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Category: India

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Vital Sewerage Infrastructure Projects for Ganga River Rejuvenation approved in the 60th Executive Committee Meeting of NMCG

    Source: Government of India

    Vital Sewerage Infrastructure Projects for Ganga River Rejuvenation approved in the 60th Executive Committee Meeting of NMCG

    Ganga Mobile Parikrama, Chaupal Ganga Kinare, Ganga Awareness Week, and the Ganga Ambassador Program to inspire behavioural change and encourage deeper community involvement in conservation efforts

    A drone-based monitoring project in West Bengal to track the plantation of saplings under Namami Gange Mission-II

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:30PM by PIB Delhi

    The 60th Executive Committee Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Director General, NMCG, approved several significant projects aimed at the conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga River. These initiatives are aimed to enhance cleanliness, promote sustainable development, and preserve the environmental and cultural heritage of the river.

    In a major step towards tackling pollution, the committee approved the interception and diversion of the Durga Drain and the construction of a 60 MLD capacity sewage treatment plant (STP) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at a cost of ₹274.31 crore. This project, based on the hybrid annuity model, includes a 75 MLD capacity main pumping station and other essential structures, ensuring long-term wastewater management and pollution control.

    Additionally, a significant project was approved to prevent the flow of untreated sewage into Varuna, a major tributary of the Ganga, in Bhadohi. With an investment of ₹127.26 crore, this initiative will establish three STPs with capacities of 17 MLD, 5 MLD, and 3 MLD, along with an extensive sewer network to tap four major drains and prevent pollution. This project follows the Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) model, ensuring sustainable operation and maintenance over the next 15 years.

    The Executive Committee (EC) of NMCG has undertaken a breakthrough initiative with the approval of “Ganga Through the Ages – A Literary Bioscope,” an innovative project designed to foster public participation in Ganga conservation through literature, education, and community engagement. Implemented in collaboration with the National Book Trust, this initiative, will highlight the historical, spiritual, and ecological significance of the river. Programs such as Ganga Mobile Parikrama, Chaupal Ganga Kinare, Ganga Awareness Week, and the Ganga Ambassador Program will be introduced, featuring mobile libraries, digital storytelling, school workshops, and literary sessions along the riverbanks. These efforts aim to inspire behavioural change and encourage deeper community involvement in conservation efforts.

    Furthering scientific advancements, the committee also approved a drone-based monitoring project in West Bengal to track the plantation of saplings under Namami Gange Mission-II. This initiative will assess tree health, develop a digital database, and ensure effective afforestation efforts along the riverbanks.

    The projects approved during the 60th NMCG Executive Committee Meeting reaffirm the mission’s commitment to Ganga conservation through infrastructural advancements, pollution control, and public engagement. Key initiatives include sewage treatment plants and afforestation, alongside the innovative “Ganga Through the Ages – A Literary Bioscope” project to foster awareness and participation in river rejuvenation efforts.

    The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Smt. Richa Mishra, Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Shri Nalin Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Director General, NMCG, Shri Brijendra Swaroop, Executive Director (Projects), Shri Anup Kumar Srivastava, Executive Director (Technical), Shri SP Vashishth, Executive Director (Administration), Shri Bhaskar Dasgupta, Executive Director (Finance) and Smt. Nandini Ghosh, Project Director, West Bengal SPMG, Shri Yogesh Kumar Sagar, Managing Director, Bihar BUIDCO and Shri Prabhash Kumar, Additional Project Director, Uttar Pradesh SMCG. 

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    Dhanya Sanal K

    (Release ID: 2102458) Visitor Counter : 41

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Rajya Mantri addresses Indian Navy Seminar at Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Rajya Mantri addresses Indian Navy Seminar at Aero India 2025

    “India is strategically poised to play pivotal role due to geostrategic position in the Indian Ocean; Indigenous capability essential for peaceful coexistence & security in the region”

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:24PM by PIB Delhi

    “India is strategically poised to play a pivotal role due to the geostrategic position in the Indian Ocean for which indigenous capability was essential for peaceful coexistence and security in the region,” stated Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth during a seminar organised by Indian Navy on February 12, 2025 at Aero India 2025, Bengaluru. With the theme ‘Transition to Aatmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation – 2047 and its Associated Ecosystem’, a vision document, ‘Indian Naval Aviation –Technological Roadmap 2047’ was unveiled by the Raksha Rajya Mantri with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi present during the seminar. 

    Shri Sanjay Seth stated that recent world conflicts have demonstrated that a credible defence force supported by a robust industrial base was key to a strong and vibrant nation. He urged all the stakeholders to remain steadfast and resolute in their efforts to provide innovative, indigenous and long-lasting solutions to complex problems through a productive & collaborative approach. He commended the Indian Navy’s efforts in formulating the technology road map 2047 towards becoming an ‘Aatmanirbhar’, agile, responsive and future ready force. 

    Raksha Rajya Mantri highlighted the fact that the technology roadmap being unveiled was not merely a book but a credible document towards realising the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ enunciated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The document would serve as a guiding beacon to indigenous defence R&D, DPSUs, Industry partners, MSMEs, Startups and academia and various stakeholders. He called for the necessity to reduce timeframes in design, development and deployment of systems. 

    Throwing light upon the power of Indian Navy, Shri Sanjay Seth stated that  the last decade had witnessed the emergence of India as a reckonable economic power with the Indian Navy ranking among the top advanced navies of the world. He mentioned that the Indian Navy with over 60 warships under construction in various Indian Shipyards and over 39 indigenous ships & submarines having been commissioned in the last couple of years was a true ambassador of ‘Aatmanirbharta’. He exhorted the Indian Navy for their nation first attitude and commended the dedication and unrelenting efforts towards self-reliance. 

    Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi in his address stated that the ever-evolving nature of war fighting particularly in the air domain called for continual efforts and adoption of niche technologies in the aviation sector. He further highlighted that Aero India had been aptly themed as a runway to a billion opportunities as it offers a common platform to all stakeholders, R&D establishments, Industry, MSMEs, Startup and academia to exchange ideas; provide access to examine, evaluate & gain first-hand experience of advanced systems, technologies and equipment. 

    Chief of the Naval Staff bolstered the fact that the Indian Navy aviation was leapfrogging from traditional Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles to technology intensive tasks such as communication relay, jamming platforms, scientific research and SAR roles. He further stated that the futuristic design and development of fighters, helicopters, airborne systems, avionics and weapon equipment were all testimony to the relentless efforts and unwavering commitment of the Indian Navy to mission Aatmanirbharta and 100% self-reliance by 2047.

     ‘Aatmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation – 2047’ seminar highlighted the priorities and objectives that will guide naval aviation in its growth over the next two decades by unshackling innovation, creating a conducive ecosystem to enable capability development by being a catalyst in the indigenous aviation technology revolution.

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    VK/SR/KB

    (Release ID: 2102455) Visitor Counter : 71

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDUCTION OF THIRD 25T BOLLARD PULL TUG ASHVA (YARD 337) AT NAVAL DOCKYARD, VISAKHAPATNAM

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:23PM by PIB Delhi

    Induction ceremony for third 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug Ashva was held on 12 Feb 25 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam in presence of Rear Admiral K Srinivas, ASD(V) as the Chief Guest.

    These Tugs are a part of the contract for construction of six (06) 25T BP Tugs concluded with M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata on 12 Nov 21. These Tugs have been indigenously designed and built in accordance with relevant Naval Rules and Regulation of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The Shipyard had successfully delivered two of these Tugs which are utilised by Indian Navy to provide assistance to Naval ships and submarines during berthing, un-berthing and manoeuvring in confined waters. The Tugs will also provide afloat fire fighting support to ships alongside or at anchorage and will also have the capability to conduct limited Search and Rescue Operations.

    These Tugs are proud flag bearers of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of Government of India.

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    VM/SKY                                                                                                  37/25

    (Release ID: 2102454) Visitor Counter : 57

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Manthan, the flagship annual defence innovation event, held at Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:13PM by PIB Delhi

    Manthan 2025, the flagship annual defence innovation event, was held as part of Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru on February 12, 2025. Organised by the Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production, the event brought together stakeholders of the defence innovation ecosystem, including innovators, industry leaders, academia, incubators, investors, thought leaders, and senior government officials.

    As part of the event, a Roundtable Conference was chaired by Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar. He stressed on enhancing India’s combat readiness through the adoption of futuristic technologies to secure a strategic advantage in defence. He emphasised that by integrating latest innovations into the defence strategy, the country can modernise its Armed Forces, strengthen its readiness for future combat scenarios, and maintain a technological edge over potential adversaries.

    ⁠Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, ⁠Chairman IN-SPACe, Axilor Ventures, ⁠SKEGEN Management Advisors, ⁠CMDs of major DPSUs, CEO Bharat Forge Defence & Aerospace and President, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, ideaFORGE, Sagar Defence, NewSpace Research & Technologies Pvt Ltd and major Incubators including IITs and IIMs attended the roundtable.

    The conference deliberated on emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector, with a focus on supporting defence start-ups & MSMEs, enhancing innovation capabilities and fostering strategic collaborations within the defence ecosystem. This was particularly relevant as iDEX-DIO has collaborated with leading investors and banks to accelerate defence innovation and enable ease of doing innovation.

    Manthan 2025 stood as a testament to the scale and speed of iDEX, showcasing the rapid strides made in defence innovation and the pivotal role of startups in transforming India’s defence capabilities. It contributed to driving the self-reliance mission of the Ministry of Defence as the nation progresses towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.

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    VK/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2102448) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LOK SABHA SPEAKER GREETS THE PEOPLE ON THE OCCASION OF GURU RAVIDAS JAYANTI

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has extended greetings on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti. In his message Shri Birla has said, “Tributes to Sant Shiromani Shri Guru Ravidas Ji on his birth anniversary. With the message of social harmony and brotherhood, he emphasized on making the world more beautiful. His teachings spread equality, harmony, justice and brotherhood and aim at eradicating the evil practices. The life of Sant Shiromani and his teachings will continue to guide mankind for ages.”

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    AM

    (Release ID: 2102446) Visitor Counter : 50

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BHARAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE WORLD, IT ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN ALL SECTORS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Source: Government of India (2)

    BHARAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE WORLD, IT ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN ALL SECTORS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    IT SHOULD BE OUR ENDEAVOR TO MAKE CITIZENS A STAKEHOLDER IN GOVERNANCE: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    MORE THAN HUNDRED CEOs, OWNERS & FOUNDERS FROM 16 COUNTRIES CALL ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    MEMBERS OF DELEGATION SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN BHARAT’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND ITS LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS

    CONSTITUTION OF BHARAT AND PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY FORM BEDROCK OF PEACE, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORLD’S LARGEST DEMOCRACY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    DELEGATION OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI CALLS ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:10PM by PIB Delhi

     Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has asserted that Bharat not only provides business and investment opportunities to the world but it also provides leadership and solutions to the world in various sectors of economy and in global affairs. Addressing a delegation of more than 100 CEOs, Owners and Founders of renowned companies from 16 countries in parliament House complex today, Shri Birla said that Bharat has taken the centre stage in global leadership due to political stability and good governance with a vision of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam. In an engaging and enriching interaction with the delegation of Harvard Business School Alumni Group, Shri Birla said that Constitutionof Bharat and parliamentary democracy form the bedrock of peace, growth, and development in the world’s largest democracy. He emphasized the significance of Bharat’s foundational democratic principles in shaping the nation’s trajectory and fostering an environment conducive to prosperity.

    The delegation demonstrated a keen interest in understanding India’s economic progress and its rising stature on the global stage. During the interaction, the members of the delegation sought to learn more about the policies that have propelled India’s growth and its evolving role in the international community. Shri Birla welcomed their questions and provided thoughtful responses, particularly regarding economic investments and the functioning of parliamentary democracy. He informed the delegation that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, country is moving ahead on the path of holistic development with the larger goal of Viksit Bharat. Shri Birla welcomed the delegation members to invest in Bharat and assured them of support from all stakeholders in this process. In response to a question, Shri Birla observed that parliamentary democracy is the best form of governance and it provides effective solutions to various issues.

    He added that it should be our endeavor to make our citizens stakeholders in democratic form of governance, which will lead to ‘Good Governance’. The delegation which comprised business leaders in their respective countries, thanked Lok Sabha Speaker for providing deeper understanding of Bharat’s political and economic landscape, addressing the growing global curiosity about the nation’s development.

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    AM

    (Release ID: 2102449) Visitor Counter : 37

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India moving towards becoming a global leader in defence innovation & aerospace technology: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Valedictory event of Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India moving towards becoming a global leader in defence innovation & aerospace technology: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Valedictory event of Aero India 2025

    “Nothing less than the best can be allowed when it comes to national security; Providing our soldiers with the best of everything is our national responsibility”

    “The time has come for the private industry to take a lead in defence manufacturing sector in India”

    India’s indigenous ingenuity in defence manufacturing displayed through 33 state-of-the-art items at ‘Samarthya’ indigenisation event, first-of-its-kind at Aero India

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:59PM by PIB Delhi

    “India is going through a revolutionary phase of transformation and is moving towards becoming a global leader in defence innovation & aerospace technology,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the Valedictory event of 15th Aero India in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 12, 2025. Raksha Mantri stated that, at the beginning, holistic national empowerment was the underlying philosophy of the mantra of self-reliance given by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. “This philosophy gradually turned into our national spirit and now it is rapidly moving ahead to becoming a national resolution and national revolution,” he said. 

