Egg Farmers of Canada, the Turkey Farmers of Canada, the Chicken Farmers of Canada, and the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors.

    • The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (2023 to 2028), between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.

    • The AgriScience Program, under the Sustainable CAP, aims to accelerate innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector, and Canadians.

    • The AgriScience Program – Clusters Component supports projects intended to mobilize industry, government and academia through partnerships, and address priority national themes and horizontal issues.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For media:

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    613-773-7972
    1-866-345-7972
    aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: HYCHAIN Launches Loot Legends: Pioneering a New Dimension in Mobile Gaming

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gaming-focused Layer-2 decentralized network HYCHAIN today announced the much-anticipated global launch of Loot Legends, a free to play roguelite dungeon crawler game with hundreds of hours of rich dungeons, boss fights, and gameplay, available on both the App Store and Google Play. Ahead of its release, the game has already garnered over 101K+ pre-registrations, highlighting its eagerly awaited arrival among gamers.

    Loot Legends unfolds across an expansive universe featuring over 10 unique chapters, 200 dungeon levels, and more than 1500 pieces of gear, including armor and weapons. Players can enjoy thrilling boss fights, craft potent items, and explore intricately designed crafted levels. A standout aspect of the game is the ‘LootBoxes’, which are filled with a diverse range of items from diamonds and gold to pet fragments and runes, providing both fundamental resources and rare, game-enhancing artifacts.

    During the recent 10-day closed beta of Loot Legends, the team successfully engaged over 2,600 beta testers, who collectively spent more than 2 million Diamonds. This period saw the exploration of over 95K dungeons, and impressively, the game maintained a 7-day retention rate of over 40%. These statistics highlight the game’s strong appeal and engagement among early users, which the team believes lays a promising foundation for its upcoming public launch.

    “We are incredibly excited about the launch of Loot Legends and are delighted by the community’s strong reception,” said ArkDev, co-founder of HYCHAIN. “This enthusiasm reinforces our vision for a vibrant, permissionless L2 blockchain that not only enhances Web3 game publishing but also brings players an unmatched, frictionless gaming experience.”

    In Loot Legends, players engage with an in-game currency system designed to enhance the gaming experience. Diamonds, the most coveted currency, are obtainable through gameplay and are essential for acquiring high-value upgrades and unique items. Gold serves as the standard currency for regular transactions and upgrades, while Honor Medals, Crystals, and Contribution Coins offer specialized purchasing power within PvP, home base enhancements, and guild activities respectively. 

    The economic backbone of Loot Legends is built around the $TOPIA token, digital game-currency. This in-game currency can be earned by competing in global leaderboards, completing daily activities, and achieving game milestones. Players can use $TOPIA to gain a 30% discount on Diamonds, the premium currency, which is crucial for buying upgrades and special items.

    Loot Legends is designed to foster a strong community. Players can form or join guilds, participate in multiplayer raids, and challenge other players, promoting a collaborative and competitive environment.

    “Loot Legends is designed to be a game that appeals to all gamers, whether they’re from the Web3 or Web2 space. It’s not just about technology; it’s about crafting a fun, engaging experience where gamers can connect, compete, and enjoy every moment. We’ve built a platform that welcomes all gamers,” said Temptranquil, co-founder of HYCHAIN.

    In November, HYCHAIN will introduce The Outpost, a peer-to-peer marketplace within Loot Legends. This innovative feature allows players to trade in-game items as digital collectibles, further bridging the gap between virtual gaming and real-world value.

    Looking ahead, HYCHAIN is committed to the continuous development of Loot Legends. The roadmap includes regular updates, new chapters, and special events to keep the gameplay exciting and engaging. Loot Legends is more than just a game—it’s a new way of experiencing mobile gaming. Users can join the adventure, rise through the ranks, and possibly change the way you think about mobile games forever.

    About HYCHAIN

    HYCHAIN is a Layer-2 blockchain based on Arbitrum’s orbit technology focused on providing infrastructure, distribution, and frictionless systems for the most ambitious Web3 games. The blockchain is home to HYTOPIA (Formerly NFT Worlds) with over 1,100,000+ pre-registered players worldwide, and HYPLAY, developer-first tools.

    For more information, users can visit HYCHAIN’s: Website | Twitter | Discord

    Contact
    Ms
    Abhishek Anand
    Hychain
    abhishek@hychain.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s musical interlude is a twist on the long tradition of candidates enlisting musicians’ support, from Al Jolson to Springsteen to Swift

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Matt Harris, Associate Professor of Political Science, Park University

    Donald Trump dances to the song “Y.M.C.A.” with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, during a town hall event in Pennsylvania on Oct. 14, 2024. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

    Donald Trump made liberal use of music in what’s being called a “surreal” or “bizarre” town hall meeting on Oct. 14, 2024, in Oaks, Pennsylvania. After two attendees at the event had medical problems, Trump declared he would stop answering audience questions, and music would be played instead.

    Then, as the Washington Post reported, “For 39 minutes, Trump swayed, bopped — sometimes stopping to speak — as he turned the event into almost a living-room listening session of his favorite songs from his self-curated rally playlist.”

    The music included “YMCA” by the Village People and Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

    The use of music in campaigns is a long tradition, although this may be the first time a playlist has substituted for talking points. While Trump is bopping at campaign events, both Democrats and Republicans anticipate what looks to be another coin flip election that could come down to a few hundred thousand votes in a handful of states. Every voter matters – no matter how you reach them. With that in mind, Democrats are communicating not just on matters of policy, but matters of pop culture.

    Specifically, Democrats are embracing football and Taylor Swift. The Harris-Walz campaign trotted out endorsements from 15 Pro Football Hall of Famers and sells Swiftie-style friendship bracelets on its campaign website, among other overtures. Swift herself has endorsed Kamala Harris.

    The Harris-Walz campaign is definitely stressing Walz’s football coach background.
    Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

    Tim Walz cited his experience as a football coach and mentioned Swift in the vice presidential debate.

    Democratic challenger and former NFLer Colin Allred, who is running to unseat GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, has put out ads in which he appears moments from taking to the gridiron.

    But how much does pop culture campaigning, if you will, matter? Does trying to link a campaign to a sport, or a culture, or a style of music actually influence elections? Looking to five different election campaigns in the past can give a sense of the effects, or lack thereof, of such campaigning.

    An ad for Texas Democrat Rep. Colin Allred, a former NFL player, stresses his football past in his bid to unseat GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.

    Reagan and Springsteen

    Any discussion of the embrace of pop culture by candidates should probably start with Ronald Reagan’s Bruce Springsteen era.

    Reagan, attempting to reach beyond his base, viewed 1984 as a vibes-based election and cited Springsteen as an exemplar of the hope his campaign wished to inspire. Springsteen rejected a request from Reagan’s camp to use his often-misunderstood “Born in the U.S.A.” on the campaign trail. The song’s lyrics describe a down-on-his-luck Vietnam War veteran, but if you don’t listen carefully to the lyrics, the song can sound like a celebration of veterans and being American.

    While Reagan went on to win 49 states in that year’s election, perhaps the biggest long-term impact of his courtship of Springsteen fans was to turn Springsteen from a relatively apolitical performer to a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party.

    In this way, Springsteen’s transformation mirrors that of Taylor Swift, with Marsha Blackburn, the Tennessee Republican senator, serving as her Reagan – the person who pushed the performer into the political arena after years on the sidelines.

    Springsteen and Kerry

    Springsteen’s foray into politics eventually led him to back Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in 2004 with a series of concerts called the “Vote for Change” tour.

    Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry greets the crowd with musician Bruce Springsteen while campaigning in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 28, 2004.
    AP Photo/Laura Rauch

    Kerry, meanwhile, undertook his own efforts at cultural turf claiming. His attempts to demonstrate his bona fides as a sports-loving everyman went awry at times, when he flubbed the name of “Lambeau Field,” home of Wisconsin’s Green Bay Packers, and referred to a nonexistent Boston Red Sox player, “Manny Ortez.” The ill-fated sports references arguably didn’t hurt his campaign – he won Wisconsin and Massachusetts – but he was ridiculed for a photo-op hunting trip late in the campaign and went on to lose rural Midwestern voters decisively – as well as the election.

    Kerry’s dabbling with hunting imagery was perhaps an attempt to dull President George W. Bush’s advantage in perceived strength of leadership, which was in part burnished by his adoption of a cowboy persona.

    Harding, Jolson and the Cubs

    While Reagan’s attempt to woo 1980s rock fans is one of the best-known attempts to campaign on a mantra of popular culture, it was far from the first.

    Sen. Warren Harding’s 1920 front porch campaign for president was given a jolt of enthusiasm by a visit from singer and actor Al Jolson. Harding was also visited in his hometown, Marion, Ohio, by other actors and celebrities and the Chicago Cubs.

    Harding’s strategy probably better serves as a template for things to come than a decisive move in the 1920 election: His victory with over 60% of the popular vote suggests no celebrity could have saved Democrat James Cox.

    Bill Clinton and MTV

    As the Harris-Walz campaign tries to draw votes from Swift’s young fans, parallels can be drawn to Democratic Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton’s attempts to embrace youth culture in the 1992 presidential election. Among other appearances, Clinton took questions from young voters on MTV and played saxophone on “The Arsenio Hall Show.”

    While the direct effect of Clinton’s forays into youth culture is difficult to measure, he did surge among young voters relative to Democrat Michael Dukakis’ 1988 presidential campaign.

