NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.27.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 27, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:

    • AB 598 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – San Francisco Bay Area Regional Housing Finance Act: regional and county expenditure plans.
    • AB 653 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – Public housing authorities: reports.
    • AB 810 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Postsecondary education: hiring practices: academic, athletic, and administrative positions.
    • AB 846 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Housing programs: rent increases.
    • AB 863 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Carpet recycling: producer responsibility organizations: fines: succession: training.
    • AB 892 by Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Bakersfield) – Kern County Hospital Authority.
    • AB 1205 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – California State University students: California Promise: Finish in Four and Through in Two.
    • AB 1359 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects: lead agency.
    • AB 1524 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Postsecondary education: on-campus access to drug testing devices.
    • AB 1577 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Health facilities and clinics: clinical placements: nursing.
    • AB 1581 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Conservation: Restoration Management Permit Act and California State Safe Harbor Agreement Program Act.
    • AB 1777 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Autonomous vehicles.
    • AB 1801 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Supportive housing: administrative office space.
    • AB 1859 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Coroners: duties.
    • AB 1885 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Student Success Completion Grant program.
    • AB 1889 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Conservation element: wildlife and habitat connectivity.
    • AB 1930 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – Teaching credentials: Child Development Associate Teacher Permit: renewal.
    • AB 1963 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Pesticides: paraquat dichloride. A signing message can be found here.
    • AB 1976 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Occupational safety and health standards: first aid materials: opioid antagonists.
    • AB 1997 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Teachers’ Retirement Law.
    • AB 2004 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – County recorder: recordation of documents.
    • AB 2037 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Weights and measures: electric vehicle chargers.
    • AB 2047 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Public postsecondary education: discrimination prevention.
    • AB 2048 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: systemic campus reforms: sexual harassment: report.
    • AB 2053 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Porterville) – Pupil instruction: abusive relationships.
    • AB 2057 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Associate Degree for Transfer.
    • AB 2068 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – State agencies: call center work: reporting information.
    • AB 2082 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – State highways: State Route 138: reduction.
    • AB 2107 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Clinical laboratory technology: remote review.
    • AB 2109 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – Electricity: surcharge exemption: industrial process heat recovery.
    • AB 2136 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Controlled substances: analyzing and testing.
    • AB 2165 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – Pupil instruction: financial aid application.
    • AB 2181 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Juvenile court school pupils: graduation requirements and continued education options.
    • AB 2193 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Hazing: educational institutions: prohibition and civil liability: reports and resources.
    • AB 2196 by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) – Beaver restoration.
    • AB 2229 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – California Healthy Youth Act: menstrual health education.
    • AB 2235 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Public contracts: local agencies: wind infrastructure.
    • AB 2258 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Health care coverage: cost sharing.
    • AB 2292 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Electrical transmission facilities: certificates of public convenience and necessity.
    • AB 2293 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Porterville) – Joint powers agreements: health care services.
    • AB 2304 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – Unlawful detainer: case records.
    • AB 2346 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.
    • AB 2368 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – System reliability and outages.
    • AB 2375 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Alcoholic beverages: on-sale general public premises: drink lids.
    • AB 2403 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Community colleges: student equity plan.
    • AB 2440 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – 30×30 goal: partnering state agencies: Department of Parks and Recreation.
    • AB 2471 by Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) – Professions and vocations: public health nurses.
    • AB 2503 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: passenger rail projects.
    • AB 2505 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) – Attorneys: pro bono legal services.
    • AB 2509 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Invasive Species Council of California: activities: definitions.
    • AB 2525 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – State highways: property leases.
    • AB 2527 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Incarceration: pregnant persons.
    • AB 2580 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Historical resources.
    • AB 2590 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – San Bernardino County Transportation Authority: contracting.
    • AB 2606 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – California Agave Commission.
    • AB 2613 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Jacqueline Marie Zbur Rare Disease Advisory Council.
    • AB 2624 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Prisoners: employment: bereavement.
    • AB 2632 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – Planning and zoning: thrift retail stores.
    • AB 2633 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – California State University: joint degrees: international institutions of higher education.
    • AB 2645 by Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) – Electronic toll collection systems: information sharing: law enforcement.
    • AB 2669 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Toll bridges: tolls.
    • AB 2672 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – California Alternate Rates for Energy program: public housing authority owned or administered Homekey housing facilities.
    • AB 2682 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Santa Clara Valley Open-Space Authority.
    • AB 2696 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Labor-related liabilities: direct contractor and subcontractor.
    • AB 2697  by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Transportation electrification: electric vehicle charging stations: network roaming standards.
    • AB 2723  by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – The California Cradle-to-Career Data System Act.
    • AB 2729 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) – Development projects: permits and other entitlements.
    • AB 2740 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Incarcerated persons: prenatal and postpartum care.
    • AB 2754 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Employment contracts and agreements: sufficient funds: liability.
    • AB 2765 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Public Utilities Commission: reports: telecommunications service: backup electricity.
    • AB 2779 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Independent System Operator: transmission planning.
    • AB 2780 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Carrier of Passengers Act of 2024.
    • AB 2851 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Metal shredding facilities: fence-line air quality monitoring.
    • AB 2859 by Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) – Emergency medical technicians: peer support.
    • AB 2866 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Pool safety: State Department of Social Services regulated facilities.
    • AB 2900 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) – Small agricultural truck fleet assistance program.
    • AB 2904 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Zoning ordinances: notice.
    • AB 2967 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Teacher Housing Act of 2016: nonprofit organization employees.
    • AB 2975 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Occupational safety and health standards: workplace violence prevention plan: hospitals.
    • AB 2984 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Fleeing the scene of an accident.
    • AB 2999  by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Pupil instruction: homework policy.
    • AB 3012 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Development fees: fee schedule template: fee estimate tool.
    • AB 3062 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Fire protection districts: electrical corporations and local publicly owned electric utilities: prescribed or controlled burns: notice requirements.
    • AB 3122 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Streamlined housing approvals: objective planning standards and subdivision applications.
    • AB 3123 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: board code of conduct: lobbying rules.
    • AB 3138 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – License plates and registration cards: alternative devices.
    • AB 3161 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Health facilities: patient safety and antidiscrimination.
    • AB 3162 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) – Octopus: aquaculture: prohibition.
    • AB 3190 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Public works. A signing message can be found here.
    • AB 3221 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Department of Managed Health Care: review of records.
    • AB 3227 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: stormwater facilities: routine maintenance.
    • AB 3264  by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Energy: cost framework: residential rates: demand-side management programs report: electrical transmission grid study.
    • AB 3275 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) – Health care coverage: claim reimbursement.
    • SB 56 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – University of California: transfer of real property.
    • SB 59 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Battery electric vehicles: bidirectional capability. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 219 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Greenhouse gases: climate corporate accountability: climate-related financial risk.
    • SB 440 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Regional Housing Finance Authorities.
    • SB 536 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Surplus state real property: Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility.
    • SB 552 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Public safety: pools and spas.
    • SB 572 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Surplus state real property: community land trusts.
    • SB 583 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Salton Sea Conservancy. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 675 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.
    • SB 768 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) – California Environmental Quality Act: Department of Housing and Community Development: vehicle miles traveled: study.
    • SB 901 by Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) – The military: eligibility.
    • SB 951 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – California Coastal Act of 1976: coastal zone: coastal development.
    • SB 1015 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Nursing schools and programs.
    • SB 1098 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Passenger and freight rail: LOSSAN Rail Corridor.
    • SB 1101 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Fire prevention: prescribed fire: state contracts: maps.
    • SB 1137 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Discrimination claims: combination of characteristics.
    • SB 1150 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Dissolution or nullity of marriage: restoration of former name or birth name.
    • SB 1152 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – State Fire Marshal: fire safety: regulations: lithium-based battery systems: telecommunications infrastructure.
    • SB 1161 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Juveniles.
    • SB 1168 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Business entities: Secretary of State: document filings.
    • SB 1177 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Public utilities: women, minority, disabled veteran, and LGBT business enterprises.
    • SB 1181 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – Campaign contributions: agency officers.
    • SB 1183 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Community colleges: registered nursing programs.
    • SB 1210 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – New housing construction: electrical, gas, sewer, and water service: service connection information.
    • SB 1216 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Transportation projects: Class III bikeways: prohibition.
    • SB 1244 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Pupil instruction: dual enrollment: College and Career Access Pathways partnerships.
    • SB 1266 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Product safety: bisphenol.
    • SB 1271 by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) – Electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and storage batteries.
    • SB 1289 by Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) – Medi-Cal: call centers: standards and data.
    • SB 1295 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Automobile insurance: notice of cancellation.
    • SB 1342 by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) – California Environmental Quality Act: infrastructure projects: County of San Diego. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 1357 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Housing Authority of the County of Alameda.
    • SB 1382 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – Community and rural health clinics: building standards.
    • SB 1384 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Powered wheelchairs: repair.
    • SB 1415 by Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda) – CalWORKs: permanent housing assistance.
    • SB 1458 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.
    • SB 1493 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Elections.

    The Governor also announced that he has vetoed the following bills:
     

    • AB 359 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Pupil instruction: dual enrollment: College and Career Access Pathways partnerships. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 871 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Safety in employment: conveyances. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1832 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Civil Rights Department: Labor Trafficking Task Force. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1961 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – End Hunger in California Act of 2024. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2061 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – Sales and Use Tax: exemptions: zero-emission public transportation ferries. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2104 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) – Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2182 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Public works. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2237 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Children and youth: transfer of specialty mental health services. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2286 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Vehicles: autonomous vehicles. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2381 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – California state preschool programs: reimbursement rates. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2442 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Healing arts: expedited licensure process: gender-affirming health care and gender-affirming mental health care. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2446 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – Medi-Cal: diapers. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2513 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Gas stoves and ranges: warning label. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2724  by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) – High school pupils: voter registration. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2725 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Teacher credentialing: administrative services credential: occupational and physical therapists. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2745 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Porterville) – Agricultural pests: public nuisance: civil penalty. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3061 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) –Vehicles: autonomous vehicle incident reporting. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3063 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Pharmacies: compounding. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3068 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) – Adaptive reuse: streamlining: incentives. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3142 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Los Angeles Community College District: California Center for Climate Change Education. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3160 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) – Insurance, income, and corporation taxes: credits: low-income housing. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 254 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Correctional facilities: media access. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 895 by Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) – Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1067 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Healing arts: expedited licensure process. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1213 by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) – Health care programs: cancer. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1374 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Net energy metering. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1391 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Teachers: preparation and retention data. A veto message can be found here.

    For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs legislation to strengthen support, opportunities, and safety for Californians with disabilities

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 28, 2024

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed a package of bills today to improve life for Californians with disabilities at school, at home, and in the community, and increase transparency in California’s support system for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of legislation today to make California more accessible and inclusive to all people with disabilities and strengthen California’s nation-leading commitment to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can live and thrive in their communities.

    “When we say ‘California for ALL,’ we mean every single person in this state should be able to thrive – and that includes those with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. I’m proud to continue our historic actions to protect vulnerable students, improve statewide supports, and strengthen future opportunities for the disabled community.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Bigger picture

    The bills signed by the Governor build on six years of actions to make the California dream more accessible to people with disabilities. Scores of investments and reforms will improve dyslexia detections, support special education services, and increase access to higher education, housing options, health care affordability, home care and community day services, public safety practices, civil rights protections, and more.

    A priority of the Newsom administration has been supporting the 400,000 Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down Syndrome and autism. A Master Plan for Developmental Services was announced in January to engage the public in modernizing the system for better outcomes for all; public meetings continue in October and a framework will be released in March 2025. This week, the first Comprehensive Dashboard on people served and services provided was unveiled by the Department of Developmental Services. On January 1, 2025, rates paid to service providers will increase and the first quality incentive program will begin. This is the culmination of nearly $2 billion invested in provider rates by the Newsom administration and Legislature since 2022 in response to a landmark rate reform study in 2019.