    Shri Rajnath Singh acknowledged the energy and enthusiasm being witnessed at Aero India 2025, stating that the growing participation of domestic & global exhibitors at the event and the breath-taking aerobatic performances by the Indian Air Force have made the 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition an unparalleled & historic event. He expressed optimism towards deeper and meaningful engagements amongst participating defence and aerospace companies.  

    Elaborating on the drastic change being witnessed in the field of defence manufacturing in the country, Raksha Mantri expressed appreciation over the fact that while 65-70% of defence equipment was imported a decade ago, today almost the same percentage of weapons/platforms are being manufactured on the Indian soil. “Today, we are at a juncture where many defence products, including fighter jets, missile systems & naval vessels, are not only protecting our borders, but also catching the attention of the world. From small artillery to large platforms like Brahmos and Akash missile system, we are exporting a variety of products to many countries. We have forged new partnerships at the global level, which has resulted in increased defence exports,” he added. 

    Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that India possesses a strong defence industrial complex, comprising 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), 430 licensed companies & about 16,000 MSMEs. He underlined that, with its current share of 21% in total defence production, the private sector is playing an active role in achieving the goal of self-reliance. He listed out the policies being constantly rolled out by the Government for the progress of both public and private sectors, including the revision of Defence Acquisition Procedure and the launch of initiatives/schemes such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) and Technology Development Fund (TDF). The time has come for the private industry to take a lead in the defence manufacturing sector in India, he said. 

    Raksha Mantri stressed on the fact that, in addition to the public & private sectors, the Armed Forces play the biggest role in the country’s pursuit of self-reliance. “National security is of utmost importance and there is no scope for any compromise. Nothing less than the best can be allowed when it comes to national security. Be it the equipment for our soldiers or provision of proper amenities for them & their families, providing them the best in everything is our national responsibility. I am happy to say that today our forces are not only being equipped with the ‘best’ weapons/technologies, they possess the platforms manufactured in India,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh appreciated the Armed Forces for their full trust in indigenously-manufactured defence products. “The military has wholeheartedly adopted weapons and equipment manufactured in the country. Only with the complete satisfaction of our Armed Forces can we move ahead to achieve self-reliance at a faster pace. The huge Defence Industrial Complex being built in India is based on the trust and faith of all our forces,” he said. 

    Raksha Mantri reiterated the Government’s commitment to constantly increase defence preparedness, keeping in mind the dimensions of warfare emerging today. He said Aero India 2025 has shown the potential that the future of Indian defence and aerospace sector is not just limited to the skies, but beyond it. He expressed gratitude to everyone for participating in the 15th Aero India, and hoped that it sows seeds of many collaborative, mutually beneficial and successful ventures & alliances amongst the participants. 

    Earlier, Shri Rajnath Singh graced ‘Samarthya’ indigenisation event, which was first-of-its-kind at Aero India. It showcased India’s indigenous ingenuity in defence manufacturing through 33 major items including 24 of DPSUs, DRDO & Indian Navy and nine successful innovation projects of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). 

    The items included ELECTRO BLOCK of Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun, Electric Mobile Part for submarine, Torsion Bar Suspension of HMV 6×6, Extruded Al alloy for components of LCA MK-I/II, LCH, Indian High temperature alloy (IHTA) Forged, Solution Annealed & Machined Billet, VPX-135 Single Board Computer, Muzzle Bore Sight of Tank T-90, RudraM II MISSILE, Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range, C4ISR System, DIFM R118 Electronic Warfare Systems, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast Receiver, Next-Generation Electric Ferry, Computerised Pilot Selection System, Counter measures for illegal drones (RF Jammer Guns), 4G/LTE TAC-LAN, Generation of Quantum Secure Keys between two nodes connected directly over 200 Kms) QKD – Armos, Abhed1 Secure Hardware based offline Encryption, Advanced autonomous systems for the armed forces, Attack surface monitoring tool, AI/ Ml Based Analytical and Decision Support Platforms (DeepDarshak), Smart Compressed Breathing Apparatus, Fire Wire for IFDSS, Portable RCS measuring device, Penetrator Assy for 125mm FSAPDS, Pilot Parachute PSU-36 for SU-30MKI, Knock out Engine (KOE) Charge for Konkurs-M missile, Diffusion Technology based Drivers Night Sight for BMP II and 30mm Six Barrel AO-18 Gun for AK630M Naval Gun. 

    During the event, three booklets – Coffee Table Booklet ‘Samarthya’ on Indigenisation; Compendium of Problem Definition Statement (CPDS) i.e. 2025 and Booklet of HQ IDS – were released by Raksha Mantri. The Coffee Table Booklet provides an overview of the indigenisation journey led by the Department of Defence Production. The Booklet of HQ IDS offers insights into conducting multi-domain operations in a data-centric environment, in the backdrop of emergence of new & transformative technology. 

    The CPDS aims to bridge the gap between the operational challenges of the Indian Army and the innovative solutions offered by academia, industry start-ups and research institutions. It contains 82 Problem Statements across 11 functional domains of warfare, including AI, communications, electronic warfare, situational awareness, survivability, mobility, armament, unmanned systems, cyber, logistical challenges etc.  It also includes problem statements for Indigenisation/ import substitution to reduce our import dependency for certain components or assemblies of legacy equipment. 

    The CPDS is a structured approach where the Army identifies and documents critical operational challenges and provides a platform for the Indian defence ecosystem to engage directly while accelerating the research and deployment of cutting-edge technologies tailored to the Army’s needs. The detailed guidelines elaborating on the procedure for submitting responses and evaluation criteria have been included in the Compendium available for download in the Army Design Bureau webpage of Indian Army website.   

    During the event, employees and associated industry partners of the DPSUs, DRDO, Services, who have contributed immensely in the indigenisation of the displayed items were felicitated during the event. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth; Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan; Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi; Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi; Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh; Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh; Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar were among those who attended the event.

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    VK/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2102439) Visitor Counter : 52

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES offers a golden opportunity for Reel Makers and Professional Ad Filmmakers to shine as celebrites

    Source: Government of India

    WAVES offers a golden opportunity for Reel Makers and Professional Ad Filmmakers to shine as celebrites

    Hurry up! Only two days left, don’t miss this chance to have your work recognized on a global stage, Submit your entry by February 15th

    WAVES Awards of Excellence as part of the Create in India Challenge, attracts global submissions, uniting creators from over dozen countries & more than 52 Indian institutes like NIDs, IITs & SRFTI

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Do you have a vision that speaks through the lens and a story that unfolds in every frame? If creativity runs through your veins the WAVES Awards of Excellence presents a golden opportunity

    The much-anticipated Student Showreels & Professional Ad Film Competition is officially open for submissions! Submit your entry by February 15th.

    Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with ASIFA India, a UNESCO-recognized global NGO promoting animation, is hosting WAVES Awards of Excellence as part of the Create in India Challenge. These awards celebrate exceptional achievements in Animation, Visual Effects, and Extended Reality (XR), reinforcing India’s creative leadership on the global stage.

    About the awards

    There are two competition categories:  Student Showreels (No time restriction) and Professional Ad Films (limit 60 seconds). The submissions reflect themes of India’s socio-cultural landscape, and modern technology like:

    • Wellness & Yoga

    • Gaming for Social Impact

    ASIFA India has witnessed an exceptional response with enthusiastic participation

     

    ASIFA India has received an overwhelming response with 1238 submissions of finished works from various demographics: Students (75%), Professionals (25%), Women (35%) and Emerging Creators (50%). The participation of women and young creators underscores the challenge’s role in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and fresh perspectives in India’s AVGC sector.

                                       

    Submissions have been promoted across various continents, resulting in over 60 global entries from 13 countries, such as Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Greece, Cyprus, Iran, Finland, the Philippines, Germany, Sri Lanka, Puerto Rico, China, and Mexico. Global Animated Film association Asifa (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) is promoting the competition globally via its 40 Chapters in various counties.

    ASIFA also received submissions from more than 52 institutions in India and abroad. Leading global educational institutions like BAU Centro Universitario de Artes y Diseño de Barcelona, Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at UTD, Tehran University of Art, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Academy Of Art University, Academy of Design, Colombo, Kennesaw State University student have submitted their top entries to this prestigious festival.
    Students from Prestigious Indian Institutions including all NID, IITs (IDC School of Design and DOD at various IIT’s), SRFTI, Symbiosis, Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art, Banasthali Vidyapith, Ajeenkya D Y Patil University, BIT Mesra, UID, Srishti Manipal have also submitted their best work.

    Glimpses of Submissions of Waves Awards of Excellence

    WAVES Winners Gain Global Opportunities

     

    Winners will receive in-person support for portfolio review by experts, opportunity to interact with global jury from US, Greece & India. They will also receive networking opportunities by direct engagement with key stakeholders, including international studios, producers, and government officials for potential career opportunities. Animation studios and independent developers will receive guidance on funding, IP development, and business scalability.

    ASIFA India organized series Meet ups across 15 Indian sub-chapters to inspire creators from various cities for their participation in the upcoming WAVES Awards of Excellence. In the session ‘Deep Dive into Excellence from Mentors’ eminent global Jury like Briana Yarhouse from USA & Dr. Anastasia Dimitra from Athens, Greece gave tips to participants.

    Global Jury Members Briana Yarhouse, Dr.Anastasia Dimitra sharing their expertise during a Virtual Meet recently, joined by Deanna Morse(Member of Oscars), Celebrity Artist Dhimant Vyas, BN Vichar& Others..Session Moderated by Sanjay Khimesara, President, Asifa India & Vinita Bachani, Core Committee Member

     

    For more information and to submit your work, visit the submission portal here:

    https://www.asifaindia.com/waoe/

     

    About ASIFA INDIA

    ASIFA India is a non-profit organization established in 2000 with the goal of promoting the art, craft, and profession of VFX, Animation & Gaming in India. ASIFA India has been working tirelessly to create a platform for creators including- Animators, Vfx & Gaming artists, students, and professionals to network, learn, and showcase their work.

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha/Shatrunjay kumar

    (Release ID: 2102429) Visitor Counter : 28

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Competency Framework to Strengthen India’s Scientific Workforce

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Competency Framework to Strengthen India’s Scientific Workforce

    The Minister Reviews ‘Vigyan Shakti’ Initiative to Drive Science-Led Development and Collaboration

    Growing Participation in Research Grants: Dr. Jitendra Singh Assesses Common Fellowship Portal

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Proposes Industrial Calendar to Boost Research-Industry Linkages and Accelerate Innovation

    Expanding Opportunities: Minister Advocates Tribal Student Internships in Scientific Institutes

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:36PM by PIB Delhi

    In a high-level meeting with Secretaries of Scientific Ministries, Departments, and Organizations and other higher officials,  Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the need for a structured competency framework for individuals working in scientific institutions. The Minister directed that the framework, developed in coordination with the Capacity Building Commission, should incorporate both functional and domain-specific competencies. Emphasizing the importance of outreach, he insisted that “how much is my outreach to the public stakeholders” be included as a key performance indicator (KPI), a facet often overlooked by science ministries.

    Taking stock of the ambitious “Vigyan Shakti” initiative, the Minister reviewed its progress and reiterated its role as a unified repository aimed at catalysing scientific efforts into developmental outcomes. Built on pillars such as inter-agency collaboration, industry-academia interactions and leadership and governance, the initiative seeks to maximize returns on investment in science. As part of this, he assessed the India Science, Technology, and Innovation (ISTI) Portal, which is envisioned to consolidate the database of India’s science and technology ecosystem and enhance accessibility to critical research resources.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also reviewed the status of the Common Fellowship Portal, designed as a one-stop platform for research grants  India. According to the latest data, the portal has garnered over 5,000 registered users, with more than 1,500 having completed their profiles and being eligible to apply for fellowships. The Minister expressed satisfaction at the growing participation and encouraged further awareness efforts to make research grants more accessible to young scientists.

    In a push to bridge the gap between research and industry, Dr. Jitendra Singh proposed that all scientific labs under various ministries develop a dedicated calendar for industrial meets. He highlighted that a structured engagement with the private sector would not only accelerate the commercialization of scientific discoveries but also enhance their impact on public welfare. Such an Initiative, he stated, would ensure that technological breakthroughs reach the masses faster and more efficiently.

    In a move to promote inclusivity in scientific research, Dr. Jitendra Singh urged all departments to explore opportunities for attaching tribal students to various scientific institutes for internships and exposure. He stressed that such initiatives would provide underprivileged students with valuable insights into research and innovation, fostering a more diverse and inclusive scientific community.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, along with Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Biotechnology; Shri Ravi Chandran, Secretary, Earth Sciences; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR; Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space and other senior officials.

    The meeting marked a significant step towards institutionalizing structured scientific engagement, fostering innovation, and ensuring that the benefits of research extend beyond laboratories to public stakeholders.

     

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2102421) Visitor Counter : 62

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar pays Floral Tributes To Guru Ravidas on his Birth Anniversary

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:13PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, paid floral tributes to one of the greatest saints ever born in India, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi today. Present on the occasion were all members of Dr. Ambedkar Foundation and officials of the Ministry. 

    “We should follow the path shown to us by Guru Ravidas Ji”, said Dr. Virendra Kumar. Inspired by the thoughts of Guru Ravidas Ji, the Ministry works for the welfare of the underprivileged and marginalized communities’ through its schemes and policies, he added.

    In the General Body Meeting organized by Department of Social justice and empowerment on 12 February 2025, members and officers celebrated Guru Ravidas Jayanti and thanked Dr. Virendra Kumar for  his working towards most marginalized communities’ their rights, welfare, and representation.

    *****

    VM

     

    (Release ID: 2102414) Visitor Counter : 55

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection with Amendments to TCCCPR, 2018

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Communications

    TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection with Amendments to TCCCPR, 2018

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has amended the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018 to further strengthen consumer protection against Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC). The revised regulations aim to deal with evolving methods of misuse of telecom resource and promote a more transparent commercial communication ecosystem for consumers.

    Since its implementation, TCCCPR-2018 has made breakthrough use of technology for spam control through blockchain-based regulatory framework. Despite the robust measures in place, spammers have evolved their tactics, necessitating further regulatory enhancements to safeguard consumer interests. Accordingly, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper (CP) on the Review of the TCCCPR 2018 on 28th August 2024 to seek stakeholders’ views on key regulatory amendments needed to enhance consumer protection and curb Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC). The consultation focused on several vital issues, including redefining commercial communication categories, strengthening consumer complaint redressal mechanisms, tightening the threshold norms for action against UCC, bringing in higher accountability of senders and telemarketers, curbing the misuse of 10-digit numbers for telemarketing, implementing stricter measures against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs), etc.

    The amendments introduced today build upon stakeholder feedback and extensive internal deliberations to reinforce consumer rights and prevent misuse of telecom resources while at the same time aiming that the legitimate commercial communication occur through registered entities, based on the preference and consent of the customers, thereby, balancing the interests of consumers with the need for supporting legitimate economic activities in the country.

    Salient Features of the consumer-centric amendments made to the regulations:

     

    1. Ease of reporting spam and Revamped Complaint mechanism:
      1. Consumers will now be able to make complaintagainst spam (UCC) calls and messages sent by unregistered senders without the need of first registering their preferences for blocking or receiving commercial communications.
      2. To make the complaint process simpler and more effective, it has been mandated that if a complaint made by a customer contains bare minimum essential data such as number of the complainant, number of Sender from which the Spam/UCC has been received, date on which spam is received and a brief about the UCC Voice Call/Message, the complaint shall be treated as a valid complaint. Access Provider can collect additional information from the complainant to support the investigation.
      3. Further, a customer can now make a complaint about spam/ UCC within 7 days of receiving spam as compared to earlier 3-day time limit.
      4. The access providers have been mandated to display the options for registering spam/UCC complaints at a prominent and easy to find place in their mobile App and Web portal. Additionally, their mobile App should be able to auto capture call logs, SMS details after obtaining permission from the subscriber and extract necessary details through it for complaint registration. Moreover, the mobile app should also have the facility to register complaints using screenshots provided by the complaint.
      5. Time limit for taking action by the access providers against the UCC from unregistered senders has been reduced from 30 days to5 days.
      6. To ensure prompt action against the senders of UCC, the criterion for taking action against them has been revised and made more stringent. As compared to earlier criterion of ‘having 10 complaints against the sender in last 7 days’ to trigger action, it has been modified to “having 5 complaints against the sender in last 10 days’. This would enable faster action and at the same time, coveringmore number of spammers.

     

    1. Empowering Customers:
      1. Improved mechanism for opting out from promotional communication: Telecom operators must now provide a mandatory option in the promotional messages using which a customer may opt out of receiving such messages, thereby, making preference modification simpler and easier for the consumers.
      2. Message headers will now carry standardized identifiers to help consumers easily distinguish between promotional, service, and transactional messages. Customers will be able to identify the type of commercial message by just looking at its header as “-P”, “-S”, “-T”, and “-G” will be suffixed to the message header for identification of promotional, service, transactional, and government messages, respectively.
      3. A separate category for messages sent by government has been created so that customers do not miss important government communications beneficial to them.
      4. A sender shall not make a request seeking consent of a customer who has opted out, before ninety (90) days from the date of such opt-out by the customer. However, customer will have the option to opt-in any time.
      5. The consent given by a customer for completing any ongoing transaction shall be valid only for 7 days so that businesses do not keep on making calls or sending messages to the customer indefinitely on the pretext of the consent given earlier.
      6. Further, consent of the customer which is implicit in case of transactional and service commercial communications, shall be valid only for the duration  or discharge of the contract between the customer and the sender, and, therefore, no service call can be made to the customer by such a sender thereafter unless the customer gives explicit consent for it.
      7. The amendments bring in disclosure of the use of auto-dialers/ robo calls, and its regulation to prevent undue disturbance to the customers.

     

    1. Stringent Measures against Spammers/ Senders of Unsolicited Commercial Communications
      1. Access providers must suspend all telecom resources of a sender found guilty of repeated violations. For the first violation of the regulatory threshold, outgoing services of all telecom resource of the sender will be barred for 15 days. For subsequent violations, all telecom resources of the sender, including PRI/SIP trunks, will be disconnected across all access providers for a period of one year and the sender will be blacklisted.
      2. Any call made or message sent to deceive or attempt to deceive customers has been classified as UCCso far as misuse of telecom resources is concerned, thereby, enabling quick regulatory actionagainst the telecom resources of the sender of such communication, including disconnection and blacklisting. This amendment will make disconnection of such telecom resources swift due to use of blockchain based technology.
      3. The amendment restricts senders from using normal 10-digit numbers for telemarketing, ensuring that all commercial communications originate from designated headers or specific number series. While the 140 series will continue to be used for promotional calls, the newly allocated 1600 series is designated for transactional and service calls, with implementation already in progress. This change enables recipients to easily identify the type of commercial communication based on the Caller Line Identification (CLI).

     

    1. Stringent provisions to ensure compliance of regulations
      1. In case of failure of the access providers to implement these regulations,provisions for imposing financial disincentives in graded manner have been introduced. A financial disincentive (FD) of Rs 2 lakh for first instance of violation, Rs 5 lakh for second instance of violation and Rs 10 lakh per instance for subsequent instances of violation, shall be imposed on access providers in case of misreporting of the count of UCC. These FDs shall be imposed separately for registered and unregistered senders. Moreover, these FDs will be in addition to the FD imposed on access providers against invalid closure of complaints, and not fulfilling their obligations in respect of registration of Message Headers and Content Templates.
      2. The Access Providers have been enabled to prescribe a security deposit for the senders and telemarketers, which can be forfeited in case of violation of regulations by the senders and telemarketers. To make the provision more effective, access providers have been mandated to enter into a legally binding agreement with all the registered Senders and Telemarketers wherein their roles and responsibilities as well as the actions that can be taken against them in case of non-compliance,shall be incorporated.

     

    1. Strengthening the ecosystem:
      1. Access providers are mandated to analyze call and SMS patterns based on parameters such as unusually high call volumes, short call durations, and low incoming-to-outgoing call ratios. This will help flag potential spammers in real-time.
      2. Telecom operators are required to deploy honeypots which are dedicated numbers that attract and log spam calls and messages, to analyze emerging spam trends and take pre-emptive action against suspected spammers.
      3. The revised regulations limit the number of intermediaries between the Principal Entity (PE) and the Telemarketer (TM) to ensure full traceability of messages. This will enhance accountability in commercial communication.
      4. Senders and telemarketers must undergo physical verification, biometric authentication, and unique mobile number linking during registration. Additionally, operators must maintain comprehensive records of complaints and sender details, ensuring that violators are quickly identified and penalized.
      5. To enhance accountability in commercial communication, TRAI has mandated strict Principal Entity (PE) – Telemarketer (TM) traceability. This ensures seamless tracking of messages from sender to recipient, reducing the risk of spam and unauthorized commercial communications.

     

    TRAI has mandated that Access Providers to ensure strict compliance with these new regulations and take proactive measures to identify and block violators.

     

    The revised regulations will enable TRAI in safeguarding consumer interests while promoting a more secure and trusted digital communication environment. All stakeholders, including businesses and telecom operators, are advised to align their systems with the amended framework to ensure seamless implementation.

    For further information, Shri Deepak Sharma, Advisor (QoS-II), TRAI, may be contacted at 011-20907760 or at email-idadvqos@trai.gov.in

    *****

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2102413)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-NIScPR hosts One-Day Workshop on International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Empowering Girls in STEM

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

    The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) successfully organized a one-day workshop on the first decadal anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Themed “Empowering Girls for Participation in STEM: Fostering Awareness for Inclusive Education,” the event aimed to inspire and encourage young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Aligning with UNESCO’s theme, “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science,” the workshop was held at the CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi. The workshop brought together 56 undergraduate female students from four renowned women’s colleges of the University of Delhi, Gargi College, Kalindi College, Lady Irwin College, Deshbandhu College and Miranda House, alongside esteemed academicians, researchers, and policymakers. It provided a valuable platform for mentorship, resources, and critical insights into government initiatives, scholarships, and funding opportunities available for women in STEM.

    In the welcome address Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR emphasized the importance of gender equality in STEM and the need to create an enabling environment for women to excel in scientific careers. She reflected on the challenges faced by women in transitioning from academia to professional roles, underscoring the significance of gender sensitization and breaking stereotypes. Dr. GeethaVaniRayasam, Head, CSIR-Human Resource Development Group, delivered an insightful talk on CSIR’s various initiatives to support women in science. The session was further enriched by esteemed speakers discussing challenges and opportunities in STEM for young women. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Mini Thomas, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Former Director, NIT Trichy, who served as the Chief Guest. She encouraged young women to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields and urged institutions to create more opportunities for women scientists.

    The second session featured Dr. Monika Kulshrestha, Chief Scientist, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, who emphasized the importance of maintaining good health while striving for lifelong learning and professional growth. This was followed by an expert lecture by Dr. AmbikaBehl, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, titled “Highway Engineering Field: A Man’s World” She shared her journey from laboratory research to fieldwork, addressing gender biases and societal expectations. She emphasized the need for women to step out of their comfort zones, recognize their strengths, and navigate professional challenges with confidence. Dr. Kanika Malik, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Delhi branch convenor of the Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA), delivered an IWSA related talk. The interactive segment of the workshop included a group discussion based on pre-filled questionnaires, allowing students to express their aspirations and challenges in STEM education. Mrs. SandhyaWakdikar, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, delivered a talk on “Opportunities for Undergraduate Girls in STEM” and provided valuable information on government schemes, funding opportunities, and resources available to support women in STEM careers.

    The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. SandhyaWakdikar, followed by the National Anthem. CSIR-NIScPR reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gender gap in STEM and fostering an inclusive scientific community for future generations. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering young women in STEM, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources to thrive in scientific careers.

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2102402) Visitor Counter : 29

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Announces Tar Heel Artists to Receive North Carolina Heritage Awards

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Announces Tar Heel Artists to Receive North Carolina Heritage Awards

    Governor Josh Stein Announces Tar Heel Artists to Receive North Carolina Heritage Awards
    jejohnson6

    Governor Josh Stein announced today that six traditional artists or groups will receive the 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards for their lifetime contributions to the state’s cultural vitality. The N.C. Heritage Award is the state’s highest honor for traditional artists.

    The 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards honorees are: Gaurang Doshi, a North Indian classical musician from Winston-Salem; Helen Gibson, a woodcarver from Brasstown; The Glorifying Vines Sisters, a gospel quartet from Farmville; Chester McMillian, a Round Peak guitarist from Mount Airy; and Herman and Loretta Oxendine, Lumbee traditional artisans from Pembroke. Loretta Oxendine passed away Oct. 6, 2024, and will be honored posthumously.

    Since 1989, the N.C. Heritage Awards have recognized North Carolinians who have significantly influenced culture in their communities, such as teaching or training local artists, making seminal recordings or objects, being recognized as the sole or one of few practitioners continuing the tradition, or continuing an art form or style that can be traced back along a lineage of artists for generations. The 2025 honorees were all nominated by their peers and selected through a panel process.

    “North Carolina’s traditional arts community embodies the joy and diverse culture of our great state,” said Governor Stein. “I congratulate the 2025 Heritage Award recipients for their accomplishments and thank them for their contributions to North Carolina’s cultural life.”

    “This year more than ever, we are reminded of the value of our local traditions and the importance of safeguarding those art forms for future generations,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “This group of artists tells the extraordinary story of our state’s rich cultural heritage.”

    “Recipients of the North Carolina Heritage Awards represent the abundance of North Carolina’s cultural life,” said Jeff Bell, executive director of the N.C. Arts Council. “We celebrate the exceptional groups and individuals who dedicate their entire lives not only to a practice but also to their communities. Through them, we honor the importance of all North Carolinians.”

    The 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards ceremony will take place at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh on June 7, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., and will feature performances and demonstrations by each artist. PineCone, the Piedmont Council on Traditional Music, will partner with the N.C. Arts Council to produce the ceremony as part of its Down Home concert series. Tickets are available now at www.pinecone.org.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Feb 10, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 Eastern NC Regional Braille Challenge Set for Feb. 17

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: 2025 Eastern NC Regional Braille Challenge Set for Feb. 17

    2025 Eastern NC Regional Braille Challenge Set for Feb. 17
    jejohnson6

    The State Library of North Carolina Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) is thrilled to announce the upcoming 2025 Eastern NC Regional Braille Challenge, a compelling event that promises to highlight the talents and achievements of blind and visually impaired students in the realm of Braille literacy.

    Taking place Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, this event is a unique opportunity for media professionals to capture and share inspiring stories.

    The 2025 Eastern NC Regional Braille Challenge is a regional event of The Braille Challenge, a national program of the Braille Institute.

    About the Event: The 2025 Eastern NC Regional Braille Challenge is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of Braille literacy, bringing together talented students from the region. From captivating Braille reading sessions to thought-provoking writing challenges, the event is designed to showcase the incredible skills and determination of blind and visually impaired youth.

    Event Details:

        • Date: Monday, Feb.17

        • Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

        • Location: Governor Morehead School for the Blind, 301 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606

    In the event of inclement weather, causing potential travel concerns, the Braille Challenge will be rescheduled to Feb. 24.

    Media Opportunity: Journalists, photographers, and camera crews are invited to attend the Braille Challenge and witness firsthand the spirit and resilience of these talented students. From heartwarming success stories to the demonstration of Braille proficiency, this event offers a wealth of visual and narrative opportunities for media coverage.

    Interview Opportunities:

        • Engage with participants, educators, and organizers to learn more about the significance of Braille literacy.

        • Capture emotional moments as students showcase their Braille skills in a competitive and supportive environment.

    How to Cover the Event: For media inquiries or to confirm attendance, contact Clint Exum, Outreach Specialist, at clint.exum@dncr.nc.gov or 984-236-1118.

    About SLNC ABLS
    ABLS is the free public library for North Carolinians with a print disability, such as blindness, a physical disability preventing them from holding a book, or a reading disability. Our library serves the entire state by mail or online with an assortment of accessible resources like talking books, braille books, large print books, and descriptive movies. https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/blind-print-disabled

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Feb 11, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bennett Place State Historic Site Hosts Lecture and  Debuts a Community Project in Honor of Black History Month

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Bennett Place State Historic Site Hosts Lecture and  Debuts a Community Project in Honor of Black History Month

    Bennett Place State Historic Site Hosts Lecture and  Debuts a Community Project in Honor of Black History Month
    jejohnson6

    On Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m., Bennett Place State Historic Site will host a free lecture with local historian Ernest Dollar entitled “Jublio: Moments of Freedom, 1865.”

    Dollar, who serves as director of the Museums Section for the City of Raleigh, will highlight how enslaved people found and claimed freedom for themselves in the final days of the Civil War in North Carolina. This program will explore perspectives of African American men and women’s first moments of freedom as part of the site’s Black History Month programming.

    Bennett Place interprets the largest troop surrender of the Civil War in April 1865 and how it contributed to ending slavery.

    Now through April 16, visitors are invited to commemorate emancipation by creating community luminaries. A self-guided station at the Visitor Center will provide instructions for making the luminaries, which will be used during an April 25 program marking the 160th anniversary of a new chapter of freedom for more than 331,000 formerly enslaved North Carolinians. Visitors can also learn more about the connection between Bennett Place and emancipation. The Community Luminary table is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Feb 12, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prominent Civil Rights Attorney James Walker Jr., to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Prominent Civil Rights Attorney James Walker Jr., to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker

    Prominent Civil Rights Attorney James Walker Jr., to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker
    jejohnson6

    James Robert Walker Jr., a prominent civil rights attorney from northeastern North Carolina, soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.

    The marker commemorating Walker will be dedicated during a ceremony at the New Ahoskie Missionary Baptist Church (410 West Hayes St., Ahoskie, N.C.) on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. The marker will be installed at the intersection of U.S. 13 and N.C. 42 in Ahoskie.

    Born in 1924 as the first of eight children, Walker grew up in Ahoskie, in a family of educators with advanced degrees and the grandson of a preacher. He served in World War II and earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina College, now North Carolina Central University, after being honorably discharged from the United States Army.

    Walker later became the first of two Black graduates from any program at UNC-Chapel Hill, having graduated from its law school in 1952. He returned to his native northeastern North Carolina and became a grassroots civil rights attorney, namely waging battles in the realm of voting rights across a six-county area (Halifax, Northampton, Warren, Bertie, Hertford, Gates).

    Walker was the principal organizer and president of the Eastern Council on Community Affairs. This group advocated for Black representation in local and state governing bodies, including town councils and state legislatures. It also opposed bills for school separation or segregation.

    Walker became the first Black member of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the school’s debating and literacy society, and the oldest student organization on the campus. The state’s NAACP also recognized him with its Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in civil rights. In 1961, he was the keynote speaker for the National Lawyers Guild in Detroit, Michigan, and in 1978, was named Lawyer of the Year by the same organization.

    Walker died in 1997.

    For more information about the historical markers, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2024/07/10/james-walker-jr-1924-1997-96, or call (919) 814-6625.  

    The Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the N.C. departments of Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Feb 12, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Michael Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Abuse

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that Collin Ray Delorme, also known as Collin Ray Delorme Sr., age 30, from St. Michael, North Dakota, appeared in United States District Court for the District of North Dakota in Fargo today and was sentenced by Chief Judge Peter Welte to serve 40 years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release during which time he will be required to follow a number of conditions. Delorme was also ordered to pay restitution, joint and severally with his codefendant, for medical and funeral expenses.

    On February 18, 2023, Baker called 911 from a home in St. Michael, North Dakota within the boundaries of the Spirit Lake Reservation. Delorme’s co-Defendant, Kenzie Rose Baker, reported her one-year-old child was not breathing. The child was transported to CHI St. Alexius in Devils Lake, North Dakota and was pronounced dead. An autopsy concluded the cause of death was “battered child” due to multiple, repeated injuries of various ages, evident upon external and internal examination. The child’s internal injuries were untreated which created infection and sepsis.

    Two of the charges to which Delorme pled are related to his abuse of the deceased one-year-old child.  The third charge is the result of his abuse of a three-year-old child that included hitting the child on the arms and throwing him on a bed.

    On August 16, 2024, Baker pleaded guilty to charges of Accessory after the Fact; Child Abuse in Indian country; Child Neglect in Indian country. Baker is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24, 2025.

    “This sentence provides a measure of accountability for the horrendous abuse and tragic death of a toddler,” Schneider said. “Through their work on multi-disciplinary teams on each reservation with tribal social services, law enforcement, tribal court prosecutors, and behavioral health partners, our Indian country prosecutors are committed to preventing child abuse. They also will not hesitate to bring forceful prosecutions against child abusers in federal court. Our hope is that today’s sentence serves as a deterrence in our efforts to keep children safe.”

    “The abuse and neglect that these children experienced is truly horrific. No child should ever endure such suffering,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI and our partners’ commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and ensuring that those who harm children are brought to justice.”

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lori H. Conroy and SheraLynn Ternes.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Paris AI summit marks a tipping point on the technology’s safety and sustainability

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Robert Diab, Professor, Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University

    United States Vice President JD Vance made headlines this week by refusing to sign a declaration at a global summit in Paris on artificial intelligence.

    In his first appearance on the world stage, Vance made clear that the U.S. wouldn’t be playing ball. The Donald Trump administration believes that “excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off,” he said. “We’ll make every effort to encourage pro-growth AI policies.”

    His remarks confirmed a widespread fear that Trump’s return to the White House will signal a sharp turn in tech policy. American tech companies and their billionaire owners will now be shielded from effective oversight.

    But upon a closer look, events this week point to signs that just the opposite may be unfolding. A host of nations took notable steps towards address growing safety and environmental concerns about AI, indicating that a regulatory tipping point has been reached.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered the keynote address at the AI Action Summit in Paris, France.

    Wide consensus

    The two-day global summit in Paris, chaired by France and India, led to broad consensus. Some 60 countries signed on to a Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable AI. This included Canada, the European Commission, India and China.

    Both the U.S. and the United Kingdom declined to sign on. But the prevailing winds are against them.

    The meeting in Paris was the third global summit on AI, following meet-ups at Bletchley Park in the U.K. in 2023 and in Seoul, South Korea, in 2024. Each of them ended with similar declarations widely endorsed.

    The Paris communiqué calls for an “inclusive approach” to AI, seeking to “narrow inequalities” in AI capabilities among countries. It encourages “avoiding market concentration” and affirms the need for openness and transparency in building and sharing technology and expertise.

    The document is not binding. It does little more than tout principles, or affirm a collective sentiment among the parties. One of these — perhaps the most important — is to keep talking, meeting and working together on the common concerns that AI raises.

    Environmental challenges

    Meanwhile, a smaller group of countries at the Paris summit, along with 37 tech companies, agreed to form a Coalition for Sustainable AI — setting out a series of goals and deliverables.

    While nothing is binding on the parties, the goals are notably specific. They include coming up with standards for measuring AI’s environmental impact and more effective ways for companies to report on the impact. Parties also aim to “optimize algorithms to reduce computational complexity and minimize data usage.”

    Even if most of this turns out to be merely aspirational, it’s important that the coalition offers a platform for collaboration on these initiatives. At the very least, it signals a likelihood that sustainability will be at the forefront of debate about AI moving forward.



    Read more:
    AI is bad for the environment, and the problem is bigger than energy consumption

    Signing the first international treaty on AI

    A further notable event at the summit was that Canada signed the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. In recent months, 12 other countries had signed, including the U.S. (under former president Joe Biden), the U.K., Israel and the European Union.

    The convention commits parties to pass domestic laws on AI that deal with privacy, bias and discrimination, safety, transparency and environmental sustainability.

    The treaty has been criticized for containing no more than “broad affirmations” and imposing few clear obligations. But it does show that countries are committed to passing law to ensure that AI development unfolds within boundaries — and they’re eager to see more countries do the same.

    If Canada were to ratify the treaty, Parliament would likely revive Bill C-27, which contained the AI and Data Act.



    Read more:
    The federal government’s proposed AI legislation misses the mark on protecting Canadians

    The act aimed to do much of what Canada agrees to do under the convention: impose greater oversight of the development and use of AI. This includes transparency and disclosure requirements on AI companies, and stiff penalties for failure to comply.

    What does this really mean?

    While the U.S. signed the convention on AI and human rights, democracy and rule of law in the fall of 2024, it likely won’t be implemented by a Republican Congress. The same might happen in Canada under a Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre. He could also decide not to fulfil commitments made under other agreements about AI.

    And if Poilievre comes to power by the time Canada hosts the next G7 meeting in June, he might decline to honour the Trudeau government’s commitment to make AI regulation a central focus of the meeting.

    The Trump administration may have ushered in a period of more lax tech regulation in the U.S., and Silicon Valley is indeed a key player in tech — especially AI. But it’s a wide world, with many other important players in this space, including China, Europe and Canada.

    The events in Paris have revealed a strong interest among nations around the globe to regulate AI, and specifically to foster ideas about inclusion and sustainability. If the Paris summit was any indication, the hope of sheltering AI from effective regulation won’t last long.

    Robert Diab 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. The Paris AI summit marks a tipping point on the technology’s safety and sustainability – https://theconversation.com/the-paris-ai-summit-marks-a-tipping-point-on-the-technologys-safety-and-sustainability-249706

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Funding supports culturally safe emergency responses for Indigenous Peoples

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is funded by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. The CEPF funds projects that support First Nations and local governments to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from hazards in a changing climate.

    Communities throughout British Columbia will receive approximately $1 million in provincial funding as follows:

    Boothroyd Indian Band – Knowledge keepers’ information and sharing for culturally safe emergency response
    Amount: $31,000

    Bulkley-Nechako Regional District – Cultural competency in emergency-response training
    Amount: $31,650

    Central Okanagan Regional District – Cultural safety and humility training
    Regional partners: Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, Westbank First Nation, West Kelowna
    Amount: $237,000

    Coquitlam – Cultural safety and humility training
    Amount: $40,000

    East Kootenay Regional District – Indigenous cultural awareness training
    Amount: $25,000

    Fraser Valley Regional District – Contextual cultural awareness training
    Amount: $40,000

    Hope – Cultural safety training
    Amount: $39,600

    Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations – Training for emergency responders to work effectively and safely with the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’
    Amount: $40,000

    Kamloops – Emergency program cultural safety and humility training
    Amount: $40,000

    Kitimat – Haisla Nation cultural awareness training
    Amount: $10,000

    Merritt – Emergency-management program Indigenous engagement
    Amount: $40,000

    North Coast Regional District – Indigenous cultural safety and humility training
    Regional partners: Prince Rupert, Port Edward
    Amount: $110,000

    North Vancouver – Truth and reconciliation training
    Amount: $33,960

    Port Moody – Indigenous cultural safety and cultural humility training
    Amount: $40,000

    Sema:th First Nation (Sumas) – Transforming emergency management through cultural safety
    Amount: $40,000

    Splatsin First Nation (Spallumcheen) – Resilient Roots: cultural safety in emergencies
    Amount: $40,000

    Sqwá First Nation (Skwah) – Community capacity building to foster shared understanding of trauma in emergency response
    Amount: $40,000

    Strathcona Regional District – This Territory You Are On training
    Regional partners: Village of Tahsis, Gold River, Klahoose First Nation, Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation, Nuchatlaht First Nation, Ehattesaht
    Amount: $157,300

    Vernon – Cultural safety educators
    Amount: $40,000

    West Vancouver – Reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion workshop
    Amount: $40,000

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Launches Galaxy F06 5G, Its Most Affordable 5G Smartphone in India

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the launch of Galaxy F06 5G, its most affordable 5G smartphone in India. Galaxy F06 5G is set to revolutionize the 5G segment with the perfect blend of high-performance and style. Galaxy F06 5G will provide a complete 5G experience at an affordable price, making 5G technology accessible for more consumers and accelerating its widespread adoption across the country. Galaxy F06 5G supports 12 5G bands across all telecom operators. 
     
    “We are proud to announce our most affordable 5G smartphone, designed to make next-generation connectivity accessible to everyone. The launch of Galaxy F06 5G reflects our commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering millions of consumers with a complete 5G experience, superior performance, and an all-new stylish design at an introductory price starting INR 9499. With Galaxy F06 5G, we are not just launching a smartphone, but new possibilities for every Indian,” said Akshay S Rao, General Manager, MX Business, Samsung India. 
     
    Full 5G Experience 
    Galaxy F06 5G is built to deliver unmatched connectivity, supporting 12 5G bands across all telecom operators. It comes with Carrier Aggregation to deliver faster download and upload speeds. Galaxy F06 5G is also enabled to provide a smoother live streaming and video calling experience.  
     
    All-New Design and Display 
    Galaxy F06 5G features a ‘Ripple Glow’ finish that shimmers with every movement exuding elegance and sophistication. Featuring a 6.7” large HD+ display with 800 Nits brightness, Galaxy F06 5G offers consumers stunning visuals and an elevated viewing experience. The smartphone is 8mm sleek and weighs only 191 grams, making it incredibly ergonomic to use. Galaxy F06 5G will be available in two strikingly bold and mesmerizing colours – Bahama Blue and Lit Violet.  
     
    Camera 
    Galaxy F06 5G houses a striking new camera deco. The high-resolution 50MP wide-angle lens with F1.8 aperture captures vibrant, detailed photos, while the 2MP depth-sensing camera delivers pictures with enhanced clarity. The 8MP front camera ensures your selfies are crisp and clear. 
     
    Multitasking & Gaming 
    Galaxy F06 5G is powered by MediaTek D6300, one of the segment’s best processor having an AnTuTu score of upto 416K making it fast and power-efficient, allowing you to multi-task smoothly. Galaxy F06 5G delivers a swift mobile gaming experience with high-speed connectivity along with high-quality audio and visuals. 
     
    Battery & Fast Charging 
    Galaxy F06 5G packs in 5000mAh battery that enables long sessions of browsing, gaming and binge watching. Galaxy F06 5G allows users to stay connected, entertained and productive without interruption. Galaxy F06 5G supports segment-leading 25W fast charging, giving more power in less time. 
     
    Galaxy Foundation 
    Samsung is reaffirming its commitment to customer satisfaction by providing best-in-segment 4 generations of OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates with Galaxy F06 5G, ensuring users can enjoy the latest features and enhanced security for years to come. 
     
    Galaxy F06 5G will feature one of Samsung’s most innovative security features: Samsung Knox Vault. The hardware-based security system offers comprehensive protection against both hardware and software attacks. Additionally, Galaxy F06 5G is set to revolutionize consumer experience with innovations such as Voice Focus that cuts the ambient noise for a clear calling experience and the Quick Share feature which enables users to instantly share files, photos and documents with any other device, even if they are faraway, including your laptop and tab, privately.  
    Product 
    Variant 
    Introductory Price 
    Offers 
     
    Galaxy F06 5G 
    4GB+128GB 
    INR 9499 
    *Including INR 500 Bank Cashback offer 
     
     6GB+128GB 
    INR 10999 
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Assessing the Global Climate in January 2025

    Source: US National Oceanographic Data Center

    January Highlights:

    • Temperatures were above average over much of the globe, but much below average over the United States, Greenland and far eastern Russia.
    • Eurasian snow cover extent and Arctic sea ice extent both ranked second lowest on record for January.
    • Global tropical cyclone activity was slightly below average with five named storms, three of which occurred in the Indian Ocean.

    Temperature

    The January global surface temperature was 2.39°F (1.33°C) above the 20th-century average of 53.6°F (12.0°C) and 0.05°F (0.03°C) above the previous record set last year, making last month the warmest January on record. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, there is a 7% chance that 2025 will rank as the warmest year on record.

    The new January global record is particularly notable for having occurred during a La Niña episode, the cold phase of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Global temperatures tend to be cooler during periods of ENSO-neutral conditions and even cooler during La Niña. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center’s January 9 ENSO Diagnostic Discussion, La Niña conditions emerged in December 2024 and are expected to persist through February–April 2025 (59% chance), with a transition to ENSO-neutral likely during March–May 2025 (60% chance).

    January temperatures were above average across much of the global land surface, particularly over Alaska, much of western Canada and most of central Eurasia. The United States, Greenland, far eastern Russia and parts of southern Africa and Antarctica were colder than average. Overall it was the warmest January on record over global land areas. Sea surface temperatures were above average over most areas, while much of the central and eastern tropical Pacific was below average (consistent with La Niña), as were parts of the southeast Pacific, western North Atlantic and the northwestern Indian Oceans. The global ocean was the second warmest on record for January.

    Snow Cover

    The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent in January was the fourth lowest on record. While snow cover over North America and Greenland was slightly above average (by 80,000 square miles), Eurasia ranked second lowest on record (940,000 square miles below average). Areas of below-average snow cover stretched across most of Europe southeastward into central Asia.

    Sea Ice

    Global sea ice extent was the seventh smallest in the 47-year record at 6.89 million square miles, which was 1.17 million square miles below the 1991–2020 average. Arctic sea ice extent was below average (by 330,000 square miles), ranking second lowest on record, and Antarctic extent was slightly below average (by 130,000 square miles).

    Tropical Cyclones

    Five named storms occurred across the globe in January, which was below the average of seven. Three named storms formed in the southwestern Indian Ocean, the most impactful being Intense Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, which made landfall on Madagascar and Mozambique, bringing high winds and heavy rains to the affected regions.

    For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see our January 2025 Global Climate Report or explore our Climate at a Glance Global Time Series.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump and South Africa: what is white victimhood, and how is it linked to white supremacy?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nicky Falkof, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

    American president Donald Trump has issued an executive order to withdraw aid from South Africa. He was reacting to what he has called the South African government’s plan to “seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation”. Afrikaners are an ethnic and linguistic community of white South Africans whose home language is Afrikaans.

    Trump’s outrage is based on a misinterpretation of a new law – the Expropriation Act which came into effect in January 2025.

    Trump’s action, amplified by provocative comments from billionaire Elon Musk, has reignited debate about the concept of “white victimhood”. We asked Nicky Falkof, who has researched the idea of white victimhood, for her insights.

    What does ‘white victimhood’ mean?

    White victimhood refers to a powerful set of beliefs that treats white people as special and different, but also as uniquely at risk. Within this narrative white people see themselves, and are sometimes seen by others, as extraordinary victims, whose exposure to violence or vulnerability is more concerning and important than anyone else’s.

    White victimhood is usually speculative. It relates not to actual events that have happened, but to white people’s feelings of being threatened or unsafe. Entire political agendas develop around the idea that white people must be protected because they face exceptional threats, which are not being taken seriously by a contemporary world order that fails to value whiteness.

    This is by no means particular to South Africa; we see it wherever whiteness is predominant. Indeed, ideas about white victimhood play a significant role in the popularity of Trump, whose call to “make America great again” harks back to an idealised past where white people (particularly men) could easily dominate the nation, the workplace and the home.



    Read more:
    Donald Trump, white victimhood and the South African far-right

    The South African case is important because it plays a central role in global white supremacist claims. These mythologies claim that white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners, are the canary in the coalmine: that the alleged oppression they are facing is a blueprint for what will happen to all white people if they don’t “fight back”.

    What is its history?

    We can trace this idea back to the start of the colonial project. In 1660 Dutch East India Company administrator Jan van Riebeeck planted a hedge of bitter almond shrubs to separate his trading station from the rest of South Africa’s Cape. This hedge was part of a defensive barrier intended to keep indigenous people out of the Dutch trading post, which had been built on top of ancient Khoikhoi grazing routes.

    On a practical level, van Riebeeck’s hedge was meant to shield Dutch settlers and livestock from Khoikhoi raiders. On a philosophical level, the hedge situated the invaders as the “real” victims, who desperately needed protection from the violence and wildness of Africa. The bitter almond hedge is still seen as an enduring symbol of white supremacy in the country.



    Read more:
    Racism in South Africa: why the ANC has failed to dismantle patterns of white privilege

    This early paranoia and securitisation has had a significant effect on white South African culture and anxiety. White people who can afford to do so barricade themselves in gated communities and boomed-off suburban streets, behind high walls topped with razor wire, on the assumption that they are the primary victims of South Africa’s crime rate.

    In what ways has victimhood been used over the centuries or decades?

    Ideas about white victimhood have played a role in many of South Africa’s most influential social formations.

    The 1930s saw a major panic around “poor whites”, which led to commissions of inquiry, upliftment programmes and other attempts at social engineering. The people and institutions behind these initiatives weren’t concerned about poverty in South Africa in general, even though it was becoming more of a problem as the population urbanised. Their only interest was in poverty among white people, drawing on the assumption that it’s wrong or abnormal for white people to be poor, and that this needed to be urgently remedied.



    Read more:
    Afrikaner identity in post-apartheid South Africa remains stuck in whiteness

    These moves were not simply about philanthropy and offering better life chances to poor people; they were about protecting the boundaries of whiteness. Poor whites were seen as a threat to the establishment because they proved that whiteness wasn’t inherently superior.

    More recently, the victimhood narrative has been a central part of the panic around farm murders and claims of “white genocide”, an old idea that has been popularised and spread online.

    Rural violence is a huge problem in South Africa that deserves a strong response. But white people are far from its only casualties. Indeed, violent crime affects pretty much everyone in South Africa. When the deaths of white people are explained as part of a targeted genocide undertaken on the basis of race, the message is that they matter more than the deaths of everyone else.



    Read more:
    Damon Galgut’s Booker-winning novel probes white South Africa and the land issue

    Again, this suggests a kind of naturalisation of violence and harm. When terrible things happen to other people they simply happen and are not remarked on. It’s only when white people are affected that they become a pressing issue.

    Has it helped white South Africans? Has it been effective as a mobilising tool?

    White victimhood, like the racial anxiety it is part of, is not good for white people. It doesn’t keep them safer or help them to live better lives.

    That said, it’s been quite effective as a mobilising tool. The apartheid-era National Party was skilled at using white fear for political gain. Its communications constantly played on white fears of the swart gevaar, the “black danger”, which encapsulated the powerful belief that whites were more at risk from black people than vice versa, despite all evidence to the contrary.



    Read more:
    Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist

    Similarly, contemporary organisations like the Afrikaner “minority rights” pressure group AfriForum and the Afrikaans trade union Solidarity activate and manipulate white people’s senses of extraordinary victimhood. This drives them further into a defensive position, where everything from farm murders and road name changes to the National Health Insurance bill is designed to attack them personally.

    White support for these kinds of organisations and the political positions they espouse, whether overtly or covertly, is at least in part driven by the effective manipulation of white victimhood.

    How effective is it still?

    It remains disturbingly powerful. The architecture of white supremacy depends on the idea that white people are extraordinary victims. This is the driving notion beneath the great replacement theory, a far-right conspiracy theory claiming that Jews and non-white foreigners are plotting to “replace” whites. It also underpins violent reactions to the global migration crisis and the rise of populism in the north.



    Read more:
    What’s behind violence in South Africa: a sociologist’s perspective

    I don’t think it’s going too far to say that whiteness as a social construction is intrinsically tied to victimhood. The idea that whiteness actually makes people more rather than less vulnerable is likely to remain a central part of white people’s collective psychic imaginary for some time.

    Nicky Falkof receives funding from the South African National Research Foundation.

    – ref. Trump and South Africa: what is white victimhood, and how is it linked to white supremacy? – https://theconversation.com/trump-and-south-africa-what-is-white-victimhood-and-how-is-it-linked-to-white-supremacy-249648

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Trump and South Africa: what is white victimhood, and how is it linked to white supremacy?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nicky Falkof, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

    American president Donald Trump has issued an executive order to withdraw aid from South Africa. He was reacting to what he has called the South African government’s plan to “seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation”. Afrikaners are an ethnic and linguistic community of white South Africans whose home language is Afrikaans.

    Trump’s outrage is based on a misinterpretation of a new law – the Expropriation Act which came into effect in January 2025.

    Trump’s action, amplified by provocative comments from billionaire Elon Musk, has reignited debate about the concept of “white victimhood”. We asked Nicky Falkof, who has researched the idea of white victimhood, for her insights.

    What does ‘white victimhood’ mean?

    White victimhood refers to a powerful set of beliefs that treats white people as special and different, but also as uniquely at risk. Within this narrative white people see themselves, and are sometimes seen by others, as extraordinary victims, whose exposure to violence or vulnerability is more concerning and important than anyone else’s.

    White victimhood is usually speculative. It relates not to actual events that have happened, but to white people’s feelings of being threatened or unsafe. Entire political agendas develop around the idea that white people must be protected because they face exceptional threats, which are not being taken seriously by a contemporary world order that fails to value whiteness.

    This is by no means particular to South Africa; we see it wherever whiteness is predominant. Indeed, ideas about white victimhood play a significant role in the popularity of Trump, whose call to “make America great again” harks back to an idealised past where white people (particularly men) could easily dominate the nation, the workplace and the home.

    Read more: Donald Trump, white victimhood and the South African far-right

    The South African case is important because it plays a central role in global white supremacist claims. These mythologies claim that white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners, are the canary in the coalmine: that the alleged oppression they are facing is a blueprint for what will happen to all white people if they don’t “fight back”.

    What is its history?

    We can trace this idea back to the start of the colonial project. In 1660 Dutch East India Company administrator Jan van Riebeeck planted a hedge of bitter almond shrubs to separate his trading station from the rest of South Africa’s Cape. This hedge was part of a defensive barrier intended to keep indigenous people out of the Dutch trading post, which had been built on top of ancient Khoikhoi grazing routes.

    On a practical level, van Riebeeck’s hedge was meant to shield Dutch settlers and livestock from Khoikhoi raiders. On a philosophical level, the hedge situated the invaders as the “real” victims, who desperately needed protection from the violence and wildness of Africa. The bitter almond hedge is still seen as an enduring symbol of white supremacy in the country.

    Read more: Racism in South Africa: why the ANC has failed to dismantle patterns of white privilege

    This early paranoia and securitisation has had a significant effect on white South African culture and anxiety. White people who can afford to do so barricade themselves in gated communities and boomed-off suburban streets, behind high walls topped with razor wire, on the assumption that they are the primary victims of South Africa’s crime rate.

    In what ways has victimhood been used over the centuries or decades?

    Ideas about white victimhood have played a role in many of South Africa’s most influential social formations.

    The 1930s saw a major panic around “poor whites”, which led to commissions of inquiry, upliftment programmes and other attempts at social engineering. The people and institutions behind these initiatives weren’t concerned about poverty in South Africa in general, even though it was becoming more of a problem as the population urbanised. Their only interest was in poverty among white people, drawing on the assumption that it’s wrong or abnormal for white people to be poor, and that this needed to be urgently remedied.

    Read more: Afrikaner identity in post-apartheid South Africa remains stuck in whiteness

    These moves were not simply about philanthropy and offering better life chances to poor people; they were about protecting the boundaries of whiteness. Poor whites were seen as a threat to the establishment because they proved that whiteness wasn’t inherently superior.

    More recently, the victimhood narrative has been a central part of the panic around farm murders and claims of “white genocide”, an old idea that has been popularised and spread online.

    Farmers and supporters protest against farm murders outside the South African parliament in 2020. Jacques Stander/Gallo Images via Getty Images

    Rural violence is a huge problem in South Africa that deserves a strong response. But white people are far from its only casualties. Indeed, violent crime affects pretty much everyone in South Africa. When the deaths of white people are explained as part of a targeted genocide undertaken on the basis of race, the message is that they matter more than the deaths of everyone else.

    Read more: Damon Galgut’s Booker-winning novel probes white South Africa and the land issue

    Again, this suggests a kind of naturalisation of violence and harm. When terrible things happen to other people they simply happen and are not remarked on. It’s only when white people are affected that they become a pressing issue.

    Has it helped white South Africans? Has it been effective as a mobilising tool?

    White victimhood, like the racial anxiety it is part of, is not good for white people. It doesn’t keep them safer or help them to live better lives.

    That said, it’s been quite effective as a mobilising tool. The apartheid-era National Party was skilled at using white fear for political gain. Its communications constantly played on white fears of the swart gevaar, the “black danger”, which encapsulated the powerful belief that whites were more at risk from black people than vice versa, despite all evidence to the contrary.

    Read more: Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist

    Similarly, contemporary organisations like the Afrikaner “minority rights” pressure group AfriForum and the Afrikaans trade union Solidarity activate and manipulate white people’s senses of extraordinary victimhood. This drives them further into a defensive position, where everything from farm murders and road name changes to the National Health Insurance bill is designed to attack them personally.

    White support for these kinds of organisations and the political positions they espouse, whether overtly or covertly, is at least in part driven by the effective manipulation of white victimhood.

    How effective is it still?

    It remains disturbingly powerful. The architecture of white supremacy depends on the idea that white people are extraordinary victims. This is the driving notion beneath the great replacement theory, a far-right conspiracy theory claiming that Jews and non-white foreigners are plotting to “replace” whites. It also underpins violent reactions to the global migration crisis and the rise of populism in the north.

    Read more: What’s behind violence in South Africa: a sociologist’s perspective

    I don’t think it’s going too far to say that whiteness as a social construction is intrinsically tied to victimhood. The idea that whiteness actually makes people more rather than less vulnerable is likely to remain a central part of white people’s collective psychic imaginary for some time.

    – Trump and South Africa: what is white victimhood, and how is it linked to white supremacy?
    – https://theconversation.com/trump-and-south-africa-what-is-white-victimhood-and-how-is-it-linked-to-white-supremacy-249648

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Strengthening transatlantic partnerships and securing Canada’s AI advantage

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Working together, Canada and its transatlantic partners have created good-paying jobs for our peoples, strengthened our economies, and advanced progress on key priorities, including climate change and international security. With increasing geopolitical instability and economic disruptions, including proposed U.S. tariffs, it is critical to accelerate these partnerships, now and into the future.

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded a successful visit to Paris, France, and to Brussels, Belgium, where he strengthened Canada’s ties with transatlantic partners and made progress on shared priorities, including artificial intelligence (AI).

    In Paris, the Prime Minister participated in the AI Action Summit, co-chaired by France and India, where he engaged with business and policy leaders on how we unlock opportunities and growth for Canadians. As part of our 2025 G7 Presidency, the Prime Minister underlined Canada’s commitment to responsibly power, adopt, and share AI. This includes helping partners access clean and reliable energy to power AI, finding ways to leverage AI and build more reliable energy grids, supporting small and medium-sized businesses’ use of AI to improve their productivity, and sharing the AI revolution with the world so our prosperity remains inclusive.

    At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau signed a joint Leaders’ Declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI, which reinforces Canada’s approach to AI development and ensures it aligns with human rights, public interest, and environmental protection. The Prime Minister also met with over a dozen CEOs and leading AI business leaders to position Canada as an ideal partner for innovation and investment while helping deepen Canada’s commercial relations with its partners across the U.S. and the European Union (EU).

    While in Paris, the Prime Minister also chaired a roundtable on infrastructure and energy requirements for AI and participated in the closing ceremony of a ministerial meeting of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, of which Canada is a founding member.

    In Brussels, Prime Minister Trudeau took part in a Canada-EU Leaders’ Meeting with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders reaffirmed the strong ties between Canada and the EU and discussed the progress made in recent years for the benefit of people on both sides of the Atlantic. This includes a strengthened trade relationship under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which continues to create significant opportunities for businesses and good-paying jobs for workers in Canada and the EU. They also discussed the imposition of U.S. tariffs as well as Canada and the EU’s responses.

    At the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building on the Canada-EU relationship and continuing to deliver results on a range of shared priorities. This includes promoting global economic security and stability, strengthening bilateral and global trade and investment – including in response to expected tariffs by the U.S. – defending the rule of law, advancing defence and security co-operation, and supporting Ukraine. They also discussed developments in the Middle East, including in Gaza and Syria, stressing the importance of an inclusive Syrian-led political governance structure.

    While in Brussels, the Prime Minister also met with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mark Rutte. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to working with NATO Allies to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security and continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression. He also highlighted Canada’s contributions to NATO’s collective defence efforts across Europe, including through Operation REASSURANCE.

    Shared challenges require shared solutions. By working together, we can make the world safer, create good-paying jobs for our peoples, harness the potential of the greatest innovations, and ensure that growth is inclusive. As a leader in AI and a steadfast member of the NATO Alliance, and as part of our G7 Presidency this year, Canada is taking action to create a better, safer, and more prosperous world.

    Quote

    “During my trip to Paris and Brussels, I had one message – if you’re looking for a strong, reliable, and trustworthy partner, Canada is it. We’re advancing progress on AI, strengthening our defence alliances, creating good-paying jobs, and making sure businesses, innovators, and partners choose Canada.”

    Quick Facts

    • This was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 11th official visit to France.
    • Held on February 10 and 11, 2025, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris was the third global summit of its kind. It followed the AI Seoul Summit, which Prime Minister Trudeau attended virtually last year, and the AI Safety Summit that was hosted by the UK in 2023.
    • Entitled “Inclusive and Sustainable AI for People and the Planet”, the AI Action Summit joint Leaders’ Declaration is focused on the inclusive governance of AI that reflects the public interest, human rights, the environment, and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also highlights the need for inclusive dialogue and co-operation on AI governance and alignment with ongoing governance efforts by the UN Global Digital Compact, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the network of safety institutes.
    • Launched in 2020, the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) supports the development and use of AI based on human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth, while seeking to advance the UN SDGs. As a founding member of the GPAI, Canada is working closely with international partners to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly to the benefit of all citizens.
    • Canada was the first country in the world to introduce a national AI strategy. Since 2016, the Government of Canada has announced over $4.4 billion to support AI and digital research infrastructure, including $2.4 billion announced in Budget 2024 to scale-up AI compute infrastructure, support AI adoption programs, and launch an AI Safety Institute.
    • In November 2024, the Government of Canada launched the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute to bolster Canada’s capacity to address AI safety risks, further positioning the country as a leader in the safe and responsible development and adoption of AI technologies.
    • Last year, Canada and France signed the Canada-France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, reiterating our countries’ commitment to the responsible, safe use of AI that respects human rights and democratic values.
    • In 2024, France was Canada’s third-largest merchandise export market in the European Union (EU) and its 10th-largest trading partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $14.1 billion.
    • During his visit to France, the Prime Minister also met with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
    • This was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s sixth official visit to Belgium.
    • With its 27 Member States, the EU is Canada’s second-largest destination for merchandise exports, after the United States of America. In 2024, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and the EU reached a total of $119 billion.
    • The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed in 2016 and has been provisionally applied since 2017. Since 2016, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the EU has grown by 58 per cent.
    • Canada is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Alliance is a cornerstone of Canadian security and defence policy and an important platform for Canada’s contributions to international peace and security.

    Related Products

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 90th INTERPOL General Assembly

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    18-21 October 2022, New Delhi, India

    The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing body and comprises delegates appointed by the governments of our member countries.

    It meets once a year and takes all the major decisions affecting general policy, the resources needed for international cooperation, working methods, finances and programmes of activities. These decisions are in the form of resolutions.

    INTERPOL unveils first ever Metaverse designed for law enforcement at General Assembly.

    INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the opening of the 90th General Assembly.

    90th General Assembly.

    Police officers at 90th General Assembly.

    INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock with members of the Executive Committee (2021/2022).

    Opening of the 90th General Assembly.

    Secretary General Jürgen Stock reading INTERPOL’s 2022 Global Crime Trend Report.

    90th General Assembly.

    This year, the General Assembly will meet for its 90th session in New Delhi, India. The agenda is expected to include presentations, workshops and discussions on the following subjects:

    The future of policing

    With our member countries, we are exploring diverse perspectives on the future of policing in an increasingly digitalized world. What are the challenges, how can we respond to threats posed by technology and how should we shape our vision for 2030?

    Policing today’s crimes

    Different panels will look at topical policing initiatives. This will include:

    INTERPOL’s Global Crime Trends Report

    This document provides member countries with an overview of the main crime threats in the world.

    Executive Committee Elections

    The General Assembly elects new members to the Executive Committee as the incumbents end their mandate. This year, two posts are up for election: the vice-president for Europe, and the delegate for Africa.

    INTERPOL’s Centenary

    In 2023, INTERPOL will celebrate 100 years since the founding of the International Criminal Police Commission, which then became INTERPOL in 1956. A series of activities are planned to raise awareness of the role of international policing; past, present and future.

    Police have been gathering to discuss international policing for 100 years – pictured here are delegates at the 2nd session of the General Assembly held in Berlin, Germany in 1924.

    Partnerships

    This panel will discuss how multi-stakeholder strategic partnerships can support law enforcement across the world to face the challenges in global security.

    Diversity

    INTERPOL is committed to increasing the geographical and gender diversity of its workforce so it can better reflect and serve its global membership.

    Workshops

    Different workshops will look at technology, innovation and global financial crime, giving participants the chance to share ideas in smaller groups.

    Host country: India

    We thank India and the officials from New Delhi for hosting this year’s General Assembly and welcoming our delegates from member countries. We recognize the time and effort it takes to put on an event of this scale.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters and Young Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Federal Funding and Protections for the Great Lakes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) are leading bipartisan legislation to extend federal funding and protections for the Great Lakes. The senators introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) through 2031 and increase the program’s annual authorized funding levels from $475 million to $500 million. The GLRI is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect the Great Lakes. The GLRI combines federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of carp and other invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination. While providing vital support for these efforts, the GLRI also helps ensure we can address new and emerging threats to the Great Lakes.  

    “The Great Lakes are a national treasure and central to our economy, environment, and way of life in Michigan. Since its creation, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has made significant headway in cleaning up Areas of Concern, protecting vital habitats, and restoring coastlines around the Great Lakes Basin,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan legislation will provide GLRI with the resources needed to build on that success and help protect and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations of Michiganders. I’m proud to again help lead the charge to strengthen this essential program.” 

    “The Great Lakes are an important part of Indiana’s ecosystem and economy,” said Senator Young. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a results-driven program that addresses the most serious issues threatening the wellbeing of the Great Lakes basin, including toxic substances, pollution, debris, and invasive species. Reauthorizing this program will continue to protect and preserve these lakes for generations to come.”   

    The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jon Husted (R-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

    Since its inception, the GLRI has spurred tremendous progress throughout the Great Lakes region including nearly half of a million acres of habitat protected, restored, or enhanced, a five-fold increase in the successful cleanup and delisting of Areas of Concern, a ten-fold increase in the remediation of environmental and public health impairments, and reducing the threat of harmful algal blooms. The GLRI’s efforts have also resulted in economic returns of more than 3 to 1 across the region. 

    “The simple fact is the GLRI funds critical projects that make life better for the millions of Americans that depend on the Great Lakes. It also delivers a positive economic return on the government’s investment in cleaner water and healthier communities. Senator Peters and Senator Young along with other Great Lakes senators have our gratitude for introducing this important bill,” said Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes President and CEO. 

    “The GLRI is a landmark program that is making significant progress in restoring the waters, ecosystems, economies, and communities that make up the Great Lakes region,” said Erika Jensen, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission. “The Great Lakes Commission applauds Senators Peters and Young for introducing this important legislation, which will safeguard the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes region for generations to come.” 

    “This bill is a winner for millions of people in the region,” said Laura Rubin, Director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We thank Sens. Gary Peters and Todd Young for their bipartisan leadership and commitment to tackle the serious threats to our region’s drinking water, public health, jobs, and quality of life. Federal investments to restore the Great Lakes have been producing results, but serious threats remain. We look forward to working with the Great Lakes congressional delegation to pass this bipartisan bill that supports common sense solutions. If we scale back investments now, the problems will only get worse and more expensive to solve.” 

    “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provides critical investments in the health of the Great Lakes and the communities and businesses that rely on clean water. Communities across the region realize the lasting benefits of clean and healthy lakes, which attract visitors, create jobs, and sustain the Great Lakes way of life,” said Peter Laing, Great Lakes Business Network Co-Chair.  

    The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 enjoys broad support from Great Lakes advocates, including the Council of Great Lakes Governors, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, American Sportfishing Association, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Audubon Society – Great Lakes, Environmental Law & Policy Center, MI League of Conservation Voters, Save the Dunes, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Clean Wisconsin, Ohio Environmental Council, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and Minnesota Environmental Partnership.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Repatriation to Indigenous groups is more than law, it’s human rights − an archaeologist describes the day that lesson hit home

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christopher Wolff, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University at Albany, State University of New York

    Leola One Feather of the Oglala Sioux Tribe observes as Native American artifacts are photographed at the Founders Museum in Barre, Mass., in 2022, before their return. AP Photo/Philip Marcelo

    As an archaeologist, you picture yourself traveling to some remote location, digging into the ground, and returning to a lab in a university or museum to study the remains of past civilizations, with hopes of answering important questions.

    In contrast, I’ve often found myself working to return those remains to their rightful cultures. Repatriation is the process of returning ancestral human remains and important objects to descendant populations. Since the passing of the National Museum of the American Indian Act in 1989 and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act in 1990, it has become an increasingly important part of archaeological practice, yet about 110,000 ancestors remain in collections.

    This work is about more than legal obligations. To many researchers such as myself, it is a matter of human rights.

    When first enacted, these laws were controversial among archaeologists. Much of this anxiety stemmed from worries about losing access to research opportunities. Some concerns were shaped by legal battles surrounding the remains of “Kennewick Man,” whom Indigenous people refer to as the “Ancient One.” This man’s remains were found in Washington state in 1996 and dated to over 8,000 years ago. Scientists won the legal right to study them, in opposition to local tribal nations’ requests, until a 2016 law returned the remains of the individual to those groups.

    Over time, many archaeologists have seen that while repatriation requirements limit research in some ways, in others they have been beneficial and improved aspects of archaeologists’ relationships with Indigenous communities.

    More importantly, repatriation laws have served as a partial remedy for the historical trauma of those peoples.

    This is not an idea I was exposed to as a graduate student. Like many others in my field, I had virtually no exposure to the actual process of repatriation, even more than a decade after the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, called NAGPRA, was signed into law. Rather, it is one that developed while I served as a repatriation archaeologist for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History from 2009-2011, and in the following years as a professor of archaeology.

    Dancers from the Haida Tribe perform at the Field Museum in Chicago in 2003, celebrating the return of Haida human remains to their descendants.
    AP Photo/M. Spencer Green

    Careful process

    Repatriation includes important steps that are required by law, as well as other ethical considerations. First, any human remains or objects that fall within certain categories – such as sacred objects, or funerary objects – should be stored where they can be properly cared for with respect. For instance, Indigenous groups may ask that tobacco be placed with the remains, as an offering to their ancestors’ spirits.

    Researchers must compile information about these human remains into an itemized list containing the number of individuals and objects, brief descriptions of them, where they were found, and how they came into the institution’s possession. This list is then provided to representatives of communities that may be descendants, or possible living relatives.

    If those communities decide to request the remains’ return, then the formal process of assessing “cultural affiliation” begins. This is a thorough analysis of any evidence demonstrating a connection between the remains or objects and a particular group today. Evidence can include many things, including physical characteristics of the human remains or objects, written documents, oral history, or distinct cultural attributes of the artifacts.

    Legally, this process is required only for federally recognized Indigenous groups. However, institutions can choose to apply the same consideration to other communities if they believe it is appropriate, such as the hundreds of Indigenous groups that lack federal recognition.

    The analysis is officially submitted to the national NAGPRA database, and a public notice is posted so that other interested parties could potentially make a claim on the remains or objects.

    If researchers confirm there is a cultural affiliation, after a 90-day waiting period an official repatriation statement is filed with the national office. Researchers then consult with the requesting parties about how to conduct the physical return. What happens next is in the hands of the affiliated groups, and their wishes must be accommodated.

    Kurt Riley, then the governor of the Pueblo of Acoma, speaks at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in 2016, protesting a French auction house’s plans to sell Indigenous artifacts.
    AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

    Unfortunately, many remains have already suffered significant damage by the time repatriation begins. A great many of them have sat on shelves unstudied, sometimes for decades or longer – even those that came into the collection legally and in collaboration with Indigenous groups.

    Powerful moment

    One such individual was the key to a major shift in how I viewed repatriation – no longer as a research hindrance but as a question of human rights. Out of respect for the Indigenous nation, I cannot discuss specifics – only a broader picture of this “aha” moment.

    One day at work, I found myself looking at an individual who had died several centuries ago, but was so well preserved that his death looked much more recent. It can be too easy to look at a collection of human bones and forget that they were once a living person, despite trying to teach students otherwise. However, that day I looked down and clearly saw a man: his face painted, his hair neatly done, earrings in his ears, laid out in a beautiful box.

    Obviously, whoever tended to him after his death had taken great care, placing him in a sacred place where he had every expectation that he would be left undisturbed. He could not have perceived that centuries later someone would collect his remains and ship him away from his traditional lands to be studied in a museum.

    That hit home for me. I would not want someone to go against my final wishes, or those of my family, and felt this man should have the same human rights I have in that regard.

    I regret it took me so long to see that. Ever since, I’ve worked hard to make up for that by teaching my students to see the past full of people with expectations, hopes and emotions, and to extend ethical obligations to them as we would want applied to us. Archaeology is about learning from the past, and working in repatriation and meeting this individual provided me with one of the best lessons of my career.

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

    – ref. Repatriation to Indigenous groups is more than law, it’s human rights − an archaeologist describes the day that lesson hit home – https://theconversation.com/repatriation-to-indigenous-groups-is-more-than-law-its-human-rights-an-archaeologist-describes-the-day-that-lesson-hit-home-247763

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Address science misinformation not by repeating the facts, but by building conversation and community

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Anne Toomey, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Science, Pace University

    Using communication strategies that tap into people’s social networks can help agencies combat misinformation. arthobbit/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Misinformation about scientific topics, including falsehoods such as vaccines cause autism and climate change being an entirely natural phenomenon, is an issue scientists have been discussing more and more. Widespread misinformation can lead to confusion about public health and environmental issues and can hinder those working to solve societal problems.

    As an environmental social scientist who researches how science can have an impact on society, I seek effective ways to address misinformation.

    There are many approaches that can work to some extent: for example, counteracting erroneous information with statements about scientific topics based on quality research that convey that the majority of experts agree, and “inoculating” people by preparing them to spot the fallacies in misinformation before they are first exposed to it.

    But one of the most important ways to counteract misinformation is less about the facts and more about how those facts move within social networks and communities. In other words, it’s not enough for science to be right – it has to be accepted within people’s social circles to have any meaningful impact.

    Can facts change minds?

    Most people tend to assume that their knowledge and ideas are based on a rational, objective analysis of information. And that’s sometimes the case – if it’s snowing outside, people don’t insist that it’s sunny and warm, no matter how much they might like it to be.

    Similarly, if a person comes across some novel fact in the news, such as the discovery of a new type of plant in the Amazon, they might just absorb that information and go about their day.

    But rationality and the ability to embrace new information goes out the window when it comes up against ideas that challenge one’s preexisting worldviews or social identities. Such information can feel like a personal attack, leading the body to release cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. So, certain facts can feel threatening or offensive.

    Sometimes, people accept new information without much thought. But when new information challenges their existing beliefs, they may double down on their point of view.

    Compounding what is happening in the brain is what’s happening in people’s communities. Humans are social animals who turn to others they trust to help them understand what’s what. People are attuned to what is considered normal or acceptable in their social environments, so if their social group holds a particular belief, they are more likely to adopt that belief too.

    One’s cultural and political identities often dictate how they interpret the same information, leading to disagreements even when presented with the same evidence.

    These cultural identities explain why, for example, research finds that science-skeptical behaviors, such as vaccine hesitancy and climate denialism, tend to cluster in social and geographical pockets. In these pockets, people’s skepticism is reinforced by others with similar beliefs in their social network. In such cases, providing more evidence on a certain topic won’t help, and it may even result in people digging in their heels deeper to deny the evidence.

    So if facts don’t necessarily change minds, what will?

    Leveraging community networks

    Recent research provides a solution for scientists and agencies hoping to correct misinformation: Rather than fighting against humans’ social nature, work with it.

    When people see trusted individuals within their social networks holding a certain belief, that belief becomes more credible and easier to adopt. Leveraging those community connections can allow new ideas to gain traction.

    One great example of using social networks to fight misinformation is how polio was eradicated in India. In 2009, India was the polio epicenter of the world, home to half of the world’s cases. These cases were largely clustered in vaccine-hesitant regions of the country. But by 2011, only two years later, India had only one case, and the country formally celebrated the eradication of polio in 2014.

    How did India go from having half of the world’s cases to just one case in under two years?

    Public health agencies asked volunteers from within vaccine-resistant communities to go on a listening campaign and become ambassadors for the vaccine. The volunteers were trained in interpersonal communication skills and tasked with spending time with parents. They built trust and rapport through regular visits.

    Because the volunteers were known within the communities, they were able to make headway where health workers from urban areas had not. As they established rapport, hesitant parents shared their concerns, which typically went beyond polio to include other health issues.

    Over time, more and more parents decided to vaccinate their children, until there was a tipping point and vaccination became a social norm. Perhaps most notably, the campaign led to full routine immunization rates in some high-risk regions of the country.

    A medical volunteer administers polio immunization drops to a child in India, years after the country’s last reported polio case.
    AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh

    India’s incredible success emphasizes the importance of personal interactions for changing minds, which means moving beyond simply presenting the facts. Building trust, listening to concerns and engaging with communities in a meaningful way were integral to India’s eradication of polio.

    The power of conversations

    Another example of using the power of social networks to talk about controversial science topics comes from a method called deep canvassing. Deep canvassing is a unique communication method that involves going door to door to have conversations with members of the public.

    But unlike traditional canvassing, which often focuses on rallying existing supporters, deep canvassing deliberately seeks to engage with those who hold different viewpoints, focusing efforts in communities where the topic is controversial.

    In deep canvassing, canvassers seek to have longer and more in-depth conversations, to share perspectives and relate with the residents they’re visiting.
    AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens

    Canvassers are trained to ask questions to better understand the other person’s experiences and perspectives on the issue, and then they share their own personal stories. This helps to create a human connection, where both parties feel heard and respected. This connection can help to reduce the negative emotions that may emerge when someone is challenged to rethink their beliefs.

    One notable example of deep canvassing in action is the work of Neighbours United, an environmental nonprofit in Canada. They used a deep-canvassing approach to engage people in conversations about climate change.

    They piloted the method in a rural, conservative community called Trail, home to one of the largest zinc and lead smelters in the world. Prior efforts to engage community members hadn’t had much of an effect, as taking action on climate change was largely seen as being in conflict with how many people made their living.

    But the deep-canvassing method worked. Going door to door, the canvassers listened to residents’ concerns, shared their own stories about the impact of climate change and highlighted local environmental successes.

    As a result, 1 in 3 residents shifted their views about the importance of taking action to address climate change. This broad community support led the City Council to vote to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

    Sociologist Anthony Giddens described interpersonal interactions between experts, such as doctors or scientists, and the public as access points. He argued that these points are vital for maintaining trust in governmental and scientific institutions, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Environmental Protection Agency.

    These face-to-face interactions with experts can help people see them as kind, warm and professional, which can lead to trust.

    These examples show that creating support for attitudes and behaviors based on science requires more than just presenting facts. It requires creating meaningful dialogue between skeptical groups and scientific messengers. It’s also a reminder that while social networks may serve to propagate misinformation, they can also be an important tool for addressing it.

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

    – ref. Address science misinformation not by repeating the facts, but by building conversation and community – https://theconversation.com/address-science-misinformation-not-by-repeating-the-facts-but-by-building-conversation-and-community-249121

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Donald Trump’s war on global governance: lessons from the past on how to fight back

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Danny Bradlow, Professor/Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria

    US president Donald Trump’s recent actions seem designed to reassert American power and demonstrate that it is still the dominant global power and is capable of bullying weaker nations into following America’s lead.

    He has shown contempt for international collaboration by withdrawing from the UN climate negotiations and the World Health Organization. His officials have also indicated that they will not participate in upcoming G20 meetings because he does not like the policies of South Africa, the G20 president for 2025.

    In addition, he’s shown a lack of concern for international solidarity by halting US aid programmes and by undermining efforts to keep businesses honest. He has demonstrated his contempt for allies by imposing tariffs on their exports.

    These actions demand a response from the rest of the international community that mitigates the risk to the well-being of people and planet and the effective management of global affairs.

    My research on global economic governance suggests that history can offer some guidance on how to shape an effective response.

    Such a response should be based on a realistic assessment of the configuration of global forces. It should seek to build tactical coalitions between state and non-state actors in both the global south and the global north who can agree on clear and limited objectives.

    The following three historical lessons help explain this point.

    Cautionary lessons

    The first lesson is about the dangers of being overoptimistic in assessing the potential for change.

    In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the US was confronting defeat in the war in Vietnam, high inflation and domestic unrest, including the assassination of leading politicians and the murder of protesting students.

    The US was also losing confidence in its ability to sustain the international monetary order it had established at the Bretton Woods conference in 1944.

    In addition, the countries of the global south were calling for a new international economic order that was more responsive to their needs. Given the concerns about the political and economic situation in the US and the relative strength of the Soviet bloc at the time, this seemed a realistic demand.

    In August 1971, President Richard Nixon, without any international consultations, launched what became known as the Nixon Shock. He broke the link between gold and the US dollar, thereby ending the international monetary system established in 1944. He also imposed a 10% surcharge on all imports into the US.

    When America’s European allies protested and sought to create a reformed version of the old monetary order, US treasury secretary John Connolly informed them that the dollar was

    our currency but your problem.

    Over the course of the 1970s, US allies in western Europe, Asia and all countries that participated in the old Bretton Woods system were forced to accept what the US preferred: a market-based international monetary system in which the US dollar became the dominant currency.

    The US, along with its allies in the global north, also defeated the calls for a new international economic order and imposed their neo-liberal economic order on the world.

    The second cautionary lesson highlights the importance of building robust tactical coalitions. In 1969, the International Monetary Fund member states agreed to authorise the IMF to create special drawing rights, the IMF’s unique reserve asset. At the time, many IMF developing country member states advocated establishing a link between development and the special drawing rights. This would enable those countries most in need of additional resources to access more than their proportionate share of special drawing rights to fund their development.

    All developing countries supported this demand. But they couldn’t agree on how to do it. The rich countries were able to exploit these differences and defeat the proposed link between the special drawing rights and development. As a result, the special drawing rights are now distributed to all IMF member states according to their quotas in the IMF. This means that most allocations go to the rich countries who do not need them and have no obligation to share them with developing countries.

    A third lesson arises from the successful Jubilee 2000 campaign to forgive the debts of low-income developing countries experiencing debt crises. This campaign, supported by a secretariat in the United Kingdom, eventually involved:

    • civil society organisations and activists in 40 countries

    • a petition signed by 21 million people

    • governments in both creditor and debtor countries.

    These efforts resulted in the cancellation of the debts of 35 developing countries. These debts, totalling about US$100 billion, were owed primarily to bilateral and multilateral official creditors.

    They were also a demonstration of the political power that can be generated by the combined actions of civil society organisations and governments in both rich and poor countries. They can force the most powerful and wealthy institutions and individuals in the world to accept actions that, while requiring them to make affordable sacrifices, benefit low-income countries and potentially poor communities within those states.

    What conclusions should be drawn?

    We shouldn’t under-estimate the power of the US or the determination of the MAGA movement to use that power. However, their power is not absolute. It is constrained by the relative decline in US power as countries such as China and India gain economic and political strength. In addition, there are now mechanisms for international cooperation, such as the G20, where states can coordinate their actions and gain tactical victories that are meaningful to people and planet.

    But gaining such victories will require the following:

    Firstly, the formation of tactical coalitions that include states from both the global south and the global north. If these states cooperate around limited and shared objectives they can counter the vested interests around the world that support Trump’s objectives.

    Secondly, a special kind of public-private partnership in which states and non-state actors set aside their differences and agree to cooperate to achieve limited shared objectives. Neither states alone nor civil society groups alone were able to defeat the vested interests that opposed debt relief in the late 1990s. Working together they were able to defeat powerful creditor interests and gain debt relief for the poorest states.

    Thirdly, this special partnership will only be possible if there’s general agreement on both the diagnosis of the problem and on the general contours of the solution. This was the case with the debt issue in the 1990s.

    There are good candidates for such collaborative actions. For example, many states and non-state actors agree that international financial institutions need to be reformed and made more responsive to the needs of those member states that actually use their services but lack voice and vote in their governance. The institutions also need to be more accountable to those affected by their policies and practices. They also agree that large corporations and financial institutions should pay their fair share of taxes and should be environmentally and socially responsible.

    The urgency of the challenges facing the global community demands that the world begin countering Trump as soon as possible. South Africa as the current chair of the G20 has a special responsibility to ensure that this year the G20, together with its engagement groups, acts creatively and responsibly in relation to people and planet.

    – Donald Trump’s war on global governance: lessons from the past on how to fight back
    – https://theconversation.com/donald-trumps-war-on-global-governance-lessons-from-the-past-on-how-to-fight-back-249666

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Donald Trump’s war on global governance: lessons from the past on how to fight back

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Danny Bradlow, Professor/Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria

    US president Donald Trump’s recent actions seem designed to reassert American power and demonstrate that it is still the dominant global power and is capable of bullying weaker nations into following America’s lead.

    He has shown contempt for international collaboration by withdrawing from the UN climate negotiations and the World Health Organization. His officials have also indicated that they will not participate in upcoming G20 meetings because he does not like the policies of South Africa, the G20 president for 2025.

    In addition, he’s shown a lack of concern for international solidarity by halting US aid programmes and by undermining efforts to keep businesses honest. He has demonstrated his contempt for allies by imposing tariffs on their exports.

    These actions demand a response from the rest of the international community that mitigates the risk to the well-being of people and planet and the effective management of global affairs.

    My research on global economic governance suggests that history can offer some guidance on how to shape an effective response.

    Such a response should be based on a realistic assessment of the configuration of global forces. It should seek to build tactical coalitions between state and non-state actors in both the global south and the global north who can agree on clear and limited objectives.

    The following three historical lessons help explain this point.

    Cautionary lessons

    The first lesson is about the dangers of being overoptimistic in assessing the potential for change.

    In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the US was confronting defeat in the war in Vietnam, high inflation and domestic unrest, including the assassination of leading politicians and the murder of protesting students.

    The US was also losing confidence in its ability to sustain the international monetary order it had established at the Bretton Woods conference in 1944.

    In addition, the countries of the global south were calling for a new international economic order that was more responsive to their needs. Given the concerns about the political and economic situation in the US and the relative strength of the Soviet bloc at the time, this seemed a realistic demand.

    In August 1971, President Richard Nixon, without any international consultations, launched what became known as the Nixon Shock. He broke the link between gold and the US dollar, thereby ending the international monetary system established in 1944. He also imposed a 10% surcharge on all imports into the US.

    When America’s European allies protested and sought to create a reformed version of the old monetary order, US treasury secretary John Connolly informed them that the dollar was

    our currency but your problem.

    Over the course of the 1970s, US allies in western Europe, Asia and all countries that participated in the old Bretton Woods system were forced to accept what the US preferred: a market-based international monetary system in which the US dollar became the dominant currency.

    The US, along with its allies in the global north, also defeated the calls for a new international economic order and imposed their neo-liberal economic order on the world.

    The second cautionary lesson highlights the importance of building robust tactical coalitions. In 1969, the International Monetary Fund member states agreed to authorise the IMF to create special drawing rights, the IMF’s unique reserve asset. At the time, many IMF developing country member states advocated establishing a link between development and the special drawing rights. This would enable those countries most in need of additional resources to access more than their proportionate share of special drawing rights to fund their development.

    All developing countries supported this demand. But they couldn’t agree on how to do it. The rich countries were able to exploit these differences and defeat the proposed link between the special drawing rights and development. As a result, the special drawing rights are now distributed to all IMF member states according to their quotas in the IMF. This means that most allocations go to the rich countries who do not need them and have no obligation to share them with developing countries.

    A third lesson arises from the successful Jubilee 2000 campaign to forgive the debts of low-income developing countries experiencing debt crises. This campaign, supported by a secretariat in the United Kingdom, eventually involved:

    • civil society organisations and activists in 40 countries

    • a petition signed by 21 million people

    • governments in both creditor and debtor countries.

    These efforts resulted in the cancellation of the debts of 35 developing countries. These debts, totalling about US$100 billion, were owed primarily to bilateral and multilateral official creditors.

    They were also a demonstration of the political power that can be generated by the combined actions of civil society organisations and governments in both rich and poor countries. They can force the most powerful and wealthy institutions and individuals in the world to accept actions that, while requiring them to make affordable sacrifices, benefit low-income countries and potentially poor communities within those states.

    What conclusions should be drawn?

    We shouldn’t under-estimate the power of the US or the determination of the MAGA movement to use that power. However, their power is not absolute. It is constrained by the relative decline in US power as countries such as China and India gain economic and political strength. In addition, there are now mechanisms for international cooperation, such as the G20, where states can coordinate their actions and gain tactical victories that are meaningful to people and planet.

    But gaining such victories will require the following:

    Firstly, the formation of tactical coalitions that include states from both the global south and the global north. If these states cooperate around limited and shared objectives they can counter the vested interests around the world that support Trump’s objectives.

    Secondly, a special kind of public-private partnership in which states and non-state actors set aside their differences and agree to cooperate to achieve limited shared objectives. Neither states alone nor civil society groups alone were able to defeat the vested interests that opposed debt relief in the late 1990s. Working together they were able to defeat powerful creditor interests and gain debt relief for the poorest states.

    Thirdly, this special partnership will only be possible if there’s general agreement on both the diagnosis of the problem and on the general contours of the solution. This was the case with the debt issue in the 1990s.

    There are good candidates for such collaborative actions. For example, many states and non-state actors agree that international financial institutions need to be reformed and made more responsive to the needs of those member states that actually use their services but lack voice and vote in their governance. The institutions also need to be more accountable to those affected by their policies and practices. They also agree that large corporations and financial institutions should pay their fair share of taxes and should be environmentally and socially responsible.

    The urgency of the challenges facing the global community demands that the world begin countering Trump as soon as possible. South Africa as the current chair of the G20 has a special responsibility to ensure that this year the G20, together with its engagement groups, acts creatively and responsibly in relation to people and planet.

    Danny Bradlow, in addition to his position at the University of Pretoria, is an advisor to the South African Institute of International Affairs on G20 issues and is a co-chair of the T20 Taskforce on the Financing of Sustainable Development.

    – ref. Donald Trump’s war on global governance: lessons from the past on how to fight back – https://theconversation.com/donald-trumps-war-on-global-governance-lessons-from-the-past-on-how-to-fight-back-249666

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –