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  • MIL-OSI Global: Local government controls your roads, schools and utilities − but that doesn’t mean the US president doesn’t touch your life in important ways

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Zoe Nemerever, Professor of Political Science, Auburn University

    The top of the ticket often gets the most attention. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

    “All politics is local” is a common refrain – and yet, it is also true that the president has some unique powers.

    I am an expert on state policymaking, and I’m teaching presidential politics at Auburn University during this election season. Researching and teaching about both state and national politics has made me keenly aware of the stakes of the different races up and down the ballot this fall.

    Power close to home

    State and local governments shape our daily experiences in practical ways. State governments determine whether residents have access to expanded Medicaid, reproductive care, parental and family leave, and they set the state property, sales and income taxes, which we are all required to pay.

    City councils, county boards and school boards determine the quality of the roads we travel, the selection of books in school libraries and the prices of utilities such as water and sewer service.

    Most Americans will have the opportunity to vote for a variety of state and local elected officials this November. Yet many voters find their attention drawn to a more captivating contest: the presidential election.

    And it is hard to deny that the president has an outsized influence on American public policy.

    Staffing the government

    So what does the president do?

    It’s a busy job, for sure – including tasks such as signing executive orders, making treaties, vetoing or signing congressional bills, acting as the military’s commander in chief, attempting to build public support for their agenda and fundraising for the party.

    But one other big responsibility is often overlooked – that of passing out thousands of positions in the executive and judicial branches.

    The president’s appointment power is an enumerated power, meaning that it is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

    As the size of the judiciary and federal bureaucracy has grown over the past century, this presidential power has ballooned to include 4,000 appointments that turn over at the start of every administration. That doesn’t even include the vacancies that arise during the president’s term – for example, when a federal judge retires or dies.

    Perhaps the most well-known presidential appointment power is the power to nominate Supreme Court justices. These nominations tend to be highly political and dramatic affairs. This is due to their irregular and often sudden timing and to the high stakes of lifetime appointments.

    Some presidents don’t get to exercise this supreme power as much as they would like. But they still get to fill many other judgeships across the district courts, appellate courts and other federal courts.

    The Founding Fathers were adamant that the executive appointment power was not unilateral, as evidenced in Federalist Paper 76 penned by Alexander Hamilton. For 1,200 of the most consequential positions, the president nominates individuals, who are then confirmed – or not – by the U.S. Senate.

    The Founding Fathers perceived this as important for preventing the tyranny of a sole actor, which they had just worked so hard to leave behind under English rule.

    Assembling a Cabinet

    Some of the most consequential of these appointments are members of the presidential Cabinet.

    Much like how a head football coach assembles a team of assistants to enact their vision, the president convenes a team of policy champions to lead the 15 executive departments in the federal bureaucracy.

    Each department is run by a “secretary,” nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The president consults with Cabinet members at periodic meetings, but secretaries otherwise enjoy a great deal of autonomy. For this reason, the president tries to pick Cabinet members who share their policy perspective.

    Much of the agenda presidents claim credit for is, in fact, achieved by the Cabinet departments. For example, during the current Biden administration, the Department of Labor increased guaranteed overtime compensation, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended making marijuana a legal but regulated drug, and the Department of Education launched an initiative to tackle the post-COVID surge in chronic absenteeism.

    Cabinet members often fly under the radar of the media, and consequently voters, with a few exceptions. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg had his moment in the headlines earlier in 2024 when he announced a new federal rule that entitles airline passengers to prompt cash refunds when their flights are canceled or delayed. President Barack Obama’s Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was well known for his bus tours promoting the economic value of education. President George W. Bush’s Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spearheaded the noteworthy 2008 U.S.-India nuclear agreement.

    Crisis manager in chief, ad hoc

    Presidents also have the power to touch voters’ lives in profound ways by serving as a unifying character during national crises, a role that differentiates the president from other elected officials.

    These crises, unforeseen at the time of the election, require the president to swiftly reassure a distressed nation. For example, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush delivered an address that acknowledged the grief of Americans while imparting a stern guarantee that the United States would not cower to terrorists. President Donald Trump provided direction for a national response to an unprecedented global pandemic. President Bill Clinton shared heartfelt remarks at the memorial service of those killed in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. And Obama honored victims of a racially motivated shooting at a church in Charleston, South Carolina.

    Presidential candidates of course cannot campaign on their ability to handle unpredictable, emergent situations. Instead, they talk up personal traits that will equip them to carry the nation through the next four years – whatever that may bring.

    During the recent 2024 presidential debate between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump, the candidates tried to demonstrate traits such as strength, humor and mental sharpness – all of which would prove invaluable during whatever the next four years throws our way.

    This November, voters will consider a diverse spread of candidates, from city mayor to president, each with important responsibilities.

    National, state and local governments work together to shape our perceptions, good or bad, about the role public policy plays in our lives – and I’d encourage voters to pay attention to candidates at both the top of the ballot and further down.

    Zoe Nemerever 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. Local government controls your roads, schools and utilities − but that doesn’t mean the US president doesn’t touch your life in important ways – https://theconversation.com/local-government-controls-your-roads-schools-and-utilities-but-that-doesnt-mean-the-us-president-doesnt-touch-your-life-in-important-ways-237939

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why do people still back Trump, after everything? 5 things to understand about MAGA supporters’ thinking

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alex Hinton, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology; Director, Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Rutgers University – Newark

    Supporters watch Donald Trump speak at a rally in Uniondale, N.Y., on Sept. 18, 2024. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    For many people, especially those leaning left, Donald Trump’s disqualifications to be president seem obvious, prompting some to question: How could anyone still vote for Trump?

    Some of the evidence Trump’s critics cite include his two impeachments, multiple criminal indictments at the state and federal levels and a felony conviction. Opponents also say that Trump is a threat to democracy, a misogynist, racist, a serial liar and a rapist.

    About 78% of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independent voters say that Trump broke the law when he allegedly tried to overturn the 2020 election results. But less than half of Republicans think he did anything wrong.

    I am an anthropologist of peace and conflict, and I have been studying what I call the Trumpiverse since 2015, when Trump descended a golden escalator and announced his candidacy for president. I later wrote a related book in 2021, called “It Can Happen Here.”

    More recently, I have been examining toxic polarization – and ways to stop it. Many efforts to reduce people’s polarized views begin with an injunction: Listen and understand.

    To this end, I have attended Trump rallies, populist and nonpartisan events and meetings where Democrats and Republicans connect and talk. Along the way, I have spoken with Trump supporters ranging from the Make America Great Again, or MAGA, faithful to moderate “hold the nose and vote for him” conservatives.

    And indeed, many on the left fail to understand who Trump voters are and how they vary. Trump’s base cannot simply be dismissed as racist “deplorables”, as Hillary Clinton famously said in 2016, or as country bumpkins in red MAGA hats. Trump voters trend older, white, rural, religious and less educated. But they include others outside those demographic groups.

    Many people have thoughtful reasons for voting for Trump, even if their reasoning – as is also true for those on the left – is often inflamed by populist polarizers and media platforms.

    Here are five key lines of reasoning that, in varying combinations, inform Trump voters’ choice.

    Donald Trump speaks at a rally on July 31, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa.
    Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    1. Media distortion

    Where those on the left see Trump’s many failings, those on the right may see what some political observers call Trump Derangement Syndrome, sometimes simply called TDS.

    According to this line of argument, the left-leaning media dissects Trump’s every word, and the media then distorts what he says. I have found that some Trump supporters think that people who feed too much on this allegedly biased media diet can get TDS and develop a passionate, perhaps illogical dislike of Trump.

    I have also heard hardcore Trump supporters argue, with no evidence, that such “fake news” media outlets, like CNN, are part of a larger deep state plot of the federal government to upend the will of the people. This plot, according to those who propagate it, includes not just leftists, government bureaucrats and people who claim to be Republicans, but really aren’t, but also people in law enforcement.

    Some Trump supporters also see merit in his contention that he is being wrongly persecuted, just like some see the Jan. 6 defendants being persecuted.

    2. Bread on the table, money in the bank

    “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

    For many Trump voters, the answer to Ronald Reagan’s famous question is clear: “No.” They accurately remember Trump’s term as one of tax cuts, economic growth and stock market highs.

    It is true that overall employment numbers and average pay went up under President Joe Biden. But for some Trump supporters, that economic boost pales in comparison to the massive surge in inflation during Biden’s term, with prices rising almost 20%. While the inflation rate has recently abated, prices remain high – as voters are reminded of every day at the grocery store.

    Polls also show that Trump has a strong lead over Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on how they would handle the economy, which is a top concern for voters, especially Republicans.

    3. A border invasion

    Another reason some Americans want to vote for Trump: immigration.

    Like inflation, the number of people illegally crossing the border soared under Biden.

    This massive influx of “illegal aliens,” as Trump calls them, dropped to its lowest level in four years in July 2024. This happened after the Biden administration made it harder for immigrants to apply for asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, a policy measure that is in line with many Republicans’ approach.

    In 2022, a poll found 7 out of 10 Republicans worried that “open borders” were part of a Democratic plot to expand liberals’ power by replacing conservative white people with nonwhite foreigners.

    Trump has played into some people’s mostly false concerns that immigrants living illegally in the U.S. are freeloaders and won’t assimilate, as illustrated by recent – untrue – allegations that immigrants are eating pets in Ohio.

    In 2022, 82% of Republicans said they viewed immigration as a “very important” issue. Trump continues to tout his proposed solution, which includes shutting the border, building a wall and deporting 11 million immigrants who are living in the U.S. without legal authorization.

    People attend a Donald Trump rally in Uniondale, N.Y., on Sept. 18, 2024.
    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    4. A proven record

    Some Trump voters simply compare the records of Trump and Biden-Harris and find that the tally tilts firmly toward Trump.

    And it’s not just about the economy and immigration.

    There were no new wars under Trump. Biden-Harris, in contrast, are saddled with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip. Trump supporters’ perception is that American taxpayers foot a large portion of the bill, even though other countries are also giving money to Ukraine, and Israel is actually buying weapons from the U.S.

    I have found that Trump supporters also think he is better suited to deal with the rising power and threat of China.

    5. The MAGA bull in a china shop

    While some Harris supporters lament Trump’s destruction of democracy and decency in politics, I have found that Trump voters see a charismatic MAGA bull in a china shop.

    It is precisely because Trump is an unrelenting pugilist, or a fighter – as he showed when he raised a fist after the assassination attempt against him in July – that he should be elected, his supporters believe.

    Some even view him as savior – who will save the U.S. from a “radical left” apocalypse.

    For such Trump stalwarts, MAGA is not simply a slogan. In the Trumpiverse, it is a movement to save an America that is on the brink of failure.

    Alexander Hinton receives funding from the Rutgers-Newark Center for the Study of Politics and Race in America.

    – ref. Why do people still back Trump, after everything? 5 things to understand about MAGA supporters’ thinking – https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-still-back-trump-after-everything-5-things-to-understand-about-maga-supporters-thinking-239031

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is ‘dark money’ political spending, and how does it affect US politics?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Emily Lau, Staff Attorney, State Democracy Research Initiative, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Where exactly did this money come from? Manuel Augusto Moreno/Moment via Getty Images

    Every campaign season brings renewed attention to the amount of money influencing American politics, and who is spending it, and for what purposes. In particular, people are concerned about what is called “dark money.” For instance, recent media coverage has pointed to escalating dark money spending on both the Democratic and Republican sides.

    The term sounds scary and raises the specter of shadowy people manipulating the nation’s politics. As a researcher who studies the American democratic system, I think it’s worthwhile to unpack what dark money is, what concerns it raises and what might be done to address it.

    Unidentified political donors

    When people talk about dark money, they’re usually referring to money spent on elections that comes from sources that cannot be identified.

    Federal and state laws impose some limits on contributions and require some political contributions and expenditures to be publicly disclosed. Candidates for federal office, for example, must report their campaign donors to the Federal Election Commission. The FEC makes these reports available to the public.

    Likewise, super PACs – groups permitted to spend unlimited amounts on independent electoral advocacy – must also report some information about donations, such as the identities of and amounts given by people who donate more than US$200 in a year.

    But campaign finance disclosure laws have gaps.

    Federal law, for example, allows certain entities – most notably nonprofits designated as “social welfare” organizations or trade associations under Sections 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) of the tax code – to raise and spend large sums on electoral advocacy without disclosing their donors.

    A CBS News investigation into dark money in U.S. politics.

    Another dark money pathway involves making donations to super PACs through shell companies, which are companies set up for the purpose of hiding the financial activities of other people or groups – in this case, political contributions. Although super PACs are legally required to report who they received the contributions from, if the funds come from shell companies, the super PACs may not know and are not required to disclose where the money actually came from. That information remains hidden from public view.

    A lack of donor transparency raises multiple concerns. Voters may have a harder time assessing the validity of political messages or discerning whether candidates may be beholden to certain interests. Regulators and watchdogs can have trouble detecting illegal activity, such as campaign spending by foreign nationals. And unscrupulous people and groups can spread misinformation or destructive rhetoric without being identified or held accountable.

    Undisclosed political expenditures

    While discussions of dark money usually focus on where it comes from, the term can also describe a lack of transparency about where it goes.

    Under federal law, campaign committees must report their direct disbursements, such as payments to vendors or consultants. These vendors and consultants, however, sometimes function as pass-through entities that receive campaign funds and then purchase undisclosed goods and services. And any of these recipients can be set up as shell companies, making the flow of funds even more difficult to track.

    For instance, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and the Democratic National Committee faced FEC complaints for failing to disclose indirect payments made through the campaign’s law firm to researchers who compiled a dossier on Donald Trump’s Russia ties. The Clinton campaign and the DNC paid a fine to settle the matter without conceding wrongdoing.

    But enforcement can be difficult. In 2020, a watchdog group filed an FEC complaint alleging that Trump’s reelection campaign directed hundreds of millions of dollars to a pass-through entity in an improper effort to hide its expenditures – which included payments to top advisers and family members that, by law, would have otherwise been disclosed. The FEC dismissed the Trump complaint in 2022 when commissioners deadlocked 3-3 on whether to pursue it.

    As with a lack of donor disclosure, a lack of expenditure disclosure can deprive voters and regulators of valuable information. Lack of transparency can also invite questionable campaign practices, such as using donated funds in ways that enrich candidates, campaign staff or their associates.

    It can be hard to determine who is really behind shell companies and campaign donors.
    nicodemos/E+ via Getty Images

    Stalled federal reforms

    Proponents of greater campaign finance transparency have had little success pressing federal lawmakers and regulators to address dark money.

    Since 2010, congressional Democrats have been introducing legislation known as the DISCLOSE Act. Among other requirements, it would make dark money groups reveal major donors and restrict the use of shell companies to conceal donors’ identities. While versions of the bill have passed the House, they have repeatedly stalled in the Senate. Opponents maintain that these measures would infringe people’s privacy rights and chill constitutionally protected speech.

    Advocates have also made minimal headway persuading Congress or federal agencies to adopt new disclosure regulations or tighten enforcement.

    The FEC, which has an even partisan split among its six commissioners, has often been unable to get a majority to agree to take action. And the FEC’s most notable recent decisions have been to loosen, rather than tighten, campaign finance rules. Congress has barred the Securities and Exchange Commission from establishing new political spending disclosure rules for public companies, although some companies self-report more than the law requires.

    States’ efforts to curb dark money

    Dark money is also an issue in state and local elections. The strength of state and local transparency laws varies. Because these elections typically receive less attention and scrutiny than federal elections, money sometimes flows even more opaquely.

    Unlike the federal government, a number of states and localities have bolstered their disclosure rules in recent years. Arizona, California, Colorado, New Jersey and Washington, for example, have passed new laws requiring more donor information, including about the original sources of funds that are transferred between multiple groups before being spent on electioneering.

    Meanwhile, states such as Iowa, Massachusetts and Texas have adopted laws requiring campaigns to provide details about how consultants and vendors spend the campaign’s funds.

    Even in these states, disclosure gaps remain. The reality is that efforts to improve transparency can seem like a game of whack-a-mole: Each new round of regulations tends to generate new workarounds. But the experiences in these states and elsewhere may offer models and lessons for other jurisdictions.

    The current Supreme Court has given mixed messages about campaign finance transparency.
    Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

    Constitutional questions

    Beyond the political challenge of getting stronger transparency regulations adopted, proponents of such measures also face potential constitutional challenges by opponents of disclosure.

    In multiple cases, including the 2010 Citizens United v. FEC ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected First Amendment claims brought by political spenders who wished to conceal their identities. In that case, the court observed that transparency helps the electorate “make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages.”

    However, the Supreme Court has also recognized a right to engage in anonymous political speech. And in recent years, the court’s conservative supermajority has become somewhat more skeptical of disclosure rules, including in a 2021 case, Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta, which overturned a state law requiring charities to identify major donors. In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the court’s argument could be applied to campaign finance disclosure regulations.

    Therefore, even if public momentum builds for stronger transparency regulations, the Supreme Court could stand as an obstacle to such reforms.

    Emily Lau 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. What is ‘dark money’ political spending, and how does it affect US politics? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-dark-money-political-spending-and-how-does-it-affect-us-politics-236294

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada to Host Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    September 25, 2024 – New York, New York – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada, together with co-organizers Norway and Ukraine, will host the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula on October 30-31, 2024.

    The Ministerial Conference will bring together Foreign Affairs Ministers to advance the common vision articulated by the Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework developed at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at Bürgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024.

    During the conference, Ministers will exchange views with the aim of developing a concrete plan, guided by the principles of international human rights and humanitarian law, for the return of prisoners of war as well as deported civilians and children back to Ukraine. The Conference participants will also aim to strengthen the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, integrate the Women, Peace and Security perspective into the 10-Point Peace Formula, and identify approaches for post-return rehabilitation and reintegration for Ukrainian returnees.

    Quotes

    “Canada continues to deploy significant efforts to raise awareness of, and advocate on the issue of, illegally detained and deported Ukrainians, a critical issue dating back to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014 that has been exacerbated since the launch of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression in 2022. I look forward to welcoming my counterparts to Canada and exchanging views on how the international community can support Ukraine in its efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

    – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

    “The release of all prisoners and deported persons from Russian captivity, including children, is Ukraine’s top priority. I look forward to working together on the solutions that will ensure the return of our people back home and the restoration of just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

    – Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

    “The return of all our people—every detained and deported Ukrainian—is a fundamental precondition for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. The human dimension is one of the core elements of Ukraine’s Peace Formula. It is crucial that we, as an international community, unite our efforts in Canada to find solutions that will bring every Ukrainian home.”

    – Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

    “Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has lasted for more than two and a half years. The ongoing hostilities and occupation of Ukrainian territory continuously expose Ukrainian civilians to the risk of detention by Russian forces or agents and other violations. The scale and complexity of the many thousands of Ukrainians in detention, children as well as adults, call for closer scrutiny by the world community on how to stop it, and I look forward to working closely with my Ukrainian and Canadian colleagues on this important agenda.”

    – Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway

    Quick facts

    • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula in November 2022 at the G20 summit. In August 2023, ten working groups were established, each dedicated to a specific pillar of the 10-point Peace Formula. Canada, along with Norway, are co-chairs of Working Group 4, which focuses on the return of prisoners of war, detained civilians, and illegally transferred and deported children.

    • Canada and Ukraine co-lead the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Launched in February 2024, in Kyiv, this coalition has expanded to 40 states, including some non-Western countries.

    • In June 2024, Ukraine and Switzerland hosted the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, a diplomatic initiative to garner international support for Ukraine’s Peace Formula. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the summit and chaired a breakout session on the human dimension of the war in Ukraine. He also announced that Canada will host a ministerial conference on this human dimension this year.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Media Relations Office
    Global Affairs Canada
    media@international.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaFP
    Like us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy – Global Affairs Canada

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Canada to host ministerial conference on human dimension of Ukraine’s 10-point peace formula

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Press release

    September 25, 2024 – New York, New York – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada, with the support of Norway and Ukraine as co-hosts, will host the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula on October 30-31, 2024.

    The Ministerial Conference will bring together foreign ministers to advance the vision set out in the Joint Communiqué on the Peace Framework, developed at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024.

    During the conference, the ministers will exchange views with the aim of developing a concrete plan, guided by international principles of human rights and humanitarian law, for the return to Ukraine of prisoners of war, as well as the civilian population and deported children. The conference participants will also aim to strengthen the International Coalition for the Repatriation of Ukrainian Children, to integrate the perspective of women, peace and security into the 10-point peace formula, and to identify approaches for the rehabilitation and reintegration of Ukrainian women and men repatriated to the country.

    Quotes

    “Canada continues to work hard to raise awareness and advocate on the issue of illegally detained and deported Ukrainians, a major issue that dates back to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and has been exacerbated since Russia launched its full-scale war of aggression in 2022. I look forward to welcoming my counterparts to Canada and discussing how the international community can support Ukraine in its efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

    – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

    “The release of all prisoners and detainees, as well as all those deported to Russia, including children, is Ukraine’s top priority. I look forward to working together to find solutions that will ensure the return of our citizens and the restoration of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

    – Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

    “The return of our people, that is, all detained and deported Ukrainians, is an essential condition for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The human dimension is one of the essential elements of Ukraine’s peace formula. It is essential that we, as the international community, join forces with Canada to find solutions that will allow all Ukrainians to return home.”

    – Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

    “Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has been going on for over two and a half years. The ongoing hostilities and occupation of Ukrainian territory place the Ukrainian civilian population at constant risk of detention by Russian forces or agents and other aggression. The scale and complexity of the detention of thousands of Ukrainians, both children and adults, demands that the global community take a closer look at how to end it, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues from Ukraine and Canada on this important issue.”

    – Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway

    Quick Facts

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula in November 2022 at the G20 Summit. In August 2023, ten working groups were established, each dedicated to a pillar of the 10-Point Peace Formula. Canada and Norway co-chair Working Group 4, which focuses on the return of prisoners of war, civilians in detention, and illegally transferred and deported children.

    Canada and Ukraine co-lead the International Coalition for the Repatriation of Ukrainian Children. Launched in February 2024 in Kyiv, this coalition has expanded to 40 states, including some non-Western countries.

    In June 2024, Ukraine and Switzerland hosted the Ukraine Peace Summit, a diplomatic initiative aimed at garnering international support for Ukraine’s peace formula. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the summit and chaired a discussion session on the human dimension of the war in Ukraine. He also announced that Canada would host a ministerial conference on the human dimension this year.

    Related links

    Contact persons

    Media Relations OfficeGlobal Affairs Canadamedia@international.gc.caFollow us on Twitter: @CanadaPELike us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy – Global Affairs Canada

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 2025 Budget: compliance with the debt brake, compensation for cost increases and reduction of the tax scale

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Canton of Neuchatel Switzerland

    09/25/2024

    ​The State Council presents its 2025 budget project, in a situation still marked by a favorable economic climate. Despite the increases in expenses in certain areas of activity, the income statement shows a surplus of revenue of 29.9 million francs and meets the requirements of the debt brake. Significant investments are also expected. In addition, a further reduction in the tax scale is proposed.

    After three accounting and budgetary years particularly marked by a favourable economic context, the 2025 budget of the State of Neuchâtel presents a surplus of revenue of 29.9 million francs on a total of 2.5 billion in expenses. Fulfilling the requirements of the debt brake, it makes it possible to amortize 1% of the State’s overdraft while ensuring the self-financing, up to 71.2%, of a significant investment envelope.

    Significantly up on previous years, investments amount to nearly 147 million, with a decisive share representing 5.2% of revenues. While an envelope of this size represented an additional challenge in terms of self-financing, it reflects the many projects started in recent years that are now in their implementation phase. For the Council of State, this is a decisive period during which investment expenditure will have to remain at a high level in order to meet the major challenges of modernizing, making the canton more attractive and improving its infrastructure.

    Positive revenue dynamics

    Despite some signs of slowdown already perceived in the Neuchâtel economy, tax forecasts continue for the time being to benefit from the good economic situation, the fall in unemployment and inflation. Tax revenues should therefore remain at a level close to 2023, a sign of positive dynamics of resources that will help to mitigate significant increases observed in several areas of expenses.

    Among other important sources of financing, the 2025 budget benefits from a significant increase in revenues received by the Canton as part of the federal financial equalization and takes into account an improvement in the outlook linked to a resumption of ordinary payments from the Swiss National Bank (SNB). While they allow us to approach 2025 with a certain serenity, these developments nevertheless call for the greatest caution given the high level of uncertainty that characterizes them and the total lack of influence exercised by the Canton. This caution is all the more important given that multiple issues are currently threatening the stability of public finances.

    Need to control loads

    As a sign of the many challenges that the Canton is currently facing, the 2025 budget includes significant increases in charges, particularly in the social and health sectors, where demographic change is now clearly having an impact. The rise in health costs requires, in particular, ever-increasing resources allocated to health institutions, but also to health insurance subsidies or in the area of supplementary benefits.

    Expenditure is also increasing in the area of training, or in that of mobility with allowances paid to public transport companies which continue to grow. In addition to these, there are the many additional efforts that the Canton has committed to making in climate protection.

    Finally, the redistribution to the municipalities of half of the federal contribution for the compensation of geotopographical overloads, which represents a burden of more than 10 million francs for the Canton, is not subject to any compensation this year and is therefore fully assumed by the State budget.

    Faced with these major challenges, it is now imperative that the Canton of Neuchâtel controls its expenses and achieves a sustainable clean-up of public finances.

    Compensation for cost increases and reduction of the tax scale

    The 2025 budget remains impacted by inflationary pressure which, despite a clear slowdown observed in recent months, still has significant effects on many areas of State activity as well as on household purchasing power. For 2025, the Council of State therefore proposes full compensation for the increase in civil service salaries. It also proposes catching up on the indexation reserve that had to be maintained in 2024. A measure that has an overall impact on the State budget of around 30 million francs.

    Furthermore, convinced that Neuchâtel taxpayers must also benefit from the good economic situation and its positive financial consequences for the State and the municipalities, the Council of State invites the Grand Council to adopt a new temporary reduction in the personal income tax scale, at a rate of 1%, which is added to the previous one. This proposal, the financial implications of which are already included in the 2025 budget, should allow the canton to continue this logic of modest progress in order to maintain and improve its attractiveness.

    Efforts still needed in the medium term

    The 2026-2028 financial and task plan still shows significant deficits of between 30 and 50 million, which do not include the potential deferrals of charges from the Confederation to the cantons or the impact of the responses to the various cantonal initiatives. These worrying projections and prospects should encourage the State to conduct a prudent financial policy in order to maintain sufficient room for maneuver to react in the event of an economic downturn. Significant additional efforts will therefore be necessary during the next legislature to guarantee the stability of public finances, an essential condition for being able to respond effectively to future challenges without jeopardizing compliance with the debt brake.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: ServiceTrade Releases a New Modular Dashboard Giving Commercial Fire and Mechanical Contractors a “Command Center” to Maximize Productivity and Profit 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ServiceTrade, Inc., the software platform for commercial mechanical and fire contractors, announces the release of ServiceTrade Fall ‘24, the latest innovations to its industry-leading field service management software. The newest release features capabilities that can maximize tech productivity and improve profit for every job, every customer, every time. Enhanced AI-driven features provide more useful information that helps companies increase technician and customer satisfaction.

    The Fall ‘24 release features a new customizable dashboard that can be personalized to provide relevant data for each operational role. Owners, dispatchers, operations executives, and service managers can create personalized “command centers” that deliver the necessary real-time information they need. Drag and drop widgets make it easy for stakeholders to create a view of the most appropriate information for their job function. In addition, enhanced tasking, scheduling functionality, and dispatch features guide schedules that optimize time and tech profitability by prioritizing the most important customers. The Fall ‘24 release is designed to help companies optimize time on-site, meet customer expectations, and win and keep the most valuable customers. 

    Brian Smithwick, ServiceTrade CTO and co-founder, commented: “For over a decade, we’ve been singularly focused on solutions that help contractors prioritize the most profitable customers, build maximum pipeline, and improve productivity and profits. The Fall ‘24 release brings critical innovations to market and will allow commercial contractors to scale their businesses and deliver exceptional service, build customer loyalty, and drive revenue. With the Fall ‘24 release, we continue to raise the bar with software solutions to support the unique challenges commercial service contractors face.”

    Customized, Role-Based Views Through Drag-and-Drop Widgets
    ServiceTrade has completely transformed its dashboard, enabling a customizable, real-time view of operational data that shows relevant information for specific jobs and business functions. Unlike traditional static dashboards, ServiceTrade’s dashboard is fully customizable, allowing users to select from an extensive library of widgets that integrate real-time operational data across work orders, customer communications, financial performance, and more. By providing users with personalized views that contain insights about the details that matter most to their job function, the dashboard helps users easily find the information they need, increasing productivity and optimizing business performance. 

    Streamlined, Powerful Scheduling and Dispatching
    The latest version of the ServiceTrade dispatch board delivers scheduling and dispatching game changers to simplify the way dispatchers assign and schedule technicians and jobs. These enhancements provide everything business owners need – and nothing they don’t – to make smarter scheduling decisions, reduce travel time, and provide technicians with more information so they can work efficiently and productively. With a refurbished user interface and AI infusions to streamline all workflows, the dispatch and scheduling experience empowers commercial contracting businesses to prioritize the most profitable customers and jobs, optimize technician routes, schedule high-value work, and plan long-term to ensure all technicians are fully utilized. 

    Automated Tasking Ensures Efficiency and Maximum Profit at Each Appointment 
    Streamlining the management of recurring maintenance tasks provides technicians with clear task checklists for each job and piece of equipment, and helps contractors meet service agreements. New task manager features simplify the planning and execution of maintenance activities, allow techs to meet productivity goals, and deliver quality service accurately to meet customer contract commitments and regulations at every service appointment.

    AI-Driven Commenting and Job Summaries 
    New AI-driven features, including SmartTranscribe, SmartComment, and SmartSummary, make it easier for technicians to provide detailed notes and for the office to more efficiently deliver complete customer communication. ServiceTrade’s industry-leading AI infusions help manage the full life-cycle of commercial and industrial building equipment from installation and startup to inspection and maintenance to repair and replace. Unlike other solutions focused on financial data, residential services, or those with limited data in the commercial sector, ServiceTrade Smart AI is powered by over 18 million commercial work orders servicing over 13 million building assets with over 6 million identified equipment issues. 

    To learn more about ServiceTrade:

    About ServiceTrade:
    ServiceTrade, Inc. is a software platform for commercial mechanical and fire and life safety contractors. During a chronic skilled labor shortage, ServiceTrade helps commercial contractors increase profit by improving service and project operations, increasing technician productivity, selling more service agreements, and growing customer loyalty. Located in Durham, North Carolina, ServiceTrade was founded in 2012 to automate and streamline the commercial mechanical and fire protection industry and has grown to have more than 1,300 customers. More than 10% of the commercial or industrial buildings in the United States are serviced by contractors using ServiceTrade. Learn more at www.servicetrade.com.

    Contact:
    Media@KTCMarketingandpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s equipment, consumer goods renewal program fuels market vitality

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 25 — China has achieved significant progress in advancing large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins, boosting both investment and consumption.

    China unveiled an action plan to implement the renewal program in March this year to expand domestic demand and shore up the economy, and stepped up policy support in July with an extra funds injection of 300 billion yuan (about 42.73 billion U.S. dollars) via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    From Monday to Wednesday, the country’s authorities held three press conferences in a row to present a comprehensive overview of the program, underscoring the government’s commitment to revitalize the super-large market.

    According to Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), all the treasury bonds have been fully allocated to projects and local governments, with all supportive policies already in place.

    The program has yielded significant progress, effectively driving investment growth, unleashing consumption potential, improving people’s welfare, and propelling industrial development along with the country’s green transition drive.

    INVESTMENT BOOST

    Half of the ultra-long special treasury bonds to support equipment upgrades have been distributed to over 4,600 projects, and such support will cover projects with a total investment of 800 billion yuan this year, said NDRC official Liu Dechun.

    “Positive progress has been recorded in key areas of equipment upgrades, increasingly contributing to growth stabilization and industrial transformation,” Liu noted.

    In the first eight months of this year, investment in equipment and tool purchases grew by 16.8 percent year on year, and 4.21 million scrapped vehicles were recycled nationwide, up 42.4 percent and accounting for over 90 percent of the total amount last year.

    During this period, fixed-asset investment in municipal utility and construction sector expanded 23.5 percent and 21.6 percent, respectively, Liu said, adding that there are already plans to use the treasury bonds to upgrade over 40,000 residential elevators that have been in service for more than 15 years.

    Policies are also actively supporting renewals and upgrades of energy-inefficient and high-emitting equipment, with over 500 energy-related projects backed by the treasury bonds this year, Liu said.

    This overhaul will save around 3 million tonnes of standard coal annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8 million tonnes, according to the official.

    Liu pledged further efforts to leverage the policies and funding to deliver benefits to more businesses and promote high-end, intelligent and green industrial development while accelerating the green transition.

    CONSUMPTION PICKUP

    Given that over 3 billion units of home appliances and more than 300 million vehicles are in use across China, the potential for their renewals are tremendous, NDRC official Wen Hua said.

    Since the renewal program kicked off in March, automobile consumption has exhibited notable growth. Citing data from the China Automobile Dealers Association, Wen said the retail sales of passenger vehicles and new energy autos increased 10.8 percent and 17 percent month on month, respectively, in August.

    Home appliance sales have also rebounded significantly. In August, official data reported a 3.4 percent rise year on year in retail sales of household appliances and audiovisual equipment, ending a decline.

    Meanwhile, the trade-in program has indirectly spurred investment and profitability in related sectors, Wen said, noting that from January to August, investment in consumer goods manufacturing expanded by 14.9 percent.

    Looking ahead, efforts will be made to fully implement the supportive policies and leverage the special treasury bonds for the equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins, in a bid to extend policy benefits to more consumers, enhance living standards, and accelerate the green transition of development, Wen said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: America is increasingly dependent on foreign doctors − but their path to immigration is getting harder

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Selma Hedlund, Postdoctoral Associate at Center of Forced Displacement, Boston University

    For immigrant doctors, the path to permanent residency is fleeting and far from guaranteed. Stefano Spicca/iStock via Getty Images

    The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a pressing issue: The U.S. health care system is increasingly dependent on immigrant physicians, but it’s becoming harder for aspiring ones to work and settle in the U.S.

    Today, 1 in 4 doctors are foreign-born, international medical graduates. Their numbers are even larger in underserved areas – essentially, low-income, more rural parts of the country where many American doctors don’t want to work.

    This immigrant workforce is key to offsetting a dire physician shortage. The need for more doctors is due, in part, to America’s growing and aging population; U.S.-born doctors’ unwillingness to move to poorer and more rural areas; and U.S.-born doctors’ lack of interest in going into primary care, which can be less lucrative and prestigious than other areas of medicine.

    As a result, immigrant doctors have become indispensable in hospitals and clinics across the nation. But while they’re in demand, more and more foreign doctors are starting to see the immigration process as a risky endeavor.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote my dissertation about how immigrant physicians navigate the U.S. immigration system and foreign licensing procedures. My interviewees described how a combination of stricter immigration policies and more competition for residency spots have made the U.S. a less feasible destination.

    Visa vicissitudes

    U.S. visas can be categorized into two categories: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Nonimmigrant visas, such as tourist, student or exchange visitors visas, prohibit holders from having what’s called “immigrant intent,” meaning that they don’t plan to use their visas to permanently stay in the U.S.

    In order for immigrant doctors to be licensed to practice in the U.S., they need to complete licensing exams. They also need to obtain clinical experience in the U.S. This can be completed while on a tourist visa or a student visa, which are relatively easy to obtain.

    However, all immigrant physicians – even if they’re certified specialists in their home country – need to get accepted into and complete a U.S. residency program in order to practice in the U.S. as specialists. These are intensive, supervised training programs that can last up to seven years.

    Nonetheless, a majority of immigrant doctors in the U.S. will complete their American residencies on nonimmigrant visas, even though by this point in the process they quite clearly have immigrant intent.

    It wasn’t always this way.

    There’s a special work visa called the H-1B that allows for both immigrant and nonimmigrant intent. A few decades ago, many immigrant physicians entered residency programs that sponsored H-1B visas, which served as stepping stones to green cards.

    But drastic restrictions to the number of people admitted into this visa program, coupled with cuts in graduate medical education funding, have directed most foreign-born doctors to what’s called a J-1 exchange visitors visa.

    Challenges of working in underserved areas

    The J-1 not only explicitly prohibits immigration intent, it also requires that doctors return to their home country for at least two years upon completing American residency training.

    Foreign-born doctors nonetheless pursue the J-1 because there’s the opportunity to obtain a waiver, with limited slots that will allow them to remain in the U.S. and adjust to an H-1B visa. If selected for the waiver program, they must commit to a minimum of three years of service in a designated medically underserved area in the U.S.

    Through a special waiver, immigrant doctors can work at rural hospitals that are underfunded and understaffed.
    Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

    While this system can offer short-term relief to physician shortages, it can also lead to exploitation.

    As one interviewee told me, “We hear very scary things about the J-1 waiver. The employers can take advantage and make you work more and pay less.”

    For the duration of the waiver program, immigrant physicians have minimal ability to change employers without violating the conditions of the waiver – and their path to immigration. Underserved areas are often understaffed and underresourced, which can make for stressful working conditions.

    Forced to go above and beyond

    The challenges don’t end with the visa process. There are financial burdens as well.

    International medical graduates often spend tens of thousands of dollars to pay for U.S. medical licensing exams, multiple visa applications, international travel and lodging, residency and green card applications.

    They also spend months in unpaid positions in hospital settings to gain the U.S. clinical experience that’s required to apply for residency. Then, in order to match into residency, immigrant physicians typically need to outperform their American peers on exams. They also need to have more prestigious research qualifications and stronger recommendation letters. Still, immigrant doctors are more likely to match into less competitive residency programs.

    While interviewing immigrant physicians, many testified to the competition getting steeper in recent years.

    “I told a friend, if you don’t have scores in upper 90s in all the exams and you’re not a green card holder, don’t even bother,” an Indian physician who immigrated 20 years ago explained to me. “It’s so tough.”

    Stuck in limbo

    Over the course of my research I noticed a trend: Many international medical graduates will come to the U.S. on student visas to pursue U.S. graduate degrees in health-related fields, such as public health, before they even start the licensing process. This helps them get their foot in the door into a very complicated immigration system and build a stronger resume as they prepare for residency applications. It’s also another expensive investment.

    But even those who match into and complete residency won’t necessarily be able to stay and work in America.

    Those with positive experiences from working in underserved communities often struggle to remain in their positions after their waiver contracts are fulfilled because of the green card backlog.

    The average immigrant’s wait time for a green card has doubled since the national quota system was introduced in the early 1990s.

    By 2018, an applicant had to wait an average of 18 months to get approved for their green card and another five years and eight months to receive it. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new barriers and delays.

    Indians, one of the biggest nationalities among immigrant physicians, have the longest wait times under the current system, sometimes waiting up to a decade to obtain the security of permanent residence. Among the 1.8 million cases currently stuck in the employment-based green card backlog, 63% are Indian nationals.

    A pending green card application is often formally considered abandoned if the applicant leaves the country, preventing people from visiting loved ones abroad for years.

    No fix on the horizon

    Despite frequent calls for change and reform, these bottlenecks continue to adversely affect both patients and doctors.

    While the current model has its benefits, it also reflects a trend in which much-needed immigrant professionals live in prolonged, demoralizing uncertainty. Work visas have been subject to increasing cuts and restrictions in recent years under both the Trump and Biden administrations. Conditions will likely worsen if Trump returns to office: The “Muslim ban” he enacted in 2017 adversely affected many immigrant doctors and their patients, and his calls for increased vetting will likely exacerbate existing barriers to legal immigration.

    A paradox has emerged: While the U.S. says it wants to attract and retain world class talent, its byzantine immigration system continually discourages potential hires.

    The doctors I interviewed gave a variety of reasons for wanting to work in the U.S., including better lifestyles and opportunities for professional development. But the complexity and sheer unwieldiness of the U.S. visa regime is causing the nation to lose skilled professionals to other countries with more streamlined processes.

    Selma Hedlund 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. America is increasingly dependent on foreign doctors − but their path to immigration is getting harder – https://theconversation.com/america-is-increasingly-dependent-on-foreign-doctors-but-their-path-to-immigration-is-getting-harder-229980

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Blinken participates in a G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting – 11:30 AM

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

    Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participates in a G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in New York City, New York, on September 25, 2024.

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

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

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

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

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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTf8FRlsBXo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Blinken hosts a Multilateral Meeting – 1:15 PM

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

    Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosts a Multilateral Meeting on Building on Progress to Restore Security in Haiti in New York City, New York.
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

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

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

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

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZQMBlMi9TA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Blinken participates in a High-Level Meeting – 12:00 PM

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

    Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participates in a High-Level Meeting on Addressing the Existential Threats Posed by Sea-Level Rise in New York City, New York, on September 25, 2024.
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

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

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

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

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
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    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Blinken meets with Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Member States 9:30AM

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

    Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Member States in New York City, New York, on September 25, 2024.
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

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

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

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

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

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH3Mz7N9fs0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sanders, Welch, Balint Urge FEMA to Address Staffing Issues Slowing Flood Recovery in Vermont

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At Large) called on Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address concerns raised by Vermont municipalities about high staff turnover and other bureaucratic inefficiencies within the agency’s Public Assistance (PA) program, which has slowed the disaster recovery process for small and rural communities across Vermont. The lawmakers also urged FEMA to shift more resources and administrative control to local communities who can be more effective in disaster response.  
    The Delegation raised the concern that many municipalities have struggled to get clear guidance, timely responses, or consistent staffing from FEMA’s Program Delivery Managers (PDMG), further exacerbating the complicated process of securing PA funding from the agency. Lyndon  has worked with four PDMGs since July 2023, while Ludlow is on its seventh PDMG. New managers add to the bureaucratic backlog and set back communities’ recovery.  
    In May, Sanders, Welch, and Balint called on FEMA Administrator Criswell and the Agency to work with Congress and the Delegation to improve disaster response and FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) process, which has slowed assistance for many seeking aid.  
    Sanders, Welch and Balint requested answers to several questions outlined in their letter related to short- and long-term concerns impacting Vermont’s disaster recovery, specific to the PA process and control of administrative responsibilities.  
    Read the full letter below or here. 
    Dear Administrator Criswell:  
    We write to express our concern about two issues—one short-term and administrative, and the other long-term and structural—regarding FEMA’s disaster recovery response to Vermont’s severe flooding. As you know, Vermont suffered devastating storms in July 2023 (DR-4720-VT), followed by another two storms in July (DR-4810-VT, and a pending Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Scott for July 29-31, submitted August 27) and one August 2024 (EM-3609-VT).  
    We want to begin by acknowledging our immense appreciation of the work of you and your team, and FEMA’s immediate response to the damage sustained by Vermont homeowners, businesses, and farms.  
    The immediate issue of concern is this: homeowners, businesses, selectboards, farmers, and other stakeholders across Vermont have faced, and continue to face, delays, confusing and conflicting guidance, and inefficiencies in getting clear answers and timely responses from FEMA to predictable inquiries about what help they can expect and when they can expect it. These frustrations have caused immense concern, added expense, and despair for Vermonters doing their best to move on from catastrophic losses. For municipalities in particular, we believe that the extraordinary turnover in Program Delivery Managers (PDMG) exacerbates the already complicated Public Assistance process. Let us provide a few examples:    
    Ludlow, one of the most heavily impacted communities in 2023, has worked with six PDMGs since July 2023. On August 9, 2024, the town manager learned a seventh PDMG would be starting the following week. Ludlow has nearly $4 million in projects for which it has not received payment from FEMA.  
    Another small community, Lyndon, which was severely flooded again last month, has worked with four PDMGs. The Lyndon town administrator reported that with each new PDMG, he had to file all the required paperwork to receive assistance over again, starting from scratch. This resulted in hundreds of unnecessary emails and hours of duplicated work. As Lyndon was struggling to rebuild its roads and bridges in 2024, it was still awaiting reimbursement for infrastructure repairs made following the 2023 flood, in part because of this bureaucratic backlog.  
    The second issue is long-term and structural. We believe that follow up services from FEMA would be more effective, responsive, and efficient, if far more administrative responsibility for resource distribution were transferred to local officials in affected communities. For example, a recent Vermont report found that for every $2 FEMA spent on administrative costs, it only spent $1 on Individual Assistance. In order to provide the best relief at the most efficient prices, local leadership is essential. With respect to our short-term concerns regarding PDMG turnover rates, we request information from FEMA to help us to evaluate concretely how this impacts Vermont. Specifically: 

    What have been the PDMG turnover rates within FEMA Region 1 and Vermont?  
    What is the average timeline in Vermont for towns to get approvals for their reimbursements from their PDMGs?  
    How often do PDMGs reverse project approvals from previous PDMGs? Even without an overt reversal, how often do replacement PDMGs require project requests be submitted from scratch? 
    What processes does FEMA have in place to ensure continuity between outgoing and incoming PDMGs? 
    What specific legislative changes or other support that Congress could provide to minimize PDMG staff turnover? 

    With respect to our long-term concerns:  

    What are your suggestions on how to concretely move administrative responsibilities, along with resources, to local communities directly affected by disasters?  

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to receiving a response by October 11, 2024.  
    Sincerely,  
    Senator Bernie Sanders    
    Senator Peter Welch   
    Representative Becca Balint  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS supercomputers help assess volcanic hazards in support of community resilience

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Eruptions can last anywhere from hours to years and can produce a diverse and difficult to predict set of hazardous phenomena including explosions, earthquakes, ash clouds and deposits, lava flows, landslides, and lahars (high-speed floods of water, mud, and rocks). Worse still, these hazards can affect a wide range of areas, from near the vent (explosions) to regional (volcanic ash) to global (climatic changes due to volcanic gas dispersal in the stratosphere).  

    In the U.S., there are about 170 potentially active volcanoes, which are monitored by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program Volcano Science Center. The Center is home to the five regional observatories in Hawaiʻi, Alaska, the Cascades, California, and Yellowstone.  USGS scientists at these observatories are responsible for monitoring these volcanoes as well as delivering forecasts, warnings, and information about volcano hazards while helping communities to be prepared during an eruption.  

    Fortunately for scientists, the USGS has three available HPC systems, supported by Core Science Systems Science Analytics and Synthesis group – named Denali, Tallgrass, and Hovenweep — that can quickly and efficiently process very large datasets and solve complex systems of equations in geophysics. 

    Although each of these machines are different, their power is derived from the ability to split a large task into chunks, compute all the chunks “in parallel”, that is, at the same time on different processors, and then combine the results. This is noticeably different from running “serial” tasks on a single processor, where the chunks must be computed one after another.

    The large increase in speed made possible by HPC systems also enables scientists to develop more complex data analysis techniques (such as machine learning models) as well as more sophisticated approaches to geophysical modeling (such as data assimilation and probabilistic hazards assessments).    

    Since the development of the first USGS supercomputer

    Yeti in 2013, USGS volcanologists have greatly increased their use of HPC resources, expanding both the complexity of the calculations and the range of applications.   

    HPC resources now commonly serve in a variety of real-world applications such as models of landslide and lahar scenarios at Mt. Rainier to ash fall hazards assessments to real-time forecasting of lava flows in Hawaiʻi, to machine learning of satellite-based volcano deformation data.  

    Looking into a volcano’s plumbing 

    Because many volcanic processes are too hazardous to observe up close or are otherwise inaccessible (for example, we can’t see underground), volcanologists rely upon other methods. Some of the data is captured after an area is safe to visit, while other geophysical methods such as seismicity, infrasound, and gravity changes, can be measured from a distance.  In both cases, volcanologists seek to link these data to the processes that generated them using models of various kinds.   

    Recently, Dr. Roger Denlinger, Research Geophysicist at the Cascades Volcano Observatory led the largest active seismic experiment ever conducted at Kīlauea volcano, Hawaiʻi.  Thousands of small temporary seismometers were deployed around the volcano summit which “listened” together for natural (passive) earthquakes as well as vibrations caused by an active seismic source mounted on a large truck.  

    Because both the truck-generated seismic waves and those received by the seismometers that have passed through the complex structure of Kīlauea are known, scientists can compute variations in density in the subsurface, enabling “imaging” of the volcano’s magma plumbing system. With an improved image of Kīlauea’s subsurface, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will be able to make improved assessments of volcanic hazards. 

    Of course, this imaging is easier said than done, requiring perhaps millions of computer hours to compute how volcanic features attenuate and scatter seismic waves below Kīlauea to match those recorded by the seismic network.  Using a combination of machine learning tools and seismic geophysical models, USGS scientists are using Tallgrass and Hovenweep to tackle this monumental task.   

    “Machine learning methods help us monitor changes in volcanic systems and anticipate eruptions by probing the increasingly mind-numbing quantity of data that modern instrumentation produces,” says Denlinger. “For example, the Kīlauea imaging project is analyzing more than 200 million seismic waveforms to produce three-dimensional images of the magma system. This is physically impossible for any group of scientists to do by hand.”  

    Hazard forecasting for active volcanoes 

    Since the advent of using computational tools to model volcanic hazards, volcanologists have sought to be able to forecast volcanic eruptions and the hazards they produce.  Although an eruption forecasting model is still only an area of active research, some volcanic hazards such as ash dispersal and lava flows have seen the development of robust forecasting models. These models focus on predicting where ash or lava will go in the case of an eruption and are often used in real time when and where these hazards appear. 
     

    Recently, USGS scientists have developed a new geophysical model called Lava2d to simulate how lava flows over the landscape during an eruption. Lava2d can produce very realistic model flows even when run with a coarse resolution, and its effectiveness was demonstrated during the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa, Hawaiʻi. It was used to produce experimental forecasts in real time of where lava flows could inundate and how fast they would get there. 

    Lava2d simulation of the fissure 3 lava flow from the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa, Hawaiʻi. Colors represent lava flow depth after 5 days of activity. Inset: USGS mapped lava flow extent at about the same time in the eruption.

    Most of these models were computed on the Yeti supercomputer, enabling the computation of thousands of runs with different lava flow properties and scenarios. These experimental forecasts were used by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to assess the possibility of future flow advance towards a major highway.  

    “USGS HPC resources have advanced our ability to accurately assess and forecast volcanic hazard before and during eruptions to protect life, property, and infrastructure in the US,” says Dr. Hannah Dietterich, Research Geophysicist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory and hazard modeling lead during the eruption. “Running large numbers of simulations allows us to generate better, more quantitative, and robust hazard information at volcanoes in the US but also elsewhere.” 

    Current research using the lava flow model Lava2d is focused on optimizing the model for use on Hovenweep, where it will be used to quickly compute high resolution lava flow forecasts when volcanoes in Hawaiʻi or the central Cascades next produce lava flows.   

    USGS HPC resources are also playing a significant role in longer-term volcanic hazard assessments, especially where volcanologists are planning for the next eruption of long-dormant volcanoes. In these cases, data on past hazards is limited to whatever lava or ash is still exposed at the surface.  This can cause a great deal of uncertainty about the nature of “typical” volcanic materials for a given volcano.  

    When a model is run, the researcher needs to feed it specifications about material properties, ambient conditions, and the magnitude or size of the eruption. Unfortunately, these factors are typically highly uncertain, reducing the predictive value of any individual model run. However, if many models are made with different inputs, the collection of models, which researchers call an “ensemble”, work together to produce a much more probabilistic assessment of the hazard.   

    Complicating factors 

    This is particularly important for volcanic hazards that are greatly affected by atmospheric conditions, such as ash dispersal and deposition. Wind direction at the exact time the eruption occurs is a major factor controlling where volcanic ash will be deposited.  

    USGS researchers use a specific ash dispersal model, known as Ash3d, to compute how the wind will carry the ash and how quickly it will fall out of suspension.  

    Because wind direction and speed can vary so much, many thousands of Ash3d runs are required to capture the range of possible ashfall deposits. Running these very large jobs on supercomputers like Denali and Hovenweep allows the USGS to estimate the probability of ashfall in different locations for significant explosive eruptions in the future.  

    Animated Ash3D simulation of a volcanic ash cloud from a hypothetical eruption of Mt. St. Helens, WA if it occurred today. Colors represent ash concentrations in the cloud.

    A similar ensemble modeling approach is in development for estimating the hazard posed by a variety of volcanic hazards including lava flows, ashfall, and lahars from Newberry Volcano near Bend, OR which last erupted in 690 CE. 

    Landslides and lahars (high-speed floods of water, mud, and rocks) are other types of hazards that pose a unique computing challenge due to the complexity of the equations used to models them.  The USGS uses a model known as D-Claw that incorporates sophisticated algorithms to simulate these highly destructive flows. To simulate the flows, D-Claw must first break down many related complex processes involved in the overall flow, such as levee formation, particle segregation, dilatancy, and pore pressurization. These highly complex dynamics require a sophisticated algorithm operating within a high-resolution grid. 

    Because of the high-resolution needed, D-Claw models tend to be very large in scale and are optimized for parallel computing on USGS HPC systems.   

    D-Claw was recently used to model lahar scenarios originating from possible landslide collapses high on Mt. Rainier, WA. These highly detailed models were used to estimate the hazard posed to communities downstream.  

    Animated D-Claw simulation of a hypothetical landslide and lahar originating from the failure of a section of the Tahoma Glacier headwall at Mt. Rainier, WA.

    These are just a snapshot of applications of USGS HPC resources in volcanic hazards studies, but these tools are only gaining popularity and relevance.  As more USGS scientists get the training needed to work on these machines, the free access to vast computational power that they offer them makes these HPC systems highly attractive settings for solving the big questions in volcanology. The gain in new knowledge accelerated by USGS HPC resources is helping to develop next-generation tools for assessing volcanic hazards, helping to protect and inform the public.  

    Denali is the USGS’s flagship supercomputer installed and housed at the EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

    Dr. Tina Neal, Volcano Science Center Director, is excited to see this work into the future. “The application of HPC to volcano science is truly exciting to see flourish; from simulating ash cloud dispersal to modelling the complex motion of lava flows and lahars, results improve our scientific understanding of hazards and the quality of USGS decision support information for stakeholders.” 

    For more information or to get started using Denali, Tallgrass, or Hovenweep, contact us at hpc@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MetLife Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue, Serving as a Vital Location During Disasters and Part of NFL and FEMA’s National Strategy to Make Venues Mission Capable During Disasters

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: MetLife Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue, Serving as a Vital Location During Disasters and Part of NFL and FEMA’s National Strategy to Make Venues Mission Capable During Disasters

    MetLife Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue, Serving as a Vital Location During Disasters and Part of NFL and FEMA’s National Strategy to Make Venues Mission Capable During Disasters

    New Jersey – Stadiums and venues provide a central and accessible location to help communities respond to extreme weather crises, providing safe storage and shelter in times of need. With these events becoming more frequent, severe, and expensive, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier today announced that MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home of the New York Jets and New York Giants, will be among the first NFL venues to be designated as a Mission Ready Venue that can be used during response and recovery missions. Through Mission Ready Venues, a public-private partnership, MetLife Stadium will increase its capabilities to better sustain public safety and be a source of support for the community they serve. The designation identifies the ways MetLife Stadium could be used for response and recovery activities during declared emergencies or disasters.

    “We are honored that MetLife Stadium is one of the first NFL venues designated as a Mission Ready Venue,” said MetLife Stadium President and CEO Ron VanDeVeen. “The stadium will serve as a staging area and safe space that will offer critical support and comfort to our community in the event of a crisis.” 

    “During large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, or tornados, we’ve seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This new strategy we’re launching with the NFL is a groundbreaking opportunity to help our partners use these venues for emergency response and recovery needs, while keeping communities safe and making them more resilient. While we are starting with the NFL, all venues across sports organizations and leagues can become assets to their communities, and I encourage them to join in this collaborative effort as we grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis.”

    “Public-private partnerships are essential to helping communities during the response and recovery phases of a disaster,” said FEMA Region 2 Administrator David Warrington. “Establishing relationships of this type will not only enhance our nation’s resilience toward the disasters we face today but will be critical in shaping tomorrow due to the ever-changing landscape of emergency management. This collaborative effort with the NFL is a true reflection of whole-community engagement and I welcome the opportunities it will bring.”

    “Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters,” said NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier. “This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays, but especially in times of need. We are proud to work with FEMA and first responders at the local and state level to ensure disaster response agencies have the information and tools they need to help a community recover when disaster strikes.” 

    According to the NYU School of Professional Studies and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, stadiums and arenas can improve the public health and well-being of their communities —including pandemic response during COVID-19. 

    “Collaborating with our Federal counterparts and the NFL to designate MetLife Stadium as a mission-ready venue for disasters highlights a critical step in strengthening our state’s emergency preparedness,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and State Director of Emergency Management. “In times of crisis, every second counts. This partnership ensures we have a strategically located, fully equipped facility capable of supporting large-scale emergency operations, allowing us to respond swiftly and effectively to protect the lives and well-being of New Jersey’s residents.”

    Given the size, capabilities, and locations of large sports venues, these existing community assets can serve the public in a variety of ways including emergency shelters, staging areas, commodity distribution sites, evacuation pick up points, disaster recovery centers, mass vaccination and testing, temporary hospitals and more. FEMA and the NFL recognized this unique opportunity for collaboration and are enlisting the support of venue owners, operators, and the tenants of these facilities to work with government officials in the planning and preparation for emergency or disaster response and recovery efforts.  To receive an official Mission Ready Venue designation, venues must undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine what capabilities the venue may be able to support in emergency and disaster response and recovery efforts. The designation highlights the following attributes of selected venues: 

    • Provide Safety and Security: Stadiums are usually centrally located, close to major roadways and transportation hubs, and critical services like hospitals. If used to respond to a disaster, the designation will save valuable time and resources and will further enhance coordination between the public and private sectors during disaster response and recovery. 
    • Provide Accessibility: Stadiums are also compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and can support persons with disabilities and others with access or functional needs. Additionally, 73% of NFL venues are accessible by mass transportation. This provides an avenue to promote equitable service to underserved populations to access potentially critical lifesaving/life sustaining services after an event.  
    • Strengthen Community Resilience: Stadiums and arenas are a focal point of communities and help strengthen social networks by enhancing connections between residents with home team pride. These Mission Ready Venues can boost morale amidst disaster. By providing a more robust and resilient environment, these venues can enhance social networks amongst survivors while providing ample opportunities to establish connections with the venue’s main tenants.
    • Ensure Unity of Effort: Coordination of stadium resources and services can support survivors and responders and help stabilize an incident quickly. Since stadiums are fixed locations, resources and services can be deployed quickly. This promotes the community’s physical and economic recovery.

    Mission Ready Venue designations are for five-year increments with a yearly check-in to ensure continued readiness of the venue. Redesignation will be necessary every five years and designation does not supersede any agreements with state, local or private sector entities.

    kate.macedo

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Iodine distribution campaign for people living near a nuclear power plant

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Republic of France in FrenchThe French Republic has issued the following statement:

    Since 1997, preventive and free distributions of stable iodine tablets have been organized for people living near a nuclear facility. A new distribution campaign is being set up from September 2024. It is aimed at people living in a municipality located:

    within a radius of 10 kilometers around a nuclear power plant; within a radius of 5 kilometers around other civil or military nuclear installations.

    To find out if you are affected by this distribution campaign, you must indicate your address in the “know the risks near me” section of the Géorisques website, then click on “access detailed information”. If you are concerned, a “2024/2025 iodine campaign” banner will be present on the page. You are therefore invited to withdraw a number of boxes of tablets adapted to the size of your household, free of charge from a pharmacy partnering with this distribution campaign. You do not need to provide any supporting documents.

    Please note

    If your workplace is located in an area affected by this stable iodine distribution campaign, your company manager is responsible for supplying the tablets.

    Establishments open to the public receive withdrawal vouchers allowing them to obtain a supply of stable iodine tablets for the people they welcome.

    When to take stable iodine tablets?

    In the event of a major accident, some nuclear facilities may release radioactive elements into the atmosphere, particularly radioactive iodine, which increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Taking stable iodine protects your thyroid gland against the effects of radioactive iodine.

    You should only take stable iodine when instructed to do so by the prefect. Information is disseminated via public service media and loudspeaker vehicles. Having stable iodine tablets at home is a precautionary measure; it allows you to save time when iodine intake is ordered.

    Taking stable iodine tablets concerns everyone, but in priority people whose thyroid is most sensitive to the effects of radioactive iodine:

    newborns; persons under 18 years of age; pregnant and breastfeeding women.

    The number of tablets to take varies depending on the person’s age; the dosage appropriate for each situation is indicated in the leaflet.

    Please note

    Tablets distributed from 2024 are valid for 10 years. During this period, they must be stored in their cardboard packaging, protected from humidity and at room temperature.

    If you have iodine tablets from previous campaigns that have expired, you can return these boxes of expired tablets to the pharmacy.

    Attention

    Stable iodine tablets do not protect against releases of other radioactive elements for which sheltering or evacuation is the only protection.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: APL up 3.26% on average on October 1

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Republic of France in FrenchThe French Republic has issued the following statement:

    The APL is a social benefit paid by the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) to the most modest households. As every year on October 1, it is revalued on the basis of the evolution of the rental reference index of the second quarter of the current year.

    In the 2nd quarter of 2024, theIRL showed an increase of 3.26% (in metropolitan France, Corsica and the overseas regions and departments). The APL should increase by 3.26% on October 1, 2024, unless the government decides otherwise.

    In October 2023, the APL revaluation was 3.5% in mainland France, 2% in Corsica and 2.5% overseas.

    Each APL application is personalized. The amount of aid is calculated based on housing expenditure parameters and resource parameters. The following elements are taken into account in particular:

    the amount of your rent; the number of dependents usually living in your household; the amount of your resources and, where applicable, the amount of resources of the person with whom you live as a couple and of the people usually living in your household; the value of your real estate and financial assets and, where applicable, the value of the assets of the person with whom you live as a couple and of the people usually living in your household. This value is only taken into account if it is greater than €30,000.

    The increase in APL is applied automatically by the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) or the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA). Check on your online account that the revaluation has been taken into account and that the updated amount is paid. If there is a problem updating the amount, contact your CAF or MSA.

    Namely

    The CAF takes into consideration the date on which the request for assistance was made and compensates its beneficiaries at the beginning of the month following this request.

    Please note

    Some of the resource parameters are, for their part, updated on January 1 of each year also on the basis of the IRL. This is the case, for example, of the resource floors for personal housing assistance paid to student beneficiaries.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Encourages High School Juniors to Apply to Attend Fall 2024 Sacramento FBI Teen Academy

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Free, Single-Day Class Offers “Insider View” of the FBI

    SACRAMENTO—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office encourages all high school juniors within the office’s 34-county area of responsibility to apply to attend the Fall 2024 FBI Teen Academy held at the field office’s headquarters in Roseville. All high school juniors— to include those enrolled in public, private, charter, or home school—who are curious about the FBI are eligible to apply to be considered for the program.

    Students selected to attend the academy spend an informative, interactive day learning about the FBI’s investigative priorities; participating in unique, interactive experiences; connecting with FBI personnel representing diverse professional backgrounds; and gaining knowledge that can be shared with their peers and community. Students who attend the program gain greater awareness of the threats their communities face, the challenges presented by the online environment, and the personal choices that can affect their future careers. This knowledge better prepares students to mentor their peers. Ideal candidates are engaged with their respective communities and each student must obtain signatures from their school administration endorsing their participation.

    The class is offered at no charge. Families do not incur any fees for the class, meals, and refreshments offered during FBI Teen Academy instruction. Transportation to and from the class is not provided. If travel is necessary to attend the class, families must arrange for transportation and cover any expenses incurred to facilitate attendance.

    Students interested in attending the free class must download the Fall 2024 FBI Teen Academy application from the FBI Sacramento Field Office’s Community Outreach web page, complete and obtain signatures on all forms, and complete an essay as directed in the application instructions without the assistance of artificial intelligence. Completed application packages must arrive at FBI Sacramento Field Office Headquarters by 4 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024. Late applications may be rejected.

    The FBI Sacramento Field Office serves the following 34 California counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba.

    Links:

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Carmanville — Man arrested by RCMP for discharging firearm at residence in Frederickton

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Following a recent report of a firearm being discharged at a residence in Frederickton, 22-year-old Aaron Russell of Carmanville was arrested by RCMP on September 24, 2024.

    During the early morning hours of Saturday, September 14, 2024, Carmanville RCMP received a report of a shot fired at a home on Bayview Road in Frederickton. RCMP officers from Carmanville and Gander detachments, as well as RCMP Police Dog Services and Forensic Identification Services, attended the scene. The investigation determined that a shot had been fired at the home and that the incident was not a random act. No one was injured.

    RCMP NL’s East District General Investigation Section assisted in the investigation and the suspect, Aaron Russell, who was known to the home occupant, was identified. Efforts to locate Russell were unsuccessful and a warrant for his arrest was obtained.

    Russell turned himself in last evening and remains in custody. He will appear in court today and is charged with the following offences:

    • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
    • Discharging a firearm while being reckless
    • Careless use of a firearm

    The investigation is continuing.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: What is Thorp?

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant on the Sellafield site in West Cumbria.

    What is Thorp?

    Today, the ponds inside the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (or as we like to call it, Thorp) are used to store nuclear fuel that has been used in the UK’s 7 operational nuclear reactors.

    Before taking on this new mission, Thorp reprocessed 9,000 tonnes of used nuclear fuel from around the world, generating an estimated £9 billion in revenue for the UK over 2 decades.

    The parts of the plant that were used to reprocess used fuel are called ‘chemical separation’ and are currently going through a process called Post Operational Clean Out (POCO).

    A pulse column used in the chemical separation process

    This stage sees our teams removing any remaining radioactive and non-radioactive materials from the plant and is the first stage of decommissioning.

    In this case study we’ll share:

    • How we’re helping to keep the UK’s lights on by safely looking after used nuclear fuel.
    • The history of one of the biggest nuclear buildings on the Sellafield site.

    Thorp is helping to keep the UK’s lights on

    Even though it’s original reprocessing mission came to an end in 2018, Thorp continues to key role in the UK’s energy strategy.

    Ponds inside the plant that were originally used to store spent oxide fuel before it was reprocessed have been modified so that they can store Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) fuel.

    By doing this Thorp:

    Supports electricity generation in the UK

    With limited interim storage at the AGR reactor sites, spent fuel is transferred to the Sellafield site. This is crucial in enabling continued nuclear reactor operation and electricity generation within the UK.

    Supports with the bulk-defueling of AGR reactors

    As the fleet of 7 UK AGR power stations start come to the end of their operational life, Thorp is also playing a key role in assisting with the bulk defueling (similar to refuelling a reactor but new fuel isn’t put back in) of the reactors before they are decommissioned.

    As of September 2024, 3 of the reactors (Hunterston B, Hinkley Point B and Dungeness B) have ceased generating and begun defueling.

    All other reactors are expected to have completed their defueling operations by the early 2030s.

    At this point there will no longer be new commercial nuclear fuel being received into the ponds.

    Making changes to Thorp’s receipt and storage ponds

    Our teams have been working to make some changes and improvements to Thorp’s receipt and storage pond so that used nuclear fuel can be stored safely for longer.

    The receipt and storage area in Thorp

    Storage

    The Thorp receipt and storage ponds hold the same volume of water as 20 Olympic sized swimming pools. Although large, its storage capacity is finite.

    The solution has been the development and deployment of a new design of fuel can storage racks. Because these new racks are taller but have a smaller footprint than the previous design, they can hold 6,000 tonnes of fuel each. That’s more than 50% more fuel than the previous design.

    Fuel that was already being stored in the pond is being transferred into the new storage racks and all future fuel receipts will be stored in this way.

    The 63 can rack

    Thorp’s history

    Thorp’s story started back in the mid-1970s when a new fleet of nuclear reactors came online and used oxide fuels rather than Magnox fuel. Thorp was designed to reprocess this fuel after it had been used inside the reactors.

    Planning and construction of Thorp (1974 to 1988)

    1974 to 1978

    • For 100 days in 1977, a public inquiry – The Windscale Inquiry – looked at the implications of building Thorp.

    1978

    • The government approved the construction of Thorp.
    • This new building at Sellafield would stretch over a third of mile, housing the facilities needed to reprocess oxide fuel under one roof.

    1981

    • Site clearance and construction began. Thorp was one of the largest and most complex construction projects in Europe, rivalled only by the Channel Tunnel and Disneyland Paris.

    1984

    • Major civil work began.
    • The construction project dominated the site, and the local area. Local towns and villages were filled with the thousands of construction workers required to make this one-stop shop a reality.
    • It was one of the biggest construction projects of its times and saw more than 5,000 people on site and a further 10,000 roles in the supply chain.

    1988

    • The receipt and storage pond opened, taking receipt of the first batch of irradiated fuel.
    • The pond is the size of 20 Olympic swimming pools, at 73m long, 23m wide and 8m deep.

    1993

    • Following a further major Government review of the viability of the project, Thorp was given permission to operate.

    Thorp operations (1994 to 2018)

    1994

    • Thorp reprocessing facility becomes operational with the first batch of fuel sheared.
    • Shearing is where nuclear fuel is cut into pieces at the beginning of the reprocessing cycle.

    1997

    • Thorp is fully operational and has 34 customers in nine different countries.

    2005

    • The plant temporarily closed due to pipe failure in the feed clarification cell.

    2011

    • The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority started to consider the credible options for the future of Thorp, looking at safety, cost, technical and performance risks.

    2012

    • 7,000 tonnes of fuel have now been reprocessed.
    • The decision is made to close Thorp in 2018 when existing contracts have been completed.

    2018

    • The last batch of fuel to be reprocessed began its journey through the plant at 11.32am on Friday 9 November.
    • Over its lifetime, Thorp reprocessed 9,000 tonnes of fuel from around the world, generating an estimated £9 billion in revenue for the UK during its lifetime.

    Further reading and sources

    What is reprocessing?

    New era at Sellafield as Thorp reprocessing ends

    End in sight for reprocessing nuclear fuel at Sellafield

    Operational power stations

    The Sellafield Magazine – issue 8

    The Sellafield Magazine – issue 6

    Overview of the Production and Management of Radioactive Waste in the UK – fact sheet (nda.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada invests close to $4M in quantum sector with support for Calcul Québec and Anyon Systems

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The two organizations receive a total of $3,997,500 in financial assistance from CED.

    The two organizations receive a total of $3,997,500 in financial assistance from CED.

    Montréal, Quebec, September 25, 2024 – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

    Supporting the development, adoption and commercialization of quantum technologies not only helps Quebec organizations to position themselves in this emerging field, but also strengthens Canada’s global leadership. That is why the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED, today announced a non-repayable contribution of $3,500,000 for Calcul Québec and a repayable contribution of $497,500 for Anyon Systems.

    Calcul Québec is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide cutting-edge infrastructure for computational calculations for academic and scientific research and for businesses. Its computational servers, also called supercomputers, are shared by thousands of researchers, mainly in Quebec, but also across Canada. MonarQ, its quantum computer designed by Anyon Systems, is located at the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in a room dedicated to advanced computation, a site that already houses one of the country’s most powerful supercomputers. Calcul Québec’s project aims to increase MonarQ’s computational power from 12 to 24 qubits and thereby better meet businesses’ technology transfer needs.

    Anyon Systems is a Montréal business that develops turn-key quantum computing products such as integrated quantum computers, as well as electronic controllers and cryogenic systems. CED’s support will enable it to pursue its growth and continue to commercialize technologies resulting from R&D, including by manufacturing a demonstrator and participating in trade fairs.

    To support Canada’s quantum sector and solidify the country’s position among the leaders in this fast‑growing field, the Government of Canada has implemented a National Quantum Strategy. The goal of the Strategy is to help Canadian businesses adopt quantum technologies so that they can position themselves in this emerging field and generate economic benefits for the entire community.

    Quotes

    “Quantum research and computing are more than just the frontiers of technology but a keystone for innovation. By unlocking new realms of problem-solving and processing power, they promise to drive unprecedented economic growth, reshape industries, and address the most pressing challenges of our society, from climate change to healthcare. The quantum technology of today builds a more resilient, prosperous, and equitable tomorrow.”

    The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

    “Quebec and Canada are taking their place in the economy of the future, and our government is here to support them. MonarQ’s arrival will give the academic and scientific communities and businesses access to the quantum technologies needed for research in fields as diverse as energy, transportation, pharmaceuticals and materials. By boosting innovation in this way, we are ensuring Quebec’s SMEs and organizations are well positioned and ensuring our global leadership in this area. Congratulations to Calcul Québec, Anyon Systems and the ÉTS on this outcome!”

    The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED

    “Integrating the computational power of a quantum computer into Calcul Québec’s service offering will provide the research and innovation community with a unique opportunity to develop and test new quantum and hybrid algorithms. This will be done while also guaranteeing that all intellectual property generated will remain within Quebec and Canadian institutions. MonarQ will also enable Calcul Québec, in collaboration with research teams, to develop techniques essential to ensuring fluid interoperability between classic and quantum computers. This new infrastructure, which will have an impact both nationally and internationally, will foster the development of free software, thereby strengthening accessibility and innovation in the field.”

    Suzanne Talon, CEO, Calcul Québec

    “Installing the MonarQ superconductor quantum computer in Calcul Québec’s room dedicated to advanced computer calculations enables Anyon Systems to take a major step forward in developing quantum computing solutions. We are proud to be able to offer researchers and industrial users a quantum solution designed and developed entirely in Canada.”

    Alireza Najafi-Yazdi, CEO, Anyon Systems

    Quick facts

    • Funding has been provided under CED’s Support for Regional Quantum Innovation initiative, which stems from the Government of Canada’s National Quantum Strategy.
    • This initiative has a budget of $23.3 million to be used to make strategic investments up to 2028 to help SMEs and NPOs adopt, develop and commercialize quantum technologies and products based on these technologies.
    • CED is the key federal partner in Quebec’s regional economic development. Through its 12 regional business offices, CED accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow’s economy.

    Associated links

    Information

    Media Relations
    Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
    media@dec-ced.gc.ca

    Marie-Justine Torres Ames
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for
    Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
    Cell: 613-327-5918
    Marie-Justine.TorresAmes@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Stay connected

    Follow CED on social media
    Consult CED’s news

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Winners of EU Organic Awards 2024 announced

    Source: European Union 2

    This year’s winners follow the high standards set by their predecessors and showcase sustainable and inspiring projects across the European organic value chain. The winning projects – and the people behind them- demonstrate how organic agriculture and production can create innovative value chains and generate new job opportunities in rural areas.

    The winners of the edition 2024 of the EU Organic Awards are:

    • Best organic farmer (female) to Ms Reinhilde Frech-Emmelmann in Austria. Ms Frech-Emmelmann founded ReinSaat GmbH in 1998 at a biodynamic Demeter farm in St. Leonhard am Hornerwald, Lower Austria. The farm specialises in organic, GMO-free seeds, with over 800 seed-resistant varieties, promoting biodiversity and sustainable farming across Europe.
    • Best organic farmer (male) to Mr Benny Schöpf in Germany. Mr Schöpf is the chief vegetable grower at Kartoffelkombinat, the largest community-supported cooperative farm in Germany. Supplying 2,300 households with organic vegetables weekly, the farm prioritises fair working conditions and sustainable practices, promoting an alternative agricultural economic system.
    • Best organic region to South Savo in Finland. South Savo has built a strong organic farming culture through 40 years of collaboration between farmers, researchers, and local authorities. With 200 organic farms, the region promotes sustainable practices, preserving water quality and biodiversity, and is home to the Finnish Organic Research Institute.
    • Best organic city to BioStadt Bremen in Germany. With over 30% of farms certified organic, the city promotes sustainable food systems through community projects and innovative farming initiatives, empowering citizens to drive local change. BioStadt Bremen is working towards converting all municipal catering in schools, crèches, and hospitals to 100% organic by 2025. 
    • Best organic bio-district to Sörmland Bio-district in Sweden. Located south of Stockholm, Sörmland has been a pioneer in organic farming since the 1940s, bringing together farms, food processors, restaurants, and more. With 20% of its farmland organic, the district promotes local organic products, sustainable tourism, and awareness of organic food’s health benefits.
    • Best organic food processing SME to Gino Girolomoni Cooperativa Agricola in Italy. Located in the Marche region, this cooperative specialises in organic pasta production, continuing the mission of its founder, Gino Girolomoni. With 80 hectares of organic farmland and renewable energy-powered facilities, it produces 9 million tons of pasta annually, supporting over 300 farmers and 60 local workers.
    • Best organic food retailer to SAiFRESC in Spain. Founded by three farmers in 2011, SAiFRESC transitioned to organic farming, revitalising agriculture in the Huerta de Valencia. With 30 hectares of organic land, they produce 70 organic products, selling 90% of their harvest locally and reducing packaging. The initiative promotes a circular economy and provides educational workshops on organic farming.
    • Best organic restaurant/food service to a Kalf & Hansen in Sweden. Founded in 2014 by Rune and Fabian Kalf-Hansen, this restaurant chain offers 100% organic, seasonal Nordic cuisine. With two restaurants, catering services, and organic meals on Swedish trains, Kalf & Hansen prioritise local sourcing, sustainability, and affordable organic meals, building strong relationships with local producers.

    Nearly 100 applications were received from across the EU for this year’s edition, with 24 candidates shortlisted from 11 countries. The EU Organic Awards feature 7 categories and 8 individual awards, recognising innovative, sustainable, and inspiring projects that add significant value to organic production and consumption. The awards are organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA, and IFOAM Organics Europe, with support from the European Parliament and the Council.

    Background

    EU Organic Day was launched by the European Parliament, Council, and European Commission in 2021 as a new initiative to celebrate and promote organic farming.

    By producing high quality food with low environmental impact, organic farming plays an essential role in developing a sustainable food system for the EU. Following the EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production in the EU, adopted in 2021, the Commission works to further promote the benefits of organic production. The launch and celebration of an EU Organic Day and EU Organic Awards are two concrete actions to bring organic farming into the spotlight. The CAP Strategic Plans in the current Common Agricultural Policy also provides more financial support – €14.7 billion from 2023 to 2027 – for EU farmers converting to and remaining in organic farming. Nearly all Member States now have comprehensive organic production strategies in place, for the first time ever.

    Between 2012 and 2022, the share of total organic area in the EU’s total utilised agricultural area rose from 5.9 % to an estimated 10.5 %. This represents an estimated increase of 7.4 million hectares. In the last few years, the market for organic products has held up remarkably despite certain challenges, notably the high food inflation and rise of energy costs. Total EU organic retail sales increased from €38.6 billion in 2019 to €45.0 billion in 2022, with a peak at €46.3 billion in 2021.The EU is the second largest market for organic products, after the US.

    More examples of the actions taken under the EU action plan to develop organic production are available in this factsheet (PDF).

    Quotes

    Commissioner for agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski:

    Today, we celebrate organic farming and the EU organic sector as a whole. This sector is very close to my heart, as it represents everything that I think is important in our food system: progressing towards more sustainable methods and practices; increasing resilience against climate change and supply chain disruptions; providing opportunities for small farmers, young farmers, female farmers; and connecting local communities through short supply chains and bio-districts. I wholeheartedly congratulate today’s winners – they provide living proof of a strong and sustainable organic sector in the EU.

    Mr. Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee of the European Economic and Social Committee:

    The Organic Awards serve to reward excellent and innovative organic businesses in the EU, and getting inspired by their work and achievements. The organic sector deserves recognition and promotion throughout the food chain. Accessibility and affordability of organic food is very important for the sector to grow, and in turn, also helps the EU to reach the 25% target by 2030. I am proud that the EESC is a partner in managing three of these awards, connecting with the whole EU organic community.

    Ms. Kirstine Bille, Representative of the European Committee of the Regions in the organic awards jury:

    As the CAP is the main tool to support the development of organic farming, its budget for greening should be supplemented by additional resources to support adequately the farmers in the transition to sustainable farming. Moreover, we call for a stronger role for the regions in managing the future CAP so as to bring policy options in line with specific territorial and sectoral characteristics.

    Mr. Mladen Jakopovic, COPA Vice President: 

    The EU Organic Awards spotlight the diversity, resilience and excellence of organic farming in Europe. They present inspiring stories of vision and perseverance, demonstrating what is possible when sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. As Copa and Cogeca, we are proud to be partners for this third edition. I would like to thank all participants and commend all the winners for their dedication and contribution to European organic farming.

    Mr. Jan Plagge, IFOAM Organics Europe’s President:

    The EU Organic Awards showcase the organic supply chain’s role in the transition towards sustainable farming systems that stay within planetary boundaries and reconcile environmental sustainability with a fair income for farmers – a common European goal identified through the Strategic Dialogue. On behalf of IFOAM Organics Europe, I congratulate this year’s winners for showcasing organic’s transformative potential through their outstanding initiatives. Their achievements spotlight organic’s growing significance as the only regulated sustainable production system that already delivers environmental and climate protection, all while fostering environmental, economic and social sustainability. Congratulations also to all those who put themselves in the game! May their endeavours inspire many more to become part of this food and farming revolution towards a more resilient, sustainable and competitive future.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Between 8% to 16% of EU population is ‘energy poor’

    Source: European Union 2

    Amidst the EU’s push for a fair green transition, and further reinforced by the uncertainties of the energy market, the issue of energy poverty has come to the forefront and become a critical policy priority.  Energy poverty can be measured in different ways, but its measurement is a challenge for policy formulation and action to address it. 

    A JRC study investigated four primary energy poverty indicators to understand the EU-wide distribution and socio-economic profiles of “energy poor”. The findings underlined the usefulness to rely on a battery of various indicators to provide a picture of energy poverty.

    The Social Climate Fund regulation and the revised Energy Efficiency Directive define energy poverty as a household’s lack of access to essential energy services, such as heating, hot water, cooling, lighting and energy to power appliances. According to the Commission’ Recommendation on Energy Poverty, it is a multidimensional phenomenon driven by three underlying causes, namely, high-energy expenditures in proportion to household budget, general low levels of income and low energy performance of buildings. 

    What’s the challenge when measuring energy poverty?

    There are numerous papers discussing advantages and disadvantages of different energy poverty indicators used in Europe, but little is known about their overlap and their inter-relationship.  The JRC study addresses this gap, for the first time, by assessing the coverage, overlap, and socio-economic profiles of four primary energy poverty indicators employed in the EU for cross-country comparisons, using harmonised microdata for all 27 EU countries. 

    This study was developed within the Assessing and Monitoring Employment and Distributional Impacts (AMEDI) projects carried out with the Commission’ s Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

    The study employs two types of indicators: “expenditure-based” indicators and “consensual approach” indicators. The expenditure-based indicators are calculated using monetary values: the 2M indicator is calculated as the proportion of households whose share of energy expenditure in income is more than twice the national median (2M indicator), i.e. energy costs represent a high share of expenditures. While the M/2 indicator (low absolute energy expenditure) is calculated as the proportion of households whose energy expenditure is below the national median energy consumption. 

    The “consensual approach” indicators are instead based on self-reported assessments of housing conditions: the share of people keeping their house adequately warm (AW indicator), and those who have arrears on utility bills (UB).

    The calculations are based on EU statistics and income living conditions (SILC) data from 2015 matched to Household Budget Survey (HBS) data from the same year and uses EUROMOD for refining estimates of household disposable income and improve comparability across countries. For example, they show that 8.5% of Europeans were unable to keep their house warm in 2015 (indicator AW).

    The analysis finds that there is very little overlap between the four energy poverty indicators examined. This explains why at least 40% of the EU population (around 180 million citizens) would be classified as ‘energy poor’ if one would follow a ‘union approach’, in which someone is energy poor by at least one indicator.

    On the other side, an ‘intersection approach’ – where poor is who satisfies the poverty condition simultaneously for the four indicators – would lead to a very low energy poverty rate of 0.3% of the EU population, i.e. about 330 thousand.

    The results

    The aggregate analysis carried out shows that between about 8% (using consensual indicators) and about 16% (using expenditure-based indicators) of the EU population can be classified as energy poor.

    Education and employment have a significant impact on energy poverty, as a higher rate of adults with jobs or higher education levels can slightly decrease the risk of experiencing energy poverty. Remarkably, about 30% of energy-poor households are also income-poor, falling below the poverty threshold. The study also reveals that middle-income households face a relatively high incidence of energy poverty, so it does not only affect to income-poor individuals.

    Energy poverty among EU Member States

    Energy poverty displays also significant disparities across EU countries, as it is influenced by the very heterogeneous national realities, including geography, natural resources, climate, infrastructure, national public policies, etc. Furthermore, cultural aspects can explain differences in self-reporting energy deprivation conditions. 

    For instance, in Greece and Bulgaria, nearly 30% of the population is energy poor by at least two indicators, while in Western and Northern EU countries, this figure drops below 5%. Moreover, the differences in energy poverty rates across EU countries is much larger when using subjective indicators. For example, AW-poverty rates, which measure the inability to adequately heat one’s home, range between almost zero in Sweden and Luxembourg to about 40% in Bulgaria. 

    A similar trend is observed when analysing arrears on utility bills (UB), while income shares of residential energy expenditure that are above twice the national median (2M) appear to be more similar across countries, indicating that energy poverty rates range between approximately 10% (Netherlands, Hungary) to slightly above 20% (Sweden, Malta, and Latvia). 

    This underscores the importance of tailored policy responses that consider national contexts and differences across countries regarding income levels, energy prices or investments in energy capital (i.e. efficient appliances, insulation, etc.). Moreover, this result points at the need to consider carefully what is the most suited indicator for cross-country comparisons. 

    How to tackle energy poverty across the EU? 

    Energy poverty has far-reaching consequences, from exacerbating health issues to limiting social and economic participation. Monitoring energy poverty is crucial for understanding the diversity of the socio-economic profiles of the energy poor and for improving the design of inclusive policies. 

    Relying on a single indicator may overlook significant portions of the population experiencing energy-related deprivations. 

    To address energy poverty, we need a policy mix 

    Income-support policies are essential to tackle energy poverty situations, especially for households under the poverty line. However, considering that also middle-income households experience a relative high incidence of energy poverty, other type of policies may be warranted to support them.

     This is the case of price caps, which reduce the burden of expenditures on energy goods, or structural interventions that step-up energy efficiency by reducing the need of energy consumption. Further, monetary policies such as subsidies to improve energy efficiencies could also reduce the burden of energy expenditures on households. 

    Finally, behavioural levers, such as assisting consumers in setting goals for reducing energy consumption through apps and educational campaigns to empower individuals to make investments choices that improve energy efficiency, may also be effective in reducing the energy poverty phenomenon. 

    Related links

    Who is “energy poor” in the EU?

    Assessing and Monitoring Employment and Distributional Impacts (AMEDI) projects

    Commission recommendation on energy poverty

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Installed: the Sellafield space saver set to save billions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The first fuel has been placed into a space-saving storage rack at Sellafield set to save billions of pounds.

    Known as the 63-can rack, the container allows the Thorp pond to store 50% more spent nuclear fuel.

    That means Sellafield can safely store all the fuel expected from the UK’s currently operational nuclear power stations.

    Without the rack, a new storage pond would have to be built, potentially costing billions of pounds.

    The rethink was required because Thorp needs to store more fuel than previously thought.

    That’s because the UK no longer reprocesses spent fuel, but instead stores it underwater prior to disposal.

    The 63 can rack

    Roddy Miller, Sellafield Ltd’s nuclear operations director, said:

    From the birth of the nuclear industry in the 1940s, Sellafield has always proudly served the nation.

    These days, our job is to create a clean and safe environment for future generations by safely managing our nuclear legacy.

    This includes receiving and storing the UK’s spent nuclear fuel, helping EDF Energy to continue generating low carbon electricity for homes and businesses.

    Since the change of approach to managing spent fuel, it was clear we would need to innovate to be able to safely store everything we need to in the Thorp pond.

    These racks will increase fuel capacity from 4,000 tonnes to 6,000 tonnes, meaning we can accommodate all current and future arising, negating the need for a new storage facility.

    It’s a great example of collaboration between ourselves, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Group, EDF Energy, and our supply chain. Everyone involved should be proud of their contribution.

    The rack has been 16 years in the making and represents a success story for UK manufacturing.

    Weighing 7 tonnes and standing 5.5 metres high, the stainless steel containers are being built by a consortium of Cumbrian manufacturers and Stoke-based Goodwin International.

    Between them, they will manufacture 160 racks. Another 340 racks will be needed in the future.

    It’s a key contract for Carlisle-based Bendalls Engineering and Workington’s West Cumbria Engineering, who head up the Cumbria Manufacturing Alliance making half the racks.

    Transfers of fuel from the old containers into the new racks started during the summer.

    Operators who previously fed fuel into the reprocessing system are now placing fuel into the new racks.

    Because fuel will be stored for longer than was originally intended, the pond has required other alterations including raising the pH level to avoid corrosion and installing new cooling capacity.

    More information

    Case study -Thorp

    Made in Cumbria: the nuclear storage solution set to ‘rack-up’ the savings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: New Report Highlights Critical Turning Point for Middle Class Families

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A “middle class” income no longer guarantees financial security, threatening both the nation’s economy and its social fabric, according to a new report released today by the Financial Health Network, the leading voice on financial health. The report, Households Under Financial Pressure, describes how daily economic challenges have heightened pessimism and political polarization; previous research found that only about one-third of Americans are considered “financially healthy.”

    Financial health is broadly defined as the ability to spend, save, borrow, and plan in ways that allow people to be financially secure and withstand financial shocks. The report stresses the need for urgent collaboration across key sectors like housing, childcare, and transportation to restore the financial security and well-being of America’s middle class.

    “The middle class might be a hot campaign topic, but let’s be clear: financial health isn’t a red or blue issue — families are struggling financially and it’s happening across race, geography, and politics,” said Jennifer Tescher, president and CEO of the Financial Health Network. “Rising costs for essentials mean more middle-class households struggle with the day-to-day and can’t save for the future, regardless of how much they work or plan ahead. No matter the outcome of this election, we all have an opportunity — and a responsibility — to build a bold new coalition that transcends political divides and is fully committed to securing financial health for all.”

    What is “Middle Class”?
    A May 2024 Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans identify as middle class … but are they?

    • Pew Research Center defines middle class as earning two-thirds to twice the national median income, or $67,819 to $203,458 in 2022 for a family of four. However, only about 50% of adults fall into this category, a figure that has declined steadily over the past five decades.
    • An Obama Administration Task Force on the Middle Class defined the middle class as “one’s ability to achieve common goals, like home and car ownership, college education for children, health and retirement security, and occasional family vacations.”
    • A February 2024 Washington Post study used “basic lifestyle elements” to define middle class achievement: a secure job, ability to save money for the future, ability to afford an emergency $1,000 expense without going into debt, ability to pay all bills on time without worry, having health insurance, and the ability to retire comfortably. With this criteria, just 35% of the population classify as “middle class.”

    Recommendations for Shaping the Future of Financial Health
    The report is part of a new initiative aimed at identifying the needs, challenges, and opportunities for financial health. Financial Health Frontiers, a new Financial Health Network initiative supported by the Citi Foundation, will explore the headwinds and tailwinds that will shape financial health in the years to come. The effort is being guided by an Advisory Council of industry experts, business leaders, policymakers, advocates, and researchers.

    The report makes several broad recommendations, including:

    • Expanding measurement, evaluation, and research efforts to assess how housing, labor, and environment policies and investments in education can support the middle class.
    • Looking more holistically at the interconnected expenses families face – things like childcare, housing, and transportation – with a particular focus on how different communities experience the barriers to a middle class lifestyle to design new solutions.
    • More intentionally fostering collaboration among business leaders, community-based organizations, and government agencies, along with policymakers and advocates working in housing, education, transportation, finance, and health care to build the middle class.

    This report will be followed by deep dives into how other financial headwinds and tailwinds – shifting demographics, the changing nature of work, climate change, and tech/artificial intelligence – will impact financial health in the future.

    About the Financial Health Network
    The Financial Health Network is the leading authority on financial health. We are a trusted resource for business leaders, policymakers, and innovators united in a mission to improve the financial health of their customers, employees, and communities. Through research, advisory services, measurement tools, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, we advance awareness, understanding, and proven best practices in support of improved financial health for all. For more on the Financial Health Network, go to www.finhealthnetwork.org and follow us on Twitter at @FinHealthNet.

    Media Contacts
    Michael Salmassian
    Financial Health Network
    msalmassian@finhealthnetwork.org

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Kenya’s whistleblowers are key to fighting corruption: how a new law could protect them

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gedion Onyango, Research Fellow, Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, London School of Economics and Political Science

    Kenya has published a draft bill outlining protections for whistleblowers. Long in the making, the Whistleblower Protection Bill 2024 could help to encourage disclosures in a country where 86% of the respondents to a 2023 survey feared what might happen to them if they reported corruption cases. Gedion Onyango, who researches public accountability reforms, anti-corruption and whistleblowing reforms, sets out what protections are needed and how to change public mindsets.

    What is whistleblowing?

    Whistleblowing is disclosing information about behaviour or misconduct that could harm the public interest – the overall welfare of a society.

    Whistleblowing is primarily associated with disclosing corruption in state institutions. Because the private sector has become a partner in public service and national development processes, emerging laws like Kenya’s whistleblower protection bill and existing ones like Botswana’s Whistleblower Protection Act 2016 have been designed also to expose activities of companies and institutions that directly affect public affairs.

    Several key conditions must be met for whistleblowing to be effective.



    Read more:
    Corruption in South Africa: would paying whistleblowers help?

    Firstly, the society needs to broadly agree on what misconduct is. People should feel obliged to flag and address wrongdoing, and know what is expected when such information is disclosed. Essentially, the disclosure must be made in good faith.

    Secondly, there must be an authority that is expected to and is willing to take action after receiving such information.

    Thirdly, clear procedures or legal processes should be in place for receiving the information and determining the truth.

    The person disclosing the information must find it easy to report, besides having sufficient evidence to support their claims. A thoroughly bureaucratic way of receiving information about wrongdoing is more likely to intimidate and discourage potential whistleblowers.

    Fourthly, a system should be in place to reward individuals who disclose wrongdoing. This could involve recognising their contribution to society or providing financial incentives, often a percentage of money recovered in cases of corruption and asset recovery. Not all countries have this provision. But having such a reward is not always enough. This has been shown in Nigeria, where whistleblowing is declining despite the reward of 5% of recovered funds.

    Finally, there needs to be trust in the authority and the process for it to work.

    Why the focus on whistleblowers?

    Whistleblowers are important sources of information about misconduct, dishonesty and unethical behaviour that would otherwise remain concealed from the public. They are critical in promoting human rights, fighting corruption and addressing governance misconduct and inequalities.

    Many infamous scandals around the world have been brought to light by individuals who disclosed the wrongdoing. These include Kenya’s Anglo Leasing scandal.

    Whistleblowing is essential to ethical public leadership. It is no accident that many developing countries are now enacting laws to encourage and protect whistleblowers. With new laws in Kenya, whistleblowers would no longer have to primarily defend themselves against non-disclosure clauses that outlaw disclosures of a potential wrongdoing. Whistleblowers have previously been targeted by public organisations for releasing information in an unprocedural manner.

    You want to blow the whistle. What next?

    Potential whistleblowers can use internal or external mechanisms to disclose wrongdoing. The choice of mechanism will depend on the whistleblower’s confidence or history with these mechanisms.

    Studies have shown that internal whistleblowing is less desirable, and most whistleblowers prefer anonymous external whistleblowing channels that could prompt an investigation by an authority.



    Read more:
    South Africa’s corporate whistleblowers don’t get enough protection: what needs to change

    What protections should whistleblowers expect?

    Effective whistleblower protection mechanisms include protecting the identities of whistleblowers until the responsible authority has checked that there was wrongdoing.

    Whistleblowers should be protected from retaliation or harm, including social victimisation, physical attacks and disciplinary actions.

    The law should ensure that an insider whistleblower, such as an employee, is protected from being intimidated, disciplined or removed from their position. This should be for a long enough time (for example, at least five years), even if the case ultimately collapses, as often happens.

    In other words, the person should be protected from any loss, including damages that would affect their mental health or their job. This is typical of legislation globally.

    In today’s age of social media, the laws against defamation should be applied strictly to guard against online harassment.

    What would a forward-looking whistleblower policy look like?

    It’s important that whistleblower protection policies are understood and accepted by everyone. The process should start with extensive consultation. It should involve authorities such as religious groups, traditional leaders and government administrators at the lowest levels.

    Including whistleblowing in the country’s school, college and professional curriculum would increase awareness and improve social acceptance.

    It’s often the case that whistleblowers are seen as betrayers or snitches rather than as courageous defenders of public interest and ethical members of society. The reward system for whistleblowers should be included in prestigious national honours such as the Presidential Award.

    Gedion Onyango receives funding from ESRC. He is also affiliated with Afrobarometer East Africa

    – ref. Kenya’s whistleblowers are key to fighting corruption: how a new law could protect them – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-whistleblowers-are-key-to-fighting-corruption-how-a-new-law-could-protect-them-239647

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gallego Applauds FTC For Answering His Calls, Taking Action Against Predatory Rental Practices

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)

    September 24, 2024

    FTC action follows multiple letters from Rep. Gallego urging action on predatory, anticompetitive rental practices

    WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it is taking action against Invitation Homes, which owns nearly 9,000 homes in Arizona, for an array of unlawful actions against consumers. The action follows multiple letters Rep. Gallego has sent urging the Commission to take action on predatory, anticompetitive rental practices.

    “From charging undisclosed junk fees to failing to provide basic maintenance, Invitation Homes has been swindling Arizonans for years,” said Rep. Gallego. “I’m glad to see the FTC is answering my calls and cracking down on these kinds of predatory, anti-competitive practices that harm Arizona families and legitimate businesses. Arizonans deserve affordable housing with honest landlords, and that’s what I’ll keep fighting for.”

    Invitation Homes has agreed to a proposed settlement order that would require the company to turn over $48 million to be used to refund consumers harmed by its actions. The corporate landlord will also be required to clearly disclose its leasing prices, establish policies and procedures to handle security deposit refunds fairly, and stop other unlawful behavior.

    You can learn more about Rep. Gallego’s work to make Arizona more affordable in his reporters Cutting Costs for Arizonan

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recovered appeal: land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road, Cambridge (ref: 3328390 – 25 September 2024)

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Decision letter and Inspector’s Report for a recovered appeal application.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Recovered appeal: land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road, Cambridge (known as Darwin Green phases 2 and 3) (ref: 3328390 – 25 September 2024)

    PDF, 1.15 MB, 150 pages

    Details

    Decision letter and Inspector’s Report for a recovered appeal outline application for up to 1,000 residential dwellings, secondary school, primary school, community facilities, retail uses, open space and landscaped areas, associated engineering, demolition and infrastructure works.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 September 2024

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: There is no greater example of Republican extremism than Trump’s Project 2025

    Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – September 24, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu were joined by Representatives Sara Jacobs and Nikema Williams in a press conference on how Trump’s Project 2025 gives Extreme MAGA Republicans total control to criminalize abortion, gut Social Security and raise taxes for working families.

    CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. The Vice Chair and I are grateful to be joined by incredible leaders within our Caucus, Nikema Williams and Sara Jacobs. 

    House Democrats have said from the beginning of this Congress that we will be ready to work in a bipartisan way to get things done for the American people whenever and wherever possible. But we are also going to call out extremism when it exists. And there is no greater example of Republican extremism than Trump’s Project 2025. 

    Should extreme MAGA Republicans be successful in winning the House, the Senate and the presidency, they have created the blueprint in a 920-page roadmap that lays out exactly how they plan to govern. Under their plan, Project 2025 criminalizes abortion, hurts middle class families to help the wealthy and well connected and ends Social Security as we know it. It gives Donald Trump unchecked presidential power and unparalleled control over the American people. It is both deeply troubling and deeply unpopular because of the work of House Democrats, Leader Jeffries, Whip Clark, Jared Huffman, our own Vice Chair Ted Lieu and the leaders behind me today to put a spotlight on this dangerous plan. We know that House Republicans are in trouble because they are running scared anytime we mention Project 2025. 
    Later today, the Steering and Policy Committee will convene a hearing of hard-working Americans who will testify about what Project 2025 would mean to them in their daily lives. Don’t just take our word for it. Listen to the abortion care providers and seniors who have to ration insulin, who will courageously share their stories. House Democrats are fighting for them, as House Republicans are fighting to give Donald Trump more control of our daily lives. 
    I’ll turn it over to Vice Chair Ted Lieu.

    VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chairman Aguilar. 

    Trump’s Project 2025 isn’t just a radical document. It’s a document that Republicans this term have tried to implement through a series of appropriations bills. And as Chairman Aguilar said, we’re having a hearing today that the Steering and Policy Committee is hosting at 2:15 at HVC-215. Hope you all can make it. And I want to thank Jared Huffman earlier this year for starting the Project 2025 Task Force. 

    This is 920 pages of crazy–that’s what Project 2025 is–with deadly consequences. I’m going to go through just three of the insane things in that document. Project 2025 wants to eliminate the Department of Education, and that is on page 319 of the document. Project 2025 also wants to eliminate the National Weather Service. Think about that. We’ve got a hurricane coming into Georgia or Florida, and this is what Project 2025 authors want to do. They want to eliminate the National Weather Service–that’s on page 675 of the document. And get this: Project 2025 wants to allow children to work in hazardous conditions. Like, who comes up with this crazy stuff? That’s on page 595 of the document. 

    So again, I hope you all come to this hearing. And let me now introduce our amazing member from Georgia, the great Nikema Williams, who will talk about reproductive freedom and Project 2025.

    REP. WILLIAMS: Thank you, Vice Chair Lieu and Chairman Aguilar. Good morning, everyone. 

    I’m Congresswoman Nikema Williams, and I proudly represent Georgia’s fighting Fifth Congressional District. I’m a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus and Vice Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. But y’all, before I came to Congress, I served as the VP of Public Policy at Planned Parenthood Southeast for ten years. I will always carry with me the stories that I heard from people we served on the frontlines just about how hard they had to fight to get the essential abortion care that they needed and deserve. This was long before the overturning of Roe v. Wade that was orchestrated by Donald Trump and his Republican Party. 

    We’re seeing the deadly result of abortion bans in Georgia, and around the country. Just last week, ProPublica reported on the deaths of two Georgia women, Candi Miller and Amber Thurman, who died because they couldn’t receive the care that they desperately needed. Let me say that again: Candi Miller and Amber Thurman died because of Georgia’s inhumane abortion ban that was ushered in by Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans. These were preventable deaths. As a mama, I’m heartbroken, and as a Georgian, as an elected official, I’m pissed, y’all. Because it doesn’t have to be this way. These were policy decisions. But let me be clear: it could get even worse. Trump’s Project 2025 would lead to more heartbreak and more preventable deaths. Project 2025 would ban abortion nationwide, criminalizing patients and doctors, making it impossible for people to get the care that they need. 

    Abortion is essential health care. One in four women will access abortion care at some point in their lives. And that’s not one in four Democratic women, not one in four Republican or Independent women. That’s someone you know, someone you love, someone you go to church with, someone you grew up with, someone in your family. One in four women, y’all. 

    I will continue to fight alongside House Democrats to protect reproductive freedom in the face of extreme Republican abortion bans and the looming threat of Trump’s Project 2025, which will ban abortion nationwide. We will restore the reproductive freedom that Trump and House Republicans brag about taking away, and we will ensure that every person can get the care that they need. 

    Thank you so much, and I’ll now turn it over to another co-conspirator for justice in our Caucus, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.

    REP. JACOBS: Well, thank you, Chairman Aguilar, Vice Chair Lieu, Nikema, for really highlighting the stakes here. 

    So, I’ve spent the past few months traveling the country talking to young people, college students and women. I’m a 35-year-old woman, so basically, this is a topic I talk about all the time with my friends and peers. And here’s the deal: all of these young people are terrified about Project 2025, and so am I. So, not only would Project 2025 make it difficult or impossible to access abortion, birth control, emergency contraception and other reproductive services, as my colleague Nikema highlighted, it would also authorize a pregnancy surveillance system. So, even if you live in a state like California, like I do, where we have strong state-level abortion and privacy laws, you would not be protected. Every abortion, every miscarriage, every stillbirth, every pregnancy loss, every pregnancy, even abortions and pregnancy losses that result from medical treatment, would be logged and reported to the federal government and used to monitor pregnancies.

    Project 2025 would supersede HIPAA. It would nullify doctor-patient confidentiality, and it would reject a right to privacy. And pretty soon, it would be used to weaponize health data against patients and providers in court. We’ve already seen this happen. 

    In 2017, Mississippi police charged Latice Fisher after digging into her Google search history and finding that she searched how to buy misoprostol abortion pills online. In 2022, Nebraska police used Facebook messages between a mother and a daughter, private Facebook messages, to prosecute an abortion that was illegal under state law. Now, imagine how much more this would happen if there was a centralized treasure trove of this information, of this data. 

    Now, House Democrats, we want to protect the sensitive data, and we have a bill to do it, My Body My Data Act. House Democrats, we want to strengthen HIPAA for the post Roe era, not gut it. And we have a bill to do that, The Safer Health Act. But you know who stands in the way? MAGA Republicans. 

    House Democrats will continue to fight to protect patient privacy, protect their right to make their own health decisions and protect them from abortion and pregnancy surveillance. So, thank you so much, now I will turn it over to Chairman Aguilar for questions.

    Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.

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