    What the new laws do

    Create Historic Transparency, Accountability, and Equity in Support Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The State’s regional centers that provide support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will now be subject to the Public Records Act. This change will increase public transparency, accountability for outcomes, and equity of services in all communities. California’s service system is funded with approximately $15 billion annually to support 400,000 people with Down Syndrome, autism, and other developmental disabilities in their homes, schools, jobs, and communities.

    The state will also begin to review and update biannually the provider rate reform study, beginning in 2025. The updated rate model will be posted on the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) website.

    Max Benson’s Law to Protect Vulnerable Students’ Safety and Rights: Prone restraint is a technique that physically or mechanically restrains students in a face down position — one of the most dangerous forms of emergency interventions, which has resulted in severe injuries and even fatalities among students. This new law protects students by prohibiting its use in ALL California schools.

    Jumpstarts Career Pathways for All: Students with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will start planning for their post-secondary goals no later than age 16, and possibly as early as they begin high school– up to two years earlier than current law. One in 8 California students have an IEP and will have greater access to higher education and to work opportunities with planning that begins as early in the high school career as deemed appropriate by the student’s IEP team.

    Additional legislation signed today to support the disability community and a more inclusive California for All:

    SB 445 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Glendale) – Special education: standardized individualized education program template: translation.

    SB 483 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-Campbell) – Pupil rights: prone restraint.

    SB 939 by Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) – Educational equity: school site and community resources: neurodivergent pupils.

    SB 1001 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Oakland) – Death penalty: intellectually disabled persons.

    SB 1197 by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Modesto) – In-home respite services for families caring for children with an intellectual or developmental disability, including foster families.

    AB 438 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-West Covina) – Pupils with exceptional needs: individualized education programs: postsecondary goals and transition services.

    AB 1147 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-San Luis Obispo) – Disability Equity, Transparency, and Accountability Act of 2024.

    AB 1938 by Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Chico) – Special education: inclusion and universal design for learning.

    AB 2423 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) – Developmental services: rates.

    AB 2821 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Postsecondary education: students with disabilities.

    The Governor previously signed the following bills:

    AB 1885 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-San Luis Obispo) – Student Success Completion Grant program.

    AB 1906 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Gardena) – California Law Revision Commission: persons with disabilities: terminology.

    AB 2173 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-San Luis Obispo) – Special education: emotional disability.

    AB 2541 by Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) — Peace officer training: wandering.

    AB 3291 by the Committee on Human Services – Developmental services.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Operation Archer – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Operation Archer was previously deployed in Alice Springs early August 2024 to provide an immediate response to stolen motor vehicle crimes. Operation Archer was recommenced yesterday to support frontline police and Strike Force Viper investigators with additional capability to stop high risk property crime involving stolen motor vehicles and resulting attacks on police.

    Operation Archer personnel responded to two instances of stolen motor vehicle crime in Alice Springs overnight.

    The first instance,  at 4:15pm on Saturday, was reports of a vehicle stolen during a burglary in East Side and later driven dangerously in the CBD prior to being dumped after 10:30pm. During the driving in the CBD the occupants of the stolen motor vehicle threw rocks at police and other frontline workers, damaging vehicles but not injuring officers or workers.

    The second instance, at 1:30am this morning, was reports a security guard was robbed of his car keys at knife point near the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens. This stolen motor vehicle again returned to the CBD and drove dangerously. Operation Archer personnel pursued the vehicle onto a dirt track where it attempted to evade police and throw projectiles including fireworks at officers.

    This stolen motor vehicle was successfully apprehended when it slowed on the dirt track and the occupants fled into the bush. All seven children, aged 15, 14, 13, 13, 12, 12, and 11  were arrested at the scene. All children remain in police custody this morning, except the 11-year-old who was released into the care of a responsible adult.

    Strike Force Viper are leading investigations and police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2400097558. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    Commander James Gray-Spence said “Operation Archer  will continue in Alice Springs, both investigating overnight offences and also generating significant proactive activity, targeting an established list of wanted offenders.

    “Operation Archer demonstrates our steadfast commitment to reduce all crime with coordinated responses using all available frontline, investigative and specialist capabilities.

    “Thank you to police and frontline workers who deploy each and every night in Alice Springs responding to significant incidents. Your dedicated team work keeping Alice Springs safe is appreciated by everyone in the community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Aggravated burglary – Darwin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police have arrested two men after an aggravated burglary in Moulden overnight.

    Around 11:50m, police received reports that 2 males had unlawfully entered a residence on Moulden Terrace, armed with edged weapons.

    Two occupants were at home at the time, with one occupant confronting the pair near the outside staircase.

    An altercation has occurred and both the 70-year-old male victim and the offender have allegedly fallen down the stairs.

    The offenders fled the scene while the 70-year-old was conveyed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

    Detectives from Serious Crime are investigating the incident and two adult males were arrested earlier today.

    They both remain in custody and are expected to be charged later this evening.

    Police are calling for residents to review their CCTV for suspicious behaviour and to contact 131 444 and quote reference number P24268490.

    Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00 or through https://crimestoppers.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 17 people killed in mass shooting in South Africa

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    South African police have launched an urgent manhunt after 17 people were shot and killed in the Eastern Cape Province of the country, said authorities Saturday.

    The Eastern Cape provincial government confirmed in a statement that the “catastrophic incident” occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in the early hours of Saturday morning.

    “In one house, 13 people were killed which include 12 women and one man. In another homestead, four people were also killed,” said Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in a separate statement.

    “The eighteenth victim is in a critical condition in hospital. In total 15 women and two men were killed,” said Mathe. “The South African Police Service has launched an extensive search to bring those responsible for these brutal killings to justice. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities.”

    In addition, the spokesperson told Xinhua that “police have deployed forensic experts and a team of detectives to collect evidence which will assist in cracking the case.”

    In the provincial government’s statement, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane condemned the “senseless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms” in the incident.

    “The loss of life on this scale is a devastating blow to our province, and we mourn the passing of these innocent lives. We stand in solidarity with the families and communities affected. The brutal and senseless killing of innocent people is a heinous act that has no place in our society,” said Mabuyane. “We call on all Eastern Cape residents to stand together in condemning violence and work towards creating a safer, more peaceful province.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 6 killed, 10 injured in Pakistan’s helicopter crash

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A chartered helicopter crashed in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday afternoon, killing six people on board while injuring ten others, police officials said.

    The incident happened at about 1:00 p.m. local time when a helicopter chartered by a private oil exploration and production company Mari Petroleum crashed in the Shewa area of North Waziristan district of the province, District Police Officer Rokhanzeb Khan told Xinhua.

    Six people, including two Russian pilots of the aircraft, were killed in the unfortunate incident, said the official, adding that ten others sustained injuries, including staff of the private company.

    The incident occurred due to a technical fault in the aircraft immediately after it took off, according to local government officials. The engine of the helicopter caught fire before it hit the ground and crashed, officials added.

    The cause of the technical fault is still unknown and is being investigated by the relevant authorities.

    Following the incident, rescue teams and security personnel reached the area and cordoned it off.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Murder charge laid following Dargaville homicide

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have today charged a man with murder following the discovery of a body in a vehicle on Ripiro Beach, Dargaville earlier this month.

    Jasmaine Corin Reihana, 35, was found dead inside a burnt out vehicle on 9 September.

    Since then, Police have been working to piece together the events leading up to her death and who was responsible.

    Detective Inspector Al Symonds, of Northland CIB, says today, Police have charged a 34-year-old man with murder.

    “Police have conducted an extensive investigation to ensure the person responsible for her murder can be held to account.

    “I would like to acknowledge the investigation team, who have worked tirelessly to get this result, and also those members of our community who have assisted our enquiries.

    “Thank you to everyone who has come forward with information during the course of this investigation.”

    Detective Inspector Symonds says Police are not looking for anyone else.

    “It has been our team’s focus to hold to account the person we will allege is responsible for Jasmine’s murder, and we hope this brings some relief to her whānau.”

    The murder accused will appear in Whangārei District Court on Monday 30 September.

    As this matter is before the Court, Police are unable to make any further comment.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Parole revoked – Darwin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are calling for public assistance to locate 29-year-old Norman Kernan.

    Mr Kernan’s parole was revoked yesterday, he is believed to be in the Darwin area.

    Members of the public are urged not to approach him and to immediately contact police.

    Anyone with information as to his whereabouts can make contact through 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote occurrence NTP2400096609.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS begins UK visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan began his visit to London yesterday where he attended the annual “Hong Kong Dinner” engagement to share the latest developments in Hong Kong with participants.
     
    The dinner event, with about 350 leaders from the British political and business sectors and professionals invited to attend, was organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
     
    In his keynote speech delivered at the event, Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s commitment to the rule of law and its competitive status in the global economy.
     
    “This is exemplified by the ranking, last year, of Hong Kong’s rule of law under the World Justice (Project) Rule of Law Index. Coming in 23rd out of 142 countries and jurisdictions, we may trail the UK, but we are still ahead of the US. And we were in the top 10 in the absence of corruption.
     
    “And, just two days ago, the Global Financial Centres Index announced that Hong Kong had climbed back to third overall – and gunning for London. We need to be ambitious.”
     
    Apart from pointing out that Hong Kong has a bright development outlook, Mr Chan welcomed British businesses and talent to explore opportunities in the city.
     
    In the morning, the Financial Secretary attended the plenary of the Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and a roundtable meeting hosted by the UK-based think tank Asia House. During the session, he introduced Hong Kong’s development strategies to European financial and business leaders, focusing on consolidating and enhancing the city’s development as international financial, trade, and shipping centre.
     
    In the afternoon, Mr Chan met UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq and Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey to discuss matters of mutual concern.
     
    He also called on Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, and introduced the latest situation and development directions of Hong Kong.
     
    Mr Chan will continue his visit in London today.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice on Convening an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of AB Amber Grid

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    On the initiative and by decision of the Board of AB Amber Grid (legal entity code 303090867, registered office address Laisvės av. 10, LT-04215 Vilnius, Lithuania), the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of AB Amber Grid is convened at the Company’s registered office (address Laisvės av. 10, Vilnius) on 18 October 2024 at 10:00 am.

    Draft Agenda of the Meeting:

    1) Approval of the conclusion of the Humanitarian Aid Contract

    Shareholder registration will commence at 9.15 a.m., 18 October 2024.
    Shareholder registration will be closed at 9.45 a.m., 18 October 2024.

    Record day of the General Meeting of Shareholders: October 11, 2024. Attendance and voting at the General Meeting of Shareholders shall be open to those persons who will be shareholders of the Company at the end of the record day of the General Meeting of Shareholders.
    A person attending the General Meeting of Shareholders and entitled to vote must provide a proof of identity. A person who is not a shareholder shall, in addition to the aforementioned document, provide a document confirming his/her right to vote at the General Meeting.
    Participation and voting at the General Meeting of Shareholders by electronic means shall not be possible.

    On 26 September, 2024, the Board of the Company approved the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders and the draft decision of the Meeting:

    1) Approval of the conclusion of the Humanitarian Aid Contract

    Proposed draft resolution:

    “1.1. In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11(21) of the Law on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid of the Republic of Lithuania, upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and the approval of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania, to enter into a Humanitarian Aid Contract with the Ukrainian company KHMELNYTSKOBLENERGO and to approve the following main terms of the Humanitarian Aid Contract:
    1.1.1. The subject matter of the Contract is humanitarian assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector. The humanitarian aid shall be provided through the transfer of 4 generators and 46 vehicles with a balance sheet value of EUR 60 285,53;
    1.1.2. The parties to the Contract shall be Amber Grid AB and the Ukrainian company KHMELNYTSKOBLENERGO;
    1.1.3. The purpose of humanitarian aid is the operation of energy infrastructure in wartime to meet the basic needs of people in wartime.
    1.2 To authorise the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (with the right to sub-delegate) to sign the Humanitarian Aid Contract in accordance with the material terms and conditions of the Contract as set out in Clause 1.1, and to agree the other (non-material) terms and conditions of the Contract on behalf of the Company.”.
    The Company’s shareholders may access the draft decisions of the General Meeting of Shareholders and other additional materials related to the General Meeting of Shareholders and the exercise of shareholders’ rights at the Central Regulated Information Database at www.crib.lt and on the Company’s website www.ambergrid.lt.

    The shareholders of Amber Grid AB, whose shares carry at least 1/20 of the total number of votes, shall have the right to supplement the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders. The proposal to supplement the agenda shall be submitted in writing by registered mail or delivered to the Company’s registered office at Laisvės av. 10, LT-04215 Vilnius (hereinafter referred to as the “Headquarters”). The proposal shall be accompanied by draft decisions on the proposed items or, where no decisions are required, explanations on each proposed item on the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders. The agenda shall be supplemented if the proposal is received by 4 October, 2024 at the latest.

    Shareholders holding shares representing at least 1/20 of the total votes shall have the right to propose new draft decisions in writing on the items on the agenda of the meeting at any time before or during the General Meeting of Shareholders. Such proposal shall be in writing and submitted to the Company by registered mail or delivered to the Headquarters. A proposal made at the meeting shall be registered in writing and forwarded to the Secretary of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

    Shareholders shall have the right to submit to the Company questions relating to the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders to be held October 18, 2024 in advance, no later than by 15 October, 2024. Questions shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Company by registered mail or delivered to the Headquarters. The Company will not provide an answer to a question submitted by a shareholder in person if the relevant information is available on the Company’s website.

    Each shareholder shall have the right to authorise a natural or a legal person to attend and vote on his/her behalf at a General Meeting of Shareholders. The authorized person shall have an identity document and a power of attorney certified in accordance with the procedure established by laws, which shall be delivered to the Headquarters no later than by the close of registration for the General Meeting of Shareholders. The authorized person shall have the same rights at the General Meeting of Shareholders as the shareholder he/she represents. The form of a power of attorney for representation at the General Meeting of Shareholders is available on the Company’s website at www.ambergrid.lt.

    Shareholders may vote on the items on the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders in writing by completing a general ballot paper. If a shareholder so requests, the Company shall send the general ballot paper form by registered mail or deliver it in person against signature free of charge no later than 10 days before the General Meeting of Shareholders. The completed general ballot paper shall be signed by the shareholder or his/her authorised representative. If the completed general ballot paper has been signed by a person who is not a shareholder, the completed ballot paper shall be accompanied by a document confirming the right to vote. The duly completed general ballot paper shall be submitted to the Company by registered mail or delivered against signature at the Headquarters not later than the close of shareholder registration for the General Meeting of Shareholders. The form of the general ballot paper is available on the Company’s website at www.ambergrid.lt.

    The total number of shares at the date of convening of the meeting was 178 382 514. All these shares carry voting rights.

    The information provided for in Article 26 (2) of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania will be available on the Company’s website at www.ambergrid.lt.

    Information on supplements to the agenda and on the decisions adopted by the meeting will also be available on the Central Regulated Information Database www.crib.lt.

    Annexes:
    1. Voting ballot of AB Amber Grid;
    2. Form of the power of attorney of AB Amber Grid;
    3. Press release.

    More information:
    Laura Šebekienė, Head of Communications of AB Amber Grid,
    +370 699 61 246, l.sebekiene@ambergrid.lt

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Far too extreme for this arrested rider

    Source: South Australia Police

    A motorcycle rider has been caught travelling more than 100km/h over the speed limit in Murray Mallee this afternoon.

    Just before 12.30pm on Friday 27 September, a speed detection camera on Kulde Road at Tailem Bend captured a motorcycle travelling at 151km/h in a 50km/h zone.

    The same motorbike returned a few minutes later travelling in the opposite direction and was captured going 146km/h.

    The rider was photographed on camera with wearing what appeared to be a pirate hat and goggles.

    Local patrols attended a Tailem Bend address where they located the motorbike and the rider.

    The rider, a 54-year-old man from Coonalpyn, submitted to a drug test where he returned a positive result for methamphetamine.

    The man was arrested and charged with two counts of driving at an extreme speed, driving whilst being disqualified, driving with incorrect number plates, failing to wear a helmet and contravening mandatory alcohol interlock scheme conditions.

    He was refused police bail and will appear in Murray Bridge Magistrates Court on Monday 30 September.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic arrangements for National Day Flag Raising Ceremony

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

        Police will implement special traffic arrangements to facilitate the holding of the National Day Flag Raising Ceremony on October 1 (Tuesday) in Wan Chai North, Central and Tin Hau.A. Road closure     The following roads will be closed, except for authorised vehicles:(I) From 00.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1:- Expo Drive;- Expo Drive Central;- Expo Drive East;- The slip road leading from Central – Wan Chai Bypass to Expo Drive; and- Eastbound Lung Wo Road between the Wan Chai portal of Central – Wan Chai Bypass and Fleming Road.(II) From 5.30am to 1pm on October 1:- Westbound Lung Wo Road between the Wan Chai portal of Central – Wan Chai Bypass and Fleming Road;- Lung Tat Path; and- Westbound Lung Wo Road between Lung Hop Street and Fleming Road.(III) From 6am to 8am on October 1:     Lung Wo Road between Edinburgh Place and Tim Wa Avenue.(IV) From 6.45am to 7.15 am on October 1:- Tung Lo Wan Road between Causeway Road and Lin Fa Kung Street West; and- Lai Yin Lane.B. Traffic diversions     In connection with the road closure as mentioned above, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:(I) From 00.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1:- Traffic along eastbound Lung Wo Road heading for Fleming Road and Hung Hing Road must turn right to southbound Lung Hop Street or enter eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass via eastbound Lung Wo Road for Island Eastern Corridor;- Traffic turning right from northbound Lung Hop Street can only enter eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass via eastbound Lung Wo Road; and- Traffic from Central heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via Man Po Street, eastbound Yiu Sing Street and eastbound Lung Wo Road.(II) From 5.30am to 1pm on October 1:     Traffic along westbound Hung Hing Road heading for westbound Lung Wo Road must turn left to southbound Fleming Road, via northbound Fleming Road, westbound Harbour Road, Fenwick Pier Street roundabout, westbound Fenwick Pier Street and northbound Lung Hop Street.(III) From 6am to 8am on October 1:- Traffic along eastbound Lung Wo Road will be diverted to southbound Edinburgh Place;- Traffic along westbound Lung Wo Road will be diverted to southbound Tim Wa Avenue;- Traffic along eastbound Harcourt Road cannot enter Tim Wa Avenue; and- Traffic along eastbound Tim Wa Avenue cannot make a U-turn to northbound Tim Wa Avenue.(IV) From 6.45am to 7.15 am on October 1:     Traffic along westbound King’s road will be diverted to westbound Causeway Road.C. Suspension of parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off areas     The metered parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off areas at Expo Drive, and the on-street parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off areas at Expo Drive East will be suspended from 00.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1.     All metered, motorcycle and disabled parking spaces on Tung Lo Wan Road between Causeway Road and Lin Fa Kung Street West will be suspended from 10pm on September 30 to 7.30am on October 1.     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.       Actual implementation of traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A ceremonial meeting of the Supervisory and Academic Councils of NSU was held, dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the university

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Yesterday, a ceremonial meeting of the Supervisory and Academic Councils of NSU was held at NSU, dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the university. At the beginning of the meeting, the Rector of NSU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Fedoruk, made a report “Honor the past, live in the present, create the future.” He told about the history of the university, specifically focused on the principles on which the university was founded, emphasized that NSU was a development of the MIPT model, but at the same time it became a university of a new type.

    From the very beginning, Novosibirsk State University was conceived as a university for training scientific personnel for the Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences. Scientists from the institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences taught here, and students began working in laboratories and participating in scientific research early on. An individual approach to learning, involvement in real projects and research from the first years – these principles underlie the educational model of the university at the present time. Now high-tech companies and industrial partners have been added to the research institutes, with which NSU is actively building interaction. The university is developing its own scientific and technological agenda, working in such advanced areas as artificial intelligence, space instrumentation, medical technologies, new functional materials, etc.

    Over 65 years, the university has grown by an order of magnitude in terms of the number of students: from 1,966 in 1962 to 8,700 in 2024. The number of teachers has also increased significantly – from 203 in 1962 to 2,800 in 2024. Over 65 years, NSU has graduated more than 56,000 students.

    NSU maintains its leading positions in national and international rankings. Now the university acts as a center of attraction and a driver of development not only for Akademgorodok, but also for the Novosibirsk Region. NSU participates in all key federal development programs, such as “Priority 2030”, “Creation of a Network of Modern Campuses”, Advanced Engineering Schools, etc. The Research Center in the Field of Artificial Intelligence, the Mathematical Center in Akademgorodok, and the NTI Center for New Functional Materials operate on the basis of NSU.

    Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Andrey Travnikov, congratulating NSU, noted:

    — I would like to thank all previous generations of students, graduates, teachers, and staff for the foundation and authority that was created over the previous years. The University in Akademgorodok is well-known, celebrated, and attracts people. I would like to thank the current composition of the entire university community for developing this potential, for the fact that in the changed 21st century the university found itself, developed a new line, a new format, a new strategy, without losing the main essence for which it was created 65 years ago. We can say that history has made a turn, and today the university is again approaching the Phystech model, responding to the demand not only of academic institutes, but also of technology corporations, innovative enterprises, and trains specialists, both researchers and engineers, and innovative entrepreneurs. I wish the university to confidently move along the chosen path, to grow and develop, preserving its traditions and foundation.

    During the ceremonial meeting, honored representatives of the university’s faculty were presented with certificates of honor, letters of gratitude and letters of thanks from the Governor of the Novosibirsk Region, the Novosibirsk City Hall, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region and the administration of the Sovetsky District of Novosibirsk.

    Awards of the Governor of Novosibirsk Region:

    Honorary Diploma of the Governor of Novosibirsk Region:

    Svetlana Dmitrievna Myzina, professor of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU.

    Tatyana Yuryevna Cherkashina, Head of the Department of General Sociology Faculty of Economics, NSU.

    Gratitude from the Governor of Novosibirsk Region:

    Lev Borisovich Vertheim, Associate Professor of the Department of Geometry and Topology Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU.

    Letter of thanks from the Governor of Novosibirsk Region:

    Panteleeva Elena Valerievna, Associate Professor of the Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU.

    Awards of the Novosibirsk City Hall:

    Certificate of honor from the Novosibirsk City Hall:

    Emelianov Vyacheslav Alekseevich, Associate Professor of the Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU.

    Zhivtsova Natalia Petrovna, Director of Organizational Development and Human Resources Management at NSU.

    Kiseleva Oksana Vladimirovna, Associate Professor of the Department of Personality Psychology Faculty of Medicine and Psychology V. Zelman NSU.

    Korovnikova Irina Kimovna, Head of the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU.

    Lyakina Yana Sergeevna, senior lecturer of the Department of Clinical Psychology of the Faculty of Medicine and Psychology V. Zelman NSU.

    Mitko Oleg Andreevich, senior researcher at the Laboratory of Humanitarian Research at NSU.

    Nikolaev Konstantin Yuryevich, professor of the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology V. Zelman NSU.

    Fedin Vladimir Petrovich, Head of the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU.

    Tsyplakov Dmitry Anatolyevich, Associate Professor of the Department of Philosophy Institute of Philosophy and Law of NSU.

    Chugunova Alesya Leonidovna, specialist in educational and methodological work, 1st category, educational and methodological department Faculty of Geology and Geophysics of NSU.

    Awards of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation:

    Medal “For Impeccable Work and Distinction”:

    Kostenko Tatyana Vladimirovna, Head of the Administrative and Economic Department of the Geological and Geophysical Faculty of NSU.

    Honorary title “Honorary Worker of the Russian Federation Education”:

    Bugaeva Svetlana Gennadievna, Associate Professor of the Department of Higher Mathematics Physics Department of NSU.

    Gusachenko Anna Mikhailovna, Associate Professor of the Department of Cytology and Genetics of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU.

    Serbo Valery Georgievich, professor of the Department of Theoretical Physics, Faculty of Physics, NSU.

    Mandrik Tatyana Ivanovna, leading engineer of the physiology laboratory of the Department of Physiology of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU.

    Awards of the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region The Minister of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region is invited.

    Honorary Diploma of the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region:

    Nesterenko Tatyana Viktorovna, Senior Lecturer, Department of Informatics Systems Faculty of Information Technology NSU.

    Timofeeva Maria Kirillovna, professor of the Department of Fundamental and Applied Linguistics Humanitarian Institute of NSU.

    Tsybulya Sergey Vasilievich, Head of the Department of Physical Methods for Solid State Research, Faculty of Physics, NSU.

    Gratitude from the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region:

    Igolnikov Alexander Evgenievich, Associate Professor of the Department of Historical Geology and Paleontology of the Geological and Geophysical Faculty of NSU.

    Awards of the administration of the Soviet district of Novosibirsk:

    Honorary Diploma of the Administration of the Soviet District of Novosibirsk:

    Demakov Pavel Andreevich, assistant of the Department of General Chemistry of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU.

    Ilyin Maxim Anatolyevich, Head of the Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU.

    Kostin Gennady Aleksandrovich, Head of the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU.

    Krasilova Elena Aleksandrovna, Head of the Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work at NSU.

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

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

    http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/a ceremonial-meeting of the-supervisory-and-scientific-councils-of-NSU-dedicated-to-the-65th anniversary/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Abbas urges efforts to stop Israeli occupation, ‘genocide’

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a long round of applause as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, insisting that “we will not leave, Palestine is our homeland,” and “if anyone were to leave it would be the occupier.”

    He proceeded to accuse Israel of perpetrating a “full-scale war of genocide,” dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Israel didn’t kill civilians in Gaza. “I ask you, who is it then that killed more than 15,000 children?” he said.

    “Stop this crime. Stop it now. Stop killing children and women. Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel. This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people,” Abbas said.

    Sanction and exclusion

    During his speech, Abbas called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and also its exclusion from the United Nations following the “genocide in Gaza.”

    “We call for sanctions against Israel. Israel does not deserve to be part of this organization. I don’t know how the United States can insist on depriving us of our rights,” Abbas said, adding that Israel must be stripped of United Nations membership for failing to accept a two-state resolution to the conflict and allowing the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes. “We are going to submit an application to the UNGA on this matter,” he said.

    “We regret that the U.S. administration — the largest democracy in the world — on three occasions obstructed draft resolutions at the Security Council demanding Israel to observe a ceasefire,” Abbas said, accusing the United States of encouraging Israel’s military actions by repeatedly using its veto power and supplying Israel with weapons used in the conflict.

    “This is the United States — the same country that was the only member in the Security Council that voted against granting the state of Palestine full membership in the UN,” Abbas said, expressing disbelief over what he sees as the U.S. consistent opposition to Palestinian statehood and rights.

    He also touched upon the situation with settlers in the West Bank, specifying that 600,000 settlers currently live there. “We want ICJ (the International Court of Justice) ruling on Israel to be implemented,” he noted.

    Crime and genocide

    Highlighting that Palestinians have endured nearly a year of what he described as one of the most heinous crimes of the time, the leader said that “it is the crime of a full-scale war of genocide that Israel is perpetrating. A crime that has killed more than 40,000 martyrs in Gaza alone, and thousands remain under the rubble. A crime that has injured more than 100,000 to this day.”

    He pointed out that whole Palestinian families have been annihilated, their family names completely erased, stressing that amid the onslaught, diseases are spreading, clean water and vital medicines are in scarce supply, and over two million Palestinians have been displaced, many forced to flee multiple times in search of safety. The deaths and injuries continue unabated, not only in Gaza but in the West Bank and in Jerusalem.

    Abbas underscored that he was not speaking today “to respond to the lies” of the Israeli prime minister, who claimed before the U.S. Congress in July that Israeli forces did not kill innocent civilians in Gaza.

    “I ask you, who is it then that killed more than 15,000 children of the 40,000 and an equal number of women and elderly persons. And who is it then that is continuing to kill them, I ask you?” he said.

    “Palestine will be free, despite anyone who objects. Our people will live in the land of their fathers and grandfathers … The occupation will end,” concluded Abbas.

    Strike and ceasefire

    Right after Abbas, Gambian President Adama Barrow addressed the UNGA that “the Israeli occupation, expansion of settlements, blockade of Gaza, and restrictions in the West Bank, together with the threat of intensifying the war to a regional conflict, continue to worsen the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.”

    “Accordingly, I call on the United Nations, the international community, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States to join forces and urgently bring about permanent peace in Palestine,” he said, adding that “we call on the international community to prioritize support for the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza and the improvement of economic conditions in the West Bank. Even though the situation in that region is extremely serious, the intense destruction of lives and property continues.”

    In the meantime, Netanyahu instructed his military to keep fighting “with full force” on Thursday, as high-stakes international diplomatic efforts were underway to pause the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

    Netanyahu is heading to New York for the UNGA, as members of his government dismissed a ceasefire proposal that the United States, European allies and several Arab nations put forward. Israel’s military carried out new strikes in Lebanon, including one in Beirut, the capital, that targeted the commander of Hezbollah’s drone unit.

    The UNGA adopted a resolution on May 10 supporting the Palestinian bid to become a full UN member and recommending that the Security Council “reconsider the matter favorably.” The resolution was adopted with 143 votes in favor and nine against, including the United States and Israel, while 25 countries abstained. China voted for the resolution.

    The resolution states, “The State of Palestine … should therefore be admitted to membership” and “recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigating fatal Bowen Bridge crash

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Police investigating fatal Bowen Bridge crash

    Friday, 27 September 2024 – 6:00 pm.

    Sadly, two people have died following a multiple vehicle crash on the Bowen Bridge near Risdon this afternoon.Inspector Jason Klug said police and emergency services were called to the scene about 3.40pm, following reports of a crash involving a truck and three other vehicles.“Initial inquiries indicate the truck driver was travelling east on the bridge in a Hino heavy vehicle, when it collided with a silver Holden Barina travelling in front,” he said.“The Barina then collided with two other vehicles, a red Holden Commodore and a blue Honda HRV, also heading east.”“Two occupants of the Barina, a man and a woman both in their 80s, sadly died.”“The woman driving the Barina, who was the third occupant of the car, was taken to hospital, and her injuries are not believed to be life threatening.”“A woman and two children in the Commodore, and a woman who was the sole occupant of the HRV were also not seriously injured.”“The truck driver was not physically injured in the crash.”“As is usual process for a crash of this nature, all drivers are undergoing mandatory testing.”“The circumstances leading up to the crash are being investigated by police and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”“Anyone with information or relevant dash cam footage, is asked to contact police on 131 444.”“Our thoughts are with everyone involved.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing the Justice Department Findings of Civil Rights Violations by the Lexington, Mississippi Police Department and City of Lexington

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

    Good afternoon. My name is Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Justice Department. Joining me is Todd W. Gee, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.

    We are here today to announce the findings from our pattern or practice investigation into the City of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department.

    We find reasonable cause to believe that the Lexington Police Department and the City of Lexington engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the First, Fourth and 14th Amendments of the Constitution, Safe Streets Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

    Specifically, we find that the Lexington police use excessive force; unlawfully stop, search and arrest people — including by jailing people on illegal “investigative holds” — unlawfully jail people without affording prompt access to court; violate the rights of people engaged in free speech and expression, including by retaliating against critics of the police; and unlawfully discriminate against Black people.

    The department also unlawfully arrests, jails and detains people based on their failure to pay money without assessing their ability to pay; unlawfully arrests people just because they owe outstanding fines; and imposes money bail without justification and, again, without assessing ability to pay. The fact that fines and fees fund the department drives its law enforcement, resulting in a crude policing-for-profit scheme. The Lexington Police Department operates under an unconstitutional financial conflict of interest.

    Lexington’s focus on revenue and its overly aggressive form of policing leaves the people of Lexington harassed, feeling helpless and hopeless. For example, on the day we opened our investigation, Lexington officers chased a man down and tased him until he foamed at the mouth. In the previous months, police officers had repeatedly arrested the man for minor offenses most police departments would have handled with a ticket. For stealing sugar packets from a gas station, the man spent 13 days in jail. He spent four days in jail for taking a second cup of coffee after paying for the first. Each time, the Lexington police kept him in jail because he could not afford to pay the fines or the $50 processing fee Lexington charges for every arrest. Especially for a person in poverty, these fines are no small thing. Even though he has no money, the man owes the Lexington Police Department over $7,500. At no point did the police or city assess his ability to pay those fines.

    In America, being poor is not a crime, but in Lexington, their practices punish people for poverty. On Feb. 29, we provided official notice to Lexington city officials and the police department about our concerns regarding illegal arrests and detentions that penalize people for lacking resources. Lexington has made some changes in response to our notice. But, as today’s findings show, more meaningful reform is necessary.

    Lexington’s fines and fees have been absolutely devastating for the people who live there. Although Lexington is in one of the poorest counties in America, people owe the police department $1.7 million in outstanding fines. The Lexington municipal court has issued bench warrants for over 650 people based on unpaid fines — equivalent to roughly half of Lexington’s population. Based on these warrants, police officers have unlawfully arrested and jailed people, using the leverage of incarceration to extract more money from them.

    Other times, the Lexington police send people to jail for days or weeks for minor offenses. These people wait in jail until they can go before a judge or they can get enough money together to pay their fines. This, too, violates people’s civil rights. For example, the Lexington police arrested a Black man for allegedly taking $15 worth of gas. The police told him his fine was $300. He couldn’t pay it. The police sent him to jail until the next scheduled court date — two weeks later.

    Unjustly enforcing fines and fees creates a two-tiered system of justice that can perpetuate a cycle of poverty. It also fuels a financial conflict of interest for the police department. The police must enforce the law even-handedly, not based on generating revenue. Lexington, though, focused its law enforcement on strategies that generated income, even at times linking officers’ paychecks to the number of arrests they made. Over the past two years, Lexington has made nearly one arrest for every four people in town — more than 10 times the per capita arrest rate for Mississippi.

    The Lexington police also illegally arrest people for using profanity, and they retaliate against people who film officers or criticize the police. The First Amendment protects swearing, yet the Lexington police broke down a man’s back door and arrested him for swearing in a public place. The First Amendment also protects the right to film or criticize officers. But when a man filmed officers approaching his suicidal brother with their guns raised, a police officer batted the man’s phone out of his hand, pushed him to the ground and arrested him.

    While making arrests, the Lexington police frequently use excessive force. We found instances in which officers used a taser like a cattle prod to punish people or to make them comply more quickly with officers’ orders. For example, officers used a taser to shock a Black man 18 times until he was covered in his own vomit and unable to speak or walk. Officers punch, hit or kick people who are unarmed and handcuffed. One officer kicked a Black man in the groin so hard that he wet himself. Another used his gun to repeatedly hit a Black man already in handcuffs. An officer knocked an elderly Black man unconscious. Nor are children spared from attack. An officer grabbed a Black child by the neck and shoved him into a patrol car, banging the child’s head against the door frame.

    Black people bear the brunt of the Lexington Police Department’s illegal conduct. Lexington’s former police chief, Sam Dobbins, who regularly spoke disrespectfully to Black men, set in motion the aggressive enforcement of low-level violations. Dobbins left the department when recordings of him using other racial slurs were released. Officials told us that with Dobbins gone, so too was the problem. We found, however, that the discriminatory practices he initiated continue unabated. Lexington officers frequently tase, punch and beat Black people without justification, while we identified no such use of force on white people. Low-level traffic violations that resulted in arrest for Black people yielded only warnings or citations for white people. The result? 98% of people arrested for traffic offenses are Black. This pattern of racial discrimination not only violates the law. It also erodes the community’s trust in law enforcement, the judicial system, and the government more broadly.

    According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, half of America’s police departments have 10 officers or fewer. Every person in the United States enjoys certain fundamental civil rights, regardless of the size of their town, the contents of their bank account or the color of their skin. Residents of rural and underserved communities have the same rights and deserve the same protection as people who live major cities. The Justice Department is committed to providing that protection. Police misconduct in smaller communities may not always garner national attention, but rest assured, the Justice Department is watching. No city, no town, no law enforcement agency is too large or too small to evade our efforts to safeguard the constitutional rights that every American enjoys. Small and mid-sized police departments must not be allowed to violate people’s civil rights with impunity.

    To the people of Lexington, I want you to know that we heard you. We listened carefully to your testimonies. We thank you for having the courage to speak out.

    The Lexington Police Department and the City of Lexington have agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department to address the challenges we outline today. As we begin the hard, essential work of rebuilding trust and restoring equal justice under law, we need to continue to hear from the Lexington community in the coming days and weeks.

    We stand with the people of Lexington to extend justice to all its residents, rich and poor, regardless of their race.

    I’ll now welcome U.S. Attorney Todd Gee.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Connecticut-Based Energy Trader Convicted of International Bribery Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A federal jury in Bridgeport, Connecticut, convicted a former oil and gas trader today for his role in a nearly eight-year long scheme to bribe Brazilian government officials and to launder money to secure business for two Connecticut-based commodities trading companies.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Glenn Oztemel, 65, of Westport, Connecticut, paid bribes to officials of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), the Brazilian state-owned oil and gas company, to obtain lucrative contracts for Arcadia Fuels Ltd. (Arcadia) and Freepoint Commodities LLC (Freepoint).

    “Glenn Oztemel paid and laundered more than $1 million in bribes to employees of Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas company to obtain lucrative contracts for his commodities-trading companies in Connecticut,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Bribing public officials to win business undermines the rule of law and creates unfair competition. Today’s verdict reaffirms the Criminal Division’s commitment to combatting foreign corruption that violates U.S. law.”

    “Bribery and money laundering are well-established federal crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “This conviction serves as another warning to anyone involved in the financial industry who seeks to gain an unfair advantage and illegally profit, both here in the U.S. and abroad. This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to keep a watchful eye to ensure that representatives from U.S. businesses operating overseas comply with our nation’s laws.”

    “Individuals and companies who collude to thwart free market competition through bribery ultimately erode public trust in the marketplace,” said Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s conviction demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our partners to investigate anti-competitive behavior and hold accountable those who try to cheat the system for their own benefit and profit.”

    The trial evidence showed that, between 2010 and 2018, Oztemel worked as a senior oil and gas trader — first at Arcadia and then at Freepoint. With the assistance of others, Oztemel paid and caused the payment of bribes to Petrobras officials for their assistance in helping Arcadia and Freepoint to obtain and retain fuel oil contracts with Petrobras and by providing Oztemel and others with confidential information regarding Petrobras’ fuel oil business. Oztemel and his co-conspirators caused Arcadia and Freepoint to make corrupt payments — disguised as purported consulting fees and commissions — to a third party intermediary and agent, Eduardo Innecco, 74, knowing that Innecco would pay a portion of those funds to Brazilian officials, including to Houston-based Petrobras trader Rodrigo Berkowitz.

    To conceal the scheme, Oztemel, Innecco, and their co-conspirators used coded language like “breakfast” and “freight deviation” to refer to the bribes and communicated using personal email accounts, encrypted messaging applications, disposable phones, and fictitious names like “Spencer Kazisnaf” and “Nikita Maksimov.” In total, Oztemel paid more than $1,000,000 in bribes, which were split between Berkowitz and other Petrobras officials in Brazil. The bribe money moved from the trading companies to shell companies around the world controlled by Innecco, who then made payments to a bank account in Uruguay controlled by Berkowitz’s father.

    The jury convicted Oztemel of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of violating the FCPA, and two counts of money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each of the FCPA and conspiracy to violate the FCPA counts, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the money laundering and money laundering conspiracy counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Charges against Oztemel and Innecco were unsealed on Feb. 17, 2023. In a superseding indictment returned on Aug. 29, 2023, both were charged alongside Oztemel’s brother, Gary Oztemel. Gary Oztemel pleaded guilty to money laundering on June 24. In May 2023, Innecco was arrested in France and his extradition to the United States is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and Innecco is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    In a related matter, in December 2023, Freepoint admitted to bribing officials in Brazil in violation of the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Freepoint entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. As a part of the resolution, Freepoint agreed to pay more than $98 million in criminal penalties and forfeiture.

    The FBI Los Angeles Field Office’s International Corruption Squad investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Brazil, Latvia, Switzerland, and Uruguay provided assistance with the investigation.

    Trial Attorneys Allison McGuire and Clayton P. Solomon and Assistant Chief Jonathan P. Robell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McGarry for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

    The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA and FEPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Remarks as Delivered

    Good morning. Thank you, Jonathan, for that warm welcome.

    I am very happy to be here in Arkansas.

    In just a few moments, U.S. Attorney Ross and I will meet with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners about our shared work to protect communities here in Little Rock and across the district.

    I am grateful to have the chance to thank our law enforcement partners, in person, for the difficult and often dangerous work they do every single day.

    I am also grateful to have the chance to recognize the public servants of this office for their extraordinary work.

    This U.S. Attorney’s Office is the face of the Justice Department here in the Eastern District of Arkansas. When people in this District look to see what the Justice Department stands for, they look to this U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    I have been consistently impressed not only with the work you do, but with the way you do that work.

    Those efforts, in addition to the efforts of our state and local law enforcement partners, are making a difference.

    Three- and-a-half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime. That strategy is rooted in exactly the kinds of partnerships that are represented in this room. While we know that progress in too many places is still uneven — and there is no acceptable level of violent crime — today we are seeing results.

    Just earlier this week, the FBI released a report showing an 11.6% drop in homicides last year and one of the lowest violent crime rates in 50 years nationwide.

    And recent data indicates this trend is continuing. Earlier this month, the Justice Department’s Violent Crime Reduction Steering Committee announced new data from across 88 cities that indicates that violent crime has continued to decline considerably in 2024. That included a further 16.9% drop in murders.

    But we know we have so much more work to do, here in Arkansas, and across the country.

    That is why this office, and our entire Department, are working in partnership with state and local law enforcement to arrest violent felons, seize and trace guns used in crimes, disrupt violent drug traffickers, and prosecute the individuals and gangs who are responsible for the most violence.

    For this office, that meant working with the DEA, the FBI, and the North Little Rock Police Department to secure a 25-year prison sentence last month for a Little Rock man for distributing fentanyl resulting in someone’s death.

    Also last month, this office worked with DEA, the Arkansas State Police, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, and the Little Rock Police Department to secure a 15-year prison sentence of a defendant on fentanyl and firearms charges.

    In July, this office, together with the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, secured the guilty plea of a man who threatened to assault and murder a United States judge and a federal law enforcement officer.

    Earlier this spring, this office worked with DEA, FBI, the second Judicial District Drug Task Force and seven other state and local partners as part of a large-scale enforcement action to charge and arrest 15 people on drug, money laundering, and firearm offenses related to the distribution of methamphetamine in Northeast Arkansas.

    In March, this office worked with the DEA, ATF, the Pine Bluff Police Department, and the Little Rock Police Department to secure a 30-year prison sentence for a man with a lengthy criminal record of domestic violence who was found guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition. In October of last year, the defendant shot his former girlfriend and then shot into an apartment where the victim and her young son were hiding.

    And in January, this office worked with ATF to secure a 20-year prison sentence against a man who had assaulted a victim after she ended their relationship. The defendant then set fire to her business after she changed the locks. During the sentencing, the victim told the Court how hard she worked to build her business as a single mother and spoke about the impact of the defendant’s violence against her.

    In addition to using our investigative and prosecutorial resources to protect communities in this district, we are also committed to using our grantmaking capabilities to invest in public safety.

    For example, today, the Justice Department is awarding more than a million dollars in funding to the state under the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program, to enhance laboratories’ capacity to process DNA samples.

    And this week, we awarded more than $4 million to Arkansas under the National Criminal History Improvement Program, which provides funding to states and localities to improve the quality, timeliness, and immediate accessibility of criminal history records and related information.

    Today’s grants are part of the more than $26 million that the Department is awarding to organizations and government agencies in Arkansas this month to support law enforcement activities and community initiatives.

    These funds will, among other things, help law enforcement agencies in Arkansas hire more officers, help to prevent and combat violent crime and drug trafficking, and improve services for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other crimes.

    We remain committed to providing our law enforcement and community partners with the resources they need to protect people across this District.

    The examples I have shared today are just a snapshot of the work this office is doing every day to protect communities in the Eastern District of Arkansas, and to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, to protect civil rights, and to uphold the rule of law.

    I am very proud of the public servants who make up this office. And I am equally proud of the relationships they have nurtured with the people and the agencies around this table, who are the Justice Department’s indispensable partners.

    I look forward to our meeting. Thank you.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Further Information on Forthcoming Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    24 September 2024 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey | CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), the leading European investment company specialising in digital assets, indicated a distribution to shareholders would be considered within the parameters of the newly adopted dividend policy.

    Further to the announcement dated 12 April 2024 regarding the Company’s dividend distribution for the financial year 2023 (“Regular Dividend”) and the announcements dated 12 July 2024 and 22 July 2024 regarding the decision to distribute a special dividend following the sale of the Company’s FTX claim (“Special Dividend”), the Company now provides some additional details on the forthcoming payments.

    The Special Dividend will be paid in conjunction with Tranche 3 of the Company’s forthcoming Regular Dividend payment, introduced earlier this year. The details for the remaining two Regular Dividend payments for 2024 in respect of the financial performance of 2023 are as follows:

      Ex-dividend date Record date Payment date
    Tranche 3
    (together with Special Dividend)    		 27 September 2024 30 September 2024 3 October 2024
    Tranche 4 27 December 2024 30 December 2024 6 January 2025

    As the Special Dividend will be paid together with Tranche 3, each of the Ex-dividend date, Record date and Payment date for the Special Dividend Payment will be as disclosed in the table above.

    The total amount to be paid together with Tranche 3 on or around 3 October 2024 will be the combined amount of the Special Dividend (GBP 23,647,260.89) and Regular Dividend (GBP 2,312,623), totalling GBP 25,959,883.89 and representing GBP 0.3894 per ordinary share to be paid from the Company’s reserves. The dividend to holders of ordinary shares will be made in sterling (GBP) and subsequently, before distribution to shareholders who hold ordinary shares via Euroclear Sweden, has been converted to SEK at a rate of GBP/SEK 13.4938 resulting in a dividend per share via Euroclear Sweden of SEK 5.2557.

    In accordance with Article 115(4) of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, each payment will be subject to an assessment of the financial health of the Company by its Board.

    About CoinShares

    CoinShares is the leading European alternative asset manager specialising in digital assets, that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Founded in 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Stockholm, the UK and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, in the US by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

    For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com
    Company | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
    Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Police rescue kidnap victims

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Friday, September 27, 2024

    Police have rescued two victims, believed to be victims of alleged kidnapping. 

    The victims were reportedly released by their kidnappers due to the pressure exerted upon the suspects by the police. This was as a result of an intelligence-driven operation consisting of the Cash-In-Transit Interim Team of the Hawks, Tactical Response Team (TRT),  Crime Intelligence (CI), Provincial Tracing Team and Hostage Negotiators. The victims were held hostage and released after eight days.

    It alleged that a 39-year-old victim was accosted by unidentified suspects whilst she was driving a Toyota Fortuner, travelling to Umngazi Resort, Port St John’s, on 20 September 2024. 

    In another incident, a 34-year-old victim was also accosted by unidentified suspects on 17 September 2024 between Barkley East and Elliot.

    The investigations by the joint team ensued, where the police were working around the clock. 

    As a result, the victims were allegedly dropped off by a white Toyota single cab bakkie nearby Sulenkama Police Station. Both victims were released unharmed but were traumatised and were taken to a health care facility for medical assistance. The investigations are still underway.

    The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, applauded the joint team for making sure that the victims were released unharmed and reunited with their families. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tax Reform – Petition Calls for Capital Gains Tax

    Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

    27 September 2024 – A petition has been launched today calling on the leaders of all our political parties to consider a capital gains tax in Aotearoa.

    Tax Justice Aotearoa’s petition seeks to level the playing field of the current tax system and highlights the urgent need for more revenue to fund essential services and infrastructure.

    “Our tax system is way out of balance and a capital gains tax (CGT) is a good first step that would help level the playing field between wage earners and those who mainly earn their money through investments,” says Tax Justice Aotearoa chair Glenn Barclay.

    “There has been growing support for a capital gains tax from a range of individuals and organisations in the media in recent weeks and it is timely to give the public of New Zealand the opportunity to express their support too.

    “The additional revenue raised could be used to fund vital services such as education, healthcare and infrastructure and to help address climate change, leading to a better quality of life for all New Zealanders.”

    ActionStation is hosting the petition and Director Kassie Hartendorp agrees it’s time to make capitalgains tax a reality.

    “Just over 72% of the members we talked to support a capital gains tax – including 18% of those people who would benefit from that tax and yet still thought it would have a positive impact.

    “Our country is ready to join many others around the world, and just make it happen.”

    It’s a kaupapa shared across a range of advocacy groups including Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

    “We welcome a discussion on capital gains tax, especially this week when the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction rejected a $3 billion proposal from officials that would have kept us on track to achieving the goal of halving child poverty by 2028,” says CPAG Executive Officer Sarita Divis.

    “This is at the same time the government is giving tax cuts of $2.9 billion for landlords, allowing them to deduct interest as an expense and receive tax free capital gains on sales of their houses.  

    “Taxes allow us to do the things we want to do as a nation, like ending child poverty,” Sarita Divis says.

    New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) also backed the petition.

    “Fairer taxes would support appropriate levels of health funding and better patient outcomes by enabling safe levels of health care professional to patient ratios,” says Anne Daniels, President of the NZ Nurses Organisation.

    Another organisation supporting the petition was the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.

    “The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi strongly believes that our current tax system isn’t fit for purpose and isn’t delivering the outcomes New Zealanders deserve,” says Craig Renney, NZCTU Economist and Director of Policy.

    “Workers pay tax on every dollar earned, while those who make huge capital gains pay nothing at all.

    “Levelling the playing field through a well-designed CGT would benefit workers, the economy, and the housing market while delivering revenue to invest in underfunded public services.

    “There is a reason why so many other countries have a CGT and continue to do better than Aotearoa,” Craig Renney says.

    It was a message shared by the Public Service Association (PSA).

    “The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi believes we need a fairer tax system that helps properly fund public and community services, so that they are there when we need them,” says Kerry Davies, PSA’s national secretary.

    “A capital gains tax should be part of a fair tax system that generates the revenue the Government needs to do its job of looking after all New Zealanders.”  

    Tax Justice Aotearoa calls on all New Zealanders to sign and share the petition to show their support for a fairer and more equitable tax system:

    https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/it-s-time-for-a-capital-gains-tax

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: NPA scores Steinhoff victory

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured its first conviction, sentence and confiscation order related to the Steinhoff case.

    This after the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria sentenced former Steinhoff physician, Dr Gerhardus Burger, to some five years imprisonment – wholly suspended for five years, if he is not found guilty of contravention of section 78(2) of the Financial Markets Act within that period.

    According to the NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, Burger also has to “testify in the criminal proceedings against his accomplices”.

    “The court also issued a confiscation order for €90,000 which is about R1.8 million seized by Swiss authorities after the collapse of Steinhoff. This is after Dr Burger pleaded guilty to three counts of insider trading and was convicted as such when he appeared in court.

    “The Steinhoff case, one of the biggest cases of corporate fraud in the history of South Africa, has been one of the most complex commercial crime cases that the [Hawks] and the NPA have had to deal with. 

    “At a point when a significant breakthrough was made to enrol the case earlier this year, the main accused, ex-CEO of Steinhoff, Markus Jooste, took his life on the eve of his arrest, thus escaping the hands of justice when it mattered the most,” she said.

    The spokesperson explained that just before the Steinhoff collapse, the late CEO sent Dr Burger who accompanied Steinhoff directors on overseas trips to look after their health, a text advising him to sell his Steinhoff shares.

    “Burger thereafter sold all the Steinhoff shares held under the Dieter Burger and Lane Burger Trusts where his children are beneficiaries. He also sold 39,722 Steinhoff shares held at Stefana Overseas Ltd, where Dr Burger was also the beneficiary, on the Swiss stock exchange.

    “Shortly after the sale of the shares, Steinhoff shares plummeted and became almost worthless. At that point the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) instituted investigations where Dr Burger was convicted and found guilty of insider trading for the same transactions and paid a penalty of R3 million to FSCA. FSCA then referred the matter to the NPA for criminal prosecution.

    “The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence. It is important for the public to understand that criminal prosecutions require patience, preparation, and a certain measure of certainty,” Mahanjana said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: García, Democratic Members Introduce Migration Stability Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    The resolution calls for comprehensive legislation to address the root causes of forced migration and displacement

    WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), along with Representative Greg Casar (TX-35), co-founder of the Global Migration Caucus, and U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Juan Vargas (CA-52)introduced a new resolution calling for comprehensive legislation to address the root causes of forced migration and displacement, while affirming the need for a true roadmap to citizenship for immigrants in the United States.

     “Over the past decades, millions of people have been forced to migrate from their homes—and more people are displaced now than ever before. This is the result of converging crises, including climate change, political instability, and violence, some of which are impacted by U.S. policy,” said Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.). “Yet, our immigration and asylum policies have become more restrictive and punitive, disregarding the role our government has played in creating this crisis. It’s time we acknowledge the ways in which U.S. policy has contributed to forced migration and displacement, and advance reforms that address the root causes of migration.”

    Democrats can build an orderly, humane, and stable immigration system. We should create more legal pathways for migration and citizenship, while also changing the failed U.S. policies that cause displacement abroad and force people to flee their home countries,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration. “Let’s tackle the climate crisis. Let’s remove broad-based sanctions that increase poverty. Let’s prioritize policies to support stability abroad while creating a welcoming and predictable immigration process at home.”

    “Too many people around the world face violence, poverty, and persecution and see the United States as a beacon of hope,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). “We must make the immigration system more humane, more orderly, and more effective to welcome immigrants who come to this country rather than turn them away and to recognize not only the contributions they make to this country, but also the moral duty we have to protect people who come here fleeing horrible conditions. We can and must do better for immigrants.”

    “Republicans’ dangerous rhetoric about immigration endangers our immigrant communities and completely ignores the root causes of migration,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration. “Migration is not just a border issue but a foreign policy issue. With migration on the rise worldwide and conflict, food insecurity, climate change, and political violence driving immigration to the U.S., it’s imperative that we reshape our immigration policy to address these global crises. This resolution calls upon Congress to do just that.”

    “Climate instability, democratic backsliding, economic exclusion, sanctions, and human rights violations are just some of the conditions driving unprecedented levels of global displacement and migration,” said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.), co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration. “Stricter border enforcement, harsh asylum laws, and the vilification of immigrants have consistently failed us and our neighbors. Instead, we need to address how our own policies contribute to the crises and adopt a coordinated regional and global strategy to tackle the root causes of displacement.”

    “It’s past time for comprehensive immigration reform. And a critical piece to this is addressing the factors that force families to flee their home countries in the first place,” said Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.). “From combating climate change to humanitarian assistance, we need to implement productive policies that address the root causes of forced migration and displacement, while also working to restore faith in our legal immigration system and creating pathways to citizenship.”

     Specifically, this resolution calls for comprehensive legislation that: 

    • Addresses U.S. policies contributing to forced migration and displacement;
    • Ensures a humane and sustainable immigration system that appropriately addresses the root causes driving migration; and
    • Affirms the need for a true roadmap to citizenship for immigrants in the U.S.

    Over the last few weeks, MAGA Republicans have fabricated xenophobic and racist stories about Haitian immigrant families, adding to a long track record of perpetuating false narratives, conspiracy theories, and racist tropes. This MAGA rhetoric has incited physical violence against many migrant families. Now more than ever, it is important to emphasize the value migrants bring to our communities and to call for policies that will make our immigration system more stable and humane.  

    The following Members are co-sponsors of the resolution: Nanette Barragán (CA-44), André Carson (IN-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Nydia M. Velazquez (NY-07). 

    It is endorsed by ActionAid USA, Ayudemos por una vida mas digna, Border Vigil of Eagle Pass, CASA, Center for Economic Policy and Research, Center for International Policy, Climate Refugees, Eagle Pass Border Coalition, Global Exchange, Justice is Global, Mira Feminisms and Democracies, Movimiento de los pueblos por la paz y la justicia y México negro ac, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Project, OXFAM America, Public Citizen, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team, Transnational Villages Network/Red de Pueblos, United We Dream, and Win Without War. 

    “This resolution is the step forward Congress desperately needs to reframe the issue of immigration towards more productive and effective solutions that will ensure migrants’ lives take precedence over politics,” saidJuliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy at United We Dream. “The vast majority of Americans want to see a humane, efficient and fair policies that honor everyone’s freedoms to live safely in their homes without being forcibly displaced, whether here or abroad, and provides the opportunity to become citizens in the U.S. Congress has a clear roadmap in front of them with this resolution that proves that safety, humanity, fairness and justice in our foreign policy and immigration system are not contradictory values but instead deeply interconnected.”

    “We need to dig in our heels and end the racism and xenophobia that’s rampant in our immigration and asylum debates in the U.S.,” said Eric Eikenberry, government relations director for Win Without War. “This new resolution lays the groundwork to do just that: welcome people who want to build their lives here, while ensuring that — from arms sales to climate policy and beyond — our government doesn’t create the conditions that force them from their homes and communities.” 

    “For too long, the U.S. approach to migration has focused on barricading our borders rather than addressing the realities compelling people to leave their homes — including crises exacerbated by U.S. policies. We applaud Congressman Casar and his colleagues for taking this critical step to review and move toward better U.S. policies to address the conditions giving rise to increased migration and displacement,” said Dylan Williams, Center for International Policy Vice President for Government Affairs.

    “There’s been a lot of talk over the years about ‘root causes’ of migration, but this is the first legislation of its kind to home in on the elephant in the room: U.S. policy and its role in fueling the involuntary migration and displacement of millions of people in the region and the world,” said Alex Main, Director of International Policy at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. “This groundbreaking resolution helps us all better understand how vulnerable communities in the Global South have been devastated by U.S. broad-based sanctions, U.S.-backed trade agreements that put corporate greed over people, U.S. security assistance that props up repressive governments, and lax gun laws that provide criminals with easy access to U.S. weapons. Most importantly, this legislation proposes bold strategies to undo harmful policies and help truly mitigate ‘root causes’ including through far-reaching reforms to US sanctions policy and foreign assistance, the removal of harmful ISDS provisions from US-backed trade agreements, and the provision of robust support to developing countries fighting inequality and climate change, including through new issuances of debt-free IMF Special Drawing Rights. This resolution is long overdue, and we’re proud and delighted to be supporting it today.” 

    “Rather than ‘blaming the victims’—immigrants, it is important to acknowledge how failed U.S. foreign (or economic and military) policies have contributed to the spiraling poverty and violence from which people have been fleeing for their lives,” Jean Stokan, Justice Coordinator for Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. “Forced migration is often the result of U.S. foreign policies that prioritize the interests of foreign investors over those of impoverished populations. Thus, this resolution importantly names U.S. responsibility to address those root causes and the need for justice-based pathways to citizenship.”

    “To design a just and humane policy response to immigration, we have to ask the question – why are people moving? As an international development organization, ActionAid USA strongly supports this resolution for acknowledging the root causes of migration, including and especially those for which the United States is directly responsible,” said Brandon Wu, Director of Policy and Campaigns for ActionAid USA. “A human rights-based approach to immigration policy should start with fixing harmful foreign policies, ongoing climate inaction, and unjust international economic systems that all contribute to force people to leave their homes.”

    Background: 

    The resolution text can be foundhere.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar to inaugurate the 20th Divya Kala Mela in Pune on 28th September 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar to inaugurate the 20th Divya Kala Mela in Pune on 28th September 2024

    Close to 100 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs from around 20 States/UTs to showcase a diverse array of products and cultural diversity in the Mela – an embodiment of the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement

    Posted On: 27 SEP 2024 2:40PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar would be inaugurating the 20th Divya Kala Mela, in Pune, Maharashtra tomorrow. This event will be held from 28th September to 6th October 2024, at PWD Ground, New Sangvi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune. The Mela is being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) [DEPwD], under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, through National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), an apex corporation under the DEPwD.

    The Divya Kala Mela stands as a unique celebration of the craftsmanship, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Divyang (Persons with Disabilities) artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs from across India. Approximately 100 Divyang participants from over 20 states and Union Territories will showcase an eclectic assortment of products, including home décor, clothing, eco-friendly stationery, toys, and personal accessories. Visitors will also have the chance to explore a range of organic packaged foods, handlooms, and exquisite embroidery work.

    Aligned with the government’s vision to “go vocal for local,” the mela aims to provide a larger platform for Divyang artisans to market and promote their products, fostering their economic empowerment. The event encourages visitors to support these skilled artisans who have overcome physical challenges with inspiring determination and creativity. After earlier successful events in various cities across the country, Pune is set to host another grand celebration of diversity, creativity, and inclusion.

    Running daily from 11:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., the mela will also offer a vibrant cultural experience, featuring performances by Divyang artists and renowned professionals. The grand cultural highlight, Divya Kala Shakti, scheduled for 6th October, will showcase performances by talented Divyang artists from across the country.

    *****

    VM

    (Release ID: 2059420) Visitor Counter : 74

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by Public Affairs Officer, Laila Gillam at the State Partnership Program Nevada National Guard Subject Matter Exchange with Samoa Prisons and Corrections Services.

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    (September 13, 2024)

    Faafetai Deacon Siaosi for that wonderful word.

    Deputy Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga

    Members of the Police, Prisons and Corrections Services

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Talofa lava,

    It is my privilege to stand before you today and give remarks to conclude this impactful week-long program. I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we have taken together, the knowledge we have shared, and the bonds we have forged.

    It has been an enriching experience focused on basic leadership, inmate management techniques, and effective strategies for addressing mental health challenges within the correctional environment.

    First and foremost, I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Government of Samoa, and especially the Samoa Prisons and Corrections Services, for their commitment to this vital partnership.

    Your openness to learn and evolve is a testament to your dedication to improved correctional practices and the welfare of the individuals entrusted to your care. This collaboration is not just about exchanging ideas; it is about mutual growth and progress, and your leadership in these areas has been exemplary.

    I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated team from the Nevada National Guard, Chaplain LTC Tod Brown, MAJ Luis Muruato, SFC Theresa Faoa and SSG Romeo Tiumalu.

    Your expertise and willingness to share your knowledge has been invaluable in facilitating this subject matter exchange. The insights and practices you have brought to the table have equipped everyone here with essential tools that will serve you well in your roles moving forward.

    To the participants, as we wrap up this week’s exchange, I encourage each of you to carry the knowledge and skills you have gained this week into your respective roles. You are not just correctional officers or leaders in your field; you are agents of change. It’s about fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and responsibility.

    As we navigate the complexities of inmate management, let us remember the central role mental health plays in rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

    The skills you’ve shared must be implemented with compassion and understanding. I want to thank each of you for your participation, openness, and commitment to enhancing your competencies.

    Your dedication to personal and professional growth speaks volumes about your character and your desire to make a difference. Let us take the insights and connections we’ve made this week and apply them in our ongoing efforts.

    This program is just the beginning, and the U.S. Governments hope that it serves as a foundation for ongoing collaboration through the State Partnership Program. Together, U.S. and Samoa can continue to build upon this framework, expanding our exchanges and furthering our collective mission of improving correctional practices.

    Thank you, and I wish you all the best as you go forward in your important work. Safe travels

    and take care!

    Faafetai lava.

    SOURCE – USUS Embassy Apia, Samoa

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: KEYNOTE ADDRESS by Hon. Minister of Sports and Recreation at the Australian Government Welcoming Reception for the Australian Women’s and Australian First Nations Men’s Rugby 7s Team

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    (AHC Compound Avele – Thursday, 19 September 2024 @ 6.00pm)

    Rev. Siaosi Salesulu

    Honourable Ministers of Cabinet

    And Members of Parliament

    Honoured Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps

    Australian First Nations Men’s and Australian Women’s 7s Teams and Management

    Distinguished guests

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Talofa lava and warmest greetings. Rev. Salesulu, we extend our

    heartfelt gratitude for your uplifting message and prayers. Your words set a tone of unity and positivity for this special event. Thank you, and may you continue to be anointed and blessed in your ministry to the world.

    This evening, it is both an honour and a pleasure to welcome the

    Australian First Nations Men’s 7s Rugby team and the Australian

    Women’s 7s team to our shores.

    I have fond memories that I have shared with the Australian High

    Commissioner, His Excellency Will Robinson on occasion about my

    time on Policing missions to Timor-Leste, and the time I’ve spent in

    Darwin and Alice Springs. I have also recently had the privilege to join the Australian High Commission for the launch of their Art Exhibition featuring Torres Straight artists on display for the people of Samoa to enjoy.

    Language, culture and our own connection to land and sea is

    important to our Samoan people. Tonight, we celebrate not only the remarkable achievements of these outstanding athletes but also the deep and meaningful connections between our peoples. Sport is more than just a game; it is a powerful bridge that connects communities, fosters understanding, and nurtures friendships across borders.

    I acknowledge the efforts of the Australian Government to centre First Nations in your Foreign Policy and through your programs like

    PacificAus Sports and Team Up.

    Our two nations share a strong bond, united through our love for

    rugby and a mutual commitment to supporting athletes from

    grassroots to high performance. This includes the PacificAus Sports

    support for Manusina 15s development pathways through Penina

    Pasifika, and pre-olympic support for the Manu 7s.

    The presence of three Australian teams in Samoa this week to

    celebrate 100 years of Rugby is a testament to the strength of this

    partnership. I hope your participation and dedication inspires us all

    and reminds us of the true spirit of competition and collaboration.

    You will no doubt be aware of the newly established Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the commitment by the Government of Samoa to fostering an environment where sports can thrive, and our athletes can achieve their full potential. One of our primary goals is to ensure that sports are accessible to all Samoans, regardless of their background. We are dedicated to developing programs that not only enhance performance but also instils values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience in our youth.

    We are therefore deeply grateful for Australia’s unwavering support in the realm of sports, which helps elevate not just the game but also the lives of countless individuals resonating with the goals of the Ministry. It is through this spirit of camaraderie and shared passion that we continue to grow and succeed together. A spirit that was evident at the Manusina versus Australia A match on Monday, on and off the field.

    As we move towards two Rugby World Cups hosted in Australia,

    Samoa looks forward to exploring opportunities to further strengthen our partnership and Rugby in Samoa, at all levels.

    Thank you for being here, for your dedication, and for the powerful

    example you set for all of us. Let us celebrate the unity and friendship that sport brings into our lives.

    Fa’afetai tele lava, and all the best on the competition this week.

    May your time in our beautiful Samoa be a memorable and a joyous trip for everyone.

    Thank you

    Photo by Government of Samoa (Leota Marc Membrere)

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Daniel Tarapacki at the Welcome Reception, U.S. Embassy Residence

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    (September 12, 2024)

    Faafetai Chaplain Lt Col (Todd) Brown for the thoughtful word of encouragement.

    Your Highnesses, Head of State and Masiofo

    Your Excellency, Council of Deputies and your good lady

    Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Honorable Cabinet Members

    Honorable Chief Justice and the Judiciary

    Honorable Speaker of Parliament

    Honorable Members of Parliament

    Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

    Members of the Media,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Talofa lava and good evening,

    It is truly a pleasure to stand before you this evening in the stunning backdrop of Samoa. The natural beauty of these islands, with their crystal-clear waters and lush landscapes, is a constant reminder of the vibrant culture and spirit that fills this land. I am honored to be here among you and to feel the warmth of your hospitality.

    Each day since my arrival I am continuously encouraged by the joy, hope, and talent in Samoa.

    If I’m being completely honest, I wish could sing, dance, and play sports half as well as everyone here! That said, these are very important skills I hope to improve upon during my time in Samoa. In terms of my background, I originally hail from a small town outside of Buffalo, New York and have served three overseas assignments, as well as three assignments in Washington, where I most recently served in the Secretary of State’s Operations Center. This is my first assignment in the Pacific and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.

    Tonight, I would like to take a moment to introduce you to our newly expanded leadership team. First, join me in a round of applause to welcome our most recently arrived officer, our emcee Laila Gillam. Laila joined us last week as our first-ever Public Affairs Officer. Laila has more than 19 years’ experience as a diplomat and most recently served as Public Affairs Officer in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. She is originally from Colorado.

    Many of you already know him, but for those who do not, I’d also like to introduce you to our Political/Economic Affairs Chief Donald Alderman. Donald arrived in Samoa three months ago.

    He is also a highly experienced diplomat working on Asia and Pacific issues and has served in Germany, China, Nigeria and South Africa. Donald is originally from Alaska.

    As our office continues to expand, so too will our programs and collaborations here in Samoa.

    Together, we can explore new opportunities and creative solutions that directly benefit the community, ensuring that our engagement is meaningful and impactful.

    Building on the incredible work of my predecessors, my primary aim is to further enhance the relationships we have cultivated, create new relations and to continue expanding upon the core principles that have guided us over the years.

    The last several years the U.S. administration has worked to broaden and deepen its engagement with Pacific Island countries as a priority of U.S. foreign policy. As a Pacific nation, the United States has a clear and abiding interest in partnering with Samoa to advance a shared agenda: addressing the climate crisis, maintaining peaceful waterways and upholding freedom of navigation, promoting development and economic growth, and deepening people-to-people ties.

    Regionally, in the past three and a half years, the United States has hosted two historic Pacific Islands Forum Summits at the White House; opened three new embassies in Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu; released the first ever U.S.-Pacific Partnership Strategy; and announced plans, working with Congress, to provide over $8 billion in new funding for the Pacific Islands.

    The United States recognized Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign and independent states and established diplomatic relationships with them; expanded USAID offices in Papua New Guinea and Fiji; returned the Peace Corps to Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu; and increased the availability of U.S. consular services to enable easier travel. We have surged Coast Guard resources to help safeguard maritime territories against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; launched National Guard State Partnership Programs with Samoa and Papua New Guinea; and tended to tens of thousands of medical patients during missions by the hospital ship USNS Mercy.

    We are committed to increasing our assistance in key areas such as health through initiatives like Soifua Manuia returning next month, and I am particularly excited about enhancing our exchange programs like our International Visitor Leadership Program. We hope to increase collaborations through our State Partnership Program, as evident in the Prisons and Corrections subject matter exchange that was held this week by the amazing team from the Nevada National Guard. Can my colleagues from the National Guard raise your hands – welcome and thank you!

    One newest initiative just announced at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga is a funding opportunity called the Pacific Ambassadors’ Self-Help Small Grants fund, which will provide grants to local organizations to fund programs that address the impacts of climate change on the environment.

    These are a few of the initiatives that not only strengthen our ties but also enrich the lives of those we serve.

    Your commitment and dedication will undoubtedly pave the way for further successes as we all work together towards our shared goals. This new chapter comes with exciting opportunities, and I look forward to collaborating with each of you.

    Thank you all for being here tonight. I look forward to working closely with each of you as we embark on this journey together. Let us celebrate the beauty of Samoa and the potential of our partnership as we move forward.

    Fa’afetai lava! Thank you.

    Now join me in raising your glasses to toast the continued friendship and partnership between the United States and Samoa.

    END.

    SOURCE – US US Embassy Apia, Samoa

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 9.26.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 26, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Shelly Guyer, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Guyer was Chief Sustainability Officer at Invitae Corporation from 2021 to 2022 and Chief Financial Officer there from 2017 to 2021. She was Chief Financial Officer at Veracyte Inc. from 2013 to 2016. Guyer was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at iRhythm Technologies Inc. from 2008 to 2012. She was Vice President of Business Development and Investor Relations at Nuvelo Inc. from 2006 to 2007. Guyer held several roles at JPMorgan Securities/Hambrecht & Quist from 1988 to 2006, including Associate, Vice President and Principal. She was a Science Associate and Consultant at the Environmental Defense Fund from 1982 to 1986. Guyer is a Board Member of NGM Bio Holdings Inc. and the Penney Family Fund. She is a Trustee Emerita at Phillips Academy. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Princeton University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Guyer is a Democrat.

    Jeffrey Hoffman, of Long Beach, has been reappointed to the California Volunteers Commission, where he has served since 2005. Hoffman has been a Founding Leader at The Conference Board since 2014 and President of Jeff Hoffman & Associates since 2010. He held several positions with The Walt Disney Company from 1978 to 2010, including Vice President, Disney Worldwide Outreach from 2001 to 2010, Director of The Disney University and Corporate Human Resources from 1985 to 2001, and several roles in Disneyland Theme Park Operations from 1978 to 1985. Hoffman is a member of the Board of Directors at Points of Light, a Founding Chair at the California Volunteers Fund, a member of the Board of Advisors at the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California, and Vice Chair of the Queen Mary Land Development Task Force, City of Long Beach. Hoffman earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations, Cinema and Television from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hoffman is a Republican.

    Sean Varner, of Riverside, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Varner has been a Managing Partner at Varner & Brandt LLP since 2006. He is a Board Member of the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, the First Tee of the Inland Empire, the National Orange Show, and the Riverside ExCITE Business Incubator and Accelerator. He is Vice-President of the Monday Morning Group. Varner is a member of the University of California Board of Regents Selection Advisory Committee, the University of California, Riverside Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Inland Empire Community Foundation – Policy and Advocacy Committee. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Pepperdine School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Varner is a Republican. 

    Helio Brasil, of Ripon, has been appointed to the 2nd District Agricultural Association, San Joaquin County Fair Board of Directors. Brasil has been Superintendent of the Keyes Union School District since 2017. Brasil is a member of the Small School Districts’ Association, California Association of School Administrators and the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools at the State Board of Education. He earned a Doctor of Education and a Master of Education degree from St. Mary’s College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from California State University, Stanislaus. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Brasil is a Democrat. 
     
    Lisa Fox-Evans, of Stockton, has been appointed to the 2nd District Agricultural Association, San Joaquin County Fair Board of Directors. Evans has been Senior Office Administrator at the San Joaquin County Hospital since 2012. Evans has been Executive Director at Angela’s Team Empire Inc. since 2018. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Evans is a Democrat.

    Amy Raymondo, of Orland, has been appointed to the 42nd District Agricultural Association, Glenn County Fair Board of Directors. Raymondo has been an RCM Senior Manager and Client Executive at Veradigm since 2019. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Raymondo is a Republican.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs California Legislative Black Caucus priority bills, including a formal, bipartisan apology for the state’s role in slavery

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 26, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Joined by members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills to address the legacy of racial discrimination in the state and advance a host of issues important to Black Californians. As requested by AB 3089 (Jones-Sawyer), which passed the Legislature with bipartisan and unanimous support, the Governor also signed an accompanying formal apology for California’s historical role in the perpetuation of slavery and its enduring legacy.

     

    Governor Newsom signs California Legislative Black Caucus priority bills and bipartisan apology for the state’s role in slavery

    “As we confront the lasting legacy of slavery, I’m profoundly grateful for the efforts put forward by Chair Wilson and the members of the California Legislative Black Caucus. The State of California accepts responsibility for the role we played in promoting, facilitating, and permitting the institution of slavery, as well as its enduring legacy of persistent racial disparities. Building on decades of work, California is now taking another important step forward in recognizing the grave injustices of the past – and making amends for the harms caused.” 

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    This signing event marks a significant milestone in California’s ongoing efforts to promote healing and advance justice. The legislation includes critical measures that tackle a wide range of issues affecting Black Californians, from criminal justice reforms to civil rights and education.

    “As Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I am deeply grateful to Governor Newsom for signing this critical set of Reparations Bills, which have been key priorities for our Caucus. These bills lay a meaningful foundation to address the historic injustices faced by Black Californians, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to my fellow Caucus members and the advocacy leaders who have championed this effort. This is a multi-year effort, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with the Governor on this important work in the years to come as we push toward lasting justice and equity,” said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City).

    “This is a monumental achievement born from a two-year academic study of the losses suffered by Black Americans in California due to systemic bigotry and racism. Healing can only begin with an apology. The State of California acknowledges its past actions and is taking this bold step to correct them, recognizing its role in hindering the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for Black individuals through racially motivated punitive laws,” said Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles), who served on the California Reparations Task Force.

    Overview of key bills 

    Addressing food & medical deserts: SB 1089 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) requires grocery stores and pharmacies to provide advance notice to the community and workers before closures, helping to address food deserts that disproportionately affect communities of color.

    Strengthening protections against discrimination: AB 1815 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) clarifies that “race” includes traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, providing stronger protections against discrimination.

    Combating maternal health disparities: AB 2319 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) requires hospitals to report compliance information and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce against hospitals that are out of compliance with existing law requiring perinatal health care workers to complete anti-bias trainings. 

    Increasing access to literature in prisons: AB 1986 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) mandates the Office of the Inspector General to post and review the list of banned books in state prisons, promoting access to literature for incarcerated individuals.

    Formally apologizing for slavery: AB 3089 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) affirms California’s recognition of the harms caused by chattel slavery and issues a formal apology, which will be memorialized with a plaque in the State Capitol.

    Addressing employment discrimination, preschool access, & college and career financial aid: Additional CLBC measures the Governor signed into law will address employment discrimination, provide more opportunities for child care providers to become CA State Preschool contractors, increase college and career financial support for foster youth, and increase foster youth financial support. Additionally, with SB 1348 (Bradford), the state is establishing the designation of “California Black-Serving Institutions,” to recognize higher education campuses that excel in providing resources and support to Black students.

    Read a copy of the apology

    Once signed by representatives from all branches of government, California will join other states, including Florida, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama, New Jersey, and Iowa, in issuing formal apologies for their role in slavery, acknowledging historical injustices and the ongoing impacts of racial discrimination.

    Building on longstanding efforts 
    Since taking office, Governor Newsom has taken significant steps to address racial disparities in California. He expanded health care access and affordability, food access, child care, and advanced financial relief programs. The Governor has introduced new statewide programs, including universal transitional kindergarten and college and career savings accounts for all children, issued an executive order mandating state agencies to incorporate equity analysis into their policies, made a historic investment in school equity through the Equity Multiplier, strengthened the California Civil Rights Department, taken action to address maternal health disparities and improve reproductive and maternal health, and created the nation’s first “Ebony Alert” system for missing Black children and young women. 

    Taking aim at structural racism and systemic injustice, the Governor issued a moratorium on the death penalty, which is unfairly applied to people of color, and has enacted critical reforms to create a fairer criminal justice system. These include one of the strongest use-of-force laws in the country, ending the use of the carotid restraint, increasing transparency for peace officer misconduct records, and the closure of the Division of Juvenile Justice and creation of the Office of Youth and Community Restoration.

    The Governor previously signed legislation to enable the return of Bruce’s Beach – a property unjustly taken nearly a century ago – to the descendants of its Black owners, established California’s first Racial Equity Commission and a new process for evaluating equity in budget proposals, and signed legislation to allow student athletes to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness, making California the first state to do so and prompting a nationwide change in NCAA rules. In 2020, the Governor signed bipartisan legislation into law establishing a Reparations Task Force to study and develop proposals aimed at rectifying historical injustices faced by Black Californians whose recommendations are reflected in many of these new laws. 

    The following measures have been signed into law:

    • AB 51 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Early childcare and education: California state preschool program.
    • AB 1815 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Discrimination: race: hairstyles.
    • AB 1986 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – State prisons: banned books.
    • AB 2319 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) – California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act.
    • AB 2508 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Student financial aid: California Kids Investment and Development Savings (KIDS) Program: foster youth.
    • AB 2906 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Foster care payments.
    • AB 3089 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) – Chattel slavery: formal apology.
    • SB 1089 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Food and prescription access: grocery and pharmacy closures.
    • SB 1340 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) – Discrimination.
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  • MIL-OSI Translation: Consolidation of personal exploitation and equality between agricultural holdings

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

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Council

    Bern, 27.09.2024 – The Federal Council intends to consolidate the principle of personal farming, the position of spouses and the entrepreneurial spirit of agricultural holdings. On 27 September 2024, it put out for consultation a draft partial revision of the Federal Act on Rural Land Law (LDFR) along these lines.

    Motion 22.4253 of the Economic Affairs and Fees Committee of the Council of States (CER-E) of 10 October 2022, which called for the decoupling of rural land law from the implementation of the Agricultural Policy from 2022 (PA22), instructed the Federal Council to prepare a draft partial revision of the LDFR by the end of 2025 at the latest. The Federal Council’s draft revision pursues three objectives. The first is to consolidate the principle of personal exploitation, for example by the possibility of withdrawing the acquisition permit when the charges are not met. The second objective concerns the improvement of the position of spouses, in particular by granting them a second-rank pre-emption right. Finally, the draft also aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit, for example by increasing the maximum charge.

    The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) set up an external support group to implement motion 22.4253. The cantonal agricultural offices (COSAC), the Swiss Farmers’ Union, the Swiss Farmers’ and Rural Women’s Union, the Young Farmers’ Commission, the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Farmers, the Swiss Association for Mountain Regions, the Swiss Society for Agrarian Law, the Association for the Defence of Rural Property and agricultural trustees were represented. The applicability of the proposed amendments was also checked with the assistance of the competent licensing authorities during the preparation of the consultation documents.

    The consultation procedure on amendments to the law runs until 10 January 2025.

    Address for sending questions

    Communication SG-DEFRinfo@gs-wbf.admin.ch 41 58 462 20 07

    Author

    Federal Councilhttps://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil.html

    Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Researchhttp://www.wbf.admin.ch

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

    MIL Translation OSI