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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $6.4 million for local community infrastructure projects

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: $6.4 million for local community infrastructure projects

    Published: 5 November 2024

    Released by: Minister for Gaming and Racing

    Communities from Inverell to Albury and Bathurst to the Northern Beaches will benefit from $6.4 million funding under the NSW Government’s latest round of Infrastructure Grants.

    A women and children’s refuge, musical society, marine rescue organisation and Aboriginal youth gym are among 46 recipients to share a total of $12.75 million this financial year.

    Infrastructure Grants are funded by ClubGRANTS Category 3, which directs profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects, while clubs receive a tax concession in return.

    The grants support local community projects across four categories: sport and recreation, disaster readiness, community infrastructure, and arts and culture.

    Key projects supported in this latest funding round include:

    • $200,000 to Tumbarumba Equine Club near the Snowy Mountains for roofing, power, lighting, water troughs and an additional disaster evacuation stock holding area for large animals
    • $270,100 to Ngarabal Aboriginal Corporation in Inverell to upgrade a gym facility to provide year-round boxing, martial arts and self defence programs for youth at risk
    • $51,600 to Wagga Wagga Art Gallery for new exhibition spaces, a print workshop, expanded storage and improved environmental and safety equipment
    • $55,300 to Western Suburbs Lawn Tennis Association in Ashfield to install new lighting to two synthetic tennis courts
    • $70,000 to Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society for an upgrade of digital microphones
    • $187,600 to Marine Rescue Cottage Point on Sydney’s Northern Beaches to replace engines and electronics on two rescue vessels
    • $50,000 to Margaret House Refuge in Young for refurbishment of a cottage that provides a safe and welcoming environment for women and children fleeing domestic violence and/or experiencing homelessness.

    See the complete list of Infrastructure Grants Program recipients.

    Applications for the next round of Infrastructure Grants are open until Monday 25 November. For more information visit Clubgrants Category 3 fund.

    The NSW Government’s review into the effectiveness of ClubGRANTS is ongoing amid continuing work across government to improve integrity and public trust in grants. This is the first formal review into the scheme since 2013.

    Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

    “I’m pleased to see this round of Infrastructure Grants go to many worthy groups who work hard for their communities across the state.

    “I am impressed by the many and varied ways organisations are working to benefit their communities. 

    “Infrastructure Grants improve local facilities that bring people together, help them prepare for and recover from disasters, and promote participation in sport, recreation and the arts.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘I can make a band play like a singer sings’: Quincy Jones shaped our listening for seven decades

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leigh Carriage, Senior Lecturer in Music, Southern Cross University

    The legendary composer, musical arranger and producer Quincy Jones has died at 91.

    Over his long career, Jones arranged and produced for a broad range of genres. His work blended the traditions of jazz, popular, world music and Western classical music.

    This was perhaps most present in his 1989 album Back on the Block. It features jazz improvisation, Zulu language, gospel and rapping. The album won seven Grammy Awards, including album of the year.

    But even more than his own albums, Jones will be familiar to listeners across decades of popular music, for his work as a producer and arranger with legendary artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Barry White, Chaka Khan, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson.

    Finding his feet in jazz

    Jones was born in Chicago in 1933, right in the middle of the depression. Around 11 years old, Jones found music.

    In high school, Jones sang in a capella groups and played in school bands on the trumpet.

    By 13, he was beginning to demonstrate a strong musical ability and musicianship skills, writing arrangements for his bands.

    When Jones was a teenager, his family moved from Chicago to Seattle. In these early years, Jones had two pivotal mentors. One was the jazz trumpeter Clark Terry; the other was his contemporary and friend Ray Charles.

    By the late 1940s, Jones was working as a trumpeter and as composer and arranger for bandleaders such as Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton.

    A jazz big band bandleader in the 1950s, Jones quickly became a sought-after arranger.

    Over his career, he worked on numerous jazz recordings with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan (including a great swingin’ arrangement of the song
    Witchcraft), Frank Sinatra (with popular favourites Fly Me To The Moon and Mack the Knife) and the Dinah Washington recording They Didn’t Believe Me with the Quincy Jones Orchestra.

    The move into pop

    By the 1960s Jones began transitioning into popular music.

    In 1961 Jones became the first African American in the position of vice president at a major label, Mercury Records. In 1963 Jones selected and produced Lesley Gore’s hit song It’s My Party from more than 200 demos.

    Elements of the previous decades expertise in jazz arranging are apparent with touches of brass and reharmonising (or modifying the harmonic structure – the chords) of a song. Jones’ production approach here was to double-track the melody (duplicating, and placing the second track with a slight delay), enhancing the richness of Gore’s voice.

    In 1968, Jones received his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Score for the soundtrack to In Cold Blood. The following year his composing and arranging versatility was demonstrated when he wrote the music for The Italian Job.

    In 1979 Jones began working with Michael Jackson on the album Off The Wall.

    By the 1980s, Jones was receiving high acclaim and success immersed in many diverse projects including Jackson’s Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987), in which Jones masterfully fuses pop with rhythm and blues, rock and funk.

    His innovation in producing was in his broad understanding of multiple genres of music, adoption of technology and his constant musical invention.

    ‘A great gift’

    In 1985 Jones and Michael Omartian were asked to produce the song We Are The World, written by Lionel Richie and Jackson. It was released to worldwide acclaim.

    Jones conducted the recording and left a sign on the studio door: “Check your egos at the door”.

    Also in 1985, Jones wrote the original score and produced the music for Steven Spielberg’s The Colour Purple, including the song Miss Celie’s Blues, written collaboratively with Jones, Rod Temperton and Richie. The score and Miss Celie’s Blues each received another Oscar nomination for Jones.

    Jones was requested on many large projects as a conductor. A great example is Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (1992) conducted by Jones. This album featured some of the music industry’s best arrangers Mervyn Warren and Shelton Kilby as well as a stellar list of vocalists such as Gladys Knight, Take 6, Sounds of Blackness, Pattie Austin, Johnny Mathis, Chaka Khan and Al Jarreau.

    In an interview with culture journalist David Marchese in 2018, Jones was asked what he was proudest of in his musical career. He told Marchese:

    That anything I can feel, I can notate musically. Not many people can do that. I can make a band play like a singer sings. That’s what arranging is, and it’s a great gift.

    Beyond his own work as an artist, Jones undertook humanitarian work, mentored new generations of musicians, and was often a commentator on jazz history or the significance of African Americans in the entertainment and recording industry.

    Jones’ artistic innovation and highly effective collaborations, spanning a 70-year career, has made an indelible contribution to music and culture globally.

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

    – ref. ‘I can make a band play like a singer sings’: Quincy Jones shaped our listening for seven decades – https://theconversation.com/i-can-make-a-band-play-like-a-singer-sings-quincy-jones-shaped-our-listening-for-seven-decades-242813

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What Kamala Harris’ Converse All-Stars tell us about how shoes shape our identity

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Sherlock, Lecturer, School of Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University

    Like most public figures, Kamala Harris adapts her footwear to different occasions. While her wardrobe includes traditional choices such as formal black heels, it was her appearance in Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars on the February 2021 cover of Vogue that drew particular notice.

    As Democratic nominee for president, these sneakers once again became a focal point of her campaign.

    Through her choice of sneakers, Harris signals a new era in female political leadership – and demonstrates how footwear choices can shape a leader’s identity and ability to connect with voters.

    Embracing all-American values

    We may know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but all politicians – especially women – know that we inevitably do. The appearance of others is how we categorise people to make sense of the world and our place in it.

    Clothing is a key medium through which we identify ourselves and others. Shoes are particularly layered with meaning: when we observe someone’s footwear we are using them to know whether or not we identify with that person.

    This is something that politicians and their teams know and manipulate to win votes.

    One famous scene that illustrates this beautifully is Brooklyn Democratic congressman David Norris’s concession speech in the movie The Adjustment Bureau (2011).

    Played by Matt Damon, the character reveals the significant work that goes into curating the perfect outfit:

    Shiny shoes, we associate with high-priced lawyers and bankers. If you want to get a working man’s vote, you need to scuff up your shoes a little bit, but you can’t scuff them up so much that you alienate the lawyers and the bankers […] So what is the proper scuffing amount? Do you know, we actually paid a consultant $7,300 to tell us that THIS is the perfect amount of scuffing?

    While Harris’ Chuck Taylors generally look pristine, she is transparent about her awareness of the style’s significance to potential voters, explaining in a 2020 interview:

    Whatever your background or whatever language your grandmother spoke, we all at some point or another had our Chucks, right?

    An all-American shoe worn by people of all ages, races, genders and sexualities, the relatively inexpensive and utilitarian Converse All-Star is a social leveller – a smart choice for a politician wishing to identify with a broad electorate.

    As others have identified, Harris’ choice of sneakers signals her American values and no-nonsense attitude.

    In these shoes, she’s ready for anything.

    Shoes change us

    Interviewed in 2018, Harris’ relationship with the sneakers goes back several years and certainly appears authentic.

    Whether the initial choice to wear them was hers – or, like Norris, that of a team of consultants – is now irrelevant. Through the process of wear, shoes change us.

    Not only do they affect how we move through the world physically, but they also shape how we relate to others socially.

    Anyone who has selected a particular pair of shoes for an interview or special occasion will be familiar with their transformative effect, one that helps you to feel the part.

    Identity can be understood as something that is performed. When a performance is received as convincing, we become the part we are playing and the identity is incorporated into our sense of self.

    Harris’ shoes are relatable. In them, she is perceived as – and may therefore feel – approachable and down-to-earth.

    On the campaign trail, the social interactions they afford increase her ability to relate to and connect with other people. Through this process, her performance and her identity become one.

    One might say she has become her shoes; in doing so, she has come to embody the all-American values they represent. And at only 5 feet 4 ¼ inches, the choice not to compensate for her height with heels exudes a self-assurance more women are discovering.

    This woman knows who she is and is reassuringly at ease with herself.

    Finding authenticity

    Aside from ongoing speculation about Trump’s height and whether he wears elevating insoles, his choice of footwear has attracted comparatively less attention, as is often the case for male politicians.

    According to Footwear News, he rarely diverts from black leather dress shoes, signifying his corporate associations. This didn’t stop Trump launching a line of gold sneakers, named “Never Surrender High-Tops” and priced at US$399 in February. A new design, with the words “Fight, fight, fight”, was released after the July assassination attempt.

    This represents quite a different use of shoes to connect with voters.

    In an era when authenticity in politics is increasingly valued, Harris’ footwear choice represents more than a campaign strategy. It reflects changing expectations around power and leadership.

    Her Converse sneakers challenge the notion that women must literally elevate themselves to command authority.

    Instead, they suggest a new kind of political performance where power comes not from height or traditional status symbols, but from the ability to connect genuinely with voters.

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

    – ref. What Kamala Harris’ Converse All-Stars tell us about how shoes shape our identity – https://theconversation.com/what-kamala-harris-converse-all-stars-tell-us-about-how-shoes-shape-our-identity-242777

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Safety, Security of United Nations Personnel, Property Must Be Guaranteed, Secretary-General Reiterates

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

    Against the backdrop of the ongoing hostilities in southern Lebanon and despite attacks that have hit United Nations positions, injuring a number of peacekeepers in the past several days, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly.  The Secretary-General pays tribute to the dedicated personnel of UNIFIL.

    The Secretary-General reiterates that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed, and that the inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times without qualification.  In a deeply worrying incident that occurred today, the entrance door of a UN position was deliberately breached by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) armoured vehicles.

    UNIFIL continuously assesses and reviews all factors to determine its posture and presence.  The mission is taking all possible measures to ensure the protection of its peacekeepers.  UNIFIL’s role and its presence in southern Lebanon is mandated by the UN Security Council.  In this context, UNIFIL is committed to preserving its capacity to support a diplomatic solution based on resolution 1701 (2006), which is the only possible way forward.

    The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted.  Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law.  They may constitute a war crime.

    He calls on all parties, including the IDF, to refrain from any and all actions that put our peacekeepers at risk.  The Secretary-General takes the opportunity to reiterate the call for a cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: You Are ‘on the Front Line of Peace’, Says Secretary-General, in Solidarity Message to United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    The following solidarity message by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon was issued today:

    Earlier this week, I had the privilege of speaking with representatives of your countries here in New York.  Today, I want to speak to you directly.

    I want to say to you what I said to them:  I am full of admiration and gratitude to the men and women of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  I am so proud of you — and I know your countries are proud of you, too.

    You should know that here in New York, we are all very aware of your bravery during some of the most challenging moments in the history of UNIFIL.  I have been crystal clear:  the safety of United Nations personnel is our highest priority.

    And all parties have an obligation to ensure the safety of our personnel.  The inviolability of UN premises must be respected, at all times.

    Attacks against UN peacekeepers are completely unacceptable. They are in breach of international law, against international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.

    Despite all the challenges, UNIFIL remains in its positions. Every day you keep the blue flag flying — and ensure the primacy of international law.  I am in constant contact with General Aroldo Lázaro — assessing the latest developments.

    Our path forward is clear.  We need an immediate ceasefire and the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006).  The men and women of UNIFIL are tirelessly working to give our diplomatic efforts a fighting chance.

    You are not just on the Blue Line in Lebanon, you are literally on the front line of peace.  Thank you for your service.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Avoid ‘All Out War’ in Lebanon, Stop ‘Tit-for-Tat Violence’ Engulfing Middle East, Secretary-General Tells Security Council

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, in New York today:

    The raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno.  Exactly one week ago, I briefed the Security Council about the alarming situation in Lebanon.  Since then, things have gone from bad to much, much worse.

    As I told the Council last week, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years.  But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth and intensity.

    I stated that the almost daily exchanges of fire by Hizbullah and other non-State armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces are in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

    I emphasized that the daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006).

    And I stressed that Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected and the Lebanese State must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanon.

    In the few short days since then, we have seen a dramatic escalation — so dramatic that I wonder what remains of the framework this Council established with resolution 1701 (2006).

    Israeli forces have conducted relentless air strikes across Lebanon — including Beirut.

    The United States and France — with the support of several other countries — have proposed a temporary ceasefire, allowing for the restart of negotiations.

    Israel refused that proposal and stepped up its strikes, including bombing the Hizbullah headquarters where its leader was killed.

    Hizbullah has continued rocket and missile attacks on Israel.

    And yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces conducted what it stated were “limited incursions” into southern Lebanon.

    UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] peacekeepers remain in position, and the UN flag continues to fly despite Israel’s request to relocate [it].

    I reiterate our deep appreciation to the military and civilian members of our UN peacekeeping force — UNIFIL — and to troop-contributing countries.  The safety and security of all UN personnel must be ensured.

    Civilians are paying a terrible price — which I utterly condemn.  Since last October, more than 1,700 people have been killed in Lebanon — including over 100 children and 194 women.

    Over 346,000 people are confirmed to have been displaced from their homes.   Government estimates put this number as high as 1 million.  Another 128,000 people — both Syrian and Lebanese — have crossed into Syria.

    The UN has mobilized all its capacities to provide urgent humanitarian aid in Lebanon and I ask the international community to fully fund our appeal.

    Since 8 October 2023, Hizbullah attacks on Israel have killed 49 people — with over 60,000 people displaced from their homes.

    It is absolutely essential to avoid an all out war in Lebanon which would have profound and devastating consequences.

    Yesterday, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel.  It stated it was in response to the killings of Hassan Nasrallah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp commander, Abbas Nilforoushan, last week — as well as that of the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran in July.

    Millions of people across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory were forced to seek shelter.  One person was killed from the Iranian strikes — a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank.

    As I did in relation to the Iranian attack in April – and as should have been obvious yesterday in the context of the condemnation I expressed — I again strongly condemn yesterday’s massive missile attack by Iran on Israel.

    These attacks paradoxically do nothing to support the cause of the Palestinian people or reduce their suffering.

    Almost one year has passed since the atrocious 7 October 2023 acts of terror by Hamas and the taking of hostages.

    Since last October, Israel has conducted in Gaza the most deadly and destructive military campaign in my years as Secretary-General. The suffering endured by the Palestinian people in Gaza is beyond imagination.

    At the same time, the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continues to deteriorate with Israeli military operations, construction of settlements, evictions, land-grabs and intensification of settler attacks — progressively undermining any possibility of a two-State solution.

    And simultaneously, armed Palestinian groups have also used violence.  Hamas has continued to launch rockets, and just yesterday seven Israelis were killed in a terror attack in Jaffa.

    The events of the past week, the past month and indeed nearly the past year make it clear:

    It is high time for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the effective delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and irreversible progress to a two-State solution.

    It is high time for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, real action towards full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006), paving the way for diplomatic efforts for sustainable peace.

    It is high time to stop the sickening cycle of escalation after escalation that is leading the people of the Middle East straight over the cliff.

    Each escalation has served as a pretext for the next.  We must never lose sight of the tremendous toll that this growing conflict is taking on civilians.

    We cannot look away from systematic violations of international humanitarian law.  This deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop.  Time is running out.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Each Day that Passes Only Deepens Misery, Suffering of Lebanon’s People, Secretary-General Tells Conference, Urging Ceasefire, Hostage Release

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty, in Paris today:

    Monsieur le President, excellencies, friends of Lebanon,

    I welcome this initiative by [France] President [Emmanuel] Macron and underscore our commitment to realizing the aims of this conference and supporting the people of Lebanon.

    We do so in the context of a region that is reeling, and Lebanon in utter turmoil.

    The past year has brought daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line.

    We are gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — but we must recognize that the conflict has recently taken on an entirely different nature and scale.

    Each day that passes only deepens the misery and suffering of people in Lebanon.

    Since last October, over 2,300 people have been killed in Lebanon, and at least 50 in Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan.

    More than half of the deaths in Lebanon have occurred since the dramatic escalation in Israeli strikes on 23 September.

    Many of those killed were children and women.  More than 1.2 million people have been displaced or affected in Lebanon.  And in the last year, more than 60,000 have been displaced in Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan.

    We see continued intense aerial bombardment by Israel in densely populated areas in Lebanon — including Beirut — and ground incursions across the Blue Line … as well as ongoing missile, drone and rocket attacks by Hizbullah into Israel.

    An immediate ceasefire is needed now — along with meaningful steps towards full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006).

    The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected.

    Civilians must be protected.

    Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.

    Obligations under international law must be upheld.

    I urge friends of Lebanon to support the ongoing humanitarian response efforts, including by providing rapid funding of the Lebanon Flash Appeal.

    I call on Lebanon’s leaders to take resolute steps towards ensuring fully functional State institutions to address the country’s pressing political and security challenges.

    And I encourage partners to strengthen their support for those State institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, which are a vital part of a secure — and peaceful — path forward.

    I salute the brave women and men of our peacekeeping force in Lebanon — UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) — and the UN family across the country, who are striving to implement their mandates in such challenging conditions. 

    Let me be clear:  Attacks against UN peacekeepers are completely unacceptable.

    They are in breach of international law, against international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.

    I also pay tribute to humanitarian workers working to help communities in dire need.

    Excellencies, we know what is happening in Lebanon today is not an isolated phenomenon.

    We had the abhorrent terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October and the taking of hostages.

    Since then, Israeli military operations in Gaza have caused death and destruction at a speed and scale beyond anything in my years as Secretary-General.

    We have seen the impacts from Syria to Iraq to Yemen.

    Now we see the growing threat of a major conflagration between Israel and Iran that would upend the entire region.

    We need a ceasefire in Lebanon — as we need a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of all hostages.

    Escalation after escalation is leading to the unimaginable for the people of the region — including the people of Lebanon for whom we have all come together today.

    Let us show our solidarity with action to ease the suffering and push for peace.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Smith Statement on Passing of John Gottschalk

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the passing of former owner of the Sidney Telegraph, mayor of Sidney, NE, and CEO of the Omaha World-Herald John Gottschalk.

    “Few have had the level of impact on the state of Nebraska that the life and legacy of John Gottschalk has. His committed leadership in journalism, public service, philanthropy, community development, and volunteerism is the fruit of a great American success story. He never forgot his small-town roots and relentlessly sought ways to pay it forward. My wife and I offer our condolences to his wife Carmen and family members.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to improve rules for lawmakers to perform duties

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese lawmakers are discussing a draft law amendment that is expected to improve the regulations for lawmakers to better perform duties.
    The amendment to the Law on Deputies to the National People’s Congress and to the Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels was submitted on Monday to an ongoing session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for deliberation.
    All levels of the standing committees of the people’s congresses should maintain close contact with deputies, supporting and safeguarding their lawful performance of duties and fully utilizing their roles, says the draft.
    All levels of governments, supervisory commissions, courts, and procuratorates should strengthen their connections with deputies and listen to their opinions and suggestions.
    Further enriching the forms and content of lawmakers’ connection with the public, the draft adds provisions that lawmakers should, based on the principle of proximity, carry out activities to strengthen their connection with the public, listen to, and convey the opinions and suggestions of the people.
    The standing committees of the people’s congresses above the county level should broaden deputies’ participation in legislative, supervisory, and other duties, fully utilizing their roles, it adds.
    The draft also clarifies that all levels of governments and their departments, supervisory commissions, courts, and procuratorates may invite deputies to participate in relevant work and activities and listen to their opinions and suggestions. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New Chinese draft law stipulates better protection for preschool children

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese lawmakers are considering a draft preschool education law that stipulates better protection of the rights and interests of preschool children.
    The draft law was submitted on Monday to the ongoing session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for deliberation.
    Kindergartens and other entities or individuals, before collecting, using, providing, disclosing, or otherwise processing personal information of preschool children, must obtain consent from their parents or other guardians and comply with relevant laws and regulations, the draft says.
    If a kindergarten finds that an employee may pose a risk to the physical or mental well-being of children, it must immediately suspend the employee from work. Kindergartens should also monitor the physical and psychological health of their staff, it says. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese lawmakers conduct third deliberation of draft energy law

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A draft energy law was submitted to an ongoing session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for a third deliberation on Monday.
    To ensure energy security and green and low-carbon transition, the latest version adds a provision that says the country shall establish and improve an energy standard system to ensure energy security and green and low-carbon transition, and promote the development of new energy technologies, industries and business forms.
    Modifications were made in the latest version submitted for the third deliberation after the second deliberation was made in September this year.
    The version for the second deliberation stipulates that China will accelerate building a new type of power system and improve the grid’s ability to accept, allocate and regulate clean energy.
    Some lawmakers proposed that clean energy includes renewable energy and nuclear energy. Nuclear energy generation is more stable and different from renewable energy generation such as wind and solar energy. They proposed to modify “clean energy” to “renewable energy.”
    The latest version covers more detailed provisions on the responsibilities of energy enterprises to secure adequate supply and adds a provision that energy enterprises “shall not collect fees illegally.”
    It adds a provision that the energy regulatory authority of the State Council, together with other departments of the State Council, shall strengthen guidance and coordination on energy emergency work across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Land and Primary Industries Network hits the road 11 – 15 November

    Source: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

    5 Nov 2024

    Mark your calendars, as the annual NSW Land and Primary Industries Network (LPIN), hosted by the NSW Decarbonisation Hub in collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD), is set to tour regional NSW from 11 to 15 November.

    This initiative aims to promote sustainable land practices and accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions across the state, bringing together industry professionals, NSW Government program leaders and researchers from seven universities across the state.

    The tour kicks off Monday 11 November, with events in:

    NSW DPIRD Land and Primary Industries, NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub representative Warwick Badgery said research together with industry community and government is needed to embed decarbonisation in the next wave of sustainable land practices in NSW.

    “As we commence this tour, we encourage regional communities to come along to these free events and engage with us, sharing ideas and help promote new technologies and practices that not only mitigate climate change but also promote biodiversity and resilience in our agricultural systems,” Mr Badgery said.

    “These events are an opportunity for all of us to learn, share ideas, and foster innovation and we’re excited to see the creativity and passion that our communities will bring.

    “By taking a collaborative approach and bringing together researchers, industry leaders, and local communities from across the state, we can pave the way for a greener future in NSW.

    “Together, we can explore innovative solutions that not only reduce emissions but also enhance the sustainability of our vital land resources.”

    Research Partnership Development Manager for the LPIN, Dr Liz Smith, said these are very exciting times where we have the opportunity to discover and implement real solutions to aid in reduction of emissions and embedding of solutions into sustainable land and agricultural practices that can still maintain and even enhance the farming way of life.

    “As the LPIN represents all the regional universities in NSW, it is a brilliant mechanism for bringing current research and development to the communities most directly affected by the transition to decarbonised industries,” Dr Smith said.

    We look forward to getting out to regional NSW to communicate advancements and opportunities so that we can link together these profound opportunities for businesses, communities and governments to embrace the growth of new industries and markets in clean energy, bioproducts, sustainable food production and many other areas.”

    For more information on the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub, please visit their website – https://www.decarbhub.au/

    Media contact
    For more information, please contact: pi.media@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following crash, Invercargill

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Enquiries are continuing into a crash in Invercargill last month, and Police would like to speak to any witnesses.

    About 1:40am on Sunday 20 October, Police were called to a two-vehicle crash at the intersections of Ness Street and Janet Street.

    One person remains in hospital following the crash, three others have since been discharged.

    Police would like to hear from anyone who saw a silver Mazda station wagon around Pomona Street, near John Street, and the surrounding areas between 1:30am and 1:40am.

    We would also like to hear from anyone who has footage from dashcam or CCTV from around that area on the night of the crash.

    If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241020/5642.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire at New Lynn mosque

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Detective Inspector Callum McNeill, Waitematā CIB:

    A Police investigation is underway following a fire at a mosque in New Lynn this morning.

    At about 9am Police were called following a report of a fire at the building on Astley Avenue.

    Upon arrival, Police and fire investigators have established the fire has been deliberately lit.

    CCTV shows a person allegedly broke in just before 1am and lit the fire, which smoulded until just after 9am when it became visible and emergency services were called.

    The investigation remains ongoing, however Police are following positive lines of enquiry to locate the person responsible.

    At this early stage, Police are still investigating possible motive and we cannot say at this point that it is a hate-related crime.

    We are providing support to the Muslim community and want to reassure the wider community we are working hard to locate the person responsible.

    There will be an increased Police presence around mosques throughout Tāmaki Makaurau to ensure the community feels safe.

    Anyone who may have seen this incident, or has any information, is urged to contact Police and reference file number 241105/3764.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police appeal for information following suspicious fire, Stokes Valley

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Inspector Haley Ryan:

    Hutt Valley Police are investigating a fire at a previously targeted Stokes Valley residential address which left one person fighting for his life.

    Around 3:10am this morning emergency services responded to a block of flats in Hanson Grove, an 81 year old man was located in a critical condition and was transported to Wellington Hospital.

    The area was cordoned and a forensic scene examination is currently being conducted with the assistance of Fire and Emergency New Zealand and ESR.

    The fire is being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be linked to two other fires at the same block of flats on Thursday 10 and Monday 14 October 2024, both of which were also lit during the early hours of the morning.

    Police are appealing for information from people who have CCTV footage, witnessed the incident, or were in the area at the time of the fire to please get in contact.

    Even the smallest piece of information could prove vital in our investigation. 

    If you have any CCTV footage from dashcam, residential, or commercial premises in any areas of Stokes Valley, witnessed any three of the fires, or were in the area at the time of the fires, even if you didn’t witness the incidents please contact us.

    To report information please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241105/2249 and quote Operation SOVE.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4352-4354: Halloween Fright Night on Mars

    Source: NASA

    3 min read

    Earth planning date: Friday, Nov. 1, 2024

    Yesterday evening (Thursday) was Halloween for many of us here on Earth. My neighborhood in eastern Canada was full of small (and not so small!) children, running around in the dark collecting sweets and candy but also getting scared by the ghostly decorations hung at each house. Little did we suspect that our poor rover on Mars was also getting spooked. Curiosity completed about a meter (about 3 feet) of the planned drive before becoming unsettled … scared, if you will! … when its left front wheel got hung up on a rock and stopped moving.

    Luckily, we understood this kind of frightened behavior and were able to resume planning today as per usual. That meter was enough to give us a whole new set of targets to choose from. As APXS Strategic Planner this week, I had chosen darker-looking targets in the workspace — “Ladder Lake” and “Reds Meadow” (shown in the accompanying MAHLI image) — earlier in the week. I was happy that bumping backwards by a meter allowed us to reach some of the more typical pale colored bedrock at “Eureka Valley” and a second APXS analysis on “Black Bear Lake,” which is a mixture of both pale bedrock and some darker layers. MAHLI added in a bonus set of images on “Stag Dome,” focusing on small, rougher patches on the pale bedrock.

    ChemCam is taking advantage of the short bump, too, adding a passive observation on the brushed Reds Meadow target, analyzed by APXS and MAHLI in Monday’s plan. A ChemCam LIBS target “Hoist Ridge” focuses on a small vertical face of dark material. Two long distance images planned for ChemCam’s Remote Micro Imager (RMI) look at the distribution of rocks along the Gediz Vallis ridge in the distance.

    Mastcam is taking several mosaics this weekend (must have gotten extra energy from the Halloween sugar!). Close to the rover, Mastcam will acquire single-frame images of the targets Hoist Ridge and Eureka Valley, and a small mosaic of some surficial troughs just a little further away. Moving further afield, a small 3×1 mosaic (three images in one row) will image the same area as the ChemCam RMI of the Gediz Vallis ridge, and a larger 9×2 mosaic will focus on the faraway yardang unit, where we hopefully will be in a few years.

    Then for the really big images: Mastcam will image the whole landscape in a special 360-degree view, so big it needs to be broken into two parts. The first will have 43×4 frames, the second 34×5 frames. These mosaics are huge, so we save them for when we are at a really good vantage point to allow us to capture as much detail as possible for science and engineering planning.

    As ever, we continue our environmental monitoring of conditions, with Mastcam and Navcam movies and images looking at dust in the atmosphere above and around us in Gale crater, and watching out for dust devils.

    Written by Catherine O’Connell-Cooper, Planetary Geologist at University of New Brunswick

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Keen Sword 25: Supporting the Joint-Bilateral Air Defense Kill Chain Across Japan

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan  –  

    38th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade deployed several units to strategic air defense positions across Honshu, Japan in support of Keen Sword 25 (KS25), demonstrating the capability to help create and support a joint and bilateral Air Defense network between U.S. joint forces and allies.

    KS25 was a joint-bilateral field training exercise held Oct. 23-Nov. 1 at multiple bases across Japan, demonstrating and strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance during the largest iteration of the exercise since its inception in 1986; it included participants from the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), Australian Defence Force (ADF), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and U.S. service members from each of the joint services.

    To support KS25, Delta Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st ADA Regiment (1-1 ADA) 38th ADA Brigade deployed to Misawa Air Base, equipped with a Patriot Minimum Engagement Package (MEP) – everything needed for a MIM-104 Patriot air defense system to successfully engage an air defense threat.

    “The expeditionary deployment of a Patriot MEP to Misawa Air Base, and the validation of our ability to integrate into the joint kill chain for air defense,” said Maj. Robert Knaibel, the 1-1 ADA Battalion Operations Officer, “is a key part of (1-1 ADA’s)  mission – even if that mission takes us all the way across Japan, we’re still able to support rapid deployment and emplacement through our batteries… Testing those capabilities regularly, in real conditions, is key.”

    While Delta Battery was emplacing their Patriot MEP at Misawa Air Base for the start of KS25 on Oct. 23, senior Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer (ADAFCO) teams had already integrated at key Air Defense Commands, including Yokota and Misawa Air Bases. There, the ADAFCO teams use their knowledge of tactics procedures to integrate Army Air Defense assets in joint and bilateral Air and Missile Defense engagement operations.

    “The great thing with these exercises is training with both a joint and combined force,” said Capt. Frederick Breslow, who was serving in the exercise as the U.S. Army’s Regional Air Defense Commander (RADC) on Yokota Air Base. “Coordinating with our allies, despite the challenges… that’s where we learn the most in these exercises.” Breslow added that, thanks to lessons learned during KS25, the RADC are already working to improve their procedures in preparation for future exercises.

    Another team of ADAFCO Soldiers worked on-location with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. “On Misawa Air Base, we coordinated with the Misawa Direction Center to plan and carry out joint and bilateral air defense engagements,” said Staff Sgt. Thomas Zmyewski, an ADA Fire Control Assistant (FCA) with 38th ADA Brigade. “That’s when we bring each force’s tactics, techniques, procedures and capabilities to maximize their effectiveness – for example, which force has the best engagement odds for an incoming air threat.”

    Zmyewski believes testing this team-based planning and communication is the best way to strengthen partnerships and prepare for real-world application. “Our ADA FCAs always benefit from these exercises, because we learn how to work with our partners under those realistic conditions, learn from each other’s strengths,” Zmyewski stated.

    While deployed to Misawa Air Base, the Soldiers of Delta Battery conducted validation training and Table VIII Gunnery evaluations, improving their proficiency with their systems, including rapid Patriot emplacement, rapid reloading of interceptors, operation of missile-defense radar systems and other core competencies; each crew’s proficiency in these tasks are tested during annual Table VIII gunnery certifications. These evaluations proved both the battery’s equipment and crews could operate effectively under field conditions immediately following a rapid deployment, while simultaneously integrating with ongoing joint and bilateral operations between all U.S. services and our allies.

    “Delta Battery – in Okinawa – is my first duty station, and this is my third exercise,” said Spc. Alexander Noel, a Patriot Launching Station Enhanced Operator/Maintainer with Delta Battery, “and so far it’s been the best – we’ve gotten so much accomplished, a lot of good hands-on training; it’s been a really good experience.”

    “Everything is muscle memory,” explained Spc. Malek James, a Patriot Launching Station Enhanced Operator/Maintainer with Delta Battery. “This is my first exercise, with my first unit, and it started stressful, having to certify on every single task at once, but… that’s what’s good about doing (these tasks) in the field – you build that muscle memory, you don’t have to think about what to do next, you just do it. Then it’s all just muscle memory.”

    Keen Sword 25 is a significant initiative that helps build warfighting readiness, enhances tactics, techniques, and procedures across a wide range of military operations, and strengthens national sovereignty and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    (U.S. Army story by Sgt. Connor Davis)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Marines Meet with Singapore Army Staff

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SINGAPORE  –  

    The Singapore Army, led by Brig. Gen. Tan Cheng Kwee, Chief of Staff – General Staff of the Singapore Armed Forces, hosted a delegation from Pacific Marines, led by Maj. Gen. Daniel L. Shipley, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), for the 2024 iteration of the MARFORPAC – Singapore Army Staff Talks on October 7-10, 2024.

    The Staff Talks provided a vital forum for MARFORPAC and the Singapore Army to strengthen coordination on bilateral exercises, operational strategies, and professional exchanges. A significant highlight of this year’s discussions was the visit to the Multi-Mission Range Complex, where both delegations engaged in collaborative assessments of training environments and capabilities.

    The agenda included in-depth discussions on mutual capabilities development, reflecting both forces’ modernization efforts. Delegates reviewed the five-year plan for the Valiant Mark Exercise series, identifying key areas for enhanced interoperability and planning future joint training exercises that align with evolving operational demands.

    During the talks, members of both militaries shared insights into their respective modernization initiatives and operational capabilities. Participants broke into smaller working groups to explore innovative approaches to capability development, focusing on ways to integrate advanced technologies and training methodologies into their respective forces.

    “The United States and Singapore share a commitment to upholding the principles of good governance, transparency, and the rule of law,” Maj. Gen. Shipley noted. “These shared values have fostered a deep and enduring partnership, allowing us to address complex security challenges and enhance our collective readiness.”

    Both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Singapore Armed Forces are dedicating significant resources to advancing key focus areas, including developing innovative and adaptive processes, integrating advanced technology across all operations, and enhancing strategic decision-making within a dynamic, all-domain operational environment.

    U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, stands as the largest operational command within the Marine Corps and acts as the Nation’s expeditionary force-in-readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. Pacific Marines are committed to working alongside the joint force and like-minded allies to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marines, Sailors conclude MRF-D 24.3 rotation, strengthening regional partnerships

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia  –  

    U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 completed a six-month rotation to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, closing a deployment marked by a series of multinational exercises and partnership engagements across the Indo-Pacific region from April to October.

    The rotational deployment is part of a 25-year agreement established in 2011 between the United States and Australia to strengthen shared security goals under the Australian-U.S. Force Posture Initiatives. This year marks the third consecutive year the rotation was led by a California-based Marine infantry regiment, bringing approximately 2,000 U.S. Marines and Sailors to Australia’s Northern Territory for exercises and training events alongside the Australian Defence Force.

    During the rotation, U.S. Marines and Sailors with MRF-D 24.3 supported I Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s operations, activities, and investments, enhancing the U.S-Australia alliance. As a forward-postured, scalable force capable of responding to crises and contingencies, MRF-D 24.3 participated in 16 large-scale exercises and operations across multiple countries, including but not limited to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

    “The time the Marines and Sailors have spent in Darwin has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of the MRF-D 24.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force. “The Australian people have welcomed us like family, and our training with the Australian Defence Force has been tough and realistic and has enhanced our unit readiness.”

    MRF-D 24.3 deployed as a MAGTF comprised of four elements: 5th Marine Regiment served as the command element; 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced) served as the ground combat element; Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced) served as the logistics combat element; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced) served as the aviation combat element.

    MAGTF elements rehearsed humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, amphibious integration, and participated in multinational combined-arms training, becoming better prepared to respond to crisis or contingencies alongside our Allies and partners. Advancements in joint logistics allowed MRF-D to expand distribution networks and improve contracted support for faster transport of repair supplies. U.S. Navy medical personnel made notable contributions to health initiatives during the deployment, through leading fresh whole-blood transfusion training, supporting mental health programs with the ADF, and earning certifications to work alongside Australian healthcare professionals in the Royal Darwin Hospital. MRF-D 24.3 highlighted the strong Australian-U.S. Alliance and advanced partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region through a series of combined training events, collaboration and shared commemoration.

    “The bond with our Australian Defence Force brothers and sisters is as strong as it has ever been,” said Mulvihill. “Through interoperability with the Australian Defence Force, their professionalism and expertise have made our units more ready, contributing to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police acknowledge sentencing and continue to appeal for victims to come forward

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police acknowledge the recent sentencing of Oliver Kiesanowski, who was convicted last month in the Christchurch District Court on charges relating to sextortion against 8 identified, and 9 unidentified victims. Police believe there could be more victims who have not come forward and encourage any who have not contacted Police to make a report.

    Mr Kiesanowski was found guilty on charges which relate to activity where he posed online as a woman named Rebecca, and connected with several young male victims in the Christchurch area over the period 2017 to 2023.

    He obtained explicit images from those victims and used them to blackmail them to force them to send further explicit images. 

    The offender was sentenced to five years imprisonment and has been placed on the child sex offenders’ register.

    Acting Detective Sergeant Michael Hawke of Canterbury CIB says he is pleased to see justice done for these victims.

    “This offender subjected his victims to protracted periods of living with stress and fear that their online activity would be revealed to their friends and family, not to mention routinely forcing them to create explicit material they did not want to.

    “We hope that if there is anyone who was not identified through our investigation who has been out there living in fear, that they can now feel safe in the knowledge that this offender will be behind bars for years to come.”

    Acting Detective Sergeant Hawke says anyone who wants to disclose offending of this nature to Police can be assured they will be heard and treated with respect.

    “We know that unfortunately some of these victims don’t want to talk about what has happened to them as they are embarrassed or ashamed about getting drawn in.

    “But we want you to know – we know how insidious this type of offending is and how easily victims can become trapped.

    “Anyone who wants to make a report to us about this kind of offending will be treated with dignity.”

    HOW TO SPOT THIS TYPE OF OFFENDING:

    • Meeting on one app, then being encouraged to continue a conversation on a different platform could be an indicator.
    • Inconsistencies with a profile or language, and there might be signs that English is a second language.
    • Introduction of sexualised conversations.
    • The other person may say that their webcam or microphone not working for video calls/chats, so they could be avoiding giving their true identity.

    ADVICE FOR VICTIMS:

    • Avoid sending any more images or videos – even if they are threatening you.
    • Remember – once you have complied with their demands there is nothing preventing them targeting you again.
    • Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.
    • Block the profile.
    • Report the content to the platform (e.g. Facebook, Snapchat, PornHub) it is on and request the content is removed
    • Make a report to Police (via 105) or Netsafe to find out what other options are available to you.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Digby — Missing youth: Help the RCMP find Summer Herman-Fontaine

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Digby RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Summer Herman-Fontaine. She was last seen at approximately 5:50 p.m. on Queen St. in Digby.

    Herman-Fontaine is described as being approximately 4-foot-8. She has brown eyes and dark brown hair, which she had in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with “Twinkle twinkle little star; brave & wonderful is what you are” printed on the front, a copper/dark orange coloured zip-up hoodie, pink leggings, and dark green Crocs.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Summer Herman-Fontaine is asked to contact Digby RCMP at (902) 245-2579. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Confucius Institute marks 15 years of promoting China-Malta friendship

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Confucius Institute at the University of Malta received acclaim on Monday for its role in promoting friendship between China and Malta, as it marked its 15th anniversary.

    The special anniversary celebration featured performances by university students from the Confucius Institute as well as primary and secondary school students.

    In his address, Peng Yijun, charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Malta, praised the institute’s contributions over the past 15 years.

    “The Confucius Institute has opened a door for Maltese young people to explore the real China,” he said, underscoring the strong partnership between the University of Malta and Xiamen University in southeast China’s Fujian Province.

    Shi Dalin, vice president of Xiamen University, expressed hope that the Confucius Institute would continue to serve as a model for educational and cultural collaboration between Xiamen University and the University of Malta.

    University of Malta Pro-Rector Frank Bezzina highlighted Confucius Institute’s role in language teaching and cultural exchanges, noting that institute plays a unique role by promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.

    In a video message, Yu Yunfeng, director of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation at China’s Ministry of Education, said the Confucius Institute has played “a unique and important role” in promoting cultural exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese book reading classroom opens at university in Mongolia

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Chinese Book Reading Classroom at the Mongolian University of Life Sciences was inaugurated in Ulan Bator on Monday.

    “All of our teachers and students are delighted that the Chinese Book Reading Classroom has opened at our school. We hope this classroom will help us learn more about China,” said Gonchigdorj Enkhbayar, vice director of the university, at the launch ceremony.

    Xue Ming, deputy editor-in-chief of the Inner Mongolia People’s Publishing House, spoke at the opening ceremony about the Inner Mongolia Publishing Group’s commitment to strengthening cultural exchanges under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation with neighboring countries.

    He said that the Chinese Book Reading Classroom will undoubtedly yield positive results in fostering cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries. Additionally, it will provide new impetus and contribute to mutual assistance, friendly relations, and win-win cooperation.

    The Chinese publishing group donated more than 800 Chinese books across over 400 categories, including traditional culture, science, agriculture, medicine, literature, and dictionaries, to the reading classroom.

    Chinese Book Reading Classrooms have been gradually established in major universities in Mongolia since 2019, aimed at showcasing and introducing Chinese culture to Mongolian readers. Currently, there are six such classrooms.

    The opening of the reading classroom at the Mongolian University of Life Sciences is part of a series of activities titled “Feel China,” co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia, and the Information Office of the People’s Government of China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese film festival brings cultural exchange to Munich

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Munich welcomed the 12th Chinese Film Festival on Monday night, inviting locals to explore China’s cinematic world through a diverse lineup of films.

    Organized by the Confucius Institute Munich, the two-week event will showcase 21 feature films, three short films, two animated features, and three animated shorts.

    Munich’s mayor, Dieter Reiter, emphasized the festival’s role in fostering cross-cultural understanding, highlighting China’s global significance. The opening night featured a screening of “Five Hundred Miles,” marking the start of an immersive film program.

    Beyond screenings, the festival offers lectures on the film industry, and the experience of traditional Chinese attire, Hanfu.

    According to Kang Wei, director of cultural activities at the Confucius Institute in Munich, the festival has grown in popularity.

    “Besides hosting the annual festival, we are also working to introduce outstanding Chinese films to German audiences year-round through our monthly Chinese film club in Munich,” Kang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​Jackson Wang’s Halloween pop-up store opens in Shanghai

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The “Under the Castle” Halloween-themed pop-up store, designed by Jackson Wang and his team, will be open in Shanghai throughout November, following on from the pop star’s successful collaboration with Universal Studios Singapore last month, which brought the first Chinese intellectual property (IP) to the Singapore theme park.

    The interior of the “Under the Castle” pop-up store in Shanghai. [Photo courtesy of Team Wang Design]

    The store is open from now until Nov. 30 at No. 10 Yongyuan Road in central Shanghai. Hauntingly decorated both inside and outside, a wide range of merchandise specially designed by Wang and his team is on offer, with visitors even having the chance to obtain a free comic book. Preparations are also underway for an “Under the Castle”-themed carnival and exclusive market, although the date has yet to be announced.

    The exterior of the “Under the Castle” pop-up store in Shanghai. [Photo courtesy of Team Wang Design]

    “Under the Castle” was created by Team Wang Design, a luxury streetwear label founded by its creative director Jackson Wang and his friend and longtime partner Henry Cheung. The “Under the Castle” experience and merchandise originated from the “Sparkles – Knock Knock” series launched in October 2022, and an escape room created by the singer in Shanghai in 2023. 

    A display featuring the central characters Pumpkie and Spookie inside the “Under the Castle” pop-up store in Shanghai. [Photo courtesy of Team Wang Design]

    The franchise introduces the characters Pumpkie and Spookie, around whom Jackson Wang has also crafted a comic book. Pumpkie, a pumpkin brought to life on Halloween, and Spookie, a playful ghost, explore a cursed castle in their village, encountering the building’s former royal residents and uncovering its secrets.

    Ahead of the Shanghai store’s opening, Wang had already extended his star power and intriguing concept overseas. In late September, Team Wang Design announced its first partnership with Resorts World Sentosa when it opened the “Under the Castle” haunted house at Universal Studios Singapore’s 12th edition of “Halloween Horror Nights.”

    The “Under the Castle” attraction at Universal Studios Singapore. [Photo courtesy of Team Wang Design]

    Combining Team Wang Design’s bold aesthetics with a spooky narrative, the attraction featured a terrifying take on the characters Pumpkie and Spookie, integrating elements from Wang’s 2022 album “Magic Man” through props and scare actors. Open from Sept. 27 to Nov. 2, it was the largest haunted house at this year’s event, consistently drawing long lines of visitors and fans. The collaboration also marked the first time a Chinese IP had been featured in the Universal Studios theme park in Singapore.

    Henry Cheung, CEO and co-founder of Team Wang Design, revealed that he and Wang have loved Halloween since they were children. For “Under the Castle” to be part of the legendary celebration at Universal Studios Singapore was “truly an honor,” Cheung said in a statement, adding that the theme park’s Halloween event has been setting the gold standard for fear and fun for more than a decade.

    Jackson Wang interacts with fans at the launch of his “Under the Castle” comic book at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, Oct. 13, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Team Wang Design]

    Wang, who is working on his next album set for release in 2025, has taken time out this year to refresh and recharge. After years of relentless touring and intense pressure, he aimed to live a more balanced life and spend more time with friends. However, his desire to keep creating led him to undertake high-profile projects, including a collaboration in June with auction platform Joopiter, owned by his friend, the American musician and fashion designer Pharrell Williams.

    Fans can look forward to more projects and surprises from the singer next year. At the Weibo Music Awards 2024, held in Beijing this September, Wang announced: “I’ve rested this year and will come back to the music scene next year. Check me out next year; wait and see.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cambodia, China eye stronger digital economy cooperation

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

    PHNOM PENH, Nov. 4 — The 2024 China-Cambodia Digital Economy Cooperation Forum was convened here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Monday, exploring ways to boost stronger digital economy cooperation between the two countries.

    In an opening speech, Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said the forum was vital to further promoting cooperation between Cambodia and China, especially in the fields of technology, innovation, and digital economy.

    “For Cambodia, the development of the digital economy is considered an important driver in the process of economic development,” he told the forum with approximately 250 participants.

    Pornmoniroth, who is also a Cambodian deputy prime minister, said the development of digital technology is one of the top priorities in the Cambodian government’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1 and that digital technology will help Cambodia achieve its vision of becoming a high-income country by 2050.

    “In recent years, digital technology has been rapidly developed, becoming a new stand for supporting and ensuring economic resilience,” he said.

    “The digital technology has spurred new innovations that contribute to value added creation, productivity increase, and work efficiency, as well as become a catalyst for global trade and economic connectivity,” he added.

    Pornmoniroth said Cambodia and China have been working closely to promote digital economy and that the Southeast Asian country has collaborated with Alibaba to boost e-commerce and with UnionPay International and Ant International’s Alipay+ to bolster cross-border QR code payments.

    At the event, the Digital Economy Professional Association of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia was launched.

    Pornmoniroth hopes that the association will play a leading role in promoting digital innovations, producing digital talents, and enhancing the use of digital technology.

    Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin praised Cambodia for its rapid development of digital economy, and was amazed by the significant rise of mobile payments with smartphones.

    He was pleased to see that China-Cambodia digital economy cooperation has progressed well, saying that China will continue to help Cambodia achieve the goal of 100 percent high-speed Internet coverage in urban areas and 70 percent coverage in rural areas by 2025.

    “Chinese companies in Cambodia have fully utilized their own technological advantages to promote emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and mobile payments in Cambodia, helping the kingdom improve its digital level and promote digital transformation,” he said.

    Lin Shiqiang, president of the China Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, said China Unicom, Huawei and other companies have played a crucial role in constructing Cambodia-China submarine cable, providing strong support for the deep integration and connectivity of the digital economy of the two countries.

    Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said China has been a great supporter of digitalization of Cambodia, gradually transforming Cambodia’s present system into digitalization.

    “China has a policy. They are sharing their wealth and their technology with countries and with their friends like Cambodia,” he told Xinhua.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China holds wide appeal for investors

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

    Motivated by China’s complete removal of market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector, executives from multinational corporations attending the seventh China International Import Expo said they will deploy more resources in the country, with a particular focus on high-end manufacturing.

    This year’s CIIE, scheduled in Shanghai from Tuesday to Nov 10, will debut more than 400 new products, technologies and services across advanced sectors, including high-end equipment, advanced materials and marine engineering products, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

    The latest edition of China’s national negative list for foreign investment, which took effect on Friday, has removed the last two manufacturing-related restrictions, further opening the sector to global investors, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

    Attracted by China’s innovation capability, business model transformation and bilateral and multilateral free trade deals, many global manufacturers are increasingly inclined to invest in new innovation centers, expand production capacities and advance digital transformation initiatives within the country, said Sun Xiao, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce.

    For China, the manufacturing industry is the earliest sector to open up to foreign investors, and it is also the most competitive, with a high level of integration with the global industrial division of labor, said Sun.

    Schneider Electric, a French industrial and technology group and a seven-time participant at the CIIE, will present at this year’s event new concepts, products, services and applications that combine digital, automation and electrification technologies, underscoring its commitment to China through its “China Hub” strategy.

    Yin Zheng, executive vice-president of Schneider Electric’s China and East Asia operations, said that China has become Schneider Electric’s second-largest market in the world and one of its four global research and development bases.

    “Through the CIIE, a world-class communication platform, we aim to continuously deepen ecosystem cooperation and work with more Chinese industrial partners to jointly build new quality productive forces,” he added.

    Arthur Xu, president for China at Danfoss Group, a Danish engineering company, said that Danfoss will bring its products and solutions in the data center, water and wastewater treatment, marine, food and beverage, and heat recovery fields, among others, to the CIIE this year. These proven solutions will offer unique value for China’s green transition, he said.

    In addition to plans to begin construction in April in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on its new manufacturing facility, which will be one of the biggest production sites in Danfoss’ history, the company also announced in September that it has completed construction of a work campus in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

    The new campus is dedicated to the innovation and production of specialized transistor modules as well as electric and hybrid power train systems.

    With the structure of foreign investment continuing to be optimized, China saw the high-tech manufacturing sector use 77.12 billion yuan ($10.87 billion) in foreign direct investment in the first three quarters of 2024, accounting for 12 percent of the national total, according to the Ministry of Commerce. That is an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the same period last year.

    Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, said that China’s well-developed industrial system, commitment to continued openness, and efforts to scale up high-tech manufacturing remain key drivers for foreign manufacturers’ investment in the country.

    Nipsea Group, a Singapore-based paint and coating manufacturer, will make its debut as a participant at the CIIE this week with a 300-square-meter booth.

    “This year, we have officially transitioned from being a witness to a participant at the CIIE, presenting our latest products and technology solutions,” said Eric Chung, CEO of Nippon Paint China, a subsidiary of Nipsea Group.

    “This move not only underscores our unwavering commitment to the Chinese market, but also reflects our firm determination to contribute to the high-quality development of China’s economy,” Chung said, adding that the company will showcase its newest automotive coatings and marine paint products at the expo.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 136th Canton Fair concludes in Guangzhou

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

    136th Canton Fair concludes in Guangzhou

    Updated: November 5, 2024 09:22 Xinhua
    Buyers select clothes at the 136th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2024. The 136th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, concluded in Guangzhou on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Buyers visit the 136th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Buyers select down jackets at the 136th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A buyer selects sweets at the 136th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Buyers select massage machines at the 136th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – List Member Elected, Members Sworn – 001436

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    LIST MEMBER ELECTED

    SPEAKER: I understand that Benjamin Cody Doyle is present and wishes to make the Affirmation of Allegiance. Would Benjamin Cody Doyle please come forward to the chair on my right.

    MEMBERS SWORN

    BENJAMIN DOYLE (Green): Ko ahau, ko Benjamin Cody Doyle, e kī ana i runga i te pono, i te tika, i te ngākau tapatahi me te whakaū anō ka noho pirihonga, ka noho pūmau ki a Kīngi Tiāre te Tuatoru me tōna kāhui whakaheke e ai ki te ture.

    [Applause]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Karakia/Prayers – 001437

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    TUESDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2024

    The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.

    KARAKIA/PRAYERS

    SPEAKER: Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom, justice, mercy, and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –