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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Paul Culliver, ABC Radio Newcastle

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    PAUL CULLIVER:

    Julie Collins is the federal Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness and joins you on the line. Good afternoon to you, Minister.

    JULIE COLLINS:

    Good afternoon, Paul, and to your listeners this afternoon.

    CULLIVER:

    What’s getting done in Lake Mac?

    COLLINS:

    Well, it was great to be with the local member Sharon Claydon this morning to be able to announce and open 10 new social housing homes, and to announce another 9 that will be built and another 9 that have already been refurbished. This is from the Social Housing Accelerator Fund, money that we have provided to the NSW Government. And what today was about was about a partnership between 3 tiers of government – local government, state government and federal government – to get more homes on the ground more quickly. And that’s what we need to see more of right around the country. And obviously, our Social Housing Accelerator was $2 billion that we provided to states and territories around 12 months ago now, and is part of our $32 billion Homes for Australia plan.

    CULLIVER:

    So, what will these social housing dwellings be used for? Who will be able to access these houses?

    COLLINS:

    Well, they’ll be people off the social housing waiting list and as I’ve said, there’s already been 9 refurbishments and they will be getting people in them. The homes that we stood in front of today, I understand there’ll be a handover today from the builders and people will be in those homes within weeks. And in terms of the new announcement for the ones at Wallsend, they’ll be under construction very soon and should be complete by the middle of next year, and have new tenants in them by the second half of next year. So, moving very quickly and this is obviously just the start of what we’re doing with our housing investments. We also will have the first round of our Housing Australia Future Fund and the National Housing Accord being announced later this year, around the end of August. But of course, those funds, particularly the Housing Australia Future Fund, was held up in the Senate by more than 6 months by the Liberal and the Greens senators. So, it is later than we had hoped, but we are going as quickly as we can to get as many homes on the ground as fast as we can.

    CULLIVER:

    Well, indeed. So, we’re talking about, you know, roughly 20 new homes here in totality. And obviously they are a benefit to the people that they will now house. But people might hear that and go, ‘9, 10 extra houses – it’s not making that much of a dent’.

    COLLINS:

    Well, we’re announcing homes like this all over the country though, and they will start to make a dent. And, of course, they are part of our ambitious shared national housing target to reach 1.2 million homes across the country. And these are homes of every type, not just social homes. We’re talking about homes to buy, homes for people to rent and, of course, social and affordable housing, as well as of course we know we need more transitional housing for women and children fleeing family violence, as well particularly. And we are building all of the above as fast as we can, working with other tiers of government. We had a historic agreement through National Cabinet in August last year, whereby the states committed to planning, zoning, land release reforms that will be very significant. And indeed, the Grattan Institute has said that our supply plan to add more homes could save renters around $32 billion. So, they are significant reforms. We’ve already seen the NSW Government move to do some of that planning and zoning reform, and they’re making great progress. But it’s only by having all tiers of government working together, working with community housing providers, working with the construction sector, that we’re actually going to be able to meet our shared national ambitious target of 1.2 million homes. We’re ambitious because we need to be, Paul, because we know we don’t have enough homes in Australia. We haven’t had enough homes for a long time. After a decade of neglect under the former government, we’ve got a lot of work to do and that’s what we’re getting on and doing, which is what you saw today.

    CULLIVER:

    Well, speaking of that ambitious plan, Oxford Economics yesterday released a report, Building in Australia. Their forecast says that you’re going to achieve 960,000 new homes will be built between now and 2029, compared to that target of 1.2 million, so falling short by over 200,000. Do you think they’ve got that modelling right?

    COLLINS:

    Well, of course what we want to do is we want to change things, which is what our $32 billion Homes for Australia plan is about. And if we see the states and the territories do the planning reforms that they’ve agreed to, if you see investments coming from other tiers of government, if you see 3 tiers of government working together, if we get more institutional investment, if we’re all working together with our shoulder to the wheel, we will get much closer to that. It is ambitious because it needs to be, Paul. We need a bit of ambition. We don’t have enough homes, and we haven’t for a long time. When you look at the number of homes that Australia has, particularly compared to the OECD average, we don’t have enough homes and we haven’t had enough homes for a long time. So, we need to get a good pipeline of homes and that’s what our work is all about.

    CULLIVER:

    Ok. But given that report yesterday by Oxford Economics, they’re basically saying, as it stands, what the Labor government is doing and in concert with state governments and councils as well, we’re going to fall short. So, do you need to do more? Do you need to do something different?

    COLLINS:

    Well, what you saw was us adding to our agenda in the last Budget with a further $6 billion, working as part of our $32 billion Homes for Australia plan. Since we’ve come to office now, we’ve announced $32 billion in new housing initiatives. We’ve had the significant National Cabinet agreement do a range of planning and zoning reforms, as I’ve said. We expect that this will make a big difference across the country. We are investing at every opportunity since we’ve come to government. We have announced new investments, and as I said, it’s not just our target. It’s a shared national target, working with other tiers of government, working with the sector to turn this around and to get more homes on the ground more quickly.

    CULLIVER:

    Your guest today is the federal Minister for Housing, Julie Collins. Of course, in the region today launching some of those new social housing dwellings that are being opened in our region, in Lake Macquarie. You are listening to ABC Newcastle. Paul Culliver with you. Of course, after the last week, we’ve been seeing a series of reporting and investigation over the CFMEU, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. Emerging allegations about criminal ties and the associated impact on what might be happening with government money there. The affiliation of the construction industry superfund Cbus, they have contribution to Labor’s affordable housing scheme. Some senators on the other side of the aisle saying that board members from the CFMEU contributing to Cbus should walk away. Indeed, Cbus should not be involved in that housing affordability fund. What is the status there in terms of CFMEU’s influence on those projects?

    COLLINS:

    Well, of course, we’ve said there’s zero tolerance for what the allegations and what we’ve seen in terms of the media reporting around what’s happening with the CFMEU. Zero tolerance. We have taken the strongest possible action. We’ve said we’re appointing an administrator through Fair Work. We are moving as quickly as we can and taking the strongest possible action we can. When it comes to Housing Australia and when it comes to housing across the country, what we’re focused on is getting housing on the ground as quickly as we can. We also, of course, want to make sure that we get value for taxpayer dollar and we want to make sure that we deal with some of the supply constraints around a shortage of labour, a shortage of materials. We’re investing more in Fee‑Free TAFE. We’re investing in a Future Made in Australia. We’re looking at modular and non‑traditional methods of construction to get homes up as quickly as we can. And we’re working, as I’ve said, right across government, but importantly with other tiers of government and with the sector to get these homes up as fast as we can.

    CULLIVER:

    Ok. Is it appropriate to have CFMEU representatives on the board of Cbus that are committing money to Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund?

    COLLINS:

    Look, Cbus is an independent organisation and its board is a matter for that organisation. What I’m focused on is making sure that we do due diligence, that we get value for this Australian taxpayer as part of Housing Australia and our investments. That’s what we focused on – getting homes on the ground, getting the best value for dollar for the Australian taxpayer, and making sure that we get the homes up as quickly as we can, the right homes in the right places, including in regional cities like Newcastle.

    CULLIVER:

    All right. Should the Housing Australia Future Fund have money contributed to by a fund which has board members from the CFMEU?

    COLLINS:

    Well, the Housing Australia Future Fund at the moment has funds from the Australian taxpayer and that’s what we’re focused on, getting the returns for the Australian taxpayer to make sure that our investments are the best possible investments for the Australian taxpayer. We’re working incredibly hard, as I’ve said repeatedly, with other tiers of government, with the sector and the industry to get these homes up out of the ground as fast as we can.

    CULLIVER:

    Ok, but is the Future Fund going to accept funding from Cbus?

    COLLINS:

    Well, it doesn’t do that. Its contracts are with community housing providers. That’s how it works. The community housing providers and the state and territory governments, they are the people that have the contracts that get the homes built and that’s what we’re focused on.

    CULLIVER:

    Okay, does Cbus have any influence on what’s happening when it comes to the houses being built by the Fund?

    COLLINS:

    Absolutely not.

    CULLIVER:

    Okay, just finally, I want to talk about the emergence of deepfakes in domestic politics in Queensland. People might have seen this online. It’s doing the rounds on social media. Steven Miles, of course, the current Premier of Queensland. There’s been a deep fake turning up of him dancing. The LNP appears to have put this out just in the last hour. The ABC has reported that the ALP has previously actually published a clip of Peter Dutton the Opposition Leader created using generative artificial intelligence to its TikTok account. Do you think it’s appropriate to use generative AI to portray political actors doing things that they clearly did not?

    COLLINS:

    Some of the deepfake material is a really serious matter. I mean, I heard from one of my colleagues today who was at an inquiry into deepfake sexual material, which is a really serious issue. And obviously we are concerned about that. And we’re concerned about digitally created and altered particularly sexually explicit material that’s shared without consent that can be really damaging. And we’re looking at legislative legislation to make sure that people who share digitally created sexually explicit material without consent will be subject to serious criminal penalties. But we are concerned about the serious nature of some of the deepfakes, particularly on social media.

    CULLIVER:

    Was it appropriate for the Australian Labor Party TikTok to post, to post an AI generated video of Peter Dutton dancing?

    COLLINS:

    Well, I think that there’s a very big difference between something that is considered to be amusing or funny, as opposed to something that is really serious material. It is up to independent organisations such as the Queensland Electoral Commission or the Australian Electoral Commission in terms of electoral advertising about what is appropriate. But I think that there is a big difference between some of that material that you’re talking about.

    CULLIVER:

    Would you feel entirely comfortable if the opposition started posting deepfakes of you doing things that you hadn’t done?

    COLLINS:

    Look, as I said, I think that there’s a big difference between some of the really serious material that people have raised concerns about, and there is a difference between some of the electoral material. Some of it, of course, should not be put up. Some of it is a bit different, is intended to be humorous, and I think that there is a difference between the 2.

    CULLIVER:

    Would it be better to just ban all of it?

    COLLINS:

    Well, that is obviously something that could be considered. Certainly, I think the Queensland Electoral Commission will have a look in terms of the case in Queensland. You know, this sort of material, I think, is concerning. I think most Australians are concerned that this type of material is being produced. But as I said, I think there is a big difference between some of the material and some of this really serious material out there.

    CULLIVER:

    Minister, thanks for your time today.

    COLLINS:

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Joint doorstop interview, Macquarie Park

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    JEROME LAXALE:

    I’m Jerome Laxale, the Member for Bennelong. It’s so great to welcome the Minister for Housing and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Assistant Minister Jenny McAllister. It’s so great to be here at a small business in Bennelong. These energy efficiency upgrades will make a difference. I’ve run a small business my whole life. And I know that each and every day you’re looking to make savings, you’re looking to reinvest in the business. To get a better outcome for the bottom line, but also for your customers. Investing in these energy efficiency upgrades will help small businesses right across the country. Round 2 being announced today builds on the back of Round 1, which was announced last year. And we had a great example, in Bennelong where a supermarket used these energy efficiency grants to install controllers on their refrigerants, which has reduced their power prices by 20 per cent to 30 per cent. By the government providing these grants, it gives small businesses incentives, to do the homework, and to invest in upgrades to their energy efficiency, reduces emissions and reduces power bills. This is exactly what this Albanese government was elected to deliver. And it’s so great that we have another business here in Bennelong that has applied, that has been successful. They’ll see the power prices go down; they’ll see their emissions go down – all from this incentive by the federal government. It gives me great pleasure to invite Minister McAllister, to talk about it a lot more. It’s a very exciting program and one that I’m proud to have been an advocate for.

    SENATOR MCALLISTER:

    Thanks very much, Jerome, for your warm welcome and for your tireless advocacy for the people of Bennelong. It’s a pleasure to be here with my friend and colleague, Minister Collins. And today to announce the second round of the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Enterprises. Now, we know that over the last 10 years, electricity has literally been leaking out the doors and windows of Australian homes and businesses because too little government attention was paid to the opportunities afforded by energy efficiency. Small improvements to businesses can make a big difference in an ongoing way to the energy demands. Now here at The Governor in Jerome’s electorate of Bennelong, they understand that changes to the energy performance of this operation will help them with their overall business performance. They’ve already made the decision to put solar on the roof, but in addition to that, they are now seeking to install monitoring equipment on the refrigeration, switch over their hot water from gas to a much more efficient electric system, and do an overall energy audit, so that can also understand the future opportunities to improvements right here. Our grants will allow these kinds of activities to happen right across the country. So from Darwin down to Hobart, Sydney to Perth, we will assist more than 1,700 Australian small and medium sized businesses to improve their energy performance. Lighting, refrigeration, heating and cooling, all of these things can make a lasting and enduring difference to the bills paid by small businesses and help these businesses to thrive. There’s a lot of work to do. This area of policy was characterised by a decade of neglect. But we are up for this task, and it is my very great pleasure to announce these grants today. I might introduce the Small Business Minister, Minister Collins, to make a few additional remarks, about the work that we are doing [inaudible] to support the small business sector.

    JULIE COLLINS:

    Thanks, Jenny. It’s terrific to be here at The Governor Hotel, and I thank them for having us today and for their success in this energy efficiency grant. It’s also terrific, obviously, to be with my friend and local Member, Jerome. It’s terrific to visit Jerome’s electorate. And again, as my colleague said, he’s a terrific advocate for people in Bennelong here in New South Wales. And of course, my other friend and colleague, Minister McAllister, who’s doing a terrific job when it comes to climate and energy, and particularly in terms of helping small businesses improve their energy efficiency and put downward pressure on their energy bills. That is what we have been doing as a government supporting small businesses with targeted support in ways to support small businesses, but also put downward pressure on inflation. These grants are a prime example of the government supporting and investing with small businesses in their business so that they get the returns not just today, but over the long term. As we’ve heard from Minister McAllister and indeed from the local member, Jerome, these grants are incredibly popular because what they do is they get small businesses to think about their energy efficiency, and they’ve put downward pressure on their energy bills over the long term. They are, of course, from our government, supporting small businesses, as we’ve heard, the second round over $40 million going to 1,700 small businesses and medium‑sized enterprises across the country. We, of course, are supporting small businesses in other ways. What we saw in our last budget was our Small Business Budget Statement, which has got over $640 million in targeted support for small businesses.

    Because we know while many small businesses are thriving, some small businesses are doing it tough, and we’re providing that targeted support. For things like our direct energy bill relief, up to $325 for around 1 million small businesses across the country. Our instant asset write‑off $20,000, for each asset for small businesses has been extended for this financial year as well as last. We have of course extended important programs to provide mental health and wellbeing for small businesses. To make sure that if they want to expand and grow their business or if they’re having some issues with their small businesses, they can get that targeted personal support for their business through financial counselling and advice. We, of course, are also leveling the playing field. We have got through the parliament legislation in relation to improving payment times for small businesses, again, to help small businesses with their cash flow. We’re reforming the franchising system to make sure that we have as a level playing field as we can get so that small businesses can compete with big businesses. We want to stay small businesses thrive in Australia, and that is what our small business target of support is all about. Labor is the party of supporting small businesses, and I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues like Minister McAllister to ensure that small businesses thrive right across the country.

    JOURNALIST:

    AEMO has flagged drops in energy supply for renewables throughout winter, with more gas needed to fill the gap. What is the plan if renewable output doesn’t improve?

    COLLINS:

    Look what we know is that renewables are the cheapest form of energy. AEMO supports what Labor is doing in terms of more renewables into the grid. What we also know is, is that the Liberal and National plan for nuclear will be too slow and too expensive when it comes to energy in Australia. What we’re doing here today is supporting small businesses to put downward pressure on their energy and to help them with their energy bills. And I’m happy to hand over to Minister McAllister to talk more about energy more generally. What I would say is that the alternative plan coming from Peter Dutton to go nuclear is too slow and too expensive, and our plan is being supported by AEMO to get more renewables into the system. Can I say, as a proud Tasmanian, we have a lot of renewables in Tasmania. We’ve been successfully net zero now for 8 out of the 9 last years. So it can be done.

    MCALLISTER:

    Thanks very much, Julie. Today we’ve received 2 reports from the market bodies indicating that renewables remain the lowest cost form of generation and are making an increasingly important contribution to the grid. Now, the reports also confirm the information that has been provided to successive governments over a very long period of time now – which is that more investment is required in generation capability to replace the aging coal‑fired power fleet that is coming to the end of its life.

    Unfortunately, during the period of the last government under the Liberals, these warnings were ignored. Twenty-four coal fired power stations announced or brought forward their closure dates, and the response to this was zero from the previous government. We are acting and taking steps now to bring on the new, reliable renewables that are necessary to develop – to deliver affordable energy for Australians. Now Peter Dutton’s plan is in no way responsive to the information that’s in front of us.

    Mr Dutton’s plan, apparently, is to have a conversation over the next term about nuclear with some communities, and then to wait until 2040 to deliver new generation capacity. We can’t wait that long. We need to get on with the job delivering the technologies that the experts tell us, are necessary to deliver an affordable and reliable power grid.

    JOURNALIST:

    The government has approved gas exploration licenses around Victoria and Tassie. How quickly do we need to get gas – that gas into the grid?

    MCALLISTER:

    We understand that the future of the Australian electricity market will be built on a range of technologies: renewables, like wind, solar, batteries, pumped hydro and of course, gas for those occasions when we need it as a backup. And what AEMO tells us is that looking to the future, we will see gas used less and less frequently, but when it’s used, it will be really important. It’s on that basis that we built the Future Gas Strategy. It’s important for Australians to think about where we are going to get the gas that we will need out ‘til 2050, but at the same time we retain focus on our core purpose, which is building out the new generation capability that is necessary to replace the aging coal‑fired generation. This is a task that has been completely ignored by the previous government, and it appears that in opposition they have not learned the lessons from the past. The current plan is to do something, perhaps in 2040. What happens between now and then is a complete mystery. And it’s time for Mr Dutton to front up and explain to Australians what the plan is between now and 2040, to meet the energy demands that the Australian economy requires.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £3 Million Pound Boost for Dundee Pensioners

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    Over £3 million has been put into the pockets of Dundee pensioners, thanks to city-wide efforts encouraging people to apply for Pension Credit.

    The council’s Council Advice Services Team has been running a campaign with Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau and Brooksbank to maximize the income of as many citizens of Dundee as possible over the state pension age.

    Since the launch of this campaign, over £3,148,494 has been awarded to the citizens of Dundee through various benefits. With the average Pension Credit award being £68 per week, and an average backdated pension credit award of over £900.

    The council continue to identify and contact households who might be entitled to Pension Credit and to reach as many people as possible.

    Pension Credit is a payment for those whose income is less than the UK Government states someone over Pension age should receive.

    Entitlement to Pension Credit depends on a person’s circumstances and looks at all the income in the household as well as savings over a certain amount. Whilst savings are considered, there is no upper threshold, so having savings does not necessarily mean there would be no entitlement.

    Pension Credit also gives eligibility to free NHS dental treatment, NHS glasses, free TV License for over 75s, amongst other benefits. Anyone looking to get a benefits check should contact us on cas@dundeecity.gov.uk or our Older Peoples Take-up Campaign line on 01382 434474.

    Dundee Council Leader, Mark Flynn said: “Getting over £3 million pounds back into the pockets of pensioners in the city is a fantastic achievement.

    “We are aware of the rising cost of living and implications this has, particularly for pensioners. That’s why campaigns like this are so important and make a real difference to people’s lives.

    “Our teams are here to help. It’s not only Pension Credit we’ve supported people to claim, but we have also helped people across the city get Attendance Allowance awards, Universal Credit and Council Tax Reduction.

    “Every year billions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed. That’s why it’s so important we continue to run campaigns like this, reaching out directly to the community to help people claim the money they are entitled to.

    “I want to thank the team who have carried out this work, it is clearly making a significant and positive difference to the lives of Dundee pensioners.

    “I would encourage anyone who thinks they are eligible to come forward, the council and partners are here to help.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni’s condolences on the passing of Pope Francis

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    21 Aprile 2025

    Pope Francis has returned to the home of the Father. We are deeply saddened by this news, as a great man and great shepherd has left us. I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never ceased, not even in times of trial and suffering. In his Via Crucis meditations, he reminded us of the power of the gift, which makes everything blossom anew and is capable of reconciling what in the eyes of man is irreconcilable. And, once again, he asked of the world the courage to change course, to follow a path that “does not crush, but cultivates, repairs and protects”. We will walk in this direction, to seek the path of peace, pursue the common good and build a more just and more equitable society. His magisterium and his legacy will not be lost. We bid farewell to the Holy Father with our hearts full of sorrow, but we know he is now in the peace of the Lord.

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Thinking outside the caldera: Understanding basaltic eruptions at Yellowstone

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from Cole Messa and Ken Sims, from the University of Wyoming, and Mark Stelten, geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and deputy scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.

    The Basalts of Warm River and Shotgun Valley, which erupted about 1.17 million years ago after the formation of Henrys Fork Caldera in southeast Idaho.  Photo by Brandi Lawler, University of Wyoming, August 8, 2018.
    Digital elevation model of Yellowstone National Park and vicinity, showing the location of the calderas formed during each of Yellowstone’s three most recent volcanic cycles. The youngest caldera-forming eruption produced Yellowstone Caldera (green line), located within Yellowstone National Park. Henrys Fork Caldera (blue line), was formed as a result of Yellowstone’s second caldera-forming eruption, approximately 1.3 million years ago, and has since been filled in with basaltic lava flows that cause the flat, low-relief topography in that region. Figure modified from Christiansen et al. (2007).

    The Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field has produced three caldera-forming eruptions over the last 2.1 million years, including the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff (2.1 million years ago), the Mesa Falls Tuff (1.3 million years ago), and the Lava Creek Tuff that produced Yellowstone caldera 631,000 years ago. Between these large eruptions, numerous lava flows and domes erupted within the calderas produced by these large eruptions. Although most eruptions at Yellowstone tend to be rhyolite in composition—high in silica and very viscous, which is why eruptions can be very explosive and also produce thick lava flows—these magmas represent the end product of a large magmatic system that extends from ~4 km depth to the base of the crust (~40 km). In fact, rhyolite is only present in significant quantities between approximately 4 km and 15 km depth in crust, whereas the rest of the magmatic system is likely dominated by basalt, which comes from deeper in the Earth, is lower in silica content, and is much more fluid.

    Map of Yellowstone caldera showing the distribution of rhyolites erupted after the formation of Yellowstone caldera and basalts erupted outside the caldera.

    Geologists have long known that large, shallow rhyolite magma bodies like that at Yellowstone need a large supply of heat to keep remain active and not freeze solid. This heat source is probably related to the transport of hot, basaltic magmas from deep in the crust to shallower portions of the crust where rhyolite resides. Furthermore, an influx of heat from deeply sourced basalts may be required to “prime” the rhyolite system for an eruption. In other words, the influx of heat into the shallow crust can cause the proportion of liquid magma in the magmatic system to increase, possibly leading to an eruption.

    To test these ideas and better understand the role that the deeper, basaltic part of the magmatic system plays in priming eruptions in the shallow, rhyolitic part, a research group representing a collaboration between the University of Wyoming’s High-Precision Isotope Laboratory (WILD) and the USGS Volcano Science Center recently measured eruption ages using the argon dating technique on suite of samples collected from throughout the Henrys Fork Caldera region, located just west of present day Yellowstone caldera near the town of Island Park, Idaho. Henrys Fork Caldera is home to much of Yellowstone’s basaltic activity and has gone mostly unresearched since mapping efforts by the late Dr. Robert L. Christiansen were completed in 2001. The new eruption ages, coupled with field mapping efforts, revealed that Henrys Fork Caldera is home to multiple episodes of basaltic lava flow activity over the past 1.3 million years. Importantly, each of these episodes coincides with a period of known rhyolite eruptive activity in the Yellowstone region. 

    This alignment of eruption timing led the researchers to suggest that periods of volcanic unrest at Yellowstone are characterized by an increase in activity in the lower, basaltic portion of the magmatic system that provides the heat necessary to spur the shallow, rhyolitic portion of the magmatic system into growing and/or erupting. These periods of increased activity in the lower portion of the magmatic system are manifested on the surface as periods where numerous basaltic magmas erupt outside the caldera, while rhyolites, which are less dense, “block” the basalt from rising where a rhyolite magma chamber is present—namely in the area of Yellowstone caldera—but may erupt themselves. This explains why Yellowstone caldera is characterized by numerous episodes of rhyolite lava flow activity that correlate in time with basaltic activity outside the caldera. 

    Another striking conclusion from the new research is the identification of a basalt eruption that is just 35,000 years old located in the Henrys Fork Caldera region. Previously, it was thought that the youngest eruption in the region was the rhyolite lava of the Pitchstone Plateau about 70,000 years ago, while the youngest known basalt flow was 120,000 years old. The new result means that this 35,000 year old basalt is now the youngest Yellowstone eruption known. The younger age implies that basaltic activity remains possible west of Yellowstone National Park, and that the deeper, basaltic portion of Yellowstone magmatic system has been active since the last known eruption of rhyolite at Yellowstone. 

    The new research was published in the journal Geology: “New 40Ar/39Ar Eruption Ages Reveal an Important Temporal Relationship Between Mafic and Silicic Volcanism in the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field.”

    The Pinehaven Basalt, which erupted in Henrys Fork Caldera, southeast Idaho, about 35,000 years ago.  Photo by Brandi Lawler, University of Wyoming, August 6, 2018.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Joel Hodge, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Australian Catholic University

    Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday, aged 88, the Vatican announced. The head of the Catholic Church had recently survived being hospitalised with a serious bout of double pneumonia.

    Cardinal Kevin Farrell’s announcement began:

    Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.

    There were many unusual aspects of Pope Francis’ papacy. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas (and the southern hemisphere), the first to choose the name “Francis” and the first to give a TED talk. He was also the first pope in more than 600 years to be elected following the resignation, rather than death, of his predecessor.

    From the very start of his papacy, Francis seemed determined to do things differently and present the papacy in a new light. Even in thinking about his burial, he chose the unexpected: to be placed to rest not in the Vatican, but in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome – the first pope to be buried there in more than 300 years.

    Vatican News reported the late Pope Francis had requested his funeral rites be simplified.

    “The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Diego Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”

    Straddling a line between “progressive” and “conservative”, Francis experienced tension with both sides. In doing so, his papacy shone a spotlight on what it means to be Catholic today.

    The day before his death, Pope Francis made a brief appearance on Easter Sunday to bless the crowds at St Peter’s Square.

    Between a rock and a hard place

    Francis was deemed not progressive enough by some, yet far too progressive by others.

    His apostolic exhortation (an official papal teaching on a particular issue or action) Amoris Laetitia, ignited great controversy for seemingly being (more) open to the question of whether people who have divorced and remarried may receive Eucharist.

    He also disappointed progressive Catholics, many of whom hoped he would make stronger changes on issues such as the roles of women, married clergy, and the broader inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Catholics.

    The reception of his exhortation Querida Amazonia was one such example. In this document, Francis did not endorse marriage for priests, despite bishops’ requests for this. He also did not allow the possibility of women being ordained as deacons to address a shortage of ordained ministers. His discerning spirit saw there was too much division and no clear consensus for change.

    Francis was also openly critical of Germany’s controversial
    “Synodal Way” – a series of conferences with bishops and lay people – that advocated for positions contrary to Church teachings. Francis expressed concern on multiple occasions that this project was a threat to the unity of the Church.

    At the same time, Francis was no stranger to controversy from the conservative side of the Church, receiving “dubia” or “theological doubts” over his teaching from some of his Cardinals. In 2023, he took the unusual step of responding to some of these doubts.

    Impact on the Catholic Church

    In many ways, the most striking thing about Francis was not his words or theology, but his style. He was a modest man, even foregoing the Apostolic Palace’s grand papal apartments to live in the Vatican’s simpler guest house.

    He may well be remembered most for his simplicity of dress and habits, his welcoming and pastoral style and his wise spirit of discernment.

    He is recognised as giving a clear witness to the life, love and joy of Jesus in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council – a point of major reform in modern Church history. This witness has translated into two major developments in Church teachings and life.

    Love for our common home

    The first of these relates to environmental teachings. In 2015, Francis released his ground-breaking encyclical, Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home. It expanded Catholic social teaching by giving a comprehensive account of how the environment reflects our God-given “common home”.

    Consistent with recent popes such as Benedict XVI and John Paul II, Francis acknowledged climate change and its destructive impacts and causes. He summarised key scientific research to forcefully argue for an evidence-based approach to addressing humans’ impact on the environment.

    He also made a pivotal and innovative contribution to the climate change debate by identifying the ethical and spiritual causes of environmental destruction.

    Francis argued combating climate change relied on the “ecological conversion” of the human heart, so that people may recognise the God-given nature of our planet and the fundamental call to care for it. Without this conversion, pragmatic and political measures wouldn’t be able to counter the forces of consumerism, exploitation and selfishness.

    Francis argued a new ethic and spirituality was needed. Specifically, he said Jesus’ way of love – for other people and all creation – is the transformative force that could bring sustainable change for the environment and cultivate fraternity among people (and especially with the poor).

    Synodality: moving towards a Church that listens

    Francis’s second major contribution, and one of the most significant aspects of his papacy, was his commitment to “synodality”. While there’s still confusion over what synodality actually means, and its potential for political distortion, it is above all a way of listening and discerning through openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    It involves hierarchy and lay people transparently and honestly discerning together, in service of the mission of the church. Synodality is as much about the process as the goal. This makes sense as Pope Francis was a Jesuit, an order focused on spreading Catholicism through spiritual formation and discernment.

    Drawing on his rich Jesuit spirituality, Francis introduced a way of conversation centred on listening to the Holy Spirit and others, while seeking to cultivate friendship and wisdom.

    With the conclusion of the second session of the Synod on Synodality in October 2024, it is too soon to assess its results. However, those who have been involved in synodal processes have reported back on their transformative potential.

    Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, explained how participating in the 2015 Synod “was an extraordinary experience [and] in some ways an awakening”.

    Catholicism in the modern age

    Francis’ papacy inspired both great joy and aspirations, as well as boiling anger and rejection. He laid bare the agonising fault lines within the Catholic community and struck at key issues of Catholic identity, triggering debate over what it means to be Catholic in the world today.

    He leaves behind a Church that seems more divided than ever, with arguments, uncertainty and many questions rolling in his wake. But he has also provided a way for the Church to become more converted to Jesus’ way of love, through synodality and dialogue.

    Francis showed us that holding labels such as “progressive” or “conservative” won’t enable the Church to live out Jesus’ mission of love – a mission he emphasised from the very beginning of his papacy.

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

    – ref. Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-has-died-aged-88-these-were-his-greatest-reforms-and-controversies-229111

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Pope Francis: why his papacy mattered for Africa – and for the world’s poor and marginalised

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stan Chu Ilo, Research Professor, World Christianity and African Studies, DePaul University

    The death of Pope Francis in an Italian hospital on 21 April 2025 marks the end of a significant era for the Vatican and the global Catholic following of 1.3 billion faithful.

    The first pope from the Americas and also the first to come from outside the west in the modern era, Pope Francis was elected leader of the Catholic church on 13 March 2013.

    By the time the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013 there was a general feeling that the Catholic church was reaching the end of an era. At the time, the church was beset by crises, from corruption to clerical sexual abuse.

    Some of the challenges facing the church which the ageing Pope Benedict XVI could no longer handle included:

    Moreover, the church was reeling from the revelation of papal secrets of his predecessor Pope Benedict by the papal butler. A book detailing these secrets portrayed the Vatican as a corrupt hotbed of jealousy, intrigue and underhanded factional fighting.

    The revelations caused the church a great deal of embarrassment.

    It meant therefore that Cardinal Bergoglio was elected by the Catholic cardinals with a mandate to clean up the church and reform the Vatican and its bureaucracy. He was to institute processes and procedures for transparency, accountability and renewal of the church and its structures, and address the lingering scandals of clerical abuse.

    The Pope’s global legacy

    Three key things defined his papal role and legacy.

    First is concentrating on the core competence of the church: serving the poor and the marginalised. This is what the founder of the Christian religion, Jesus Christ, did.

    Francis focused the Catholic church and the entire world on one mission: helping the poor, addressing global inequalities, speaking for the voiceless, and placing the attention of the world on those on the periphery.

    He also chose to live simply, forsaking the pomp and pageantry of the papacy.

    Secondly, he changed the way the Catholic church’s message is communicated. In his programmatic document, Evangelii Gaudium, he called the church to what he calls “missionary conversion”. His thinking was that everything that is done in the church must be about proclaiming the good news to a wounded and broken world.

    His central message was that of mercy towards all, an end to wars, our common humanity and the closeness of God to those who suffer. The suffering in the world continues to grow because of injustice, greed, selfishness and pride. He also focused on symbols and simple style to press home his message, like celebrating mass at a wall that divides the United States and Mexico.

    Read more: Pope Francis: the first post-colonial papacy to deliver messages that resonate with Africans

    In 2015 he made a risky trip to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, during a time of war and tension between the fighting factions of the Muslim Seleka and the Christian anti-balaka. He drove on the Popemobile with both the highest ranking Muslim cleric in the country and his Christian counterpart and visited both a Christian church and a mosque to press home the message of peace.

    The third strategy was restructuring the church and reforming the Vatican bank.

    He created the G8 (a representative council of cardinals from every part of the world) to advise him, calling the Catholic church to a synod for dialogue on every aspect of the life of the church. This effort was unprecedented.

    He also overhauled the procedures for the synod of bishops, making it more participatory, and gave women and the non-ordained voting rights. He shook up the membership of the Vatican department that picks bishops to include women. He appointed the first woman (Sr Simone Brambilla) to lead a major Vatican department and to have a cardinal as her deputy. Another woman (Sr Raffaella Petrini) was named the first woman governor of the Vatican City State.

    Pope Francis and Africa

    The pontiff’s legacy will be keenly felt in Africa. Three things stand out.

    First, he reflected the concerns of people on the continent with his message against imperialism, colonialism, exploitation of the poor by the rich, global inequality, neo-liberal capitalism and ecological injustice. Pope Francis became a voice for Africa. When he visited Kenya in 2015, he chose to visit the slums of Nairobi to proclaim the gospel of liberation to the forsaken of society. He called on African governments to guarantee for the poor and all citizens access to land, lodging and labour.

    In a sense, Pope Francis embodied the message of decolonisation and was driven in part by the liberation theology that developed in Latin America. This theology tied religious faith with liberation of the people from structures of injustice and structural violence.

    Secondly, he encouraged African Catholics to develop Africa’s own unique approach to pastoral life and addressing social issues in Africa. Particularly, Pope Francis believed in decentralisation and local processes in meeting local challenges. He said many times that it is not necessary that all problems in the church be solved by the pope at the Roman centre of the church.

    In this way, he encouraged the growth and development of African priorities and cultural adaptation to the Catholic faith. He also encouraged greater transparency and accountability among African bishops and gave African Catholic universities and seminaries greater autonomy to develop their own educational priorities and programmes.

    Thirdly, Pope Francis had a very deep connection to Africa’s young people. He encouraged and supported initiatives and programmes to strengthen the agency of young people, to give them hope and support their personal, spiritual and professional development. For the first time in history, on 1 November 2022, Pope Francis met virtually with more than 1,000 young Africans for an hour. I helped organise this meeting. He answered their questions and encouraged them to fight for what they believe.

    A reformist agenda

    The reforms of Pope Francis could be termed a movement – from a church of a few where priests and bishops and the pope call the shots to a church of the people of God where everyone’s voice matters and where everyone’s concerns and needs are catered to.

    He quietly changed the tone of the message and the style of the leadership at the Vatican.

    Granted, he did not substantially alter the content of that message, which is often seen as conservative, Eurocentric, and resistant to cultural pluralism and social change. But he constantly chipped away at its foundations through inclusion and an openness to hearing the voices of everyone, including those who do not agree with the church’s position. In doing this, he shifted the priorities and practices of the Catholic church regarding such core issues as power and authority.

    Pope Francis opened the doors to the voices of the marginalised in the church — women, the poor, the LGBTQI+ community, and those who have disaffiliated from the church. Many African Catholics would love to see more African representation at the Vatican, and many of them also worry about the widening division in the church, particularly driven by cultural and ideological battles in the west that have nothing to do with the social and ecclesial context of Africa.

    Why his papacy mattered

    Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, the first to choose the name Francis and the first to come from outside the west in the modern era. He chose the name Francis because he wanted to focus his papacy on the poor, emulating St Francis of Assisi.

    In a sense, Pope Francis redefined what religion and spirituality mean for Catholicism. It’s not laying down and enforcing the law without mercy, it is caring for our neighbours and the Earth. This is the kind of religion the world needs today.

    – Pope Francis: why his papacy mattered for Africa – and for the world’s poor and marginalised
    – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-why-his-papacy-mattered-for-africa-and-for-the-worlds-poor-and-marginalised-251059

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni

    Source: The Holy See

    Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, 21.04.2025

    At 9.47 this morning, His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, with these words:
    “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
    At 7.35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to service to the Lord and His Church.
    He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalized.
    With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love the One and Triune God”.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Hodge, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Australian Catholic University

    Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday, aged 88, the Vatican announced. The head of the Catholic Church had recently survived being hospitalised with a serious bout of double pneumonia.

    Cardinal Kevin Farrell’s announcement began:

    Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.

    There were many unusual aspects of Pope Francis’ papacy. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas (and the southern hemisphere), the first to choose the name “Francis” and the first to give a TED talk. He was also the first pope in more than 600 years to be elected following the resignation, rather than death, of his predecessor.

    From the very start of his papacy, Francis seemed determined to do things differently and present the papacy in a new light. Even in thinking about his burial, he chose the unexpected: to be placed to rest not in the Vatican, but in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome – the first pope to be buried there in more than 300 years.

    Vatican News reported the late Pope Francis had requested his funeral rites be simplified.

    “The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Diego Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”

    Straddling a line between “progressive” and “conservative”, Francis experienced tension with both sides. In doing so, his papacy shone a spotlight on what it means to be Catholic today.

    The day before his death, Pope Francis made a brief appearance on Easter Sunday to bless the crowds at St Peter’s Square.

    Between a rock and a hard place

    Francis was deemed not progressive enough by some, yet far too progressive by others.

    His apostolic exhortation (an official papal teaching on a particular issue or action) Amoris Laetitia, ignited great controversy for seemingly being (more) open to the question of whether people who have divorced and remarried may receive Eucharist.

    He also disappointed progressive Catholics, many of whom hoped he would make stronger changes on issues such as the roles of women, married clergy, and the broader inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Catholics.

    The reception of his exhortation Querida Amazonia was one such example. In this document, Francis did not endorse marriage for priests, despite bishops’ requests for this. He also did not allow the possibility of women being ordained as deacons to address a shortage of ordained ministers. His discerning spirit saw there was too much division and no clear consensus for change.

    Francis was also openly critical of Germany’s controversial
    “Synodal Way” – a series of conferences with bishops and lay people – that advocated for positions contrary to Church teachings. Francis expressed concern on multiple occasions that this project was a threat to the unity of the Church.

    At the same time, Francis was no stranger to controversy from the conservative side of the Church, receiving “dubia” or “theological doubts” over his teaching from some of his Cardinals. In 2023, he took the unusual step of responding to some of these doubts.

    Impact on the Catholic Church

    In many ways, the most striking thing about Francis was not his words or theology, but his style. He was a modest man, even foregoing the Apostolic Palace’s grand papal apartments to live in the Vatican’s simpler guest house.

    He may well be remembered most for his simplicity of dress and habits, his welcoming and pastoral style and his wise spirit of discernment.

    He is recognised as giving a clear witness to the life, love and joy of Jesus in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council – a point of major reform in modern Church history. This witness has translated into two major developments in Church teachings and life.

    Love for our common home

    The first of these relates to environmental teachings. In 2015, Francis released his ground-breaking encyclical, Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home. It expanded Catholic social teaching by giving a comprehensive account of how the environment reflects our God-given “common home”.

    Consistent with recent popes such as Benedict XVI and John Paul II, Francis acknowledged climate change and its destructive impacts and causes. He summarised key scientific research to forcefully argue for an evidence-based approach to addressing humans’ impact on the environment.

    He also made a pivotal and innovative contribution to the climate change debate by identifying the ethical and spiritual causes of environmental destruction.

    Francis argued combating climate change relied on the “ecological conversion” of the human heart, so that people may recognise the God-given nature of our planet and the fundamental call to care for it. Without this conversion, pragmatic and political measures wouldn’t be able to counter the forces of consumerism, exploitation and selfishness.

    Francis argued a new ethic and spirituality was needed. Specifically, he said Jesus’ way of love – for other people and all creation – is the transformative force that could bring sustainable change for the environment and cultivate fraternity among people (and especially with the poor).

    Synodality: moving towards a Church that listens

    Francis’s second major contribution, and one of the most significant aspects of his papacy, was his commitment to “synodality”. While there’s still confusion over what synodality actually means, and its potential for political distortion, it is above all a way of listening and discerning through openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    It involves hierarchy and lay people transparently and honestly discerning together, in service of the mission of the church. Synodality is as much about the process as the goal. This makes sense as Pope Francis was a Jesuit, an order focused on spreading Catholicism through spiritual formation and discernment.

    Drawing on his rich Jesuit spirituality, Francis introduced a way of conversation centred on listening to the Holy Spirit and others, while seeking to cultivate friendship and wisdom.

    With the conclusion of the second session of the Synod on Synodality in October 2024, it is too soon to assess its results. However, those who have been involved in synodal processes have reported back on their transformative potential.

    Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, explained how participating in the 2015 Synod “was an extraordinary experience [and] in some ways an awakening”.

    Catholicism in the modern age

    Francis’ papacy inspired both great joy and aspirations, as well as boiling anger and rejection. He laid bare the agonising fault lines within the Catholic community and struck at key issues of Catholic identity, triggering debate over what it means to be Catholic in the world today.

    He leaves behind a Church that seems more divided than ever, with arguments, uncertainty and many questions rolling in his wake. But he has also provided a way for the Church to become more converted to Jesus’ way of love, through synodality and dialogue.

    Francis showed us that holding labels such as “progressive” or “conservative” won’t enable the Church to live out Jesus’ mission of love – a mission he emphasised from the very beginning of his papacy.

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

    – ref. Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-has-died-aged-88-these-were-his-greatest-reforms-and-controversies-229111

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis dies: an unconventional pontiff who sought to modernise Catholicism

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Liam Temple, Assistant Professor in the History of Catholicism, Durham University

    From the moment of his election in 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the man who became Pope Francis, proved himself to be unconventional.

    Shedding much of the formality of previous papal elections, he appeared for the first time on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica in a simple white cassock without the red ermine-trimmed cape, known as a mozzetta, traditionally worn on such occasions.

    On his chest was the silver pectoral cross he had worn as archbishop of Buenos Aires, rather than the gold cross worn by previous popes. His early demonstrations of unconventionality went beyond his dress as he refused to live in the Apostolic Palace, residing primarily in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse.

    He was a pope of other firsts.

    He took the name, Francis, in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, becoming the first uniquely named pope in over 1,000 years (the last being Pope Lando in 913). Many of his major teachings, known as “papal encyclicals”, echoed the wisdom of Saint Francis.

    For instance, Laudato Si (Praise Be to You, 2015) and Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers and Sisters, 2020), concerning care for the planet and care for each other respectively, drew their inspiration from the saint.

    “My roots are Italian, but I am Argentinian and Latin American,” he insisted in his recent autobiography. It was this background as the first pope from the southern hemisphere, and his upbringing in Argentina, that formed his role as a voice for those on the peripheries of society: migrants, the poor, victims of war and the helpless.

    Such an approach also reflected a diverse new reality within the church. The majority of the 1.36 billion Catholics around the world live outside Europe and North America.

    He made clear early on that representing this new reality was central to his papacy by making his first official papal visit outside of Rome to the island of Lampedusa in southern Italy, where many migrants and refugees fleeing warfare attempted to land as a route into Europe. Denouncing people trafficking and referring to the 2013 migrant shipwreck that killed over 300 people, Pope Francis would later describe the island as an “underwater cemetery for too, too many corpses”.

    A modernising pope

    Pope Francis was also the first pope to be formed entirely in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which brought about fundamental changes to how the Catholic church related to wider society and the “modern world”. This included the celebration of the Mass in vernacular languages, rather than exclusively Latin.

    Such formation shaped his attitude on such topics as the role of women in the church, technology and AI, the ongoing ecological crisis and the relationship between Catholicism and other faiths.

    While the pope had made clear his feelings that “Vatican II” had not yet been fully implemented, his adherence to its ethos has made him unpopular with Catholics who view the changes brought about by the council as misplaced.

    In 2021, he imposed new restrictions on the use of the older Latin mass, which had been commonplace before the council, now requiring priests to have the permission of their bishop for such a celebration. This reversed the allowances of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who had permitted all priests to say Mass using the Roman Missal of 1962, without bishops permitting them.

    The move was unpopular among many traditionalists who saw the pope as distancing himself from historical tradition. In response, the pope had criticised “those who seek to ‘safeguard the ashes’ of the past” rather than concerning themselves with the future growth and progress of the church.

    In many ways, Pope Francis embodied a tension at the heart of Catholicism in the 21st century: too liberal for some Catholics and not liberal enough for others. As such, his attempts at reform necessarily became a fine balancing act. History will undoubtedly judge whether the right balance was struck.

    His papacy was not without controversy. In May 2024 he apologised for using a derogatory term for gay men in a private meeting with Italian bishops, the remarks splashed on headlines around the world. The episode was particularly shocking as he had previously indicated a shift in the tone of the church’s attitude on issues such as blessings for same-sex couples.

    In 2018, he admitted he made “grave errors” in his handling of clerical abuse cases in Chile. During a visit to the country, he had defended Bishop Juan Barros who stood accused of covering up sexual abuse. The pope cited a “lack of truthful and balanced information” and subsequently invited the victims to Rome to apologise.

    The pope’s funeral and burial will continue his unconventionality. He will forgo the traditional three interlocking caskets of cypress, lead and oak, instead requesting a simple, zinc-lined wooden coffin.

    He will also be the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century, asking instead to be buried at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major. His funeral ceremony will also be simplified and shortened at his request.

    Such will be the last act of an unconventional pope, for as he states in his autobiography, “the bishop of Rome is a pastor and a disciple, not a powerful man of this world”.

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

    – ref. Pope Francis dies: an unconventional pontiff who sought to modernise Catholicism – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-dies-an-unconventional-pontiff-who-sought-to-modernise-catholicism-251522

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students presented projects for the renovation of the university’s museum and Military Glory Corner

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Competition projects

    From February 4 to June 30, SPbGASU is hosting a closed architectural competition, “SPbGASU History Museum and the Corner of Military Glory.” Third-year students majoring in “Architectural Environment Design” are participating in it.

    The defense of the competition works took place at the “Growth Point” of SPbGASU on April 15. As the Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and member of the competition organizing committee Marina Malyutina noted at the opening of the meeting, the work done by the students is a contribution to their professional growth and to the development of our university.

    The contestants presented projects for updating the interior and design code of the SPbGASU History Museum, as well as the Corner of Military Glory, located on the balustrade. An important condition was to include exhibition equipment for placing the “Book of Glory” in the interior.

    The Book of Glory was created for the 40th anniversary of the Great Victory. It is a massive metal frame filled with sheets of paper with biographies. The weight of the book is about 20-30 kg. Its creation was preceded by lengthy work on searching and collecting information about students, teachers, and university employees who went to the front and did not return from the war. The university archive contains two thick folders with responses to letters that employees sent to different parts of the country in search of relatives, fellow soldiers, and friends who had at least some information about the deceased. The result of this painstaking work was the Book of Glory, which contains a brief biographical note about each soldier.

    The authors’ collective, which included Natalia Rylova, Polina Buklinova and Irina Sherstneva, proposed dividing the balustrade into five zones and connecting them with a bridge. According to the project, the balustrade will house a recreation area, an exhibition space, a coworking space, a stage and a Corner of Military Glory, the creation of which was inspired by military paraphernalia.

    The museum has a storage area, a workspace for employees, and a multifunctional space for visitors. The authors protected the banners stored in the museum from light and mechanical damage with glass.

    In their project, Darya Antipina, Anastasia Gancheva and Anastasia Perlina sought not to overload the already small museum space, but to place a large amount of information there, to make the exhibition modern and focused on the younger generation. The route through the museum is designed in such a way that visitors can consistently follow the history of the university and not miss anything. In addition, the authors developed several exhibition stands and a vertical projector, which will help guides supplement their story with video material.

    “When developing the Corner of Military Glory, we faced completely different challenges: we had to rethink the historical interiors and breathe new ideas into them, creating a single functional space. We moved the Corner of Military Glory to the left balustrade, making it the main accent there. And on the right balustrade, we placed an amphitheater. Our concept is based on a single module, which allows us to set a design code for the entire space. And the highlight of our project is modular transformed furniture, thanks to which you can quickly change the scenario for using the room,” said Daria Antipina.

    Polina Ryabova, Arina Savelyeva and Anna Merzlyakova developed the identity (a set of elements in a single style that make the brand recognizable), based on associations related to the old name of the university – LISI, and also using current trends in design. The patterns they created can be used on furniture, in the development of posters and infographics.

    Upon entering the museum from the staircase, guests are greeted by a blue portal, which seems to invite them to look inside. The visitor puts on a helmet, thus immersing themselves in the professional theme of the museum. Introductory exhibitions introduce the early history of the university. Interesting elements include a media dome for demonstrating video footage, a blue corridor with authentic exhibits, and a large stand dedicated to the post-war years and famous graduates. The corridor leads to the cinema space. The final element of the museum space is a map of the surrounding university buildings. There are work spaces for a large number of students on the balustrade, and soft amphitheaters and chain poufs will make you feel comfortable and cozy. Transformable furniture makes the space mobile – coworking, an exhibition, or a buffet can be organized here.

    Symmetry and straight lines are at the core of the project by Ekaterina Kochergina and Alena Radkova. The designers sought to preserve history and support the existing classicism, while making it more modern and attractive to students. Their goal was to give the memory corner the appearance of a full-fledged separate space, while not competing in its function with the balustrade room, where a coworking space for students is organized.

    The balustrade space has two functions: a memorial and a recreation and work area for students. These two zones are separated from each other by partitions imitating a rock made of art concrete. The boards with the names of the heroes have been replaced by a wall of memory made of art concrete, the entire area of which is engraved with the names of the deceased.

    A large role in the interior design is played by the combination of natural materials: the accent table is made of solid wood with a glass block base, the imitation rock is made of art concrete, large-sized porcelain tiles are used, and the entire composition is complemented by greenery, which looks especially lively against the background of the artificial rock. At the end of the table there is a living tree, similar to the one that decorates the main entrance of SPbGASU.

    The museum also features symmetry, straight lines, and a clear division of space. The accent material is glass block, from which the columns and the base of the information stand are made. On one of the walls there are niches in the form of illuminated circles, inside which interactive screens are placed.

    Since the Book of Glory is quite old and fragile, the authors of the project decided to place its contents in a different way. The structure consists of cells, each of which contains a hinged plaque. On one side is a portrait of the hero, on the other – his biography, achievements and awards. Visitors will be able to approach and turn these plaques over. The book itself is displayed under glass in front of the exhibit. Another accent element is the black aluminum perforation on the ceiling with an asymmetrical pattern. To avoid overlapping with events on the balustrade and to improve functional zoning, Sofia Dolgova moved the Corner of Military Glory to another part of the balustrade. In the project, it is adjacent to the exhibition space.

    “The main task in the design was to fence off the memorial area. Thus, a kind of parallelepiped was created – part of the stand for the “Book of Glory”. The upper part is blind, finished with textured plaster. The lower part is glass, so that you can see the book itself and the far part of the exhibition. Thus, a visual connection is created that arouses interest in the exhibition, but at the same time, clear zoning is physically preserved. In this case, the lighting plays the role of navigation. Climbing the steps, we find ourselves in the exhibition area. Two key elements are the stand with the “Book of Glory” and the memorial plaques. What looks like a parallelepiped from the balustrade side, from the memorial side turns into a kind of niche, a portal. Here is a stand with a book and above it a screen where the contents of the book are broadcast (scanned sheets with information about students, teachers, employees of the university),” explained Sofia Dolgova.

    The main concept of the museum space in Sophia’s project is the connection between the past, present and future. The corridor is the first place we find ourselves when entering the museum, it kind of greets us and makes the first impression of the space. The light strips gradually increase towards the entrance to the museum, creating a reverse perspective effect, slightly distorting the proportions of the room and creating a wow effect.

    “A modern museum is interactive. And in this project, this was demonstrated not only in the use of media screens and modern technologies, but also in the configuration of the stands themselves. Stands of various shapes force visitors to look at exhibits from different angles and interact with them in different ways, which enhances the impression,” the author said.

    To ensure human interaction with the museum, Artem Lopatinsky included cabinets with pull-out shelves in the interior, where exhibits are located. The more valuable ones are covered with plexiglass. The stands located near the window openings are very easy to study due to natural light. It is also easy to place information on them due to the mesh material they are made of. At the end of the exhibition hall, there is an exposition with bricks. There is another zone in the museum, which can serve as both an extension of the exhibition space and a hall for methodological activities. This space is transformed by accent sliding partitions. Here, there is a large multimedia screen, a podium and exhibition stands located opposite the entrance to the hall.

    On the left side of the balustrade there are recreation areas for students, buffets are also held here, and the rest of the time there is a coworking space. On the right balustrade there are temporary exhibitions, the rest of the time there is also a coworking space. This is where the Corner of Military Glory is located. It is separated from the rest of the balustrade space during student and other events by an installation made of bent steel sheets. The Book of Glory is integrated into the installation, and the impression is created of pages of memory flying out of the book. Two lighting scenarios are provided – with an emphasis on the memorial and with an emphasis on the art object.

    The pixel became the main visual image in the project by Polina Tambova, Sergey Klechkovsky and Aslan Osmanov. The team of authors had three reasons for this. Firstly, a modern museum is an interactive, playful space, the theme of pixels refers us to this. Secondly, a pixel is a symbol of scientific and technological progress. Thirdly, a pixel is an analogue of a brick in the digital space.

    At the entrance to the museum space, the designers placed a visual accent – a book of memory and an inviting inscription. Light was let into the dark and cramped corridor through windows in the museum space and in the office. The main space of the museum was divided into two zones: exhibition and interactive. They symbolize the past and the future. The accent of the exhibition zone is a tree, referring to the Canadian maple in front of the main entrance to the university. Glass cubes hover around it, inside which are objects of memory. A tactile cabinet serves as a partition – a moment between the past and the future, which can be felt with the touch of fingers. The authors are sure: the interactive zone is necessary to bring new life to the museum, to create an opportunity for holding thematic events. The walls exhibit the works of modern architects. The balustrade clearly shows classical proportions, which the authors wanted to emphasize. At the same time, it was important for them to make the interior modern, corresponding to the general style of the university. Since the university does not have enough work space, coworking can be equipped on both balustrades.

    Different usage scenarios are proposed for the two balustrades: the western balustrade is closer to the dining room, so it can accommodate a buffet, or this space can be freed up for rehearsals before the “Golden Faculty” or “Macaroni Builder”; the eastern balustrade can be adapted for temporary exhibitions or small lectures.

    “The memorial plaques were moved from the western balustrade to the eastern one to avoid a conflict between the zones, and a photo zone with the university’s slogan was created in their place. The memorial zone was separated from the public areas by a glass installation with lighting. This will preserve the solemn spirit and create a visual barrier between the memorial zone and the place for work and rest. We preserved the memorial plaques and also supplemented the composition with a blank book, the information on which will be projected from above. This is a way to make information from the “Book of Glory” accessible to everyone, while preserving the original documents in the museum. All aspects of our project are formed according to this principle: we wanted to preserve the existing images and meanings in a new form,” said Sergey Klechkovsky.

    Yana Kiseleva visually expanded the museum corridor, added air and lightness by replacing blind doors with transparent glass ones and part of the wall with stained glass. In the main area of the exhibition hall, one of the walls is equipped with aliminocomposite panels inclined at different angles, the most convenient for the human eye to perceive – this is the “life line of SPbGASU”. The author preserved the exposition dedicated to the first rector of the university, developed fractional and glass exhibition stands located along the walls and in the middle part of the space without creating visual noise. In the center of the interactive zone, she placed an interactive table with touch screens for independent study and selection of the necessary information by students. The best projects of graduates with additional space for models are presented in the niche of the far wall.

    “From the museum, you can get almost directly through the rector’s building to the upper balustrade of the university, in one of the parts of which the Corner of Military Glory of SPbGASU is located. I decided to move the memorial zone to the adjacent part of the balustrade to avoid a functional conflict with the space for buffets/banquets. The Corner of Military Glory is located on the stage, its central part is reserved for a stand with the “Book of Glory”, separated from the main room by interactive screens, in the niche of the far wall there are preserved memorial plaques with carved names of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, on the sides there are areas for additional glass stands. The leading materials are strict monumental textures, emphasizing the historical and cultural value of the memorial,” said Yana.

    Head of the Department of Architectural Environment Design and member of the competition’s organizing committee Maria Granstrem noted the excellent work of her department’s staff – Associate Professor Yan Korzhempo, senior lecturers Marina Khramova and Dmitry Fleisher. It was under their guidance that the students developed their competition projects.

    Marina Malyutina thanked the students for their work, noting their talent and potential. According to Marina Viktorovna, the task was difficult, but the students found interesting solutions. These solutions can be combined to get what the customer, the university, needs.

    The competition jury will announce the finalists after April 23. All ideas will be taken into account when designing the interiors of SPbGASU.

    Project by Natalia Rylova, Polina Buklinova and Irina Sherstneva

    Project by Daria Antipina, Anastasia Gancheva and Anastasia Perlina

    Project by Polina Ryabova, Arina Savelyeva and Anna Merzlyakova

    Project by Ekaterina Kochergina and Alena Radkova

    Project by Sofia Dolgova

    Project by Artem Lopatinsky

    Project by Polina Tambova, Sergey Klechkovsky and Aslan Osmanov

    Project by Yana Kiseleva

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytech developed a corporate identity for the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University summed up the results of the competition to create a new logo for the university. The organizers were the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Civil Engineering of SPbPU and the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Construction of KRSU.

    In total, more than 50 applications from students of two universities were submitted to the competition. Four projects reached the final: one of them was presented by students of KRSU, and three others by students of the Civil Engineering Institute. The final presentations of the projects took place in Bishkek. The jury members awarded first place to the students of the Civil Engineering Institute.

    The best work was by 4th year bachelor’s student in Graphic Design Anna Panina, made in the style of arrows.

    “The project means a lot to me, as several generations of my ancestors lived and worked in Bishkek (Frunze). Their activities were related to science, art, design and development of education. Therefore, I was especially pleased to defend my work in person, in the homeland of my family. My concept of the corporate style of KRSU is based on the image of an arrow – a polysemantic symbol reflecting several metaphors. Directional arrows hidden in the space between the letters symbolize the two-sided vector of education: synthesis of East and West, cultural exchange, freedom of choice of students and graduates. In the pictograms of the faculties, arrows are used as a universal symbol, which through the dynamics of the form conveys the specifics of each faculty,” shared Anna Panina.

    The project of first-year student of the Master’s program in Communication Design Anna Kozlova, based on the infinity symbol, reflected the idea of continuous development and cultural ties between Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

    “KRSU unites two cultures – Russian and Kyrgyz, linking the heritage of the past and the development of the future. The basis of the logo is the abbreviation of the university, made in a font that is a modern stylization of Slavic ligature. The key image is the infinity sign, which is derived from elements of two cultures. It personifies endless development, the desire for knowledge and perfection,” said Anna Kozlova.

    The second place in the competition was taken by the work of SPbPU student Maria Dracheva, who managed to originally connect two symbols from the flags of two countries – the Russian tricolor and the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan, the tunduk.

    “The concept of my work is about unity, cooperation and experience between the two countries. Russian identity is conveyed by three stripes in the colors of the national flag. Kyrgyzstan is represented by lines that are part of the tunduk – a symbol of unity and national identity of the country. The interweaving of lines is associated with a strong union and symbolizes strong friendly relations between the countries, conveying the main value of the university,” Maria Dracheva emphasized.

    Also, second place was taken by KRSU students Abdusalikh Ibragimov and Elena Shigaeva. Their work is dedicated to another symbol of Kyrgyzstan – kurak.

    The competition became an important step in the development of educational integration, especially within the framework of cooperation between the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Construction Technologies of KRSU and the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Civil Engineering of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    “The students not only showed a creative approach, but also demonstrated a deep understanding of the task. The works presented reflected the historical context and core values of the university community. The project acquired special significance due to the fact that it went beyond the design competition, becoming part of an educational dialogue between universities of the two countries. Such initiatives contribute to strengthening trust and developing constructive cooperation between higher education institutions of Russia and Kyrgyzstan,” said Tatyana Diodorova, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Contemporary Art.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What they are saying: Governor Newsom’s lawsuit to end Trump tariffs good for consumers, businesses and families

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 19, 2025

    What you need to know: Leaders across the nation, from elected officials to representatives from the business community, are praising California’s efforts to challenge President Trump’s authority to unilaterally enact tariffs.

    SACRAMENTO – This week, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a joint lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit seeks to end President Trump’s tariff chaos, which has created havoc on the economy, destabilized the stock and bond markets and caused hundreds of billions of dollars in losses, and inflicted higher costs for consumers and businesses. These harms will only continue to grow, as President Trump’s tariffs are projected to shrink the U.S. economy by $100 billion annually.

    State leaders

    Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire: “President Trump’s last trade war cost America’s ag industry $27 billion. This time around, California’s farmers and families across the state are getting hit even harder. The Golden State is the nation’s largest importer and second largest exporter, the largest manufacturing state, and the 5th largest economy in the world. Republicans in Congress are simply sitting on their hands as the President burns the economy down. Too much is at stake, which is why the Governor and the Attorney General’s action is so important.”

    Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas: “Trump’s tariffs are the single largest tax increase in our lifetime, and they’re jamming Californians with higher prices on groceries, medicine and cars. This is why we enacted a legal defense fund: to fight Republican policies that harm taxpayers. We’re protecting our residents — and all American families — from unlawful economic chaos.”
     

    Retail and business leaders

    Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce: “CalChamber has long supported a free trade agenda that fosters economic growth and job creation, including advocacy on lowering or eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers for businesses. Protectionist measures, such as tariffs, disrupt global supply chains and raise costs on businesses, which are ultimately reflected through higher consumer prices or limited choices on products.  As Californians grapple with rising costs and worry about daily pocketbook issues, additional tariffs will only further exacerbate the affordability crisis that millions are facing and will have dire consequences on the California economy.”
     

    Rachel Michelin, President and CEO of the California Retailers Association: “Retailers across California—large and small—are navigating an unprecedented level of uncertainty due to these tariffs. For small businesses in particular, the volatility is devastating. Many neighborhood retailers simply do not have the resources to absorb these additional costs or quickly pivot supply chains forcing them to either raise prices or risk going out of business altogether. This is not sustainable for our communities or California’s economy and the current environment makes it nearly impossible to plan for the future. While we recognize the federal government’s goal of strengthening American industry, we urge all leaders to consider the real-world impact on our state’s businesses and families. California’s retailers stand ready to work with the Governor and Attorney General to find solutions that support growth, stability, and prosperity for all Californians.”

    Rodney Fong, CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce: “These tariffs are having a devastating downstream impact on San Francisco’s economy — especially our small businesses that rely on global supply chains and export markets to survive. From rising costs on imported goods to sudden disruptions in inventory and operations, our local entrepreneurs are bearing the brunt of an unpredictable trade policy. We support the state’s efforts to restore certainty and stability to the economic environment our businesses depend on.”

    Jason Pagiou, President and CEO of the Asian Business Association of San Diego: “As President and CEO of the Asian Business Association, we want to thank Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta for their continued leadership in protecting working families and small businesses across California. Our latest survey shows that economic pressure isn’t just theoretical — it’s showing up in rent, grocery bills, and the rising costs of essentials.”
     

    Shipping and logistics leaders

    Martha Miller, Executive Director of the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA): “California is home to the most productive goods movement system in the Nation, moving cargo to every corner of the country and supporting millions of jobs.  As the primary trade gateway with Asia, our state’s ports are among the first to experience the impacts that tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, and trade uncertainty creates across the global supply chain.  We support the Governor’s leadership to mitigate the impacts of these tariffs on American consumers, workers, and businesses.” 

    Mike Jacob, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA): “No state has more private and public dollars invested in their seaports, logistics infrastructure, and freight transportation sector than California, and, as a result, no state has more jobs, more economic activity, more public financing, and more state and local tax revenues at risk of being a casualty in a global trade war than California. We applaud the leadership of the Governor and Attorney General to defend our private and public investments in the largest, most productive, and most environmentally advanced maritime gateways in the Western Hemisphere.” 

    City leaders

    Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach: “Governor Newsom’s announcement of California’s lawsuit represents a critical opportunity to pause and evaluate the real-world impacts of these sweeping tariff changes. Here in Long Beach—home to the nation’s busiest container port—we’re already projecting a 20% drop in cargo volume in the second half of the year. That’s not just a local issue. Trade through the Port of Long Beach supports 2.6 million jobs across the country. Sudden shifts in trade policy, without robust dialogue or congressional oversight, risk long-term harm to our economy and to working families nationwide. It’s time for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to shaping U.S. trade policy.”

    Victor Gordo, Mayor of Pasadena: “In Pasadena, we’re focused on building back a strong, resilient economy. We’re investing in our small businesses, we’re encouraging job development, and we’re laying the groundwork for long-term growth. But these federal tariffs  jeopardize all of that. They drive up costs, create uncertainty, and threaten the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve. That’s why I stand with Governor Newsom in challenging these policies—because cities like ours can’t afford to pay the price for decisions that are short-sighted and out of step with our local needs.”

    Larry Agran, Mayor of Irvine: “I appreciate the leadership that Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta are providing in challenging the legality of the Trump Tariffs. Other states need to follow California’s lead. If these tariffs are fully implemented, the effects will be devastating here in Irvine – many thousands of jobs lost, and sharp rises in prices of food, clothing, cars and other goods and services. Evictions and worsening homelessness will inevitably follow. We simply can’t let any of this happen. – Larry Agran, Mayor of Irvine.”

    Kevin Jenkins, Interim Mayor of Oakland: “Oakland is grateful for the steadfast leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta in standing up to the Trump administration’s sweeping tariff proposals. These actions pose a serious threat to California’s economy, including the Port of Oakland and our small businesses, and jeopardize thousands of jobs tied to trade and commerce.”

    Matt Mahan, Mayor of San Jose: “Silicon Valley’s success story is built on the free movement of people, ideas, and goods as well as laws that protect those freedoms from arbitrary restrictions. Our companies and communities succeed when we can export their innovative and essential products all over the world.”

    Raj Salwan, Mayor of Fremont: “Fremont is the advanced manufacturing capital of Silicon Valley. With the largest manufacturing base in California, we are home to over 900 manufacturers powering industries from semiconductors and artificial intelligence to American-made electric vehicles. Tariffs threaten the global supply chains that sustain our local economy and jeopardize tens of thousands of local jobs. We are hearing directly from our manufacturers that untenable cost increases for key components and growing policy uncertainty around tariffs are leading them to re-evaluate their expansion plans or US operations entirely.  Fremont is a shining example of re-shoring U.S. manufacturing and indiscriminate tariffs run completely counter to this stated policy goal.  We are deeply concerned for our collective prosperity if these taxes being levied against our businesses and families are not reversed.”

    Anna Velazquez, Mayor of Soledad: “The Trump administration tariffs will have a devastating impact to our working families.  Soledad is a working class community and our residents will have to endure paying more for everyday household goods, groceries, fruits and vegetables as a result of tariffs that do not address our current inflation and fail to provide an economic plan that supports our working class community.  We need a viable economic plan that provides relief to families that are already working hard to stretch their dollars.”

    County leaders 

    Leticia Perez, Chair of the Kern County Board of Supervisors: “Tariffs will cause harmful impacts to Kern County families and small businesses. Families are already dealing with rising costs- they do not deserve this additional strain and uncertainty.  I commend Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta for standing up to protect working families and small businesses across California.” 

    Doug Chaffee, Chair of Orange County Board of Supervisors: “Orange County is home to one of the most dynamic and diverse economies in the nation — from advanced manufacturing and biomedical innovation to world-class tourism and global trade. The Trump administration’s harmful tariff policies will disrupt supply chains, drive up costs, and put local jobs at risk. I fully support Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta’s efforts to defend California’s economy and protect the hardworking businesses and families that keep Orange County thriving.”

    Mani Grewal, Stanislaus County Supervisor: “As a farmer and businessman, I understand the critical role that agriculture and trade play in our region’s economy. In Stanislaus County, where agriculture is a cornerstone of our livelihood, the uncertainty and financial strain caused by these tariffs hit particularly hard. Farmers and businesses need certainty and a sense of finality to operate best for their customers and the larger community. We must work to strengthen our agricultural community with policies that support economic wellbeing, not hinder it.”

    Terra Lawson-Remer, Acting Chair of San Diego County Board of Supervisors: “These tariffs aren’t just a political talking point—they’re a direct hit on working families here in San Diego. They raise the cost of everyday goods, threaten local jobs, and destabilize the very industries that sustain our economy and fund critical County services. I’m proud to stand with Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta as California becomes the first state to take legal action against this reckless overreach. We need trade policies that lift up American businesses and workers—not ones that punch holes in family budgets and County revenues alike.”

    Recent news

    Apr 18, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has granted 16 pardons and 9 commutations.       The Governor granted a posthumous pardon to Sergeant Richard Allen Penry, an Army Veteran who received the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest…

    Apr 18, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Brian Kaplun, of San Francisco, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Policy and Strategic Planning at the Health and Human Services Agency. Kaplun held several roles at the United…

    Apr 18, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom’s Administration continues to make significant investments in protecting California’s communities from the threat of climate change and extreme weather conditions with groundbreaking of a $1.95 billion flood protection…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces $200,000 in rewards for unsolved crimes in Hillsborough, La Mesa, Lemoore, and Petaluma

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 18, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the availability of four $50,000 rewards for information leading to unsolved cases in San Mateo, San Diego, Kings, and Sonoma counties. 

    Today’s rewards involve the following cases:

    Hillsborough (San Mateo County) – Hillsborough Police Officer: Governor Newsom is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the attempted murder of a Hillsborough police officer. The officer’s name is not being released to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation. On February 22, 2025 at around 3:49 p.m., the officer was ambushed and shot on the property of the Hillsborough Police Department Station at 1600 Floribunda Avenue. The Hillsborough Police Department has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this attempted murder to contact Corporal Josh Wang at 650-375-7470. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Hillsborough Police Department tips email.

    La Mesa (San Diego County) – Corneilius Brown: Governor Newsom is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Corneilius Brown. On April 24, 2021, 22-year-old Brown was fatally shot in the doorway of his apartment in La Mesa. The La Mesa Police Department has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact Detective Royce Culp at 619-667-7533. Anonymous tips can be submitted to San Diego County Crime Stoppers. 

    Lemoore (Kings County) – Scott Jeff: Governor Newsom is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Scott Jeff. On March 25, 2022, 52-year-old Jeff was fatally shot on the Santa Rosa Rancheria reservation in Lemoore. The King’s County Sheriff’s Office has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact Sergeant Chris Martin at 559-852-2886. Anonymous tips can be submitted by email or calling 559-852-4554. 

    Petaluma (Sonoma County) – Georgia Moses: Governor Newsom is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Georgia Moses. On August 22, 1997, 12-year-old Moses was found next to the Highway 101 southbound on-ramp at Petaluma Boulevard South after she went missing from her home in Petaluma. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact the Sonoma County Cold Case Unit by email or calling 707-565-2727. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. 

    Governor’s rewards for unsolved cases

    Under California law, law enforcement agencies may ask the Governor to issue rewards in specified unsolved cases where they have exhausted all investigative leads, to encourage individuals with information about the crimes to come forward. Public assistance is vital to law enforcement, and rewards may encourage the public cooperation needed to apprehend those who have committed serious offenses.

    More information on the Governor’s Reward Program can be found here.

    Recent news

    Apr 17, 2025

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    Apr 17, 2025

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    Apr 17, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 2025, as Arab American Heritage Month. The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONThe Arab American community, comprising over 20 nationalities…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH Confirms Second Case of Measles in Hawaiʻi

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH Confirms Second Case of Measles in Hawaiʻi

    Posted on Apr 18, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    DOH CONFIRMS SECOND CASE OF MEASLES IN HAWAIʻI    

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 17, 2025                                                                                                    25-040

    HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a second case of measles in the household of a child previously confirmed on April 7. The adult member of the family had exhibited symptoms and was presumed infected. Both individuals had recently returned from international travel.

    As expected, on April 16, the test result confirmed measles infection. Because of the duration between symptom onset and test specimen collection, an antibody test was performed which takes longer to process. The DOH had already investigated who may have been exposed based on being a presumed case of measles. The adult is no longer contagious and the child has fully recovered.

    No new suspected measles cases have been reported as of today, April 17. The DOH continues its response efforts, reaching out to those who have been exposed.

    Measles is one of the most highly contagious viruses in the world. It spreads through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

    Vaccination is the best way to protect loved ones and prevent an outbreak. If you or your ʻohana have not been vaccinated or otherwise have immunity against measles, please talk with your healthcare provider about getting a dose of the (measles, mumps, rubella) MMR vaccine.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Kristen Wong

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    Mobile: 808-953-9616

    Email: [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis: why his papacy mattered for Africa – and for the world’s poor and marginalised

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stan Chu Ilo, Research Professor, World Christianity and African Studies, DePaul University

    The death of Pope Francis in an Italian hospital on 21 April 2025 marks the end of a significant era for the Vatican and the global Catholic following of 1.3 billion faithful.

    The first pope from the Americas and also the first to come from outside the west in the modern era, Pope Francis was elected leader of the Catholic church on 13 March 2013.

    By the time the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013 there was a general feeling that the Catholic church was reaching the end of an era. At the time, the church was beset by crises, from corruption to clerical sexual abuse.

    Some of the challenges facing the church which the ageing Pope Benedict XVI could no longer handle included:

    Moreover, the church was reeling from the revelation of papal secrets of his predecessor Pope Benedict by the papal butler. A book detailing these secrets portrayed the Vatican as a corrupt hotbed of jealousy, intrigue and underhanded factional fighting.

    The revelations caused the church a great deal of embarrassment.

    It meant therefore that Cardinal Bergoglio was elected by the Catholic cardinals with a mandate to clean up the church and reform the Vatican and its bureaucracy. He was to institute processes and procedures for transparency, accountability and renewal of the church and its structures, and address the lingering scandals of clerical abuse.

    The Pope’s global legacy

    Three key things defined his papal role and legacy.

    First is concentrating on the core competence of the church: serving the poor and the marginalised. This is what the founder of the Christian religion, Jesus Christ, did.

    Francis focused the Catholic church and the entire world on one mission: helping the poor, addressing global inequalities, speaking for the voiceless, and placing the attention of the world on those on the periphery.

    He also chose to live simply, forsaking the pomp and pageantry of the papacy.

    Secondly, he changed the way the Catholic church’s message is communicated. In his programmatic document, Evangelii Gaudium, he called the church to what he calls “missionary conversion”. His thinking was that everything that is done in the church must be about proclaiming the good news to a wounded and broken world.

    His central message was that of mercy towards all, an end to wars, our common humanity and the closeness of God to those who suffer. The suffering in the world continues to grow because of injustice, greed, selfishness and pride. He also focused on symbols and simple style to press home his message, like celebrating mass at a wall that divides the United States and Mexico.



    Read more:
    Pope Francis: the first post-colonial papacy to deliver messages that resonate with Africans

    In 2015 he made a risky trip to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, during a time of war and tension between the fighting factions of the Muslim Seleka and the Christian anti-balaka. He drove on the Popemobile with both the highest ranking Muslim cleric in the country and his Christian counterpart and visited both a Christian church and a mosque to press home the message of peace.

    The third strategy was restructuring the church and reforming the Vatican bank.

    He created the G8 (a representative council of cardinals from every part of the world) to advise him, calling the Catholic church to a synod for dialogue on every aspect of the life of the church. This effort was unprecedented.

    He also overhauled the procedures for the synod of bishops, making it more participatory, and gave women and the non-ordained voting rights. He shook up the membership of the Vatican department that picks bishops to include women. He appointed the first woman (Sr Simone Brambilla) to lead a major Vatican department and to have a cardinal as her deputy. Another woman (Sr Raffaella Petrini) was named the first woman governor of the Vatican City State.

    Pope Francis and Africa

    The pontiff’s legacy will be keenly felt in Africa. Three things stand out.

    First, he reflected the concerns of people on the continent with his message against imperialism, colonialism, exploitation of the poor by the rich, global inequality, neo-liberal capitalism and ecological injustice. Pope Francis became a voice for Africa. When he visited Kenya in 2015, he chose to visit the slums of Nairobi to proclaim the gospel of liberation to the forsaken of society. He called on African governments to guarantee for the poor and all citizens access to land, lodging and labour.

    In a sense, Pope Francis embodied the message of decolonisation and was driven in part by the liberation theology that developed in Latin America. This theology tied religious faith with liberation of the people from structures of injustice and structural violence.

    Secondly, he encouraged African Catholics to develop Africa’s own unique approach to pastoral life and addressing social issues in Africa. Particularly, Pope Francis believed in decentralisation and local processes in meeting local challenges. He said many times that it is not necessary that all problems in the church be solved by the pope at the Roman centre of the church.

    In this way, he encouraged the growth and development of African priorities and cultural adaptation to the Catholic faith. He also encouraged greater transparency and accountability among African bishops and gave African Catholic universities and seminaries greater autonomy to develop their own educational priorities and programmes.

    Thirdly, Pope Francis had a very deep connection to Africa’s young people. He encouraged and supported initiatives and programmes to strengthen the agency of young people, to give them hope and support their personal, spiritual and professional development. For the first time in history, on 1 November 2022, Pope Francis met virtually with more than 1,000 young Africans for an hour. I helped organise this meeting. He answered their questions and encouraged them to fight for what they believe.

    A reformist agenda

    The reforms of Pope Francis could be termed a movement – from a church of a few where priests and bishops and the pope call the shots to a church of the people of God where everyone’s voice matters and where everyone’s concerns and needs are catered to.

    He quietly changed the tone of the message and the style of the leadership at the Vatican.

    Granted, he did not substantially alter the content of that message, which is often seen as conservative, Eurocentric, and resistant to cultural pluralism and social change. But he constantly chipped away at its foundations through inclusion and an openness to hearing the voices of everyone, including those who do not agree with the church’s position. In doing this, he shifted the priorities and practices of the Catholic church regarding such core issues as power and authority.

    Pope Francis opened the doors to the voices of the marginalised in the church — women, the poor, the LGBTQI+ community, and those who have disaffiliated from the church. Many African Catholics would love to see more African representation at the Vatican, and many of them also worry about the widening division in the church, particularly driven by cultural and ideological battles in the west that have nothing to do with the social and ecclesial context of Africa.

    Why his papacy mattered

    Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, the first to choose the name Francis and the first to come from outside the west in the modern era. He chose the name Francis because he wanted to focus his papacy on the poor, emulating St Francis of Assisi.

    In a sense, Pope Francis redefined what religion and spirituality mean for Catholicism. It’s not laying down and enforcing the law without mercy, it is caring for our neighbours and the Earth. This is the kind of religion the world needs today.

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

    – ref. Pope Francis: why his papacy mattered for Africa – and for the world’s poor and marginalised – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-why-his-papacy-mattered-for-africa-and-for-the-worlds-poor-and-marginalised-251059

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses 17th Civil Services Day

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses 17th Civil Services Day

    The policies we are working on today, the decisions we are making, are going to shape the future of the next thousand years: PM

    India’s aspirational society – youth, farmers, women – their dreams are soaring to unprecedented heights,To fulfil these extraordinary aspirations, extraordinary speed is essential: PM

    Real progress does not mean small changes but full-scale impact; Clean water in every home, quality education for every child, financial access for every entrepreneur and benefits of digital economy for every village, this is Holistic Development: PM

    Quality in governance is determined by how deeply schemes reach the people and their real impact on the ground: PM

    In the past 10 years, India has moved beyond incremental change to witness impactful transformation: PM

    India is setting new benchmarks in governance, transparency and innovation: PM

    The approach of ‘Janbhagidari’ turned the G20 into a people’s movement and the world acknowledged,India is not just participating, it is leading: PM

    In the age of technology, governance is not about managing systems, it is about multiplying possibilities: PM

    We have to increase the competence of civil servants so that we can prepare a future-ready civil service; That is why I consider both Mission Karmayogi and Civil Service Capacity Building Programme very important: PM

    Posted On: 21 APR 2025 1:14PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed Civil Servants on the occasion of 17th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today. He also conferred the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone on the occasion of Civil Services Day and highlighted the significance of this year’s celebration, as it marks the 75th year of the Constitution and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Recounting Sardar Patel’s iconic statement on April 21, 1947, where he referred to civil servants as the ‘Steel Frame of India’, Shri Modi emphasized Patel’s vision of a bureaucracy that upholds discipline, honesty, and democratic values, serving the nation with utmost dedication. He underscored the relevance of Sardar Patel’s ideals in the context of India’s resolve to become a Viksit Bharat and paid a heartfelt tribute to Sardar Patel’s vision and legacy.

    Reflecting on his earlier statement from the Red Fort, emphasizing the need to strengthen the foundation of India for the next thousand years, Shri Modi noted that 25 years have already passed in this millennium, marking the 25th year of the new century and the new millennium. “The policies we are working on today, the decisions we are making, are going to shape the future of the next thousand years”, he highlighted. Quoting ancient scriptures, he said just as a chariot cannot move with a single wheel, success cannot be achieved solely by relying on fate without effort. Underscoring the importance of collective effort and determination in achieving the goal of a developed India, he urged everyone to work tirelessly, every day and every moment, towards this shared vision.

    Mentioning the rapid changes occurring globally, noting how even within families, interactions with younger generations can make one feel outdated due to the fast pace of change, the Prime Minister highlighted the swift evolution of gadgets every two to three years and how children are growing up amidst these transformations. He emphasized that India’s bureaucracy, work processes, and policymaking cannot operate on outdated frameworks. He remarked on the significant transformation initiated in 2014, describing it as a grand endeavor to adapt to the fast-paced changes. He highlighted the aspirations of India’s society, youth, farmers, and women, stating that their dreams have reached unprecedented heights and stressed the need for extraordinary speed to fulfill these extraordinary aspirations. The Prime Minister outlined India’s ambitious goals for the coming years, including energy security, clean energy, advancements in sports, and achievements in space exploration, emphasizing the importance of raising India’s flag high in every sector. Underscoring the immense responsibility on civil servants to ensure that India becomes the world’s third-largest economy at the earliest, he urged them to prevent any delays in achieving this critical objective.

    Expressing happiness over the theme of this year’s Civil Services Day, ‘Holistic Development of India’, Shri Modi emphasized that this is not just a theme but a commitment and a promise to the people of the nation. “Holistic development of India means ensuring that no village, no family, and no citizen is left behind”, he stressed, remarking that true progress is not about small changes but about achieving a full-scale impact. He outlined the vision of holistic development, which includes clean water for every household, quality education for every child, financial access for every entrepreneur, and the benefits of the digital economy for every village. He highlighted that quality in governance is not determined by the mere launch of schemes but by how deeply these schemes reach the people and their real impact. The Prime Minister noted the visible impact in districts like Rajkot, Gomati, Tinsukia, Koraput, and Kupwara, where significant progress has been made, from increasing school attendance to adopting solar power. He congratulated the districts and individuals associated with these initiatives, acknowledging their excellent work and the awards received by several districts.

    Highlighting that over the past 10 years, India has progressed from incremental change to impactful transformation, the Prime Minister emphasized that the country’s governance model is now focused on Next Generation Reforms, leveraging technology and innovative practices to bridge the gap between the government and citizens. He noted that the impact of these reforms is evident in rural, urban, and remote areas alike. He remarked on the success of Aspirational Districts and emphasized the equally remarkable achievements of Aspirational Blocks. He recalled that the program was launched in January 2023 and has shown unprecedented results in just two years, highlighting significant progress in indicators such as health, nutrition, social development, and basic infrastructure across these blocks. Citing examples of transformational changes, he said that in the Peeplu Block of Tonk district, Rajasthan, measurement efficiency for children in Anganwadi centers increased from 20% to over 99%, while in the Jagdishpur Block of Bhagalpur, Bihar, registration of pregnant women during the first trimester surged from 25% to over 90%. He further added that in the Marwah Block of Jammu & Kashmir, institutional deliveries rose from 30% to 100% and in the Gurdih Block of Jharkhand, tap water connections grew from 18% to 100%. He emphasized that these are not just statistics but evidence of the government’s resolve for last-mile delivery. “With the right intent, planning, and execution, transformation is possible even in remote areas”, he added.

    Underlining India’s achievements over the past decade, emphasizing transformative changes and the nation’s attainment of new heights, Shri Modi remarked, “India is now recognized not merely for its growth but for setting new benchmarks in governance, transparency, and innovation”. He identified India’s G20 Presidency as a significant example of these advancements, noting that, for the first time in G20’s history, over 200 meetings were held across more than 60 cities, creating a broad and inclusive footprint. He underscored how the approach of public participation transformed the G20 into a people’s movement. “The world has acknowledged India’s leadership; India is not just participating, it is leading”, he affirmed.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the growing discussions around government efficiency, emphasizing that India is 10-11 years ahead of other nations in this regard. He remarked on the efforts made over the past 11 years to eliminate delays, introduce new processes, and reduce turnaround time through technology. He noted that over 40,000 compliances have been removed, and more than 3,400 legal provisions have been decriminalized to promote ease of business. He recalled the resistance faced during these reforms, with critics questioning the need for such changes. However, he emphasized that the government did not succumb to pressure, asserting that new approaches are essential for achieving new results. He further highlighted the improvement in India’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings as a result of these efforts and noted the global enthusiasm for investing in India. The Prime Minister urged the need to capitalize on this opportunity by eliminating red tape at the state, district, and block levels to achieve set goals effectively.

    “The successes of the past 10-11 years have laid a strong foundation for a developed India”, said Shri Modi, remarking that the nation is now beginning to construct the grand edifice of a developed India on this solid base but acknowledged the significant challenges ahead. He noted that India has become the most populous country in the world, emphasizing the prioritization of saturation in basic amenities. He urged a strong focus on last-mile delivery to ensure inclusivity in development. He highlighted the evolving needs and aspirations of the citizens, remarking that the Civil Service must adapt to contemporary challenges to remain relevant. Shri Modi stressed the need for setting new benchmarks, moving beyond comparisons with previous benchmarks. He urged measuring progress against the vision for a developed India by 2047, examining whether the current pace of achieving goals in every sector is adequate, and accelerating efforts wherever necessary. He underscored the advancements in technology available today and called for leveraging its power. Highlighting the accomplishments of the past decade, Shri Modi mentioned the construction of 4 crore houses for the poor, with a target of building 3 crore more, connecting over 12 crore rural households to tap water within 5-6 years, with the aim of ensuring every village household has a tap connection soon. He further mentioned the building of over 11 crore toilets for the underprivileged in the past 10 years, while targeting new goals in waste management and providing free treatment up to ₹5 lakh for millions of underprivileged individuals. Shri Modi emphasized the need for renewed commitments to improve nutrition for citizens and declared that the ultimate goal must be 100% coverage and 100% impact. He highlighted that this approach has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty in the past decade and expressed confidence that it will lead to a poverty-free India.

    Reflecting on the past role of bureaucracy as a regulator that controlled the pace of industrialization and entrepreneurship, the Prime Minister emphasized that the nation has moved beyond this mindset and is now fostering an environment that promotes enterprise among citizens and helps them overcome barriers. “Civil Services must transform into an enabler, expanding its role from merely being the keeper of rule books to becoming a facilitator of growth”, he said. Citing the example of the MSME sector, he highlighted the importance of Mission Manufacturing and how the success of this mission is heavily reliant on MSMEs. The Prime Minister pointed out that amidst global changes, MSMEs, startups, and young entrepreneurs in India have an unprecedented opportunity. He stressed the necessity of becoming more competitive in the global supply chain and noted that MSMEs face competition not just from smaller entrepreneurs but also globally. He remarked that if a small country provides better ease of compliances to its industries, it could outpace Indian startups. Thus, he emphasized the need for India to continuously evaluate its position in global best practices. The Prime Minister asserted that while the goal of Indian industries is to create globally best products, the goal of India’s bureaucracy must be to provide the world’s best ease of compliance environment.

    Emphasising the need for civil servants to acquire skills that not only help them understand technology but also enable its use for smart and inclusive governance, Shri Modi remarked, “In the age of technology, governance is not about managing systems; it is about multiplying possibilities.” He stressed the importance of becoming tech-savvy to make policies and schemes more efficient and accessible through technology. He highlighted the need for expertise in data-driven decision-making to ensure accurate policy design and implementation. Observing the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Physics, predicting a forthcoming revolution in technology that will surpass the digital and information age, Shri Modi urged civil servants to prepare for this technological revolution to deliver the best services and fulfill citizens’ aspirations. Underscoring the importance of enhancing the capabilities of civil servants to build a future-ready civil service, he highlighted the significance of Mission Karmayogi and the Civil Service Capacity Building Program in achieving this goal.

    The Prime Minister stressed the need to closely monitor global challenges in rapidly changing times, highlighting that food, water, and energy security remain major issues, particularly for the Global South, where ongoing conflicts are exacerbating difficulties, impacting daily lives and livelihoods. He further stressed the importance of understanding the growing interconnection between domestic and external factors. He identified climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, and cybercrime threats as critical areas requiring proactive action, urging India to stay ten steps ahead in addressing these challenges. He underlined the need to develop localized strategies and build resilience to effectively tackle these emerging global issues.

    Reiterating the concept of “Panch Pran” introduced from the Red Fort, emphasizing the resolve for a developed India, liberation from the mindset of servitude, pride in heritage, the power of unity, and the honest fulfillment of duties, Shri Modi remarked that civil servants are the key carriers of these principles. He stated, “Every time you prioritize integrity over convenience, innovation over inertia, or service over status, you propel the nation forward.” He expressed his complete trust in the civil servants. Addressing young officers embarking on their professional journeys, he highlighted the societal contributions to individual success. He remarked that everyone seeks to give back to society in their own capacity. He emphasized the privilege civil servants have in being able to contribute significantly to society, urging them to make the most of this opportunity provided by the nation and its people.

    The Prime Minister emphasized the need to reimagine reforms for civil servants, calling for an accelerated pace and expanded scale of reforms across sectors. He highlighted key areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy goals, internal security, terminating corruption, social welfare schemes, and targets related to sports and the Olympics, urging the implementation of new reforms in every domain. He remarked that the achievements so far must be surpassed manifold, setting higher benchmarks for progress. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of human judgment in a technology-driven world, urging civil servants to remain sensitive, listen to the voices of the underprivileged, understand their struggles, and prioritize resolving their issues. Concluding his address, he invoked the principle of “Nagrik Devo Bhava,” likening it to the ethos of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” and called on civil servants to see themselves not just as administrators but as architects of a developed India, fulfilling their responsibilities with dedication and compassion.

    Union Minister of State for Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary – 2 to Prime Minister, Shri Shaktikanta Das, Cabinet Secretary, Shri T V Somanathan and Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Shri V Srinivas were present on the occasion. 

    Background

    Prime Minister has always encouraged Civil Servants across India to dedicate themselves to the cause of citizens, be committed to public service and strive towards excellence in their work. This year, 16 awards were given by the Prime Minister in the categories of Holistic Development of Districts, Aspirational Blocks Programme and Innovation to civil servants. They were recognised for work done for the welfare of common citizens through this.

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2123113) Visitor Counter : 39

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Get Top-ranked Care and Tax-free Disability Compensation

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Veterans exposed to toxins while serving at home or abroad now qualify for top-ranked VA health care and have expanded eligibility for disability benefits, including tax-free monthly payments. Get what you earned. Learn more and apply today!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si_BI1I0Y04

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Get the Support You Need and Earned

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    All the support you need is at VA. From the VA home loan guarantee to education and training benefits to top-ranked, low-cost health care, VA benefits help Veterans thrive in life after service. Get what you earned. Learn more and apply today!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0B3p07MAFo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Build Your Future with the VA Home Loan

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Homeownership is possible with the VA home loan guarantee. No down payment and no PMI. Get what you earned. Learn more!

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Paw-lease rise for K9 Ari!#traveling #pets

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    After years of sniffing out danger and protecting the traveling public, K9 Ari is barking goodbye to the 9-5 and trotting into retirement. He’s joining his brother K9 TTirado, who has been enjoying retirement since 2020!

    Ari’s nose knows no bounds, and he’s been unbe-leash-ably good at his job. From the high-stakes arena of the Royal Rumble to the nail-biting showdown of the Super Bowl, and back home to the Indianapolis International Airport (IND), K9 Ari has been the ulti-mutt paw-fessional. Even if it was a ruff day, he always brought his A-game (A for Ari, of course).

    Now it’s time for long walks just because, belly rubs on-demand, and a strict schedule of snacks, snoozes, and squirrel surveillance.

    Enjoy your retirement Ari! You’re a fur-st class K9 and earned every nap and nibble.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agP34qJhM68

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Paw-lease rise for K9 Ari!

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Paw-lease rise for K9 Ari!

    After years of sniffing out danger and protecting the traveling public, K9 Ari is barking goodbye to the 9-5 and trotting into retirement. He’s joining his brother K9 TTirado who has been enjoying retirement since 2020!

    Ari’s nose knows no bounds, and he’s been unbe-leash-ably good at his job. From the high-stakes arena of the Royal Rumble to the nail-biting showdown of the Super Bowl, and back home to the Indianapolis International Airport (IND), K9 Ari has been the ulti-mutt paw-fessional. Even if it was a ruff day, he always brought his A-game (A for Ari, of course).

    Now it’s time for long walks just because, belly rubs on-demand, and a strict schedule of snacks, snoozes, and squirrel surveillance.

    Enjoy your retirement Ari! You’re a fur-st class K9 and earned every nap and nibble.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mVIzyK7IqM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Get Life-Changing VA Benefits

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    With VA, Veterans are becoming homeowners, advancing their education, receiving the highest quality, most affordable health care, and getting financial support to manage their service-connected disabilities. Get what you earned. Learn more and apply today!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn7fsi-GcXA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Keep Going with VA Benefits and Care

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins while serving at home or abroad now have expanded eligibility for VA disability benefits and health care. Get what you earned. Learn more and apply today!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1R-ZyUL7v4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Michael Sang Correa Press Conference

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    He tortured 5 victims in his home country and thought he could hide in Colorado.

    Gambian national and criminal alien Michael Sang Correa was convicted for his role in the heinous torture – including beating and flesh burning – of his countrymen in The Gambia.

    ICE HSI Denver and Senegal special agents investigated the case with our Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.

    America is NO SAFE HAVEN for human rights violators!

    Details: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/former-gambian-soldier-convicted-torture-charges-unprecedented-us-trial-following-ice

    Learn more about the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center: https://go.dhs.gov/wPf

    Watch the full press conference at https://youtu.be/v9ZzFeDFY0I

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBFCWiYHu4E

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: Amur GPP is the result of coordinated work of the state and business

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Grigorenko got acquainted with the activities of the enterprise as part of a working trip to industrial development sites in the Far East

    April 20, 2025

    Dmitry Grigorenko got acquainted with the activities of the enterprise as part of a working trip to industrial development sites in the Far East

    April 20, 2025

    Dmitry Grigorenko got acquainted with the activities of the enterprise as part of a working trip to industrial development sites in the Far East

    April 20, 2025

    Dmitry Grigorenko got acquainted with the activities of the enterprise as part of a working trip to industrial development sites in the Far East

    April 20, 2025

    Dmitry Grigorenko got acquainted with the activities of the enterprise as part of a working trip to industrial development sites in the Far East

    April 20, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Grigorenko got acquainted with the activities of the enterprise as part of a working trip to industrial development sites in the Far East

    The construction of one of the world’s largest gas processing plants (GPP) is nearing completion in the Amur Region. Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko familiarized himself with the enterprise’s activities as part of a working visit to industrial development sites in the Far East.

    The Amur GPP is over 90% ready. Once fully operational, the plant will process 42 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Yakutia and the Irkutsk region annually. It is the world’s second largest plant in terms of natural gas processing capacity.

    The project implementation became possible due to comprehensive measures of state support. Development institutions provided financing, and special economic regimes created preferences for investors. This approach allowed attracting private capital to a project of strategic importance for the country.

    It is expected that the Amur GPP will double Russia’s ethane production after reaching its design capacity. This gas serves as the basis for the production of polymers, which are widely used in construction, automobile manufacturing, furniture and packaging. Thus, the Russian market will be fully supplied with plastics, which Russia currently often purchases abroad.

    The country’s helium production is planned to increase more than 10-fold by launching the Amur plant. This rare gas plays a critical role in high-tech industries: it is needed in medicine, scientific research, the production of optical fiber and even quantum computers, where it is used for ultra-low-temperature cooling.

    “The Amur Gas Processing Plant is the result of the coordinated work of the Government, development institutions and business. Together, we are solving a critical task – creating a modern production facility for deep gas processing in Russia, which will provide the country with critically important products and take our industry to a new technological level,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    All necessary infrastructure has been created for the construction and operation of the Amur Gas Processing Plant: 40 km of railways and 27 km of access roads have been laid, a pier has been built on the Zeya River for the delivery of large-sized cargo. Particular attention was paid to creating comfortable conditions for the plant’s employees. A residential microdistrict for 5 thousand people with full social infrastructure is being built near the plant: a school, a kindergarten, a clinic, a sports palace, a community center and a shopping center. Some of the housing has already been put into operation.

    The new plant will employ around 5,000 workers. Today, the enterprise already employs over 3,000 people, over 35% of those employed are residents of the Amur Region.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police seek public’s help to locate missing woman

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Christchurch Police are appealing for any sightings of Rochelle Tabak (also known as Rochelle Fleming), who has been missing since Wednesday.

    Rochelle, aged 50, has been reported missing and there are concerns for her welfare.

    She left her home address at midday on 16 April and was last seen in the Addington area about an hour later. Rochelle was wearing a black jacket with a hood, plain black track pants, with black and white shoes.

    She told a friend that she was going to the bank but has not been seen since.

    The attached photo is around five years old but is the most recent photo that we have been able to obtain.

    Rochelle is Caucasian, with red/maroon-coloured hair. She is approximately 154cm tall.

    If you have seen Rochelle since Wednesday afternoon, or have information which might help us find her, please contact Police via 105 and quote the file number 250420/1386.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia Pacific – “Engines of opportunity, centres of vulnerability” – UN forum calls for urgent action to tackle growing challenges in Asian and Pacific cities

    Source: United Nations – ESCAP

    As Asia and the Pacific faces an unprecedented urban transformation, with cities preparing to absorb 1.2 billion more people by 2050 – roughly twice the population of ASEAN – government leaders, city planners and development experts opened the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today, calling for stronger regional cooperation to shape resilient and sustainable urban futures.

    United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana underscored the urgency of rethinking how cities grow and function. “Urbanization is more than just managing growth – it’s about transforming cities into hubs of innovation, resilience and equity,” she said.

    While cities have long been drivers of economic growth, the region’s rapid urbanization is intensifying social and environmental pressures. One in three urban residents still lack access to basic services. Climate change is raising temperatures, while rising sea levels and extreme floods threaten coastal megacities. A significant share of the urban population remains locked in poverty, with many living in slums or informal settlements.

    “This is the paradox we face,” added Alisjahbana. “Our cities are engines of opportunity but also centres of vulnerability. But there is hope.”

    “With over 2.2 billion urban residents and seven of the world’s largest megacities, [the Asia-Pacific] region stands at the forefront of global urban solutions. By working together, we can close inequalities, mitigate climate impacts and empower women while driving investments that propel multiple SDGs forward,” said United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohamed.

    “Urban areas across the region continue to experience the impacts of social, economic and climate vulnerabilities in vastly different ways. This prevents the benefits of economic growth from reaching all urban dwellers equally,” shared Philemon Yang, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

    The Prime Minister of Thailand, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, as well as several ministers from across the region made remarks on the first day of the session. They highlighted priorities for governments to focus on such as harmonizing national and local policies in areas such as housing and transport, improving subnational data collection to drive evidence-based urban policy, strengthening urban planning to meet the needs of ageing populations and growing migrant communities and diversifying urban financing through stronger municipal revenue systems.

    “We must have well-planned urban development to ensure that we achieve resilient and sustainable urban development. We must invest in cities that are inclusive, green and resilient, strengthening urban network and city-to-city cooperation, plan proactively for demographic transition and mobilize diversified financing,” said Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, who was elected as Chair of the 81st session.

    Deliberations at the session are informed by findings of a new ESCAP study Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific: From Growth to Resilience which offers policy solutions and showcases cities in the region that are already pioneering change. The report highlights the transformative role of green infrastructure, smart technologies and inclusive urban planning in building cities that work for everyone. It also calls for coordinated action at all levels, warning that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without cities at the forefront.

    “Local and regional authorities are crucial for developing and implementing sustainable solutions to these urban challenges. In fact, two-thirds of SDG targets depend on action at the local level,” stressed Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

    The 81st ESCAP session is expected to culminate on Friday with the endorsement of regional resolutions covering, among others, strengthening cooperation on the water and climate change nexus, sustainable urban development and advancing the sustainable development of middle-income countries.

    For further information: https://www.unescap.org/events/commission81  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Sudan: desperate situation for Zamzam displaced people: MSF is urging, lift the siege, deliver aid, protect civilians

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières

    19 April 2025 – Following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) large-scale ground offensive on Zamzam camp that started on 11 April, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the communities already besieged and deprived of lifesaving aid in El Fasher, the neighbouring capital city of North Darfur. 25,000 more reached Tawila further west, where overwhelmed MSF teams are currently expanding activities to cope with the most pressing medical needs. We are making an urgent appeal to put an end to the siege and the atrocities, to deliver humanitarian aid, including by airdropping food and medicines to El Fasher if necessary, and to allow those who wish to flee to do so safely.

    The RSF and their allied armed groups stormed Zamzam, Sudan’s largest displacement camp, which used to host at least 500,000 people near El Fasher, after months of an increasingly tight siege on the area. By 16 April, the camp, by then largely destroyed, was reportedly under RSF control. The majority of the Zamzam population is believed to have fled to El Fasher, where they remain trapped, out of reach of humanitarian aid and exposed to ongoing attacks and further mass violence.

    While MSF in Tawila saw over 25,000 people arriving from Zamzam and nearby areas between 12 and 15 April, displaced people are now arriving more sporadically and at great risk for their lives along the way. Our teams set up a health post at the entrance of Tawila to provide the new arrivals with water and immediate nutritional and medical support. We refer critical cases to the local hospital where we have been working since last October. About 1,600 patients so far have required emergency outpatient services, mainly because of severe dehydration.

    “We are treating children who were literally dying of thirst on their journeys. We have received so far over 170 people with gunshot and blast injuries and 40 per cent of them are women and girls”, said Marion Ramstein, MSF project coordinator in Tawila. “People tell us that many injured and vulnerable people could not make the trip to Tawila and were left behind. Almost everyone we talk to said they lost at least one family member during the attack”.

    Horrific reports emerge from Zamzam camp, where hundreds of people are estimated to have been killed. Fighters were said to be going door-to-door, shooting people hiding in their homes and burning large parts of the camp. Casualties include eleven staff from the humanitarian organisation Relief International, which was running the only remaining clinic in the camp after MSF suspended all its activities in Zamzam in February due to escalating violence and blockades.

    We urge the Rapid Support Forces and all armed groups in the area to spare and protect civilians and ensure that those who want to flee can do so without further harm. States and diplomatic actors must use their leverage to translate hollow statements into concrete actions. There have been repeated warnings from the UN and many observers about the risks of mass killings and ethnic violence in El Fasher and the surroundings displacement camps, mostly inhabited by people from the non-Arab Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups, while most of the RSF fighters and their allies originate from Arab tribes.

    After two years of a catastrophic war on people met by neglectful indifference, it remains inconceivable to simply resign ourselves to the current collective failure to provide vital assistance where it’s most needed. “A massive humanitarian response is needed, now more urgently than ever. If the roads to El Fasher are blocked, then air operations must be launched to bring food and medicines to the estimated one million people trapped there and being starved. A scaled-up response is also needed in Tawila, where some of the survivors are arriving and where NGOs are overwhelmed”, said Rasmane Kabore, MSF Head of mission in Sudan. MSF and several other actors are launching emergency interventions in Tawila, but much more is needed in terms of water, food, medical care and shelter.

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s wholesale, retail sectors log strong momentum in Q1

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s wholesale and retail sectors have logged strong momentum in the first three months of 2025, providing solid support for expanding domestic demand in the country, the commerce ministry said on Monday.

    From January to March, the added value of China’s wholesale and retail trade grew by 5.8 percent from a year earlier to reach 3.3 trillion yuan (about 457.98 billion U.S. dollars), or 10.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

    During the period, the transaction volume of key commodity markets in the wholesale industry reached 1.3 trillion yuan, while the transaction volume of industrial consumer goods markets increased by 0.8 percent year on year, the ministry said.

    For the retail industry, the retail sales of goods reached 11 trillion yuan in the first three months, increasing by 4.6 percent year on year.

    China has seen about 100.35 million new home appliances sold under its consumer goods trade-in program, with over 40 million appliances sold in 2025, according to the ministry. 

    MIL OSI China News –