    In his 1992 campaign, Bill Clinton went on MTV to answer young people’s questions, which included ‘If you had it to do over again, would you inhale?’

    Ford and football

    Any discussion of politicians embracing football culture would be incomplete without a discussion of the American president best at playing football, Gerald Ford, the vice president who became the nation’s 38th president in 1974, when Richard Nixon resigned during the Watergate scandal.

    Ford played center on two national championship teams at the University of Michigan. While not using his football player background to the same level as former football coach Walz did at the Democratic National Convention, Ford did make use of his football credentials on the stump during the 1976 presidential campaign and was joined on the campaign trail by Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

    But the votes of football fans were apparently not enough to keep Ford in the White House for long. He lost the 1976 election to Democrat Jimmy Carter.

    Potentially fruitful pickups

    Will the Harris-Walz strategy of recruiting voters through pop culture be successful? Swift’s fans are largely young, suburban women, and NFL fans are strewn across the political spectrum. There are potentially fruitful pickups in both camps. The candidates certainly think it matters: Walz said he “took football back” from Republicans, a claim disputed by Trump.

    Stressing pop culture credentials can also provide attention to a campaign, regardless of persuasion. Clinton’s pop culture appearances generated coverage beyond the appearances themselves and were cost-effective for a campaign short on funds.

    This type of pop culture campaigning generates coverage, then, even if voters aren’t moved by thinking a candidate shares their love of football or pop music.

    This story has been updated to include the Trump town hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 14.

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

    – ref. Trump’s musical interlude is a twist on the long tradition of candidates enlisting musicians’ support, from Al Jolson to Springsteen to Swift – https://theconversation.com/trumps-musical-interlude-is-a-twist-on-the-long-tradition-of-candidates-enlisting-musicians-support-from-al-jolson-to-springsteen-to-swift-239381

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Statement On The Passing Of Tom Donohue

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the passing of former U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue:
    “Elaine and I were saddened to learn of the passing of our good friend, Tom Donohue. Around Washington and across the country, so many people will remember Tom as exactly that: a friend. And no doubt, that is what Tom would prefer.
    “But those fortunate to call Tom a friend also knew a visionary leader, an extraordinary advocate, and a tireless builder of coalitions whose transformative work left the U.S. Chamber, the broader business community, and our entire nation stronger.
    “Job creators and entrepreneurs across America could hope for no greater partner than Tom. He was a seasoned navigator of the halls of power and a clearinghouse for professional connections who turned the Chamber into an unmatched champion of American enterprise.
    “Today, our prayers are with the entire Donohue family as they mourn an incredible life.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS Preble (DDG 88) Arrives in Yokosuka to join Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15

    Source: United States Navy

    YOKOSUKA – The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) arrived at its forward-deployed location of Yokosuka, Japan, to join Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, October 12, 2024.

    The ship was commissioned Nov. 9, 2002, in Boston and had been homeported at Naval Base San Diego for nearly 22 years.

    “We are thrilled to have Preble join the team in the Western Pacific,” said Capt. Justin Harts, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15. “Her arrival is a welcome addition to the DESRON 15 family, and her advanced capabilities add unique value. I am excited to get Preble underway with our Allies and partners to see what she can do.”

    The ship is named in honor of Commodore Edward Preble, who served in the American Revolutionary War and was one of the early leaders of the Navy. USS Preble is the 38th destroyer of her class.

    The United States values Japan’s contributions to the peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the alliance to meet common strategic objectives and support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    Preble is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

    U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada continues progress on greening operations and supporting clean electricity infrastructure

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    October 15, 2024 Calgary, Alberta Public Services and Procurement Canada The Government of Canada is taking further action on its Greening Government Strategy commitment to use 100 per cent clean electricity in federal buildings. This strategy supports green energy projects and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, leading Canada’s continued energy transition.

    October 15, 2024          Calgary, Alberta                         Public Services and Procurement Canada

    The Government of Canada is taking further action on its Greening Government Strategy commitment to use 100 per cent clean electricity in federal buildings. This strategy supports green energy projects and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, leading Canada’s continued energy transition.

    Today, on behalf the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, announced contracts totalling over $73 million, awarded to hep solar and South Head Switch Power, for the supply of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).  

    These contracts support the Government of Canada’s commitment to the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The announcement aligns with Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) clean electricity initiative and Canada’s ongoing commitment to invest in renewable energy. These contracts will supply 100,600 RECs annually from new clean electricity solar facilities.

    This agreement will enable the Government of Canada to attribute its electricity consumption as being clean in regions where opportunities for new clean renewable sources are not yet available, while supporting the creation of new green energy facilities. The RECs will reduce up to 32,600 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (eCO2) for the Government of Canada’s real property operations, which is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of more than 9,980 gas-powered passenger vehicles.  

    Furthermore, these contracts will help promote Indigenous business capacity in the clean energy sector and contribute to Canada’s efforts to strengthen economic relationships with Indigenous entrepreneurs. South Head Energy is an Indigenous-owned business, and South Head Switch Power is joint venture with Switch Power, which is registered with the Indigenous Business Directory.

     

    “As a leader in clean energy, Canada is making significant progress toward a sustainable future with the announcement of over $73 million in Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). This investment supports our commitment to powering federal buildings with 100% clean electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions all while boosting our economy. Together, with our Indigenous partners, we are not just envisioning a net-zero future by 2050; we are actively creating it, ensuring that environmental responsibility and economic growth go hand in hand.”

    George Chahal
    Member of Parliament of Calgary Skyview

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Cape Breton Regional Municipality

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia October 15, 2024 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria; Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso; and Amanda McDougall-Merrill, Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

    Date:
    Wednesday, October 16, 2024

    Time:
    1:00 p.m. ADT

    Location:
    Transit Cape Breton
    227 Welton Street
    Sydney, NS B1P 5R9

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Communications Advisor
    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

    Rob MacNamara 
    Communications Advisor – Mayor’s Office
    Cape Breton Regional Municipality
    902-563-5297   
    rjmacnamara@cbrm.ns.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Members Hit the Streets in Philadelphia for Pro-Labor Candidates 

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) joined labor unions across the greater Philadelphia area this weekend to support pro-labor candidates in the 2024 election. In collaboration with the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, IAM members participated in labor walks, canvassing union households to raise awareness of candidates who champion the rights of working families.

    WATCH: Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO Labor Walk

    Union volunteers knocked on doors in neighborhoods throughout the city, urging voters to support Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in their bid for the White House, the re-election of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and other pro-labor candidates running for office in Pennsylvania.

    “We’re proud to see our members out in force, having meaningful conversations with their fellow union brothers and sisters about what’s at stake in this year’s election,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Our rights are on the ballot, and the future of working families depends on electing leaders who understand and support the needs of workers. “This election is about protecting democracy, retirement security, and ensuring labor has a place at the table.” 

    The labor walks will continue through Election Day, with IAM members and other union affiliates continuing their efforts to ensure a pro-labor outcome at the ballot box.

    “IAM members in the Eastern Territory are on the front lines in battleground states like Pennsylvania,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “From Philadelphia to York, our members know that electing pro-labor leaders will make a real difference in our communities. “This is a fight for a better and brighter future for all working families.” 

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Students Harness Power of New Kestrel Supercomputer for Cutting-Edge Energy Research and Innovation

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    Surendra Sunkari, a high-performance computing (HPC) engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, examines Kestrel. Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL

    Students pursuing careers in energy research had a unique opportunity this year to use Kestrel—the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) third-generation supercomputer hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

    This summer, NREL completed the full buildout of Kestrel, reaching 44 petaflops of computing power focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency research. Students from across the country were invited by EERE to apply for access to this powerful tool to advance their research and to expand EERE’s computational efforts for the energy transition. Last fall, over 25 students from 15 universities across the United States applied to use Kestrel for the 2024 spring and summer semesters.

    Students like Yifan Hu at Iowa State University used Kestrel to study the effect of solar wind and other space weather phenomena on solar energy infrastructure. Using the supercomputer’s advanced central processing unit nodes, his team tested new scalable algorithms to provide robust and accurate methods to model solar wind using a numerical method called the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system, with the goal of understanding the effects of solar wind on the stability and efficiency of solar power plants to improve power grid reliability and resilience. Access to Kestrel enabled Hu to receive computing results within a week, which led to the submission of two journal articles currently under review.

    Rajat Goel, a chemical engineering student at the University of California, Davis used Kestrel’s high-performance graphics processing units to simulate uranium and its defects, an extremely complex problem that requires significant computational power. Goel researched developing future protective coatings for nuclear reactors to prevent uranium hydride formation, as it is highly toxic and incredibly flammable. Using Kestrel, he significantly reduced the time needed for these simulations. Nuclear energy plays a role as a noncarbon energy source by generating carbon-free power. Ensuring its safe and reliable production is an important factor toward achieving the Department of Energy’s 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target.

    Hu and Goel’s research projects highlight Kestrel’s ability to address large-scale challenges, particularly in enhancing energy resiliency. Meanwhile, across the country, students used the supercomputer for different yet equally impactful energy research.

    Stanford University student Mark Benjamin used Kestrel’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities in his manufacturing research project to apply AI models, including convolutional neural networks to model drag and convolutional autoencoders to represent realistic car shapes. The project goal was to set new standards for vehicle design and optimization, aiming to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

    Students from the University of Minnesota, led by Suryanarayan Ramachandran, used computational fluid dynamics codes on Kestrel to design novel engines that use hydrogen for combustion. This project leveraged an Exascale Computing Project code called AMRex Combustion PeleC to perform first-of-its-kind high-fidelity three-dimensional simulations of explosive hydrogen reactions, called oblique detonation waves, to investigate how hydrogen combustion can be used for future hypersonic propulsion systems, advancing fuel technologies research to reduce fossil fuels.

    Tackling complex energy challenges requires powerful computational resources along with support to ensure the productive use of these resources. Students received help getting their accounts set up and running their workflows on Kestrel from the User Operations staff in the Computational Science Center at NREL. Providing students with access to Kestrel not only advances current research but also shapes the future of clean energy technologies by equipping students with advanced skills to lead in the field of energy innovation and research.  

    Students interested in using Kestrel for their energy research should keep an eye out for future opportunities at nrel.gov/news.

    Read blog posts about the installation of NREL’s Kestrel high-performance computing system.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who really holds the purse strings? Why it matters which partner decides where the money goes

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ran Gu, Lecturer in Economics, University of Essex

    Kmpzzz/Shutterstock

    In an era of increasing financial complexity, who really calls the shots when it comes to investing your household’s savings? This question has significant implications for financial health and overall wellbeing.

    As economists, we specifically wanted to understand how “bargaining power” is distributed between men and women in a mixed-sex household when it comes to finances. This bargaining power refers to the ability of one partner to influence decisions that affect the household – the partner with more bargaining power has a greater say.

    To investigate this, my research partners and I analysed household investment decisions in Australia, Germany and the US. Our recent research reveals a persistent gender gap in household investment decisions, with men often wielding greater influence, even when their female partners may be more risk-averse.

    This isn’t just a matter of who manages the online brokerage account – it has real consequences for families. In many households, partners have different levels of risk tolerance.

    In Australia, this was the case for 43% of households, increasing to 57% in Germany and 65% in the US. This suggests that disagreements over investment decisions are common.

    For example, a man might prefer high-risk, high-reward stocks, while his female partner prioritises safer, long-term investments. If the man dominates the decision-making, the family portfolio might be exposed to a level of risk the woman finds uncomfortable, potentially jeopardising their financial security.

    But how do we measure this “bargaining power” within households? We developed an approach that goes beyond simply asking couples who makes the decisions. Instead, we looked at actual investment choices and combined this with data on individual risk tolerances. This allowed us to estimate how much each partner’s preferences influenced the final investment decisions.

    Across all three countries, men tend to have more control over investment decisions than their female partners. In an average Australian household, the man’s bargaining power is 60%, compared to 40% for the woman.

    In the US and Germany, men hold even greater sway, with their bargaining power rising to 61% and 69% respectively. While men’s greater bargaining power could be justified if they were better traders, evidence suggests they tend to trade more frequently and underperform compared to women.

    This power imbalance stems from two main sources.

    The first of these is individual characteristics. In our study, male partners are often older, more likely to be employed, and have higher incomes – factors that tend to increase their influence in financial decision-making. These characteristics can give male partners a sense of authority and control over financial matters, leading to an unequal balance of power in investment decisions.

    Our study found that personality traits also play a part, with individuals who are less agreeable and less extroverted – typically more likely to be men – tending to have more bargaining power.

    And the second is traditional gender norms. Typically, men tend to have extra bargaining power – this can be due to deeply rooted societal expectations about them being the primary breadwinners and financial decision-makers. This effect is amplified when women also adhere to these norms.

    Of the two, we found that gender norms are a far more powerful force than individual characteristics in explaining the gender gap in bargaining power.

    Why this matters

    This gender gap in investment decision-making is closely linked to other household money matters, such as day-to-day spending and large purchases. Household investment and consumption decisions are highly correlated and usually made by the same person, with male partners often appearing to have the upper hand.

    This imbalance can have significant implications for women’s financial wellbeing. Being exposed to higher investment risk than they are comfortable with can leave female partners feeling vulnerable and undermine their sense of financial security.

    The gender patterns spill over into other financial decisions too.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    Our research provides evidence that supports the idea that gender inequality is not just a public issue but one that exists in private spaces as well. By showing that men often hold more bargaining power in discussions around investments, it underscores the need for policies that address gender disparities at home, not just in the workplace.

    So, what can be done? Promoting gender equality in financial decision-making starts with open communication and recognising that both partners’ perspectives are valuable. Couples should discuss their financial goals, risk tolerance and investment strategies together, ensuring that both partners feel heard and understood.

    Beyond individual households, challenging traditional gender norms is a crucial step towards creating a more equitable financial future for everyone. This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about ensuring that families make sound financial decisions that reflect the needs and preferences of all members. By empowering women to take an active role in investment decisions, we can help to create a more secure and equitable financial future for families everywhere.

    Ran Gu receives funding from the British Academy, award reference RG1920101488, and the Keynes Fund at Cambridge. He is affiliated with the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

    – ref. Who really holds the purse strings? Why it matters which partner decides where the money goes – https://theconversation.com/who-really-holds-the-purse-strings-why-it-matters-which-partner-decides-where-the-money-goes-241089

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A brief history of deadly dolls in horror cinema – from Annabelle to M3gan

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sandra Mills, Associate researcher, faculty of arts, cultures and education, University of Hull

    From Longlegs (2024) to M3GAN (2022) to Annabelle Comes Home (2019), creepy dolls are eerily at home on the big screen. Their cinematic history can be traced back to The Doll’s Revenge (1907) in which a young boy witnesses his previously destroyed sister’s doll reassemble itself, before tearing him apart and devouring him.

    Over the course of the 20th century, cinematic dolls became more aggressively homicidal and the 1980s saw a significant shift in the killer toy sub-genre of horror cinema. Previously governed by puppets and ventriloquist dummies, as seen in Dead of Night (1945) and Magic (1978), in the eighties, the horror output spotlighted malevolent dolls, as can be seen in Curtains (1983) and Black Devil Doll from Hell (1984).

    It was the latter part of the decade though, specifically the release of Dolls (1987) and Child’s Play (1988), that really won over horror fans.

    Dolls is a somewhat unique film in that the other-worldly dolls it spotlights play the part of both antagonist and hero. The suggestion that these dolls possess a morality – however erroneous that morality may be – adds an additional dimension to the killer doll archetype presented to genre fans so far.

    Indeed, Dolls actively encourages the viewer to favour these murderous dolls over their human victims. The transgressions these mortals commit, including theft and parental neglect, make them seemingly worthy of this unique form of punishment.

    These dolls are not the glossy, mass-produced figures of Child’s Play. Instead they are humans metamorphosed into dolls as penance for their indiscretions. There is an inherent sentimentality to Dolls, echoes of which can be found in Annabelle (2014), Robert (2015) and The Boy (2016).

    Dolls of the 2000s

    Child’s Play was the first instalment in the “living doll” sub-genre’s most prevalent and durable cinematic franchise – Chucky. Charles Lee Ray, nicknamed “Chucky”, is a serial killer who moves his life-force into a doll, and persistently attempts to transfer his soul from the toy to a mortal body.

    The Chucky films span five decades and six direct cinematic sequels alongside a TV series and film reboot. And a new Chucky film is anticipated in 2026.

    In the 2000s, cinema-goers were gripped by haunted house horror, as seen in The Others (2001) and Paranormal Activity (2007) and exorcism horror, as seen in The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) and The Last Exorcism (2010).

    Chucky’s first appeared in Child’s Play (1988).

    The Conjuring (2013) deftly married these two subgenres to produce a purportedly true account of domestic horror that introduced viewers to demonic doll, Annabelle. The doll here exists primarily as a conduit – a haunted object that can manipulate the people and objects around her to do her macabre bidding.

    Annabelle is notable for both her stillness and silence – something of an anomaly in a subgenre that tends to favour a “they walk, they talk, they kill” approach. The doll’s motion is largely limited to occasional subtle movements of the head, and she doesn’t speak throughout the series.

    Instead, Annabelle prefers to occupy others, carrying out her will through unsuspecting hosts and purging the susceptible victims of their own autonomy in the process.

    Annabelle, Chucky and other lesser-known icons of the deadly dolls horror subgenre, typify our enduring cultural fascination with animism (the attribution of life, and on occasion a soul, to an inanimate object) and anthropomorphism (the attribution of human-like characteristics or personality traits to an inanimate object). And more recent films, including M3GAN, are articulating new anxieties surrounding digital surveillance and artificial intelligence.



    Read more:
    M3gan review: an animatronic doll is out to destroy the nuclear family – much to fans’ delight

    The horror of “living” dolls, after all, lies in their uncanny resemblance to something that it is inherently not human. Their faces, whether of porcelain or plastic, mimic our own and so are imbued with an eerily uncanny hue.

    While the fantasy of a treasured toy coming to life may be a bewitching possibility, horror cinema directly threatens that notion as the childhood playthings it portrays become sources of suspicion, trepidation and terror, rather than pleasure.


    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.

    Sandra Mills 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. A brief history of deadly dolls in horror cinema – from Annabelle to M3gan – https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-deadly-dolls-in-horror-cinema-from-annabelle-to-m3gan-238128

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Lebanon: assassinating sectarian leaders has always led to instability – this time will be no different

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mohamad El Kari, PhD Candidate in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London

    Aleksey Klints / Shutterstock

    The assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in September sent shock waves through the Middle East and beyond. Nasrallah had evolved into the very embodiment of Hezbollah over his 32 years in charge, and had established himself as a key figure in Iran’s so-called axis of resistance.

    At the height of his influence, Nasrallah was so widely admired from North Africa to Iran that shops sold DVDs of his speeches, cars were embellished with his image, and many Lebanese even used his quotes as ringtones.

    He is not the first sectarian leader to have been assassinated in Lebanon. And on each occasion the killings have intensified sectarian tensions in the country and have jeopardised social stability. The impact of Nasrallah’s death will, in my opinion, probably be no different.

    His killing could destabilise the fragile balance of power in the country. And it could also trigger a reshuffling of political alliances within Lebanon’s complex sectarian power-sharing framework that was established in 1990 after the end of the civil war.

    In 1977, the leftist leader of the Druze community, Kamal Jumblatt, was assassinated by two unidentified gunmen in his stronghold in the Shouf mountains of central Lebanon. Many of his followers believed they knew who was responsible, and channelled their anger toward Lebanon’s Christian community.

    Security officials reported that more than 250 Christians were killed in revenge, many brutally, with their throats cut by Druze assailants. At least 7,000 Christians fled their villages after the killings, with around 700 of them travelling to the presidential palace in Baabda, a suburb of Beirut, to request government protection.

    This spell of fighting marked a significant escalation of sectarian violence during the civil war, and resulted in a persistent cycle of retaliation, deepening division and entrenched sectarian identities.

    The world is watching the US election campaign unfolding. Sign up to join us at a special Conversation event on October 17. Expert panellists will discuss with the audience the upcoming election and its possible fallout.

    Then, in June 1982, a powerful bomb explosion killed Lebanon’s Maronite Christian president, Bashir Gemayel. The assassination was carried out by two members of the Syrian Social Nationalist party, reportedly under orders from Syria’s then president, Hafez al-Assad.

    The next day, Israeli troops entered west Beirut in support of the Phalange, a Lebanese Christian militia that blamed the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) for Gemayel’s death. Israel had earlier that month launched a massive invasion of Lebanon to destroy the PLO, which had been carrying out attacks on Israel from southern Lebanon.

    Knowing that the Phalangists sought revenge for Gemayel’s death, Israeli forces allowed them to enter the Shatila refugee camp and the adjacent Sabra neighbourhood in Beirut and carry out a massacre a few months later. Lebanese Christian militiamen, in coordination with the Israeli army, killed between 2,000 and 3,500 Palestinian refugees and Muslim Lebanese civilians in just two days.

    Scores of witness and survivor accounts say women were routinely raped, and some victims were buried alive or shot in front of their families. Women and children were crammed into trucks and taken to unknown destinations. These people were never seen again.

    Following the end of Lebanon’s civil war, there was a period of relative stability as a delicate balance of power was established between Lebanese sects. But a car bomb in downtown Beirut in 2005 killed the country’s former prime minister, Rafic Hariri, and again altered the dynamics of sectarian rivalry in Lebanon.

    Lebanon lost one of its central figures, while fury over Syria’s alleged involvement in Hariri’s murder raised international pressure on Syria to end its 29-year occupation. The withdrawal diminished Syria’s influence as the primary mediator in the country, and the underlying tension between the two main sectarian groups vying for power, the Sunnis and Shia, surfaced abruptly.

    Lebanon experienced 18 months of political deadlock and protests, with Hezbollah and its allies pushing for a veto power in the government. Hostilities intensified and violence became a constant threat.

    Then, in May 2008, the Lebanese government attempted to remove a Hezbollah-aligned security officer and investigate the organisation’s private communications network. This ignited fierce clashes between supporters of the government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

    Hezbollah and its allies occupied west Beirut and at least 71 people, including 14 civilians, were killed over the following fortnight.

    Hezbollah steadily expanded and enhanced its military capabilities over the next ten years. And it also emerged as a powerful regional player by joining Iran and Russia in supporting Bashar al-Assad’s regime in the Syrian civil war.

    The organisation assumed an increasingly central role in Lebanese politics, and secured a majority of seats in the 2018 parliamentary elections.

    What happens now?

    Lebanon’s modern history is rife with conflict. The assassination of Nasrallah marks the latest in a series of bloody milestones that have served as sharp turning points – and even transformational moments – in Lebanon’s sectarian politics.

    Christian and Sunni factions in Lebanon have for years viewed Hezbollah as effectively commandeering the state, leveraging its powerful military wing and Iranian backing. With Hezbollah now visibly weakened in the absence of its powerful and charismatic leader, this longstanding power dynamic may be set for a shift.

    There are signs that divisions are already deepening. Videos from Tripoli, a predominantly Sunni city in northern Lebanon, show residents dancing in the streets in celebration of Nasrallah’s death. Other videos show people removing Hezbollah stickers from the vehicles of displaced Shias.

    Meanwhile, Hezbollah supporters have pledged retaliation for Nasrallah’s elimination. Lebanon once again finds itself on the verge of fierce sectarian tension and instability.

    This research is carried out as part of the XCEPT programme, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.

    – ref. Lebanon: assassinating sectarian leaders has always led to instability – this time will be no different – https://theconversation.com/lebanon-assassinating-sectarian-leaders-has-always-led-to-instability-this-time-will-be-no-different-240717

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Moldova votes on whether to join EU as Russia intensifies vast disinformation campaign

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    Moldova is emerging as a major strategic battleground in a fierce competition between Russia and the west. A Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign has intensified over the last few months, in the run-up to Moldova’s presidential elections.

    One of the key reasons for this is that a referendum on EU membership has been scheduled for the same day, October 20.

    The challenges for this small country, wedged between Ukraine and Romania, are complex. Russia continues to foment instability through its persistent disinformation initiatives, instigation of anti-government protests, and acts of sabotage and vandalism.

    Add to this credible allegations of vote buying, and efforts to call into question the legitimacy of a pro-European election and referendum result, and the situation in Moldova appears highly combustible.

    Moldova gained its independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. A brief civil war between the government and separatists in the eastern Transnistria region, supported by remnants of the Soviet army stationed there, ended with the de-facto division of the country.



    Read more:
    Moldova: Russia continues its mischief-making in breakaway Transnistria

    Attempts to settle this conflict have made little progress over the past three decades. And living with an unresolved conflict within its borders has held Moldova back in its development, and contributed to economic problems.

    Voting on EU membership

    Moldova’s incumbent, staunchly pro-western president, Maia Sandu, has tied the EU referendum to her re-election campaign. The referendum could be the country’s best chance to finally break free from its Soviet past.

    If recent polls are accurate, a clear majority of the electorate is likely to vote “yes” on whether they support joining the EU, which would be the first step in a lengthy process.

    Moldova’s president speaks to the European parliament in 2022.

    For many Moldovans, EU membership is associated with better economic development in one of Europe’s poorest countries. The October 10 visit of Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, suggested that the EU could help.

    Von der Leyen did not merely offer political support for Sandu, she also brought with her a financial support package worth €1.8 billion (£1.5 billion) over the next three years to boost economic growth.

    But this vision that the EU can help Moldova’s economy is fiercely contested by Russia and its proxies in Moldova. They exploit the anxiety among a significant number of Moldovans that a vote to join the EU is one that will force the country towards higher inflation, more immigration, politicised anti-corruption measures, mandatory English-language proficiency, and the sale of Moldovan land to foreigners.


    Shutterstock

    Persistent domestic issues such as the economy have been skilfully targeted in a vast Kremlin-backed influencing campaign.

    For a long time, Moldova has suffered from a lack of social, political, institutional and territorial cohesion. The country has significant social divisions between different ethnic and linguistic groups, as well as urban-rural and rich-poor divides.

    Politically, the party system remains highly fractured and increasingly polarised, and lacking common ground over what Moldovan national identity stands for.

    Moldova’s challenges

    Moldova’s territorial disputes also remain challenging. This is most obvious in the pro-Russian Transnistria region and in Gagauzia, but also in ethnically and culturally distinct regions such as Balti and Taraclia.

    These regions will require careful management to prevent a major political and economic crisis in the aftermath of October 20 and beyond. Some of the reforms in the country as part of the integration process, such as EU regulations on competition, subsidies and market access, will have a short-term cost for Moldova. Moldovans who oppose the country’s westward orientation are likely to exploit this in anti-EU narratives.

    So far, Russian destabilisation operations don’t seem to have eroded most Moldovans’ European aspirations. But the mix of blunt disinformation and skilfully capitalising on the cost of living crisis, which has hit Moldova hard as a result of the war against Ukraine, has given Russia and its allies tools to entrench, and in some cases deepen, divisions here.

    The world is watching the US election campaign unfolding. Sign up to join us at a special Conversation event on October 17. Expert panellists will discuss with the audience the upcoming election and its possible fallout.

    Much of the pro-European campaigning has been framed as anti-Russian. But one of the cleverer moves by the pro-Russian movement is to suggest that Moldovans can be both a friend to Moscow and Brussels, and don’t have to choose.

    If a Sandu government is building a pro-European alliance, she will want to grow support from the Russian-speaking part of the population. This will be essential to both counter Russian destabilisation efforts and to build a broader coalition.

    As countries that have joined the EU – from the Baltic to the Balkans – have demonstrated over the past two decades, the EU accession process can help reshape political and economic institutions, and can ultimately help create a more optimistic vision of the future.

    Crucially, this is not something that Russia’s narrative of fear can credibly offer to the majority of Moldovans.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    – ref. Moldova votes on whether to join EU as Russia intensifies vast disinformation campaign – https://theconversation.com/moldova-votes-on-whether-to-join-eu-as-russia-intensifies-vast-disinformation-campaign-240657

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Songwriters have long revealed the ugly side of ‘love’ – from John Lennon to Mariah Carey

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Glenn Fosbraey, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Winchester

    For as long as pop music has existed, there have been love songs. And as long as there have been love songs, songwriters have been wrestling with what love means to them. We have been told that love is the best, that it can mend our souls, and keep us alive. But we have also been warned that love is a battlefield upon which we will be torn apart, and eventually killed.

    Sitting somewhere between these mixed messages is what I will call the “ugly love songs” category. These are songs that focus on concepts like control, jealousy and emotional blackmail, all presented (to paraphrase U2) in the name of love. It’s unlikely you’ll ever see ugly love songs popping up as a genre search option on Spotify, but here’s what you might find if it did.

    First, songs with themes of control and possession. In 2020, a group of psychology researchers used the phrase “you belong to me” in the title of a piece of research which focused on male control, dominance and manipulation of women. Yet these words have been sung in over 600 songs, by artists as diverse as Boyz II Men and Slipknot and used as a song title for the likes of Brian Adams, Steve Perry, Elvis Costello, Dean Martin, Suede and Sam Cooke.

    Similarly possessive phrases are also commonplace in lyrics such as “never gonna let you go” (Led Zeppelin, Kiss and Jay Sean) “won’t let you leave” (Nas, Trey Songz and Air Supply) and “won’t let you go” (Daniel Bedingfield, Three Dog Night and Elvis Presley).

    The phrase “you’re mine” (or variations thereof) has also been frequently used, showing up in hundreds of songs. And then there are artists that make possessions of themselves, like Little Mix and Selena Gomez singing “I’m yours” on Secret Love Song and Come and Get It respectively, and Destiny’s Child on Cater 2 U with the vomit-inducing lyrics: “What you wanna eat, boo? Let me feed you / Let me run your bathwater / Baby, I’m yours, I wanna cater to you, boy.” Shudder.

    Cater 2 U by Destiny’s Child.

    Songs about jealousy

    A complex emotion which contains varying levels of anger, sadness, irrationality, fear and resentment, jealousy has found its way into several ugly love songs over the years. The most famous example came courtesy of John Lennon with Jealous Guy (1971), which saw him rework the lyrics of White Album-era Beatles demo Child of Nature into a display of chronic insecurity.

    Lines like “I was feeling insecure / You might not love me anymore” make listeners sympathise with him. But perhaps less so “I began to lose control/ I’m sorry that I made you cry”, which show how hurtful and damaging the emotion can be to the other person in the relationship.

    No One Else by Weezer.

    Elsewhere, alt-rock band Weezer’s song No One Else is described by its songwriter Rivers Cuomo as being “about the jealous-obsessive asshole in me freaking out on my girlfriend” and contains the lyrics “I want a girl who will laugh for no one else / When I’m away, she puts her makeup on the shelf / When I’m away, she never leaves the house.”

    Then there’s The Police’s infamously creepy Every Breath You Take which sees our heartsick narrator begging for his former lover’s embrace (“I keep crying, baby, baby please”) before really overstepping the mark and, now in full-on stalker mode, informing them that he’ll be watching their every move, breath and step. And not just occasionally, either, but every single day.

    Emotional blackmail

    Emotional blackmail is the act of using a person’s feelings of kindness, sympathy, or duty in order to persuade them to do something or feel something, and it has cropped up in a number of songs over the years.

    Without You, originally by the group Badfinger, and later covered by both Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey, suggests that “it’s only fair” to let their departing lover know what they “should know” – which is that they’ll be unable to go on living if they follow through on their desire to leave the relationship.

    If You Buy This Record Your Life Will Be Better by The Tamperer feat. Maya.

    LeAnn Rimes goes down a similar route with her 1997 hit How Do I Live?, where she tells her “baby” that they are “everything good” in her life, and that (I guess logically) their exit would leave her unable to survive.

    To end on a lighter note, a year later, with tongue firmly in cheek, The Tamperer (featuring Maya) took the manipulation angle to the extreme by singing over and over that “if you buy this record your life will be better, your life will be better, your life will be better”. Note: I didn’t buy it, so can’t comment, but maybe if I had, I’d be writing this from my private beach in the Maldives.


    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.

    Glenn Fosbraey 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. Songwriters have long revealed the ugly side of ‘love’ – from John Lennon to Mariah Carey – https://theconversation.com/songwriters-have-long-revealed-the-ugly-side-of-love-from-john-lennon-to-mariah-carey-240501

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Leading primary care into the future

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    [embedded content]

    Alberta’s government is taking action to refocus the health care system so that every Albertan has access to a primary health care provider and timely, high-quality primary health care, no matter where they live.

    Alberta’s new primary care provincial health agency, Primary Care Alberta, will create a modern, more responsive and unified health care system that prioritizes patients, empowers front-line health care professionals and helps reduce pressures on the entire health system.

    The immediate priority of Primary Care Alberta is to ensure every Albertan has access to high-quality primary care services in all areas of the province, so all Albertans and their families are supported in their day-to-day health needs through every stage of life. The new primary care agency will focus on supporting integrated teams of family physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists to provide patients with the best care possible.

    “Standing up Primary Care Alberta is an important milestone in refocusing the health care system to put patients first and give our front-line experts the support they need to ensure Albertans are receiving the care they deserve.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    Kim Simmonds, the current assistant deputy minister of strategic planning and performance at Alberta Health, will be appointed as chief executive officer of Primary Care Alberta. Simmonds brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the role and has extensive experience working with stakeholders across the health care system. She has experience working with clinicians and understands the need for data and evidence-based decision-making when it comes to delivering primary care services to Albertans, no matter where they live.

    “If primary care is to be the foundation on which the entire health system stands, every Albertan must have an ongoing connection and trusting relationship with a family doctor or health care team. They must belong to a health home where they are known and where they don’t have to tell their health story over and over again. There is much work to do in Alberta to achieve these goals, and I’m eager to get going to help make it happen.” 

    Kim Simmonds, incoming chief executive officer, Primary Care Alberta

    Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Care System (MAPS)

    In 2022, the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Care System (MAPS) initiative was launched to recommend ways to strengthen Alberta’s primary health care system. Alberta’s government undertook extensive engagement with its primary care providers and stakeholders to develop a guide to strengthen primary health care in Alberta. The MAPS final report recommended creating a single governance structure that supports an integrated team of health care professionals with data sharing within and across sectors.

    Improving the coordination and delivery of primary care was also something Alberta’s government heard during provincewide engagement sessions held earlier this year as part of efforts to engage with Albertans and health care professionals on how to refocus the health care system. This made-in-Alberta solution is the first of its kind to be established in a provincial health care system. The agency is a dedicated organization to support governance, oversight, delivery, operation and coordination, a significant step being taken to improve the quality of health care delivery in the province.

    Quick facts

    • The Provincial Health Agencies Act enables the transition from one regional health authority, Alberta Health Services (AHS), to an integrated system of four sector-based provincial health agencies: primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction.
    • The agencies will be responsible for delivering integrated health services, ensuring Albertans receive timely access to care regardless of where they live.
    • Some of Primary Care Alberta’s longer-term priorities include:
      • Engaging physicians and providing leadership opportunities to lead their peers through the change process.
      • Incentivizing care models that improve health outcomes and patient experience.
      • Providing tools to primary care providers, such as enhancing the current Find a Doctor website and e-Referral, that benefit both providers and patients.
      • Setting standards for primary care so Albertans have consistent services.
      • Funding primary care networks that bring practitioners together to implement provincial initiatives and address regional needs.
      • Developing chronic disease care models to reduce the burden of chronic disease on patients and the health care system.
    • More than 30,000 Albertans have had the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas directly on the refocusing through in-person engagement sessions, online feedback forms and telephone townhalls.  
      • In addition to public engagement sessions, dedicated engagements were held with Indigenous communities, the francophone community and other key health partners.

    Related information

    • Lead the way newsletter sign up

    Related news

    • Albertans’ input leading the way on refocusing health care (Oct. 11, 2024)
    • Refocusing patients’ health care journeys (Sept. 23, 2024)
    • Refocusing on patient-centred care (Nov. 8, 2023)
    • Strengthening health care: Improving access for all (Oct. 18, 2023)
    • The right care when and where Albertans need it (March 14, 2024)
    • Setting the foundation for a refocused health system (May 14, 2024)

    Multimedia

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: A year after Tusk came to power, why is access to safe and legal abortion still a distant dream in Poland?

    Source: Amnesty International –

    A year ago, Anna Błuś travelled home to her native Poland to vote in an election whose result she hoped would usher in a change to the country’s near total ban on abortion. What went wrong?

    Exactly a year ago on the eve of Poland’s elections, I joined a huge queue snaking around a polling station in Warsaw on a cold autumn day.  Despite the chill and the hours spent waiting to vote, the atmosphere was festive. There was a mood of anticipation in the air: a palpable sense that change was coming after eight years of regressive rule by the Law and Justice (PiS) party.

    As I watched the exit polls in a packed bar later that night, it became clear that this had been an election like no other with a record turnout (74%) and unprecedented numbers of women and young people coming out to vote.  

    Among the things that had galvanized so many people had been the assurances by Donald Tusk and his Civic Coalition, that they would liberalize Poland’s draconian abortion law which only allows terminations in cases of rape, incest or risk to the pregnant person’s health or life. While abortion has already been severely restricted in Poland since 1993, the Constitutional Tribunal’s 2020 ruling, which went into effect the next year, removed one of the legal grounds for abortion – in cases of fetal impairment – and leaving a near-total ban.

    If elected, Doland Tusk promised he would make access to free, safe and legal abortion for all a reality within 100 days of coming into power.

    And yet those 100 days have come and gone and a year after Tusk swept to power, the possibility of Poland providing access to safe and legal abortion for all who need it, seems as distant as ever.

    In July 2024, the Parliament failed to vote through a bill tabled in an effort to undo the harm caused by the tightening of the abortion law during PiS’s rule and the 2020 judgment of the PiS-controlled Constitutional Tribunal.

    The bill, which also proposed to end the criminalization of “aiding with an abortion”, was defeated by members of the ruling coalition, the Polish People’s Party (PSL) who voted it down alongside members of PiS and other conservatives.

    Both PSL and centrist Poland 2050 politicians have spoken in favour of reinstating a “compromise” abortion law dating back to 1993,which allowed for terminations in cases of severe or fatal fetal impairment in addition to the current legal grounds. Alternatively, they have suggested putting the matter to vote in a referendum. Both these propositions are contrary to international human rights law and standards, which require states to decriminalize abortion and guarantee access to safe abortion to all who need it without discrimination and with respect to personal autonomy and human rights.

    In August, Donald Tusk said, matter-of-factly, that it will not be possible to get a parliamentary majority to support the liberalization of the abortion law until the next election. The implication of this statement is that no further efforts will be made to push through reform for at least another three years.

    But for Polish women, girls and any person who can become pregnant, waiting three years is not an option.

    Since the restrictions came into force in January 2021, they have been keenly felt and have had sometimes tragic consequences for women and their families.  A  “chilling effect” has meant that doctors are more likely not to take lifesaving steps for pregnant patients and since the ruling restricting the law came into force, several women lost their lives.

    New guidelines on abortion that the government issued in August were presented as a measure that would help mitigate the “chilling effect” on healthcare staff. Yet, while they clarify that mental health grounds should be respected in the same way as other health grounds for abortion, they simply reiterate the very limited circumstances in which legal abortions can be performed.

    Polish women are well used to broken promises and to our votes being instrumentalized. We were under no illusion that the much-needed change would come thanks to the political goodwill of any man happening to lead our next government. Because we have been at the forefront of this change.

    Polish women have been marching and facing arrest. They have been pursuing legal challenges in the courts and lobbying the politicians in parliament. They have been doing grassroots reproductive rights work in Poland and abroad and some – like Justyna Wydrzyńska – have provided abortion pills to those in need and been prosecuted as a result.

    And despite the risk of criminalization, we are continuing to take our reproductive health and autonomy into our own hands. The women-led grassroots organization Abortion Dream Team is crowdfunding to open the first abortion clinic in the country. And in September, the longstanding Federation for Women and Family Planning (FEDERA) opened its first sexual and reproductive health clinic in Warsaw.  

    Women cannot keep dying from gender-based violence committed by our own state. The government’s lack of action on abortion is unacceptable and untenable. Prime Minister Tusk and the other leaders of the coalition parties (men, naturally) need to wake up and recognize our human right to abortion, accessed freely, safely and legally, in Polish law. 

    The man we elected as Prime Minister must uphold his promise to the women of Poland and work with rights holders, civil society and experts to bring his coalition partners to a place where legal abortion in Poland becomes a reality. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province Recognizes Fire Prevention Week 2024 from Oct. 6 To 12

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 4, 2024

    Province Recognizes Fire Prevention Week 2024 from Oct. 6 To 12

    As part of Fire Prevention Week 2024, which runs Oct. 6 to 12, Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations is reminding all Manitobans of the importance of having working smoke alarms in their home.

    This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, ‘Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!’ strives to educate everyone about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in the home. This year’s campaign is reminding everyone to install, test and replace smoke alarms and make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory needs or physical disabilities.

    According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 per cent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

    Best practices for smoke alarms in the home include:

    • install smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on each level of the home;
    • test smoke alarms once a month by pressing the test button;
    • replace smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested;
    • make a home fire escape plan and practice your plan so you know what to do should a fire happen.

    The Manitoba government and Office of the Fire Commissioner, along with the Manitoba Firefighters’ Burn Fund and Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs, invites kindergarten to Grade 4 students across the province to draw a fire escape plan of their home and submit it along with a contest entry form to be entered in the contest to mark Fire Prevention Week. For contest entry details and prizing, and to learn more about Fire Prevention Week activities across the province visit: http://www.manitoba.ca/firepreventionweek.

    As part of the ongoing commitment to enhance fire safety, the department has established a new fund of up to $1 million to support fire prevention and public education initiatives for Northern Affairs Communities, off-reserve Indigenous families and northern remote communities across Manitoba. Further information about this funding program will be announced in the coming months.

    Fire Prevention Week is held during the week surrounding Oct. 6 in Canada and the United States to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871.

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Credit Agricole Sa: Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility takes a stake in GAC Leasing to support the growth of GAC Group sales in China

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Massy – October 15th, 2024

    Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility
    takes a stake in GAC Leasing to support the growth
    of GAC Group sales in China

    • CA Personal Finance & Mobility announces the planned acquisition of 50% of the equity interests of GAC Finance Leasing Co. Ltd. (GAC Leasing), the leasing company of one of the largest Chinese manufacturers Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC Group), via a reserved capital increase.
    • With this new joint venture, CA Personal Finance & Mobility is expected to offer financial and operational leasing solutions on the Chinese market in 2025 and will thus promote the deployment of electric vehicles in China.
    • This transaction will consolidate a partnership that has existed since 2009 between CA Personal Finance & Mobility and GAC Group with the creation of GAC-Sofinco AFC, a 50-50 joint venture. The latter operates throughout China and offers automotive financing and services to the GAC-Honda, GAC-Toyota, AION, HYPTEC and GAC Motor networks, serving more than 3,000 dealers.

    CA Personal Finance & Mobility to become 50% shareholder of GAC Leasing

    Following a reserved capital increase, CA Personal Finance & Mobility will hold 50% of the equity interests of GAC Leasing. The company has been operating on the Chinese market since 2004 and offers financial and operational leasing solutions to GAC customers and its dealer network.

    Through this transaction, CA Personal Finance & Mobility and GAC group are strengthening the leasing offer proposed to Chinese customers, thereby stimulating the sale of electric vehicles, which already represents 60% of GAC Leasing’s leasing contracts on a portfolio of more than 200,000 vehicles.

    The impact on the CET1 ratio of Crédit Agricole S.A. and that of the Crédit Agricole group will be very limited.

    « This transaction reaffirms the importance of our long-standing partnership with GAC group. It will enable us to support together and over the long term the development of the particularly dynamic electric automobile market in China. »
    STEPHANE PRIAMI – CEO of Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility

    Key figures:

    • In 2023, GAC group was the 4th largest automotive group in China
    • More than 2.5 million vehicles sold in 2023 worldwide
    • 39,90% of electrified vehicles sold in 2023

    Press Contact

    Claire Garcia
    presse@ca-cf.fr
    +33 (0)1 87 38 11 81 / +33 (0)6 80 41 17 77

    About Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility

    Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility is a leader in personal financing and a provider of access to all mobility solutions in Europe. It distributes directly, at the point of sale or on its partners’ e-commerce platforms, a wide range of financing solutions – amortizable credit, revolving credit, leasing and credit buyback – with associated services including insurance, split payment solutions and services dedicated to mobility, with the aim of meeting the challenges of energy transition in mobility, housing and consumption. Its financing solutions and services are offered in France via Sofinco, in Italy via Agos, in Germany via Creditplus, in Portugal via Credibom, in Spain via Sofinco Espana, in Morocco via Wafasalaf, and in China via GAC-Sofinco (automotive financing only). Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility aims to be the leader in electric mobility in Europe and offers a mobility continuum in the 22 countries where it is present (leasing, medium and short-term rental, subscription, car sharing, installation of charging stations, etc.). The company relies on Leasys, a joint venture equally owned by Stellantis, CA Auto Bank and Drivalia, the pan-European leader in automotive financing, rental and mobility, Crédit Agricole Mobility Services, a comprehensive service offering dedicated to mobility and the development of automotive financing in its universal subsidiaries in Europe and in Crédit Agricole Regional Banks and at LCL via Agilauto. CA Personal Finance & Mobility acts every day in the interest of its 17.2 million customers and society. As of December 31, 2023, CA Personal Finance & Mobility managed €113 billion in outstanding credit. More information: http://www.ca-personalfinancemobility.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Announces Lloyd Axworthy to Lead Winnipeg Rail Relocation Study

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 15, 2024

    Manitoba Government Announces Lloyd Axworthy to Lead Winnipeg Rail Relocation Study

    – – –
    Study will Determine Feasibility of Relocating Rail Lines in Winnipeg: Kinew

    The Manitoba government is moving forward on its commitment to determine the feasibility of relocating Winnipeg’s rail lines by selecting Lloyd Axworthy as study lead, Premier Wab Kinew announced today. 

    “Manitoba’s rail lines are an essential part of what makes our province a central, economic hub and it’s important we explore the best options for its location,” said Kinew. “Dr. Axworthy is the best person to guide this process. With his proven leadership and commitment to our province, I know he will bring together the concerns of residents, the business community and all levels of government to bear on this important issue. We know this will be a long-term project and our government looks forward to receiving the results of this study.” 

    “It’s a propitious time to study the important relationship of the railways to our city and develop an integrated plan that can centre Winnipeg as the location of a major transportation hub,” said Axworthy. “Addressing long-standing issues regarding safety, security and the cost-effective transit across railroad properties and the relocation of certain railway lands opens significant opportunities for development of needed housing, and open space will be a key aspect of this study.”  

    Budget 2024 included a $200,000 investment for this initiative. The study, which has been called for by years by experts and community leaders, will explore relocating rail lines and yards from Winnipeg including the Canada Pacific Railway Ltd. rail yards as well as other lines, noted the premier. 

    “After years without any progress on a feasibility study, I’m excited to work collaboratively with important stakeholders,” said Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor. “This study will allow us to make informed decisions about how to best move forward and I look forward to seeing this important work continue.” 

    The study is expected to take two years and include interim reports before recommendations are released in the final report, noted the premier. 

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: JLT Mobile Computers appoints Tejal Ranjan to drive the company’s US partner marketing strategy and accelerate growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tejal Ranjan joins JLT as Vice President of Marketing – North America

    Växjö, Sweden, October 15, 2024 * * * JLT Mobile Computers, a leading supplier of rugged computing solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tejal Ranjan as Vice President of Marketing – North America. With extensive experience in supply chain, partner marketing, customer success, and demand generation, Tejal will lead the transformation and acceleration of JLT’s US partner strategy. Further, she will play a pivotal role in the global team, creating a unified go-to-market strategy that establishes a consistent foundation across all geographies while addressing the unique challenges and demands of each region. This strategic move is designed to position JLT for significant growth in the Vehicle-Mounted Computers and Rugged Computer markets, capitalizing on the substantial opportunities the industry offers.

    Further developing their partner-based go-to-market strategy is critical for JLT’s continued expansion in the rugged computing space. By leveraging the expertise and reach of partners, JLT will scale its operations more effectively, gain wider market coverage, and create a robust ecosystem capable of meeting the rising demand for rugged computing solutions.

    “We are thrilled to have Tejal join JLT,” said Per Holmberg, CEO of JLT Mobile Computers. “Our partner-based market approach is key in acquiring new customers and unlocking future growth. This strategy will not only enhance our presence in our target markets, but also build shareholder value as we strengthen our position globally. And Tejal’s experience in partner marketing, and demand generation, along with deep understanding of the supply chain industry will be instrumental in driving growth and expanding our partner ecosystem in the US, as well as globally.”

    The demand for rugged computing devices continues to grow as they enhance operational efficiency in key sectors like warehousing and logistics. By working closely with JLT, partners deliver comprehensive, cost-effective solutions that drive productivity, reliability, and value for end-users across industries like logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing. JLT’s renewed partner program will empower partners to capture a significant share of this expanding market.

    “I’m excited to join JLT at this pivotal time,” said Tejal Ranjan. “By focusing on channel-led growth, there’s potential to deliver greater value, enabling our partners to achieve their goals while expanding JLT’s footprint in existing and new markets.” I look forward to contributing and applying my experience to build a more robust and engaged partner ecosystem in the US and Globally. By focusing on delivering value, we will not only drive stronger business outcomes but also help our partners unlock new growth opportunities.”

    With a renewed focus on channel strategy, JLT is well-positioned for future growth, benefiting both partners and investors alike. For more information about JLT Mobile Computers, its products and solutions, please visit jltmobile.com.

    About JLT Mobile Computers

    Reliable performance, less hassle. JLT Mobile Computers is a leading supplier of rugged mobile computing devices and solutions for demanding environments. Almost 30 years of development and manufacturing experience have enabled us to set the standard in rugged computing, combining outstanding product quality with expert service, support and solutions to ensure trouble-free business operations for customers in warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, mining, ports and agriculture. JLT operates globally from offices in Sweden, France, and the US, complemented by an extensive network of sales partners in local markets. The company was founded in 1994, and the share has been listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market stock exchange since 2002 under the symbol JLT. Eminova Fondkommission AB acts as Certified Adviser. Learn more at jltmobile.com.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Upgrades for the Crawford Lake Visitor Centre

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Milton, Ontario, October 15, 2024 — The Crawford Lake Visitor Centre is becoming more energy efficient after a federal investment of over $2.3 million.

    Today, MP Adam Van Koeverden, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, and Chandra Sharma, Conservation Halton’s President and CEO, announced the investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.

    In 2023, Crawford Lake was identified as an important site for studying the Anthropocene, a concept that identifies human activity as the dominant force changing the planet’s natural systems. The lake’s remarkable sediment record and location within a protected area have helped researchers discover the extent of our impact on the environment. Combining the natural and human histories of this site, the visitor centre serves as a community space and home for Indigenous art, artifacts, and educational resources.

    This project will include the replacement of windows, doors, and insulation. Upgrades to the HVAC systems will help to decrease the centre’s energy requirements and improve climate control to preserve and protect its artifacts. Finally, the funding will also help expand the facility with a new entrance space that will contain an accessible elevator. Overall, these upgrades will help the centre reduce operating costs and lower carbon emissions.

    Quotes

    “Crawford Lake is recognized internationally as an important scientific site for studying and identifying the impacts of human history. By protecting the history and art of Indigenous peoples, the Crawford Lake Visitor Centre is doing its part to tell the human story. Together, as we move into a greener and more inclusive future, the federal government will continue to invest in sustainable and accessible infrastructure.”

    Adam Van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “Today’s announcement demonstrates our government’s commitment to improving sustainability and accessibility for community infrastructure like the Crawford Lake Visitors Centre, an important educational and economic resource in our Halton community. Through our Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, we will continue to collaborate with partners to create more environmentally friendly and sustainable community spaces for all to enjoy.”

    The Honourable Anita Anand, Member of Parliament for Oakville

    “The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program investment was a catalyst in bringing this project to fruition. Thanks to the support of the federal government, the new Crawford Lake Visitor Centre will transform the visitor experience and support our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity through carefully designed infrastructure upgrades. This project also enhances our capacity to provide immersive educational programming on the area’s Indigenous history, the impacts of climate change and the unique ecology of this rare meromictic lake.”

    Chandra Sharma, President and CEO, Conservation Halton

    Quick facts

    • The federal government is investing $2,390,960 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and Conservation Halton is contributing $5,099,040.

    • The GICB program was created in support of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan’s first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change. 

    • The program launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. 

    • Budget 2024 announced an additional $500 million to support more projects through GICB until 2029.

    • At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

    • The GICB program is now accepting applications for:

      • Small and medium retrofit projects with eligible costs ranging from $100,000 to $2,999,999.
      • Large retrofit projects, ranging from $3 million to $25 million in eligible costs, to upgrade existing community buildings or to create new, energy-efficient buildings.
      • Both intake streams will close on October 16, 2024 at 15:00 Eastern Time.

    • For more information, please visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website at: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Communications Advisor
    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

    Declan Kelly
    Senior Communications Advisor
    Conservation Halton
    905-208-2941
    dkelly@hrca.on.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada supports six companies boosting EV growth in southern Ontario

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Federal investment will support the growth of six manufacturers in the electric vehicles supply chain

    October 15, 2024 – Burlington, Ontario   

    Southern Ontario has a growing and competitive electric vehicle (EV) sector. Businesses across the sector are developing advanced technologies to seize new growth opportunities. The Government of Canada is investing in these businesses so they can reach their potential and develop new possibilities for our country.

    Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) visited B.S.B. Manufacturing Ltd. (B.S.B), a Burlington-based machined components and parts manufacturer serving the automotive, agricultural and industrial product markets, to meet with employees and learn about the company’s ongoing shift to manufacture parts for electric vehicles. Minister Tassi was joined by Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs) and Member of Parliament for Oakville North–Burlington.

    To support this transition, B.S.B. is receiving $1.2 million to seize future growth in the industry with the addition of new automated production equipment and facility upgrades. This will increase the company’s capacity to produce EV and hybrid vehicle components and fulfill new contracts within the EV industry.

    This funding is part of a combined investment of more than $12 million to help six manufacturers scale up EV production: B.S.B. Manufacturing Ltd., Can Art Aluminum Extrusion Canada Inc., Clover Tool Manufacturing Ltd., CMP Automation Inc., Electrovaya Inc. and Marwood International Inc. By expanding production capabilities and adopting new equipment, Ontario companies are meeting the growing demand for innovative production capabilities to feed the EV supply chain. Additional information on these projects is included in the backgrounder.

    The Government of Canada is committed to supporting businesses as they evolve to develop new opportunities in the EV sector and create good jobs for Canadians. Together, we are building a stronger, more sustainable future for everyone.

    Quotes

    “Southern Ontario has a rapidly growing EV sector and is home to many leading manufacturers across the EV supply chain that are using their expertise and talent to drive our EV sector forward. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting these companies as they help Canada to make progress towards its goal of reaching net-zero emissions and build a competitive EV sector in the region.”
    – The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) 

    “The federal government is taking steps to help Canadians, businesses and communities adapt to climate change while making life more affordable on the path to net-zero. Today’s announcement highlights not only the resilience of this region, but also the strength of the manufacturing sector throughout southern Ontario.”
    – Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs) and Member of Parliament for Oakville North–Burlington

    “Today, as we embark on a new chapter with EV and hybrid solutions for our customers, we are paving the way for the future of competitive manufacturing in Canada—one that requires constant innovation. B.S.B. is built on a strong foundation of high-quality products, in-house expertise and cutting-edge solutions. Thanks to the FedDev Ontario funding, we’ve been able to invest in new machinery, tooling, automation and robotics, ensuring that we can retain direct and indirect manufacturing jobs in Canada.”
    – Narinder Bhogal, P.Eng, President, B.S.B. Manufacturing Ltd.

    Quick facts

    • Established in 1976 in Burlington, B.S.B. Manufacturing Ltd. is a Tier 1 & 2 automotive supplier to major customers such as Stellantis (Chrysler), Magna, Tesla and GM.

    • Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Brampton, Can Art Aluminum Extrusion Canada Inc. has emerged as a leader in designing and producing housing units and components for EV batteries at its Lakeshore, Ontario facility, used in a significant number of EVs in North America.

    • Concord-based Clover Tool Manufacturing Ltd. was established in 1979 and is a supplier of tooling, stampings, and welded and mechanical assemblies for automotive and other industries.

    • Founded in 1988, Kitchener-based CMP Automation Inc. provides custom automated manufacturing equipment and solutions to various industries, including nylon tubing used in the automotive industry.

    • Established in 1996, Mississauga-based Electrovaya Inc. is a pioneering leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change by manufacturing safe and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries for heavy-duty vehicles and battery systems.

    • Incorporated in 1990, Tillsonburg-headquartered Marwood International Inc. is an award-winning stamping and assembly company that manufactures a full range of automotive components, such as structural assemblies, rear-end components, roof and sunroof components, and more.

    • Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $86.9 million in 26 EV-related projects, creating and maintaining more than 2,250 jobs.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Edward Hutchinson
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency
    for Southern Ontario
    Edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

    FedDev Ontario
    Media Relations
    media@feddevontario.gc.ca

    Stay Connected

    FedDev-Ontario.Canada.ca

    Follow us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

    Subscribe to FedDev Ontario’s Southern Ontario Spotlight newsletter, featuring economic development news and updates from across the region.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Genie Energy to Report Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWARK, NJ, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Genie Energy Ltd., (NYSE: GNE), a leading retail energy and renewable energy solutions provider, will announce financial and operational results for the third quarter of 2024 on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024.

    Genie Energy will issue an earnings release over a wire service and post it in the “Investors” section of the Genie Energy website (https://genie.com/investors/quarterly-earnings/) at 7:30 AM Eastern. The release also will be filed in a current report (Form 8-K) with the SEC.

    At 8:30 AM Eastern, Genie Energy’s management will host a conference call to discuss financial and operational results, business outlook, and strategy. The call will begin with management’s remarks followed by Q&A with investors.

    To participate in the conference call, dial 1-877-545-0523 (toll-free from the US) or 1-973-528-0016 (international) and provide the following participant access code: 644435.

    Approximately three hours after the call, a call replay will be accessible by dialing 1-877-481-4010 (toll-free from the US) or 1-919-882-2331 (international) and providing the replay passcode: 51441. The replay will remain available through Wednesday, November 20, 2024. In addition, a recording of the call will be available for playback on the “Investors” section of the Genie Energy website. 

    In this press release, all statements that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate, “target” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors, including, but not limited to, those described in our most recent report on SEC Form 10-K (under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”), which may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports on SEC Forms 10-Q and 8-K. We are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

    About Genie Energy Ltd.: 

    Genie Energy Ltd., (NYSE: GNE) is a leading retail energy and renewable energy solutions provider. The Genie Retail Energy division (GRE) supplies electricity, including electricity from renewable resources, and natural gas to residential and small business customers in the United States. The Genie Renewables division (GREW) is a vertically-integrated provider of community and utility-scale solar energy solutions. For more information, visit Genie.com.

    Contact: 
    Genie Energy Investor Relations
    Bill Ulrey
    E-mail: wulrey@genie.com 

    # # # 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Auditor General DeFoor Concludes Statewide Community College Tour at Community College of Philadelphia, Highlights Expanded Job Opportunities for Pennsylvania Students

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 15, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA

    Auditor General DeFoor Concludes Statewide Community College Tour at Community College of Philadelphia, Highlights Expanded Job Opportunities for Pennsylvania Students

    Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today wrapped-up a statewide tour of Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges at Community College of Philadelphia, where he highlighted his department’s expanded career pathways for graduates of accredited associate degree programs and commended the work that these institutions do to prepare their students for the future.

    “As a community college graduate myself, I can tell you firsthand that associate degree programs offer practical, hands-on training that prepares students for high-demand careers like auditing,” Auditor General DeFoor said. “Community college taught me so many life skills that I still use to this day. That is why I am so excited to be at Community College of Philadelphia to recruit the next generation of our workforce and commend them for the work they do to ensure their students have the tools they need to succeed.”
    “Students and graduates of Community College of Philadelphia make up a major part of our community’s workforce,” said Dr. Donald Guy Generals, president of Community College of Philadelphia. “I am grateful to the Auditor General for visiting our institution and sharing information on some of the high-demand, family-supporting career opportunities available to our students.”

    Previously, to be considered for a position at the Department of the Auditor General, candidates needed to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and complete 12 credits of accounting as part of their coursework.

    List of Speakers:
    Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor
    Frank Santos, Workforce Development Recruitment Program Coordinator, Pennsylvania Auditor General
    Dr. Alycia Marshall, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Success/Aspen Rising Presidential Fellow at Community College of Philadelphia

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The DUP must act to remove O’Neill after yet another Sinn Fein scandal

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell:
    “The last few weeks have seen Sinn Fein flounder around as their story changed repeatedly in relation to the Michael McMonagle scandal. It is clear that both powerful elements in the media and the Stormont establishment are keen to shut down the matter. I am proud to be a member of the only party represented in Stormont who remain intent on keeping the spotlight on the issue as demonstrated by colleague Timothy Gaston’s Members’ Statement on the floor of the house this morning.
    “But not even the Stormont establishment can ignore the Niall Ó Donnghaile scandal coming hard on the heels of that of Michael McMonagle. Again, the Sinn Fein top brass are implicated given the gushing praise they heaped on Ó Donnghaile when he left public life, including Michelle O’Neill. They did this presumably knowing the real reason for his hasty exit from public life.

    “Huffing and puffing is no longer good enough. If the DUP are serious about demanding any standards at all from Sinn Fein in order for them to be in government it is incumbent on them to demand the immediate resignation of the First Minister. If she does not resign then they are obliged to remove her from office by Emma Little-Pengelly tendering her resignation as deputy First Minister, a move which would trigger the removal of Ms O’Neill in a fashion not dissimilar to how Martin McGuinness removed Arlene now Baroness Foster.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cardin, Van Hollen, Ivey Highlight $1.15 Million in Direct Federal Investments for Youth Services and Restoration Projects in Prince George’s County

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maryland Ben Cardin

    WASHINGTON – Recently, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) were in Prince George’s County to highlight $1,150,000 in direct federal investments they secured for youth services and environmental restoration projects in the community. The lawmakers fought for these investments in the federal funding bills passed and signed into law for Fiscal Year 2024.

    “The dam ruins at Laurel’s Riverfront Park and the Laurel Boys and Girls Club are at the heart of the community and tell the city’s origin story. These are stories that need to be told,” said Senator Cardin. “Investment in these historic places preserves our history and culture while creating economic and educational opportunities for Laurel’s residents.”

    “We fought for these direct investments in Prince George’s County with key goals in mind: building stronger communities and empowering our future leaders. Funding for the Laurel Boys & Girls Clubs will enable them to maintain safe spaces for after-school activities, and resources for restoring the Laurel Dam ruins will preserve the historic landmark that this City was built around while enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities. These are investments in the preservation of our local history and the wellbeing of Marylanders today and for generations to come,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Investing in our communities begins with raising the quality of life for residents.  Creating a beautiful, safe and environmentally friendly park space in the ruins of a dam along the Patuxent River gives people of Laurel and beyond a look into it’s storied history as a mill town and its future with the walkable Riverfront Park.  Keeping kids safe and promoting their wellbeing is a down payment on our leaders of tomorrow.  Keeping one of the oldest boys and girls clubs in the region thriving gives a glimpse of that future.  With the leadership of Maryland’s federal delegation bringing these grant monies, Laurel’s future is as bright as ever,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04). 

    Senators Van Hollen, Senator Cardin and Congressman Ivey were joined by Laurel Council President James Kole to celebrate $850,000 in direct federal funding they secured to stabilize, protect, and restore the Dam Ruins at the City’s Riverfront Park. The project involves renovating the observation deck, improving drainage to control erosion, and repairing signage around the dam.

    “I am thankful and  thrilled to receive this funding, which will help us preserve and enhance the Laurel Dam Ruins, an important piece of our town’s history. This investment ensures that future generations can appreciate its significance while improving safety and access for our community. Our goal is to make the Ruins a destination place  for all to enjoy,” said City of Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor.

    The lawmakers then visited the Boys and Girls Club of Laurel to highlight $300,000 for renovations at the clubhouse. The funds will allow the Boys and Girls Club to continue providing after-school activities and a positive, safe learning environment for middle and high school students.

    “We are so thankful for the continued support and leadership by Senator Van Hollen, Senator Cardin, and Congressman Ivey. This federal funding will enable us to make some of the critical renovations to our center and continue providing the care and services that impact the lives of our community’s children every day,” said Adrian Rousseau, President of the Laurel Boys and Girls Club.

    MIL OSI USA News –