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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Empowering Our Workforce in Cyberspace

    Source: United States Navy

    1. We Are All Cyber Warriors. It is essential to recognize that every individual in the Navy is a “Cyber Warrior.” Whether you’re on the front lines or managing daily tasks, your actions online directly impact our cyber security. You are the first line of defense. By performing basic cyber hygiene, you can prevent 98% of attacks.

    · Take your annual Cyber Awareness Challenge to remind you of how to mitigate some of the vulnerabilities.

    · Keep your apps, web browsers, operating systems and firmware up to date by ensuring the latest patches are installed; reboot your personal computer when it is required.

    · Always use strong passwords that avoid the obvious (e.g., sequential numbers or DOB), keep passwords secure and change them regularly.

    · Do not open suspicious emails or click on links of which you are unsure or unfamiliar.

    · Avoid quizzes, games or surveys on social media that ask for sensitive personal information.

    2. Cyber Workforce Members. Cybersecurity Awareness Month also serves as a reminder for cyber workforce (CWF) members to understand the importance of maintaining robust operational defenses. The transition to the new DoD Cyberspace Workforce Framework and the DoD 8140 Cyberspace Workforce Qualification and Management Program series supports staying ahead of cyber adversaries and fortifying Navy networks. It focuses on:

    · Role-Specific Qualifications Through Training Alignment: The 8140 Framework ensures operators have specialized training tailored to their specific work roles and responsibilities, leading to enhanced role clarity and accountability.

    · Ongoing Professional Development Through Continuous Learning: CWF members must regularly update their proficiencies to assist them in foreseeing emerging cyber threats.

    · Operational Preparedness Through Skills Matching: Aligning personnel skills with operational needs enhances readiness and facilitates quicker, more effective responses to cyber incidents.

    3. Navy Leadership: Strategic Focus for 2024. The transition to the DoD Cyberspace Workforce Framework and the DoD 8140 series empowers Navy leadership to strengthen our most critical cyber defense: the Sailors and civilians that make up our workforce.

    · Creating a Strategic Workforce Development through Talent Management: The 8140 Framework allows senior leaders to focus on building a top-tier cyber workforce, ensuring the right talent is in place for complex missions.

    · Identifying and Mitigating Gaps: Leaders can use the 8140 Framework to pinpoint and mitigate workforce gaps, ensuring teams are equipped to handle evolving threats.

    · Prioritizing a Culture of Learning: The emphasis on continuous certification and learning fosters a culture of ongoing improvement within the cyber workforce. Cyber readiness is an ongoing priority that we leadership can pursue every day by ensuring their workforce has the tools and trainings they need to position the Navy for success.

    Overall, implementation of the DoD Cyberspace Workforce Framework will be pivotal to the Navy’s cybersecurity success. It equips:

    · Sailors and civilians with the necessary skills to defend Navy data and networks.

    · CWF Members with aligned training to address advanced threats.

    · Senior leaders with a framework for workforce development and resilience.

    This month, we celebrate every individual’s role in cyber defense and highlight how our cyber workforce transition enhances our collective readiness. For further information or to get involved, contact your Information Systems Security Manager or Cyber Workforce Program Manager.

    #CyberWarriors #NavyCyberDefense

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Continues Push to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – As Alabamians prepare to change their clocks this weekend, Senator Tuberville is continuing to advocate for the passage of the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent and end the outdated practice of adjusting our clocks twice a year. 

    “Alabamians have made it clear that springing forward and falling back should be a thing of the past,” said Senator Tuberville. “Centuries ago, a time change might have made sense, but it doesn’t today. An additional hour of sunshine in the evenings during cold winter months would be welcome news for folks on their way to work and kids on their way home from school. It just makes sense to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, and I will keep fighting to get it across the goal line.”

    Senator Tuberville has helped introduce the Sunshine Protection Act in both Congresses since taking office at the urging of countless Alabamians who are tired of changing their clocks twice a year.  The U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act on March 15, 2022, by unanimous consent, but then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not bring it up for a vote in the House of Representatives before the 117th Congress ended, requiring it to be reintroduced again in the 118th Congress.

    The Alabama Legislature passed a bill to permanently implement DST year-round in 2021, but legislation must first be passed at the federal level in order for the state law to take effect.

    WATCH:

    Tuberville: Let’s Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

    Tuberville Urges Congress to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

    Tuberville: Daylight Saving Time Bill Passes Senate 

    Tuberville Pushes to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent 

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sir Mark Walport reappointed as the Royal Society’s Trustee of the British Museum

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport has reappointed Sir Mark Walport as the Royal Society Nominated Trustee for the British Museum for a four year term from 01 December 2024 to 30 November 2028.

    Sir Mark Walport

    Appointed from 01 December 2024 to 30 November 2028.

    Professor Sir Mark Walport is Vice President and Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, Chair of the Kennedy Memorial Trust, and Trustee of the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. He is the recently retired founding Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which is responsible for the public funding of research and innovation.

    He was previously the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Head of the Government Office for Science from 2013 to 2017. Before these, he was Director of the Wellcome Trust, Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Medicine at Imperial College London, and Founder Fellow and first Registrar of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

    Mark received a knighthood in the 2009 New Year Honours List for services to medical research and was elected a Fellow of The Royal Society in 2011 and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2017.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees of the British Museum are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Sir Mark Walport has not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sugemalimab approved to treat adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer     

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 30 October, approved the medicine sugemalimab (Eqjubi) to treat adult patients with a type of lung cancer called ‘non-small cell lung cancer’. 

    Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for around 80 to 85 out of 100 cases. It can be one of three types: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma. 

    Sugemalimab is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein designed to recognise and attach to a specific target in the body). It works by attaching to the target called programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Cancer cells with PD-L1 may switch off some cells of the immune system. By blocking PD-1, sugemalimab stops the cancer switching off immune cells and increases the immune system’s ability to kill cancer cells.  

     Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

    Enabling safe access to high quality, safe and effective medicines is a key priority for us. 

    We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for the approval of this new formulation have been met. 

    As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review.

    Sugemalimab is given to the patient in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of an experienced doctor. The patient’s doctor will give them sugemalimab through an infusion (drip) into a vein over 60 minutes every 3 weeks.  

    Clinical trials showed that sugemalimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy was more effective than placebo (a dummy treatment) in patients with Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. The main measure of effectiveness was survival without worsening (progression) of the cancer. Patients who had sugemalimab treatment lived on average 9.0 months without the disease getting worse, compared with 4.9 months for patients who did not receive sugemalimab.  

    During clinical studies, common side effects included a decreased number of red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body, increased blood levels of liver enzymes, sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol, decreased blood levels of calcium, potassium, sodium and thyroid hormone, increased levels of protein in the urine, and numbness, tingling or decreased sensation in part of the body. 

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of sugemalimab under close review.  Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.    

    Notes to editors    

    • The new marketing authorisation was granted on 30 October 2024 to CStone Pharmaceuticals  

    • This product was submitted and approved via a National procedure.  

    • More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.  

    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.  

    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Rebuilding after the wildfire: Parks Canada changes the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    In collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, Parks Canada updates the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy to guide the recovery of the community..

    In collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, Parks Canada updates the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy to guide the recovery of the community.

    October 30, 2024                              Jasper, Alberta                            Parks Canada

    Hundreds of Jasper homeowners are navigating the choices for rebuilding their homes after the Jasper Wildfire ignited structures in the town of Jasper in July 2024. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting residents as they rebuild, working side-by-side with the Municipality of Jasper.

    Today, Ministerial Lead for Jasper Recovery, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, released updates to local land use policy in the town of Jasper. The changes simplify the process of rebuilding for anyone who lost structures within the townsite. This builds on the momentum of Bill C-76, passed unanimously in Parliament to enable the transfer of some development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper.

    The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada, with the Municipality of Jasper, have been working closely together through the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre. Together, they outlined a 5-phase approach to rebuilding Jasper. Today’s launch of the Rebuilding Guide marks the completion of Phase 1. This guide summarizes updates to the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy and Architectural Motif Guidelines to simplify the rebuilding process.

    The land use policy changes focus on making rebuilding easier for Jasperites, rebuilding with wildfire in mind, increasing housing options, climate resilience and sustainability. Individual changes are increasing community resilience to wildfire by requiring the use of noncombustible materials on the exterior of new buildings being rebuilt, and that the 1.5 m area around them are noncombustible. Key changes to support housing include allowing leaseholders with lots formerly zoned for single-detached dwellings to build either one or two primary dwelling units on a lot, reduced parking requirements, making subdivision easier and more options for accessory dwellings. Newly established minimum standards and guidance for those who wish to go beyond the minimum standard encourage a balance between safety and increased housing. This approach will provide the flexibility for innovation by homeowners while promoting essential safety and resilience while maintaining the unique character of the national park community. 

                                                                                                          -30-

    “Rebuilding Jasper is about more than about restoring lost structures; it’s an opportunity to reimagine our future with a focus on sustainability and resilience. By collaborating with Parks Canada, we can ensure that Jasper rebuilds in a sustainable way, integrating innovative practices that better protect our homes, our businesses and the environment, enhancing our community for residents and for our essential visitor economy. Together, we can create a more vibrant community that thrives on resilience, innovation, and unity, forging a path forward toward a brighter future for all.”

    Richard Ireland
    Mayor, Municipality of Jasper

    Oliver Anderson
    Director of Communications      
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    819-962-0686
    oIiver.anderson@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Krishnamoorthi Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee on the Role PBMs Play in Driving Prescription Drug Costs and Independent Pharmacy Closings

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

    CHICAGO – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary during a field hearing in Chicago on lowering prescription drug costs for Americans. Chaired by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL), the hearing included several members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation along with state and local leaders discussing how stronger industry oversight, fairer market competition, and increased cooperation between the government and health care sector can make prescription drugs more affordable for patients. During his testimony, Congressman Krishnamoorthi highlighted how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) act as middlemen between patients and drug companies, driving up prices and squeezing out local and independent pharmacies.

    “Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are raising drug costs for Americans and shutting down countless independent pharmacies,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The egregious business practices of PBMs harm patients and make it more difficult for our constituents to access the medications they need. I will continue to do everything in my power to pass much-needed PBM reform legislation. I want to thank Senator Durbin for his leadership in holding today’s hearing and all my colleagues who participated for their shared commitment to lowering prescription drug costs for all Americans.”

    In recent years, PBMs have tightened their grip on the prescription drug market, positioning themselves as middlemen between drug companies and patients. This position allows them to negotiate drug prices that maximize their profits and drive up medication costs for Americans. PBMs also undermine local and independent pharmacies by imposing clawbacks and direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees, specifically targeting the roughly 20 percent of pharmacies not owned by a PBM. These practices have left 73 percent of Illinois counties in a pharmacy desert, forcing patients to travel farther for essential medication. In 2024 alone, over 2,000 local and independent pharmacies across the U.S. have closed due to these pressures. 

    Congressman Krishnamoorthi has been a leader in fighting against PBMs during his time in Congress, including introducing the bipartisan Pharmacist Audit and Compensation Transparency (PhACT) Act this month that would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to investigate PBMs and make recommendations to increase transparency and fairness that benefit patients. Congressman Krishnamoorthi has also introduced several other bipartisan pieces of legislation aimed at reigning in the power of PBMs, such as the PBM Sunshine and Accountability Act and the Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBMs) Act. Both of these bills would establish new public reporting requirements and increase transparency into how PBMs set prices.

    The Congressman’s full testimony is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky Statement on West Rogers Park Shooting

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    EVANSTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement on Saturday’s shooting in the West Rogers Park neighborhood:

    The news that an Orthodox Jewish man was shot on the way to his synagogue for Shabbat morning prayers is deeply alarming and unacceptable.

    “I’m relieved to hear that the victim has been released from the hospital and is back at home. I’m sending him and his family strength and support during this extremely difficult time.

    “I support all efforts by law enforcement to get to the bottom of this senseless shooting. It is imperative that we know the motive of the shooter to determine whether hate crime charges are applicable.

    “I have heard from several of my Jewish constituents who are scared to walk to school or synagogue, go to the grocery store, or wear anything that could convey their Jewish identity. This cannot become the norm. With antisemitism on the rise in America, we must recommit ourselves to rooting it out. All Americans deserve to feel safe in this country, and I will not rest until this ancient hatred is cast aside once and for all.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cole Leads National Security Trip to Middle East

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

    Washington, D.C. – Amid rising threats and instability, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) led a bipartisan delegation to the Middle East in support of strengthening America’s defense and reinforcing partnerships with allies. Cole and his colleagues met with heads of state and other leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel to enhance their tactical understanding of ongoing conflicts caused by Iran’s proxies and discuss mutual objectives to achieve peace and security in the region.

    Cole was joined by House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL), Ed Case (D-HI), and Mark Alford (R-MO).

    During visits with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, King of Jordan Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, and Saudi officials, the U.S. lawmakers held productive, high-level meetings on reinforcing strategic alliances, the importance of increased regional cooperation, and our shared commitments to supporting global security and the safety of our citizens.

    Diplomacy is crucial to protecting American interests around the world, and the deepening of our engagement and security partnerships through these visits is a key element to that objective. The group agreed to unite to bolster peace and security during this difficult time.

    In Israel, Congressman Cole and the rest of the group reiterated the unbreakable bond the United States shares with our friend and ally. While meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Foreign Minister Israel Katz, the Members received briefings on military operations, continued efforts to rescue hostages, including American citizens, and the malign activities of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-regime proxies. Just over a year after the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, the Members concluded their time in Israel with a visit to Mount Herzl to honor the tremendous stories of heroism and tragedy. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, they laid a wreath at the cemetery in solemn remembrance of those lost.

    Their final stop of the trip was to visit with officers and crew of a U.S. warship doing dangerous and heroic work in the eastern Mediterranean. These outstanding sailors defend our country and allies and make all Americans proud every day.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Newhouse, Fentanyl Task Force Release Final Report

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

    Headline: Newhouse, Fentanyl Task Force Release Final Report

    This week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) led the Central Washington Fentanyl Task Force in a meeting and released the taskforce’s final report outlining guidance to help mitigate the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

    “We are proud to release a report which outlines our comprehensive work over the last year and a half to help stop the influence of the fentanyl crisis in our community,” said Rep. Newhouse.

    Newhouse continued, “From individuals who have firsthand experience in substance recovery, law enforcement officers, tribal representatives, and medical professionals, this task force represents all of us who have been impacted by this issue in one way or another. I am proud of the work we have accomplished.”

    Meeting on a quarterly basis, the task force identified four categories to assess the problem and execute solutions: data, funding, policy, and education, at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels.

    In each meeting, the task force compiled datasets to assess current trends of the crisis, mapped out funding mechanisms and resources available, discussed current laws and available programs, both for enforcement as well as prevention and treatment services, and finally, contributed to the all-hands-on-deck education campaign in Central Washington to combat this crisis.

    This report reflects the task force’s collective efforts, recommendations, and conclusions.

    Background

    Enough fentanyl was interdicted by U.S. law enforcement last year to kill every American 66 times, 97% of it originates from China, 90% of it enters through U.S. Ports of Entry by vehicle, and 17% of meth, 41% of cocaine, 72% of heroin, and 74% of xylazine tested positive for fentanyl. The Task Force has evidence that shows 7 out of 10 fentanyl pills off the street in the U.S. possess a potentially deadly dose.

    The fentanyl, mental health, and substance use disorder crisis is a multifaceted problem that requires all members of the community, both in the public and private sectors, to bring together their expertise, perspectives, and efforts to execute tangible and attainable solutions. The Central Washington Fentanyl Task Force was formed to bring together all voices of the community to discuss the complex problem of the fentanyl crisis and identify and implement attainable solutions.

    Watch the full announcement here.

    View the full report here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Visits ABCD Head Start in Jamaica Plain, Highlights Threat of Project 2025 to Early Education

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    During National Book Month, Pressley Toured ABCD and Read to Head Start Children

    Project 2025 Would Eliminate Head Start and Deny 11,000 Massachusetts Children Childcare Access and Other Services

    Photos (Dropbox)

    BOSTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Founder of the Stop Project 2025 Task Force, visited ABCD Jamaica Plain Head Start & Children’s Services to highlight the threat of Project 2025 to early education in Massachusetts and across the country. Congresswoman Pressley, whose visit comes during National Book Month, read to Head Start children and joined ABCD leadership and staff for a tour of the center.

    Project 2025, a bucket list of extreme right-wing policies, would completely eliminate the Head Start program, which provides access to no-cost childcare and other services for nearly 11,000 children in Massachusetts, including 2,500 children in the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, and serves more than 833,000 children living in poverty nationwide.

    “I was proud to visit ABCD Head Start in JP to read to our babies and highlight how impactful and life-changing the work they do is,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “While Republicans try to eliminate Head Start, raise costs for families, and exacerbate the childcare crisis, I’ll keep pressing to expand these essential programs, raise the wages of our early educators, and invest in affordable, high-quality childcare for all. Thank you to President Scott-Chandler, Executive Director Haimowitz, and everyone at ABCD and Head Start Massachusetts for all that you do support our families.”

    Joining Rep. Pressley at the event were Sharon Scott-Chandler, ABCD President and CEO; Kim Weldon, Jamaica Plain Head Start Center Director; Josh Young, VP of Field Operations & Legislative Affairs; Michelle Haimowitz, Executive Director, Massachusetts Head Start Association; and Head Start children and staff.

    “Congresswoman Pressley has been an ally, an advocate, and, when necessary, a warrior for children and families when access to vital resources is at risk—as is the case if proponents of Project 2025 are able to enact its draconian policies. We are grateful for Rep. Pressley’s resolve to keep Head Start in place and, indeed, expand it,” said Sharon Scott-Chandler, President and CEO of Action for Boston Community Development.

    “We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Pressley for fighting for early childhood education and care programs such as Head Start. She is a longtime advocate who understands that paying qualified teachers and staff equitably is essential; wages are an investment in families and this country’s future,” said Flossy Calderon, Vice President of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services.

    “Head Start’s comprehensive services provide a vital lifeline to vulnerable families in the Massachusetts 7th and across the Commonwealth. We are so fortunate to have Congresswoman Pressley as a champion for Head Start in Congress, leading the charge for our Head Start families, educators, and programs. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Congresswoman to see that every vulnerable family has access to the high-quality Head Start services they deserve,” said Michelle Haimowitz, Executive Director, Massachusetts Head Start Association.

    Photos from the event can be found here.

    In Congress, Rep. Pressley has consistently sounded the alarm about Project 2025 and made the case for robust federal investments in childcare, living wages for early educators, support for the Head Start program, paid leave, and other policies that support families across the country.

    Last year, Congresswoman Pressley welcomed Jaqueline Sanches, a Mattapan resident, early educator, and mother of two, as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. In 2022, Rep. Pressley’s virtual guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Addres was Christina Morris, a Hyde Park resident, union carpenter, and mother of four who has advocated for affordable childcare so working parents like herself can make ends meet and take care of their families.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Roy issues statement on SCOTUS ruling on noncitizen voting

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)

    Washington, D.C. – Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement after Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling:

    “The Supreme Court order today allowing Virginia to remove 1500 non-citizen voters from its rolls was the only defensible position — despite the Biden-Harris administration objections and 3 leftist justices opposing. But it shouldn’t even be an issue. The Republican House passed my legislation — the SAVE Act, H.R. 8281 — in July to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections and ensure states protect their voter rolls through Election Day.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Tragic Death of Josseli Barnica

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

    Houston, TX – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement based on ProPublica’s recent reporting on the death of Josseli Barnica, a 28-year-old mother who lost her life in 2021 due to Texas’ extreme abortion restrictions:

    “The heartbreaking death of Josseli Barnica is a tragic reminder of how Texas’ extreme abortion restrictions put women’s lives at risk. These laws, pushed by Greg Abbott and his MAGA cronies, don’t just limit choices—they actively endanger Texans by delaying or denying them critical medical care.

    “This is not healthcare; it’s a war on women’s rights and their lives. We must fight to repeal these dangerous policies and replace them with compassionate, common-sense laws that ensure women can access the care they need without fear or delay.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks of Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger at ISDA’s Annual Legal Forum

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    Good morning and thank you to ISDA for inviting me to join today’s conference.  It is an honor to speak to all of you this morning.  Before I begin, I need to provide my standard disclaimer:  The views I express are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my fellow commissioners, of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC” or “Commission”), or of the United States Government.

    As the fall weather begins to set in, the days become shorter and colder, and the leaves change colors, it is a time to reflect on how far we have come throughout the year and to prepare for where we must go as winter and the new year approach.  In that vein, I want to speak today about enforcement and a few ideas for improvement.

    Expressing Dissent

    Over the past few weeks, I have had several opportunities to speak with professionals from a variety of industries on numerous topics.  While I always value these discussions, I was surprised by how many times people asked me:  “Are you enjoying the job?”  Usually, I am quick to answer, “Of course I enjoy the job.”  The work we do at the CFTC is interesting, impactful, and important.  I am constantly learning, and there is never a dull day.

    I started to wonder, though, if there was a reason people were frequently asking me this question.  Maybe it was my body language; maybe I was not smiling enough; or maybe I have spent too much time with my teenage daughters and have adopted their surly demeanor.  But then it occurred to me—maybe they read my recent dissenting statements.  I have issued quite a few dissenting statements in the past few weeks[1], and I guess you could say I sounded a little frustrated, maybe even disgruntled.

    Well, I am here to tell you that despite my dissenting statements, I do enjoy my job, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as a commissioner at the CFTC—even on Friday afternoons when multiple enforcement matters appear in my inbox, and I realize that the shortest memo is a mere hundred plus pages long.

    I read every page of every document upon which I am asked to vote.  As one of five Presidentially-nominated and Senate-confirmed commissioners, I believe that it is my responsibility to do so because my fellow commissioners and I are the ones ultimately accountable for the charges we bring, the cases we settle, and the results of the CFTC’s enforcement program—and for balancing enforcement with all the other critical daily functions performed by the agency.

    As was wisely stated in the 51st Federalist Paper, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”[2]  And we all know that men (and women) are not angels.  Thus, government—including its enforcement function—is necessary.  Vigorous enforcement is a vital part of carrying out the CFTC’s mission.

    I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the agency’s enforcement team and reaffirm my commitment to a robust enforcement program.  I am proud of the tireless work of the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement (“DOE”), whose experienced and conscientious attorneys, investigators, and other staff members are dedicated to identifying, prosecuting, and sanctioning those who violate the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) and the CFTC’s rules.  But, like everything we do in life, we should look for opportunities to improve.

    Chasing Trendlines

    As most of you know, a large number of the CFTC’s enforcement actions are settled during the month—sometimes the week—before the end of the government’s fiscal year on September 30th.

    This September crunch is frustrating to all involved and potentially harmful to the agency’s agenda.  First, it diverts the agency’s attention from its other important responsibilities, as matters requiring Commissioners’ attention from other divisions are postponed and deferred.  Second, it incentivizes those hoping to settle with the CFTC to wait until the fiscal year-end, knowing the agency will be eager to get another point on the board before the clock runs out and that the resulting settlement will draw less public attention as just one of the myriad cases being announced at the same time.  Third, such a crunch diminishes the time for decision making and increases the risk of promulgating faulty interpretations of the CEA and CFTC regulations.  Wrongdoing occurs year-round.  Our enforcement docket should reflect that.

    After the close of each fiscal year, the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement publishes an Annual Report that typically proclaims success based on “headline stats,” such as the number of cases filed and the amount of monetary sanctions imposed during the previous fiscal year.[3]

    I believe it is time for the agency to stop prioritizing volume.  Rather than focus on making the current fiscal year statistics better than the previous year’s, the agency should concentrate on where improvements can be made in our regulatory oversight functions to prevent pervasive violations and should devote more resources to educating market participants and the general public on how to avoid becoming victims of fraudulent behavior.

    Enforcement Should be a Last Resort

    That said, I believe there is certainly a role for enforcement.  But enforcement should be the last resort to achieving compliance, not the first.  Yes, in cases of fraud, manipulation, and other willful violations of the law, enforcement is critical to punish wrongdoers and to deter misconduct by others.  But in other cases, oversight of the derivatives markets and market participants by the agency’s Division of Clearing and Risk (“DCR”), Division of Market Oversight (“DMO”), and Market Participants Division (“MPD”) can achieve compliance more effectively and efficiently than bringing a costly, time-consuming, resource-intensive, and backward-looking enforcement action.

    Clear and Workable Rules as the Foundation

    Where CFTC regulations are vague, the agency should not leverage these provisions to drive annual statistics.  Instead, we must communicate our expectations by writing clear, sensible, and workable rules, so that we can fairly require compliance with those obligations.

    Enforcement is but one tool available to the agency.  Our ability to achieve compliance with the CEA and the CFTC’s rules will be enhanced if we consider the underlying reasons for non-compliance and contemplate the most effective means of addressing that non-compliance, in particular cases.  Where the underlying reason is an unclear expectation, the onus is on the CFTC to revise its regulations accordingly.

    Appropriately Employing Settlement Authority

    It is no secret that most CFTC enforcement actions settle without litigation.  While such settlements enable us to achieve our enforcement objectives while conserving our scarce resources to root out and prosecute other violations, vague settlements cause confusion and undermine our efforts to achieve compliance.

    When settling, the CFTC issues an order that sets out the agency’s findings about what the settling party did and how it violated the law.  These orders are not binding precedents as a matter of law.  However, since they reflect a statement of the agency’s thinking, the public may understandably consider them as precedents—and the agency often cites them as persuasive authority in future cases, too.

    But remember:  No court has decided on the legal theories as applied to the particular facts that the CFTC includes in its settlement orders.  The legal theories advanced in settlement orders should not push the bounds of the agency’s authority.  Such orders should avoid theories that are novel, that are arguably beyond the limits of the CEA and its implementing regulations, or that are likely to raise additional questions or issues.  Otherwise, the agency risks creating regulatory expectations that become difficult to follow.

    Incentivizing Cooperation

    To foster voluntary compliance with the law and to provide transparency into certain aspects of enforcement determinations regarding penalties, we must further unwind the layers around how we recognize and credit those who self-report, offer cooperation during the enforcement process, and undertake remediation.

    First, a company is currently only eligible for a civil monetary penalty (“CMP”) credit for self-reporting if it makes its disclosure to DOE rather than to one of the CFTC’s oversight divisions (i.e., DCR, DMO, or MPD).[4]  This requirement is an unnecessary layer that unduly restricts self-reporting credit.  A self-report to an oversight division serves the agency’s interests by enabling that division to work with the company on compliance on a going-forward basis, while also referring the matter to DOE where appropriate to investigate whether an enforcement action is warranted for any violations that may have been committed.  To limit self-reporting credit to disclosures directly to DOE is to elevate form over substance.

    Second, if a company self-reports, substantially cooperates, and appropriately remediates, a reduced CMP should not be the only potential outcome.  Where a company has identified the problem, disclosed it to CFTC staff, analyzed the situation, provided a report of its findings to CFTC staff, and engaged in steps to address the problem—it has essentially performed many of the CFTC’s functions.  And such cooperation and remediation often come at a significant expense, which may include hiring an independent compliance consultant or monitor to investigate the company’s practices and procedures, to recommend improvements, and to ensure that remediation is completed.

    Of course, an enforcement action may be appropriate in these cases to assure that the company will complete its remediation and will report to DOE on the status of those remediation efforts.  But given that compliance objectives are being achieved often with fewer agency resources, substantial penalties may not be necessary.

    The Way Forward

    As I mentioned earlier, I am committed to strong enforcement at the CFTC, and I am proud of our Enforcement Division.  The agency’s enforcement professionals do an exemplary job in safeguarding the integrity of U.S. derivatives markets and those who use them.  However, there are opportunities for strategic reform.

    My hope is that today begins a conversation about the path ahead for enforcement at the CFTC.

    Thank you so much for your time today, and I wish you all a safe and fun Halloween.

    I would like to thank ISDA once again for inviting me and would be happy to answer audience questions.

    [1] Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger Regarding cryptoiminerstrade.com, Expert Stocks Zone, FalconForexBot, and swiftminingexpert.com (Sept. 24, 2024), available at https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/SpeechesTestimony/mersingerstatement092424; Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger Regarding Settlement With Piper Sandler Hedging Services, LLC (Sept. 23, 2024), available at https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/SpeechesTestimony/mersingerstatement092324; Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger Regarding Settlement with Uniswap Labs (Sept. 4, 2024), available at https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/SpeechesTestimony/mersingerstatement090424.

    [2] The Federalist Papers, No. 51 (Feb. 8, 1788).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NSF names three new I-Corps Hubs expanding the National Innovation Network across the U.S.

    Source: US Government research organizations

    The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced the addition of three new NSF Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps™) Hubs that will scale the NSF-led National Innovation Network (NIN), accelerating the translation of discoveries into new solutions that benefit society and the economy. Each NSF I-Corps Hub may receive up to $3 million per year for five years and comprises a regional alliance of at least eight universities. Combined with the existing 10 NSF I-Corps Hubs, these 13 NSF I-Corps Hubs presently span 48 states. See the interactive NSF I-Corps Hubs map.

    NSF I-Corps Hubs provide experiential entrepreneurial training to researchers across all fields of science and engineering. I-Corps Hubs form the operational backbone of the NIN, a network of universities, NSF-funded researchers, established entrepreneurs, local and regional entrepreneurial communities, and other federal agencies, that collectively help researchers learn to investigate the commercial potential of fundamental discoveries in science and engineering. The NSF I-Corps Hubs work collaboratively to build and sustain an innovation ecosystem that engages all Americans throughout the U.S.

    “The goal of the I-Corps program is to deploy experiential education to help researchers reduce the time necessary to translate promising ideas from laboratory benches to widespread implementation that in turn impacts economic growth regionally and nationally,” said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. “Each regional NSF I-Corps Hub provides training essential in entrepreneurship and customer discovery, leading to new products, startups, and jobs. In effect, we are investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs for our nation.”

    Established in 2011, the NSF I-Corps program is designed to nurture the commercialization of deep technologies, which grow from discoveries in fundamental and use-inspired science and engineering. Since its inception, over 3,600 NSF I-Corps teams have participated in the I-Corps program. The strategic goals of the NSF I-Corps Hubs are technology translation, entrepreneurial training and workforce development, economic impact, and collaboration and inclusion.

    Listed below are the new NSF I-Corps Hubs and partner institutions:

    NSF I-Corps Hub: Northwest region – NSF 2430389

    University of California, Berkeley – Lead 
    Oregon State University 
    University of Alaska Fairbanks 
    University of California, Davis 
    University of California, Irvine 
    University of California, San Francisco 
    University of California, Santa Cruz 
    University of Washington

    NSF I-Corps Hub: Southeast region – NSF 2430380 

    Georgia Tech – Lead 
    Clemson University 
    Morehouse College 
    The University of Alabama 
    University of Central Florida 
    University of Florida 
    University of Miami 
    University of South Florida

    NSF I-Corps Hub: New England region – NSF 2430342  

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Lead 
    Brown University 
    Harvard University 
    Northeastern University 
    Tufts University 
    University of Maine 
    University of Massachusetts Amherst 
    University of New Hampshire

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Strathcona County — Strathcona County RCMP arrests male on multiple warrants in the industrial area

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Sept. 19, 2024, at approximately 3 a.m., Strathcona County RCMP Crime Reduction Unit located a suspicious individual in the industrial area of Sherwood Park, Alta.

    The individual had multiple warrants for arrest out of Edmonton for failing to comply with conditions. Incidental to arrest police, located break-in tools in their possession.

    A 51-year-old individual, of no fixed address has been charged with:

    • Fail to comply with probation order

    After a judicial interim release hearing, the individual was released with a next court date set for Oct.16, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Sherwood Park.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Long Island Lake — Westlock RCMP investigate stabbing

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Sept. 7, 2024, Westlock RCMP received a report of a stabbing near the Long Island Lake RV Park in Westlock County. Upon arrival, emergency crews assisted an 18-year-old victim suffering from serious life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to local hospital and then taken by STARS to an Edmonton hospital for further treatment. She is expected to survive the assault.

    Westlock RMCP supported by the Eastern Alberta District General Investigations Section took carriage of the investigation. On Sept. 7, 2024, the victim had transported the accused’s out to the Westlock area when the suspects suddenly attacked the victim in an attempt to kill her and leave her in the forest.

    As a result of the investigation, RCMP have identified four suspects involved in this serious assault. With the assistance of the Eastern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit as well as officers from the Edmonton Police Service, three suspects, all youth and residents of Edmonton, have been arrested and charged with a multitude of criminal offences including:

    • Attempted murder
    • Robbery
    • Aggravated assault and more

    The three youth have been taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with future court dates at the Alberta Court of Justice in Westlock, Alta.

    RCMP currently have a warrant for the arrest of the fourth youth, and efforts are underway to locate this individual.

    As the offenders in this case are youth their names cannot be released.

    “The Alberta RCMP dedicated a large number of investigators to quickly solve this priority investigation,” says Staff Sergeant Jeff Sehn, “the ongoing safety of the victim was and remains as our primary concern.”

    If anyone has any information about this investigation or those responsible, please contact the Westlock RCMP at 780-349-4492. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www. P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitecourt — White Court RCMP traffic stop leads to significant drug seizure

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Oct. 3, 2024 at around 3 p.m., Whitecourt RCMP Traffic Services entered into an investigation of a flight from police after an attempted traffic stop for speeding on Highway 43. The vehicle had been captured on radar in excess of speeds of 200 km/hr.

    Whitecourt RCMP soon located the vehicle and the driver at a local gas station. The lone male occupant, was arrested and a subsequent investigation conducted on scene. Through the collaboration of the White Court RCMP, Traffic Services and GIS, a significant quantity of dangerous drugs were seized at the scene and prevented from infiltrating the community.

    As a result of the investigation an estimated $100,000 worth of items were seized:

    • A loaded 9mm hand gun & ammunition;
    • Handcuffs;
    • Various bags suspected to contain methamphetamine, cocaine & psilocybin’s;
    • Numerous unstamped tobacco products.

    A 36-year-old individual, a resident of Edmonton. Has been charged with:

    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking;
    • Dangerous driving;
    • Unlawful possession of tobacco products;
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon & several other firearms related offences.

    The individual was taken before a justice of the peace and subsequently remanded with a next court appearance set Oct. 8, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt.

    Your Alberta RCMP is committed to fighting the importation and creation of drugs within the province and do so through various units and duties. If anyone has information about illegal activity regarding illicit drugs, please contact your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3TIPS.com or by using the “P3 Tips” available through Apple App or Google Play Store.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sherwood Park — Strathcona County RCMP Crime Reduction Unit proactive patrol leads to two arrests

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Oct. 5, 2024, at approximately 12:47 a.m., members of the Strathcona County RCMP Crime Reduction Unit were conducting proactive patrols in the area of Pembina Road when they engaged in a traffic stop with a suspicious vehicle.

    During the police interaction with the occupants of the vehicle, officers observed the driver hiding a small bag in the vehicle. Both occupants were arrested.

    Subsequently, the vehicle was searched, and police located and seized several imitation firearms, prohibited weapons and a small quantity of drugs.

    A 48-year-old individual Leigh-Anne Grace McKay (48), a resident of Edmonton, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of a controlled substance – Methamphetamine
    • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
    • Unauthorized possession in a motor vehicle
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

    A 61-year-old individual a resident of Tofield, Alta., has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of a controlled substance – Methamphetamine
    • Unauthorized possession of a weapon (x2)
    • Unauthorized possession in a motor vehicle (x2)
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (x2)

    Both individuals were taken before a justice of the peace and were released from custody. They are scheduled to appear on Oct. 23. 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Sherwood park, Alta.

    Your Strathcona County RCMP is committed to keeping our community safe. If you have information regarding any illegal activity within the Strathcona County detachment area, please contact Strathcona County RCMP at 780-467-7741. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Fiscal Affairs Department’s 60th Anniversary Conference: “60 Years of FAD: The Fiscal Affair Continues”

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    The Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the IMF will celebrate 60 years since it was formed in 1964 with a one-day conference, “60 Years of FAD: The Fiscal Affair Continues,“ on November 4, 2024, in Washington D.C., USA.

    Even as prospects for a global soft landing have improved, fiscal policy continues to struggle with legacies of high debt and deficits, while facing new challenges. Risks to public finances are acute, reflecting the pressures of aging societies, industrial policies, geopolitical tensions, the needs of a greener and more equitable society and now, the threat to labor from AI technologies. Lower medium-term growth prospects have worsened debt dynamics and compounded the risks to fiscal sustainability. Fiscal policy challenges are especially acute in low-income countries, where financing is scarce and limits the ability of governments to support economic and human development.

    In this context, the conference will bring together fiscal policy experts, senior policy makers, and former and current IMF staff. They will look back at the contributions of FAD to the global fiscal policy discourse and its service to the membership. They will discuss the likely evolution of sovereign debt market and the role that public policy can play in making AI beneficial for workers and growth. And they will look ahead to the challenges that will emerge for fiscal policy in the future, and the choices fiscal policymakers will face, especially in low-income and fragile countries. The conference will also be an occasion to celebrate the evolution and impact of FAD’s capacity development (CD) from serving a small section of the membership to covering nearly every corner of the world.

    Agenda

    8:30 A.M. Coffee and refreshments
    9:00 A.M. Opening remarks. Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, introduced by Vítor Gaspar, Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF.
    9:15 – 10:30 A.M. Sovereign Debt
     Moderator: Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, Director, Strategy, Policy and Review Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    S. Ali Abbas  (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    S. Ali Abbas is a deputy director in the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department where he supervises the sovereign debt and governance workstreams, and oversees the department’s review of Fund programs in emerging and developing economies, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. He was previously IMF mission chief for the United Kingdom and Jordan, and deputy chief of the Debt Policy Division in the IMF’s Strategy Policy and Review Department. He has been closely involved in several complex Fund programs, and has led reforms to the IMF’s exceptional access lending and debt sustainability frameworks. In 2019, he co-edited Sovereign Debt: A Guide for Economists and Practitioners (OUP), with Alex Pienkowski and Kenneth Rogoff, adding to his earlier published work on post-GFC fiscal policy, the euro area sovereign debt crisis, international tax competition, state contingent debt instruments, fiscal policy and the current account, and government securities markets. Ali is a Rhodes scholar from Pakistan and holds a doctorate in economics from Oxford. He also served as an Overseas Development Institute fellow to the Tanzanian Treasury during 2000–02.

    Carlo Cottarelli (Former Director Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    Carlo Cottarelli, a citizen of Italy, after receiving degrees in economics from the University of Siena and the London School of Economics, worked at the Bank of Italy, ENI and the IMF. He was FAD Director in 2008-13, Commissioner for Public Spending in Italy in 2013-14, IMF Executive Director in 2014-17. He taught at Bocconi University and he is currently Director of the Observatory on the Italian Public Accounts of the Catholic University of Milan, where he also teaches a course of Fiscal Macroeconomics In 2021 he was awarded the honor of First Class Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

    Christoph Trebesch (Professor, Kiel University)

    Christoph Trebesch is a professor at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and the University of Kiel. His research focuses on international finance and macroeconomics as well as political economy and geopolitics. His research has been published in leading economic journals such as the American Economic Review, the Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the Journal of Political Economy, and is regularly cited in international media, including the New York Times, the Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal. He directs the CEPR Policy Network on “International Lending and Sovereign Debt” and co-directs the CEPR Network on “Geoeconomics”, for which he organizes an annual high-level conference on geopolitics and economics. He is also the creator of the widely referenced “Ukraine Support Tracker” on military and financial aid flows to Ukraine. In 2023, he was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant, one of the most prestigious research recognitions in Europe.
    10:30 – 11:00 AM The Surge in FAD’s Capacity Development Delivery (A/V) Moderators:

    Katherine Baer (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    Katherine Baer is a Deputy Director in the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD). She oversees FAD’s work in the areas of taxation and public financial management, supervises Capacity Development (CD) delivery in all fiscal areas to countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Centra Asia, oversees FAD’s strategy to strengthen fiscal policies and institutions in the Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, and manages the department’s work on fiscal issues from a gender perspective. Her career at the IMF has focused on strengthening fiscal policies and institutions in member countries across all regions and income levels, and in countries experiencing economic crises. She has been an economist in the U.S. Treasury and an assistant commissioner in the Mexican Tax Administration. She also worked at the World Bank on public finance reforms in Latin America and the Caribbean at the height of the region’s debt crisis in the 1980s. Ms. Baer has many publications relating to public finance and holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University.

    Juan Toro (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF)

    Juan Toro is Deputy Director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD), in charge of: managing FAD budget, relationship with development partners, overseeing governance and operations of FAD’s capacity development (CD), coordinating FAD’s CD to Europe, and coordinating FAD TA on sustainable development goals. He previously was Assistant Director in charge of the IMF’s revenue administration CD to Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Central Asia.

    He has led and participated in IMF TA missions in taxation in more than 40 countries and has authored and contributed to several analytical papers in taxation. Before joining the IMF in 2007, he was the Commissioner of the Chilean Tax Administration (Servicio de Impuestos Internos, SII) from 2002 to 2006.
    11.00 – 11:30 A.M. Coffee break
    11:30 A.M. – 12:45 P.M. FAD in the Global Discourse
    Moderator: Ruud De Mooij , Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    Zainab Ahmed (Alternate Executive Director, World Bank)

    Alternate Executive Director from Nigeria from July 2023 to October 2024. A Nigerian national representing – Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa (EDS25). Prior to joining the WBG, Ms. Ahmed has served a:- Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning (2018- 2023); Minister of State, Ministry of Budget and National Planning (2015 – 2018); Chair of the board of Trustees of the African Union Peace Fund (2019 – 2023). Member of the International Board, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) (2016 – 2019); Executive Secretary and National Coordinator, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) (2010 – 2015); and Managing Director, Kaduna Investment Company Ltd (2009 – 2010).

    Abdulelah Alrasheedy (Deputy Minister of Macro-Fiscal Policies, Ministry of Finance, Saudi Arabia)

    Dr. Abdulelah AlRasheedy is the Deputy Minister for Macro-Fiscal Policies at Ministry of Finance (MOF). Before being named Deputy Minister in March 2024, Dr. AlRasheedy was Assistant Deputy Minister for Macroeconomic Policies Analysis and Acting as General Supervisor of Policy and Consultation Assistant Deputyship.
    Prior to joining Ministry of Finance, Dr. Abdulelah spent 12 years with Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) most recently as Manager of Economic Modeling Division and was SAMA Representative at The International Financial Architecture Working Group.
    Dr. Abdulelah earned a Ph.D.  in economics and statistics from University of Missouri, where he was a Research Scholar at the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity.
    In addition to being a Deputy Minister, he is a board member of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Also a Ministry of Finance Representative for Financial Sustainability Board. 

    Adam Posen (President, Peterson Institute of International Economics)
    Mark Sobel (U.S. Chairman, OMFIF)

    Mark Sobel is currently US Chair at OMFIF.  He served  nearly four decades at the US Treasury, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Monetary Affairs from 2000-2015, a position in which he led the Department’s work in preparing G7 and G20 Finance Minister and Central Bank Governor meetings, formulating US positions in the IMF, and coordinating the work of Treasury and regulatory agencies in the Financial Stability Board.  He was also chief US financial negotiator in the G20 from 2008-2015, including for the 2009 London Economic Summit.  From 2015 through early 2018, he was US representative at the IMF. 
    12:45 – 1:00 P.M. FAD Montage (A/V)
    A look back at FAD through the decades.
    1:00 – 2:15 P.M. Lunch (by invitation)
    2:15 – 3:30 P.M. Public Policy for AI
    Moderator: Era Dabla-Norris, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    Simon Johnson (Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management & 2024  Nobel Prize Winner in Economics )

    Simon Johnson is the Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he is head of the Global Economics and Management group. At MIT, he is also co-director of the Shaping the Future of Work Initiative and a Research Affiliate at Blueprint Labs. In 2007-08, Johnson was chief economist and director of the Research Department at the International Monetary Fund. He currently co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council with Erkki Liikanen. In February 2021, Johnson joined the board of directors of Fannie Mae, where he is vice chair of the audit committee and a member of the risk and capital committee. Johnson’s most recent book, with Daron Acemoglu, Power and Progress: Our 1000-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity, explores the history and economics of major technological transformations up to and including the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence.
    2024 Nobel prize laureate in economic sciences “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”

    Branko Milanovic (Professor, City University of New York)

    Research professor at the Graduate Center, City University of New York and senior scholar at The Stone Center on Socio-economic Inequality; Visiting Professor at the Institute for International Inequalities at LSE; was lead economist in World Bank Research Department for almost 20 years and senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. Milanovic’s main area of work is income inequality, in individual countries and globally, as well as historically among pre-industrial societies. His most recent books are Global inequality: a new approach for the age of globalization which deals with economic and political issues of globalization, and Capitalism, Alone that contrasts inequality and class formation in societies of liberal and political capitalism. In October 2023, he published Visions of Inequality that looks at how income distribution was studied by the most famous economists over the past 200 years. Milanovic was awarded (jointly with Mariana Mazzucato) the 2018 Leontieff Prize.

    Christine Qiang (Global Director, Digital Transformation Global Department, World Bank)
    3.30 – 4:00 P.M. Coffee break
    4:00 – 5:15 P.M. The Future of Fiscal Policy
    Moderator: Vítor Gaspar Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
    Panelists:

    Jason Furman (Professor, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University)

    Jason Furman is the Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy jointly at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and the Department of Economics at Harvard University. Furman engages in public policy through research, writing and teaching in a wide range of areas including U.S. and international macroeconomics, fiscal policy, labor markets and competition policy. Previously Furman served eight years as a top economic adviser to President Obama, including serving as the 28th Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers from August 2013 to January 2017, acting as both President Obama’s chief economist and a member of the cabinet. In addition to articles in scholarly journals and periodicals, Furman is a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal and Project Syndicate and the editor of two books on economic policy. Furman holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.

    Ilan Goldfajn (President, Inter-American Development Bank)

    He was elected president of the IDB in November 2022, after serving as director of the Western Hemisphere Department at the International Monetary Fund. Previously, he was governor of the Banco Central do Brasil (2016-2019), where he led several modernization reforms, including promoting financial inclusion through Brazil’s fast digital payment system. He has also held several academic positions and high-ranking roles in Brazil’s financial sector.  In 2017, he was elected Central Banker of the Year by The Banker magazine.  Mr. Goldfajn holds a doctorate in economics from MIT, and master’s degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidade and has taught economics at universities in Brazil and the U.S. He is fluent in four languages.

    Mick Keen (Professor, Tokyo University)

    Michael Keen was formerly Deputy Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department at the International Monetary Fund. He is now Ushioda Fellow at the University of Tokyo. Michael was President of the International Institute of Public Finance from 2003 to 2006, awarded the CESifo Musgrave Prize in 2010, and in 2018 received from the National Tax Association of the United States its most prestigious award, the Daniel M. Holland Medal for distinguished lifetime contributions to the study and practice of public finance. His most recent book, Rebellion, Rascals and Revenues (with Joel Slemrod), aims to use history and humor to convey basic tax principles to a wider audience.
    5:15 P.M. Closing remarks
    Vítor Gaspar (Director, Fiscal Affairs Department )
    6:00 P.M. Adjourn

    Conference Organizing Committee: Katherine Baer (Deputy Director, FAD), Mitali Das (Advisor, FAD), and Andrew Okello (Deputy Division Chief, FAD).

    Conference Coordinators: Agnese de Leo (Administrative Coordinator), Harsha Padaruth (Administrative Coordinator), Luciana Marcelino (Administrative Coordinator) Martha Gaytan Frettlohr (Administrative Coordinator), Sahara De la Torre (Administrative Coordinator), and Sheetal Prasad (Senior Administrative Coordinator) – all FAD.

    The conference (which is in-person only) is open to all Fund employees and invited external guests (registration is required of external guests who will all receive a link to the registration form). Please note that the deadline for registration for this conference is October 25th, 2024. Registered external guests will be required to present photo identification on entering the IMF at 1900 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. For questions regarding the conference, please email FAD_60th_anniversary@imf.org

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Investment Forum welcomes Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) as new partner ahead of the December Market Days in Rabat

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, October 30, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has joined the Africa Investment Forum (www.AfricaInvestmentForum.com) as a founding partner, marking a new phase in the Forum’s expansion and influence as a catalyst for mega investments into the continent.

    The official announcement came during a breakfast meeting of heads of the Africa Investment Forum Founding Partner institutions, convened by the African Development Bank in Washington, DC on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank’s annual meetings. During the meeting, the partners examined and adopted a new strategic framework to govern the forum. The meeting took place on Friday 25 October.

    In welcoming BADEA as a new partner, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina said: “Since 2018, BADEA has been a steadfast supporter of the Africa Investment Forum, consistently contributing to the growth and success of this platform.”

    The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa is a multilateral development financial institution owned by 18 Arab countries. Its operations cover the entire Sub-Saharan African region.

    BADEA group president Dr. Sidi Ould Tah said the main shareholders of his bank had been working on a new mechanism to support investment flows to Africa. The group has sovereign funds under management with assets in the trillions of dollars, of which they had pledged to channel a part for Africa’s infrastructure needs.

    “The role of BADEA is to catalyse resources for Africa. BADEA will work with all the member countries of AIF to make this pledge a reality,” Tah said.                                 

    The addition of BADEA brings the AIF’s founding partners to nine:  the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Africa50, Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and Trade and Development Bank.

    Heads and representatives of each of the partners who attended the meeting included included Trade and Development Bank President and CEO Admassu Tadesse, Africa Finance Corporation’s CEO  Samaila Zubairu, Africa50  President Alain Ebobissé, European Investment Bank Vice President Ambroise Fayolle,  Hani Salem Sonbol  Chief Executive Officer of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation representing Islamic Development Bank President Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, and Afreximbank’s Director for Export Development Oluranti Doherty, who represented its president.

    Adesina also commended the founding partners for their energy, drive and momentum which he described as a testament to their confidence in the Forum.

    The AIF’s Market Days events, held annually, have drawn sovereign and non-sovereign investors from around the world, enabling a shift in risk perception and fostering confidence in Africa’s investment landscape.

    The platform has actively supported women-led businesses under its Women as Investment Champions pillar with examples such as Mobihealth International Ltd (Healthcare, Nigeria) which was supported to access grant and loan funding for feasibility studies and pan-African expansion.

    From the African Development Bank, Senior Vice President Marie Laure Akin-Olugbade, several vice presidents and directors and the Senior Director of Syndications, the Africa Investment Forum and Client Solutions, Max Magor Ndiaye, and the Special Representative of President Adesina, Yacine Fall also attended the meeting.

    The 2024 Market Days will take place from 4-6 December 2024 in Rabat, Morocco, under the theme: “Leveraging Innovative Partnerships for Scale.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Garcia Urges Support for Superfund Designation of Exide Technologies and Impacted Communities in Vernon, California

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) sent a letter to the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging support for adding Exide Technologies, Inc., in Vernon, California, to the National Priorities List (NPL), a key step towards a final Superfund Designation. The letter highlights the need for federal resources to facilitate a long-term comprehensive cleanup of the affected communities and to secure environmental justice for the residents of Southeast Los Angeles. Congressman Garcia emphasized that any federal cleanup must address soil, air, and other pollution sources, in addition to groundwater. He also called for improved community engagement and outreach, particularly targeting renters and Spanish speakers. To read the full letter, click here.

    Excerpts of the letter can be found below. 

    “Dear Administrator Regan,

    Thank you for your commitment to addressing critical threats to human health and the environment. I am writing in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed addition of Exide Technologies, Inc., in Vernon, California to the National Priorities List (NPL) and the federal resources necessary for a long-term, comprehensive cleanup of the affected communities.

    One of my first actions in Congress was writing with our California Senators on February 13, 2023, to urge you to designate this as a Superfund site. In our letter, we highlighted that, ‘the severity of the crisis, the failure of past remediation efforts to create healthy communities, and the risk to public health requires assistance from the EPA and the resources available under the Superfund program.’ Additionally, I directly raised this issue with you during a July 10, 2024, hearing of the Oversight and Accountability Committee.

    For decades, Exide Technologies released dangerously high levels of lead, trichloroethylene (TCE), a known human carcinogen, and other toxic substances in the air, water, and soil of the residential cities and neighborhoods surrounding Vernon—notably Maywood, Commerce, East Los Angeles, and Boyle Heights, California. The impact of this environmental degradation has been most severe in historically underserved, Latino communities.

    There are no safe levels of lead for any family or child. As you know, lead is a potent toxicant linked to severe behavioral, developmental, and educational impacts, and it is also a contributor to high blood pressure and heart disease. The federal government’s intervention is essential to fully correct the failures of past remediation efforts and to resolve this crisis.

    The Southeast L.A. communities I represent deserve the basic right to a clean, safe environment—not just groundwater. If your investigation confirms soil lead contamination above background levels linked to the Exide site, it is essential that the EPA collaborates with the community to implement a cleanup plan aligned with California’s lead contamination standard of 80 parts per million.

    The time has come for decisive federal action to rectify these long-standing environmental injustices. I stand ready to collaborate with the EPA to ensure a comprehensive resolution to this crisis and to help bring about a future where every resident can live without the threat of pollution in their homes, air, and water.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CoRWM visits Wylfa nuclear power station

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Members met on Anglesey to learn more about the potential new nuclear development at its Closed and Open Plenary meetings.

    A sketch of Wylfa by CoRWM member Stephen Tromans (non-irradiated graphite on paper).

    On 11 and 12 September 2024, CoRWM members met on the beautiful island of Yns Mon (Anglesey) for its Closed and Open Plenary meetings. Some of the hardier members of the Committee were able to swim in the less than tropical waters of Trearddur Bay between working sessions. As well as our regular business, we had an excellent presentation from Sasha Wynn Davies, chair of the Wales Nuclear Forum.  North Wales has a strong nuclear heritage and is part of the “nuclear arc” of Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales. The power station at Wylfa was a crucial source of employment on Anglesey and Sasha left us in no doubt that the future economic and social well-being of the island is bound up with potential new nuclear development at that site, whether at gigawatt scale or with small modular reactors, or both.

    After our Open Plenary meeting, we were privileged to visit Wylfa, at the invitation of the site manager Stuart Law. Stuart and the site waste manager Adele Brooksbank gave us an excellent overview of the issues involved in decommissioning and waste management before taking us on an illuminating tour. It was opportune to make the visit for two reasons: first as a helpful complement to our visit to Trawsfynydd last year, another Magnox station, but a very different one; and secondly since the last visit by CoRWM members to Wylfa was in January 2015, almost 10 years ago. Much has happened since then including the consignment of the last batch of Magnox fuel to Sellafield for reprocessing in September 2019. It is greatly to the credit of the site management that defuelling was undertaken and completed so that Sellafield was not kept waiting for the fuel., and moreover that the site was able to reshuffle fuel between reactors to accommodate the earlier delays in Sellafield’s readiness to receive spent fuel. The site has also completed the difficult job of dealing with a number of badly corroded fuel elements affected by a water leak into the dry store in the past.

    This location of Wyla on the north coast of Anglesey was chosen for a nuclear power station because of its geological stability and easy access from the sea for construction materials. The proximity of seawater was important for cooling its twin nuclear reactors, the last and largest of the Magnox type. Construction began in 1963 and the station fed its first electricity into the supply grid in 1971. A high-voltage power line was built across Anglesey to transport the electricity. A considerable portion of the output, up to 255 MW, was consumed by the nearby Anglesey Aluminium smelting plant.

     Wylfa was the last of the ten Magnox power stations to be built and the second constructed with a pre-stressed concrete vessel. Construction began in 1963  at a cost of £740 million and commercial operation commenced in 1971. Its twin reactors and associated turbo-generators had a generating capacity of up to 980 megawatts (electrical) [MW(e)]. It was the largest of the Magnox stations and its massive scale was very apparent on our site tour. Over its life from 1971 to 2015, Wylfa produced 232 TW hours of electricity, a very significant contribution to the UK’s power needs.

    It is proposed to have the site ready for a period of care and maintenance by 2037, which will leave just the reactors and dry store cells. However, critically, achieving that goal will depend on reliable funding. In particular, certainty of funding is necessary because of the long lead in times to projects because of the need to comply with procurement legislation. It was clear that in some cases better, storage facilities are needed for waste, with some wastes having to be stored in makeshift locations. While this is not unsafe, it is certainly sub-optimal in terms of handling and access.  Considerable use was made of asbestos as a cheap building material during construction in the 1960s, and this will present its own challenges in achieving a state of passive safety for the remaining buildings.

    In terms of waste disposal offsite, we were interested to hear of the cessation of shipments to the LLWR at Drigg, in favour of commercial licensed landfills and incinerators. Since 2007, government policy and strategy has sought to divert wastes away from the LLWR where alternative routes are available, as LLWR itself is seen as a valuable national resource and subject to increasing space constraints. Also, the Wylfa environmental permit was varied to allow a wider range of suitable disposal routes. The site will generate about 3,000 tonnes of graphite, currently packed as tightly as possible for a core design, and which once dismantled and packaged for a GDF will have an increased volume of 2.6. This illustrates graphically the future demands on space in a GDF from this particular waste stream.

    Finally we had an interesting visit to the control room for the twin reactors. The enormous size of Wylfa’s cores gave inherent stability against transients, i.e. changes in the coolant system temperature, or pressure, caused by changes in power output, by evening out fluctuations. This will have been beneficial in terms of waste production, and may be a factor to bear in mind with a generation of smaller reactors in the offing. It was also interesting to hear (at least for those of us more technically minded) that some fuel had been in low flux regions of the core for 22 years: this must presumably have been beneficial in terms of spent fuel arisings relative to the 11 outages that will have happened during that time. Also, online refuelling at Wylfa may well have enabled greater fidelity in fuel discharge and hence less spent fuel volume. This does illustrate an important linkage between reactor design and operation and spent fuel generation.

    This useful visit left us with plenty to consider in our ongoing work. We were impressed that Stuart Law had worked at Wylfa for 32 years and his pride in both the history and current phase of the site, together with his intimate knowledge, were apparent. The challenge at Wylfa and of course other Magnox and AGR sites will be maintaining those levels of commitment and practical knowledge as the current generation of management retires.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s press encounter at the end of his visit in Colombia [bilingual, scroll down for Q+A]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Ladies and gentlemen of the media.

    I thank President Petro for hosting the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali. 

    I congratulate Colombia on the excellent organization of this COP.

    I also thank the people of Colombia for their warm welcome, we all felt very much at home.

    The world has come to Cali to make peace with nature. 

    Let me be clear: we are facing an existential crisis.

    Temperatures are climbing higher and higher. 

    We are losing more and more species – forever. 

    We are poisoning our waters. 

    And treating nature as a disposable asset.

    Human activities have already altered three-quarters of Earth’s land surface and two-thirds of its waters.

    And no country, rich or poor, is immune to this devastation. 

    To survive, humanity must make peace with nature. 

    We must transform our economic models – shifting our production and consumption to nature-positive practices. 

    Renewable energy, sustainable supply chains and zero-waste policies are not optional. 

    They must become the default option for both governments and businesses.

    Dear friends,

    The good news is that we have a plan: 
    The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted two years ago.

    But nature cannot wait for its implementation any longer. 

    This is what this COP is about:

    Turning promises into action. 

    We have seen good progress, and I want to thank everyone for their efforts. 

    But with less than two days of negotiations left to go, we need to accelerate. 

    I want to highlight three priorities.

    First – Cali must spark a new era for ambitious national biodiversity plans.

    As of today, a majority of countries have national targets that align with the Global Biodiversity Framework.

    I urge every Member State to follow suit and align these national plans with their adaptation plans and updated climate Nationally Determined Contributions – due early next year.

    We must also reach an agreement on a strengthened monitoring and transparency framework to ensure accountability and move forward together.

    Second – we must leave Cali with concrete plans to unlock new funding and share the benefits from the use of genetic resources.

    This means capitalizing the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund.

    I thank the countries and regions that pledged an additional 163 million US dollars this week.

    But if we are to deliver the Global Biodiversity Framework in full, we need much more. 

    We must make sure we are able to mobilize 200 billion dollars annually by 2030 from all sources – domestic, international, public and private.

    Developed countries must lead the way and provide at least 20 billion dollars per year – by next year – to support developing countries, in particular the Least Developed Countries and Small Island States, in their conservation and restoration efforts.

    Businesses profiting from nature must also contribute to its protection and restoration.
    This includes operationalizing a mechanism for sharing the benefits from the use of the Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources – in a clear, fair and efficient way.

    Third – we must recognize, involve, and protect those who guard our natural heritage. 

    Indigenous Peoples and local communities possess vital knowledge of biodiversity conservation. 

    And in this region, People of African descent are key custodians of natural resources. 

    They must all be at the center of our decisions, not on the sidelines.

    In Cali, we must agree on the proposal to establish a new permanent body for Indigenous peoples and local communities within the Convention on Biological Diversity – ensuring their voices are heard at every step across the work of the Convention.

    The clock is ticking.

    The survival of our planet’s biodiversity – and our own survival – are on the line.

    We don’t have a moment to lose.  

    Señoras y señores de la prensa, 

    Mientras el mundo se reúne en este hermoso país para comprometerse a hacer la paz con la naturaleza, aprovecho la oportunidad para reafirmar nuestro compromiso con la paz en Colombia.  

    Me complace estar de nuevo en Colombia en este momento propicio para cerrar los dolorosos capítulos de guerra y consolidar este ejemplo de paz ante el país y el mundo.

    Saludo los esfuerzos renovados del Presidente Petro y su gobierno para acelerar la implementación del Acuerdo Final de Paz – incluso mediante el Plan de Choque que se enfoca en aspectos concretos para mejorar la calidad de vida en los territorios priorizados.

    Asimismo, reconozco el compromiso firme de la otra parte firmante – los que fueron combatientes de las FARC-EP.  

    Estos antiguos adversarios trabajan hoy como socios en la construcción de la paz.   

    Llegando con avances y desafíos a su octavo aniversario, este histórico Acuerdo debe de mantenerse en el centro de los esfuerzos de consolidación de la paz.   

    El Acuerdo sigue siendo la hoja de ruta principal para romper con los ciclos de violencia en Colombia. 

    Y también para enfrentar las causas estructurales de esta violencia mediante el compromiso de llevar la presencia integral del Estado a las regiones históricamente olvidadas. 

    Una presencia que conlleva seguridad, oportunidades de desarrollo y gobernanza inclusiva.  

    No debe haber más demora para que los dividendos de paz lleguen a todos los territorios. A todos aquellos pueblos que todavía esperan que se concrete la promesa de paz. 

    Asegurar la justicia para las víctimas también es impostergable. 

    Reconozco la noble y valiente labor del sistema pionero de justicia transicional creado por el Acuerdo. Y animo a que avance.  

    La Paz Total impulsada por el gobierno nacional es un objetivo loable. 

    Las iniciativas de diálogo, a pesar de los desafíos, buscan ampliar la paz en el país de manera complementaria al Acuerdo de Paz. 

    Aconsejo no dejarse desviar del camino del diálogo.

    Estos diálogos son oportunidades para acabar con la violencia que sigue azotando a las poblaciones de regiones que también son claves para la implementación del Acuerdo de Paz. 

    Especialmente a las comunidades Indígenas y Afrocolombianas, a los desplazados y confinados por los grupos armados, a las mujeres víctimas de la violencia sexual y a los niños y niñas reclutados en la guerra.

    Hoy, mi llamado al pueblo colombiano es de perseverar. 

    Que trabajen juntos para que sea un esfuerzo nacional, compartido.  

    Les quiero recordar que Colombia nunca estará sola en sus esfuerzos por la paz. 

    Será un honor seguir acompañando a Colombia en su camino hacia la paz, a través de la Misión de Verificación de la ONU y las agencias y programas del equipo de país.

    Cuenten siempre con mi apoyo y mi solidaridad con Colombia, así como con mi profunda gratitud por la confianza que han otorgado a las Naciones Unidas. 

    Estaremos siempre al lado de Colombia. 
     
    Question: Muchas gracias Secretario. Quiero trasladarle una pregunta de muchas delegaciones acá y es ¿Cómo vio usted la presencia en la COP16 del Canciller venezolano Yván Gil, lo cuestionan muchas delegaciones -más de la mitad- incluso usted, que le ha exigido que publique las actas de las elecciones y esto no cayó nada bien aquí su presencia. Lo vimos incluso a usted distante del Canciller Gil. Si bien la diversidad y la protección de la naturaleza debe abarcar la mayor cantidad de actores posibles, ¿Cómo vio usted la presencia de Venezuela aquí en la COP16?
     
    Answer: Hay dos aspectos distintos. En primer lugar, la opinión que formamos sobre la forma como se transcurrieron las elecciones, la ausencia de una transparencia adecuada y el hecho que hay muchos gobiernos que aún no han reconocido el gobierno de Venezuela. La otra parte es el mecanismo del funcionamiento de las organizaciones multilaterales y en particular de las COPs. Y en las COPs hay una acreditación en que los que están, participan desde que la misión del país los acredite. Esta es una práctica que no podemos cambiar porque es la práctica establecida estatutariamente, pero eso no invalida la opinión que podemos tener sobre lo que pasó en Venezuela.

    Question: [Inaudible] – AFP. There are five years left to achieve the coming Montreal Objective Framework – to have them reversed by biodiversity laws by 2030.  Here the focus is mainly on resource mobilization. Is that the correct approach? Is it really the fight over finance that will determine the success of the [Global Biodiversity Framework Fund] GBF.  Is it the fight over finance that is key to determine the success of GBF? Or is it something else? 

    Answer: I think the most important thing in it – and that is the reason my presence in this COP – is to change what has been the permanent neglect of biodiversity, namely when compared with our efforts in relations to climate change. 

    We need, first of all, to accept the concept that we are facing three existential crises: climate change, biodiversity and pollution, namely plastics. 

    But they are all interlinked and indivisible.  So, the central question is to make sure that we are able to put biodiversity as the center of our concerns in all aspects of policy and strategy and financing as we are putting climate change.

    Obviously, finance is essential, but finance is not enough. What we need is a political priority at government levels. Political priorities at multilateral institution levels, and the clear commitment of the Private Sector to be involved in order to make sure that we understand that without defeating the biodiversity crisis, we will not defeat the climate crisis, we will not defeat the pollution crisis, and we will condemn our world to a situation of extreme poverty in the natural environments and this is totally unacceptable. 

    So, we must bring the attention of the people of the government, the institutions, and the Private Sector to the centrality of biodiversity in the context of our environmental processes.

    Question: Sir, this is Stella Paul from IPS news (Inter Press Service News).  Our overarching theme here is making peace with nature, but at the time, when we are seeing increasing impact of war and conflict on biodiversity across the world, starting from Ukraine to all the way to Palestine and we are not seeing enough discussion of that in a formal way, even at the COP, how do you think that we can make peace with nature? Thank you. 

    Answer: Well, we need peace with nature, and we need peace among ourselves. That is the reason I’ve been asking for in line with the Charter, in line with international law, and in line with the General Assembly resolutions. That is why we have been asking for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, releasing all hostages and massive humanitarian aid to Gaza. That is why we have been asking for peace in Lebanon and peace that respects Lebanese sovereignty and Lebanese territorial integrity and paves the way for a political solution. That is why we have been asking for peace in Sudan, where an enormous tragedy exists. And, obviously, we need to make peace in nature, but we need to make peace among ourselves because wars have one of the most devastating impacts – wars have some of the most devastating impacts on biodiversity on climate and on pollution. 

    Thank you so much. At the back there, Le Monde.  Thank you.

    Question: Hi [inaudible] for Le Monde. Many issues of the negotiations are still unresolved, and many Ministers are leaving tonight. Are you worried this COP could fail or at least not be as successful as is should?

    Secretary-General: I have to say that I met with the five groups. And I heard a large number of ministers talk. And I felt that there was a huge will to find a successful result and a huge will to compromise on the pending issues. So, I’m quite optimistic that it will be possible to reach a consensus and not a consensus on the consensus, but the consensus that paves the way for progress after the COP in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Framework

    Question: Secretario, Silvia Patiño de W Radio Colombia. Usted estuvo ayer reunido con el Presidente Gustavo Petro y el presidente le planteó la posibilidad de cambiar el mecanismo a través del cual la ONU mide la cantidad de hectáreas de cultivos de coca en Colombia. ¿La ONU está dispuesta a eso? Porque el Presiente además planteó hace algunas semanas la posibilidad de comprar los cultivos de coca a los campesinos para tratar de enfrentar el tema de narcotráfico. A la ONU ¿le suena, le gusta, le parece esta idea en torno al tráfico de drogas?
     
    Answer: Hay convenciones sobre drogas y la ONU está vinculada a esas convenciones. Pero creo que es importante abrir la puerta a una reflexión muy seria en un mundo donde vemos que desafortunadamente el tráfico de drogas es simultáneo con el tráfico de armas, de muchos otras formas incluso de tráfico de mujeres, hombres y niños. Y que ese tráfico está minando en muchos países la estructura del Estado, por la corrupción generada.
     
    Entonces creo que el apelo del Presidente Petro a una reflexión sobre los mecanismos que hoy tenemos en relación con el combate al narcotráfico y en relación con la droga, creo que el apelo que es hecho a una reflexión sobre la eficacia sobre los mecanismos que tenemos es un apelo que debe ser escuchado. Yo no conozco en detalle el proyecto, pero si la compra es hecha para después ser utilizada de una forma positiva, ¿puede impedir el tráfico no?

    Si eso puede garantizar que haya una neutralización de esa producción y que esa producción no alimente al tráfico. Pero naturalmente el objetivo nuestro tiene que ser un objetivo de preservar la salud de la gente de todo el mundo. Muchas gracias.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: 2024 road construction season wraps up, improving safety across PEI

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, October 30, 2024 — Repairs and upgrades to roads and bridges in Prince Edward Island were made possible after a combined investment of over $7 million from the federal and provincial governments through the Canada Community-Building Fund and the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

    Today’s announcement highlights upgrades to roads and bridges that improve safety across the province and support housing development. These projects, including upgrades to intersections, roads and bridges, new traffic lights and storm sewers, will be completed by the end of 2024.

    The Canada Community-Building Fund is a permanent source of funding that reaches communities across Canada, supports local infrastructure priorities and helps to build complete, inclusive and sustainable communities with affordable and accessible housing. From roads and bridges, to public transit and water treatment systems, reliable and modern infrastructure provides communities with opportunities to grow and develop today so that communities are  resilient and strong.

    The Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program helps communities provide more efficient and reliable energy sources, improve roads and community infrastructure, and improve internet connectivity.

    Today’s announcement builds on the $14.2 million announced in February 2024 for other road improvements aimed at increasing safety across the Island. 

    Quotes

    “These repairs and upgrades to roads and bridges across the Island are essential to keeping them safe for the folks who depend on them. We will continue to work with all orders of government and local partners to strengthen our infrastructure and build stronger and more resilient communities.”

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “Investments in transportation infrastructure and a balanced plan for road work has made this a very productive highway construction season across the province. In collaboration with our construction contractors, Islanders and PEI’s economy benefits from safer and improved roads.” 

    The Honourable Ernie Hudson, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Prince Edward Island

    Quick facts

    • The Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) is a permanent, indexed source of funding provided up front, twice a year, to provinces and territories, who, in turn, flow this funding to local governments and other entities to support local infrastructure priorities. 

    • In 2024-25, the CCBF is delivering over $2.4 billion to more than 3,600 communities across the country. 

    • Canada and Prince Edward Island are committed to working together and with communities to address Canada’s housing supply challenges. As such, annual reporting will demonstrate how the CCBF is supporting housing outcomes in Prince Edward Island.

    • The CCBF has 19 project eligibility categories, including capacity building, water and wastewater, highways and roads, and public transit.

    • The federal government is investing $1,397,696 through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the Government of Prince Edward Island is investing $1,397,696.

    • This stream supports projects that increase access to more efficient and reliable energy sources, improve community infrastructure, and improve internet connectivity for rural and northern communities.

    • Including today’s announcement, 23 infrastructure projects under the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream have been announced in Prince Edward Island, with a total federal contribution of more than $78.8 million and a total provincial/territorial contribution of more than $49 million.

    • The funding announced today builds on the federal government’s work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying jobs and strengthen local economies.

    Related products

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    Sofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
    613-960-9251
    Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
    Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
    Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    Stacey Miller
    Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
    Prince Edward Island
    902-218-2103
    samiller@gov.pe.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Sets Coverage for SpaceX 31st Station Resupply Launch, Arrival

    Source: NASA

    NASA and SpaceX are targeting 9:29 p.m. EST, Monday, Nov. 4, for the next launch to deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. This is the 31st SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the orbital laboratory for the agency.
    Filled with nearly 6,000 pounds of supplies, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
    Live launch coverage will begin at 9:10 p.m. on NASA+ and the agency’s website. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.
    NASA’s coverage of arrival will begin at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, on NASA+ and the agency’s website. Dragon will dock autonomously to the forward port of the space station’s Harmony module.
    In addition to food, supplies, and equipment for the crew, Dragon will deliver several new experiments, including the Coronal Diagnostic Experiment, to examine solar wind and how it forms. Dragon also delivers Antarctic moss to observe the combined effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on plants. Other investigations aboard include a device to test cold welding of metals in microgravity, and an investigation that studies how space impacts different materials.
    Media interested in speaking to a science subject matter expert should contact Leah Cheshier at: leah.d.cheshier@nasa.gov.
    The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until December when it will depart the orbiting laboratory and return to Earth with research and cargo, splashing down off the coast of Florida.
    NASA’s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
    Monday, Nov. 4:
    3:30 p.m. – Prelaunch media teleconference (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants:

    Bill Spetch, operations and integration manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program
    Meghan Everett, deputy chief scientist, NASA’s International Space Station Program
    Jared Metter, director, flight reliability, SpaceX

    Media who wish to participate by phone must request dial-in information by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, by emailing Kennedy’s newsroom at: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.
    Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website.
    9:10 p.m. – Launch coverage begins on NASA+ and the agency’s website.
    9:29 p.m. – Launch
    Tuesday, Nov. 5:
    8:45 a.m. – Arrival coverage begins on NASA+ and the agency’s website.
    10:15 a.m. – Docking
    NASA website launch coverageLaunch day coverage of the mission will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 9:10 p.m., Nov. 4, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video on NASA+ and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the NASA Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our International Space Station blog for updates.
    Attend Launch Virtually
    Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA’s virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following launch.
    Watch, Engage on Social Media
    Let people know you’re watching the mission on X, Facebook, and Instagram by following and tagging these accounts:
    X: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, ISS_Research, @ISS National Lab
    Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab
    Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab
    Coverage en Espanol
    Did you know NASA has a Spanish section called NASA en Espanol? Check out NASA en Espanol on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for additional mission coverage.
    Para obtener información sobre cobertura en español en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en español, comuníquese con Antonia Jaramillo o Messod Bendayan a: antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov o messod.c.bendayan@nasa.gov.
    Learn more about the commercial resupply mission at:

    NASA’s SpaceX CRS-31

    -end-
    Claire O’Shea / Josh FinchHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov / joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov
    Stephanie Plucinsky / Steven SiceloffKennedy Space Center, Fla.321-876-2468stephanie.n.plucinsky@nasa.gov / steven.p.siceloff@nasa.gov
    Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: La NASA lleva un dron y un rover espacial a un espectáculo aéreo

    Source: NASA

    Read this story in English here.
    En septiembre, los tres centros de la NASA en California se reunieron para compartir innovaciones aeroespaciales con miles de asistentes en el Espectáculo Aéreo de Miramar, en San Diego, California. Expertos de la agencia hablaron del apasionante trabajo que realiza la NASA mientras explora los secretos del universo en beneficio de todos.
    Bajo una gran carpa cerca del aeródromo, los invitados exploraron exposiciones de diferentes centros y proyectos, como una maqueta del rover Innovator o el avión no tripulado Alta-X, desde el 27 al 29 de septiembre. Empleados de la agencia provenientes del Centro de Investigación de Vuelo Armstrong de la NASA en Edwards, California, del Centro de Investigación Ames en Moffett Field, California y del Laboratorio de Propulsión a Chorro (JPL por sus siglas en inglés) en el sur de California guiaron a los visitantes a través de visitas y presentaciones y compartieron mensajes sobre las misiones de la NASA.
    “El espectáculo aéreo es tanto sobre la gente como sobre las aeronaves y la tecnología”, dijo Derek Abramson, ingeniero jefe del Laboratorio de Investigación de Vuelo a Subescala de NASA Armstrong. “Conocí a mucha gente nueva, trabajé con un equipo increíble y formé un gran vínculo con otros centros de la NASA, hablando de lo que hacemos aquí como una organización cohesiva”.

    El 29 de septiembre, los pilotos de Armstrong se unieron al evento para tomarse fotos con los invitados y responder a las preguntas de los curiosos o entusiastas asistentes. Un visitante del espectáculo aéreo tuvo un momento especial con el piloto de la NASA Jim Less.
    “Uno de mis momentos favoritos fue conectar con un joven en sus útimos años de adolescencia que se detuvo numerosas veces en la carpa de exhibición, con la esperanza de poder conocer a Jim Less, nuestro piloto del X-59”, dijo Kevin Rohrer, jefe de comunicaciones de NASA Armstrong. “Culminó con una gran conversación entre los dos y con Jim [Less] autografiando un modelo del avión X-59 que el joven traía consigo”.
    “Espero que esta tradición continúe, si no en este mismo lugar, en algún otro evento en California”, continuó Rohrer. “Tenemos muchas mentes hambrientas y apasionadas por aprender más sobre todas las misiones de la NASA”.
    El Espectáculo Aéreo de Miramar es un evento anual que tiene lugar en la Base Aérea de Miramar, en San Diego, California.

    Articulo traducido por: Elena Aguirre

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Brings Drone and Space Rover to Air Show

    Source: NASA

    Lee esta historia en Español aquí.
    In September, the three NASA centers in California came together to share aerospace innovations with thousands of guests at the Miramar Air Show in San Diego, California. Agency experts talked about the exciting work NASA does while exploring the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all.
    Under a large tent near the airfield, guests perused exhibits from different centers and projects, like a model of the Innovator rover or the Alta-X drone, from Sept. 27 through 29. Agency employees from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California; Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California; and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California guided guests through tours and presentations and shared messages about NASA missions.
    “The airshow is about the people just as much as it is about the aircraft and technology,” said Derek Abramson, chief engineer for the Subscale Flight Research Laboratory at NASA Armstrong. “I met many new people, worked with an amazing team, and developed a comradery with other NASA centers, talking about what we do here as a cohesive organization.”

    On Sept. 29, pilots from Armstrong joined the event to take photos with guests and answer questions from curious or enthusiastic patrons. One air show guest had a special moment with NASA pilot Jim Less.
    “One of my favorite moments was connecting with a young man in his late teens who stopped by the exhibit tent numerous times, all in hopes of being able to meet Jim Less, our X-59 pilot,” said Kevin Rohrer, chief of Communications at NASA Armstrong. “It culminated with a great conversation with the two and Jim [Less] autographing a model of the X-59 aircraft the young man had been carrying around.”
    “I look forward to this tradition continuing, if not at this venue, at some other event in California,” Rohrer continued. “We have a lot of minds hungry and passionate to learn more about all of NASA missions.”
    The Miramar Air Show is an annual event that happens at the Miramar Air Base in San Diego, California.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public invited to celebrate SR 26 passing lanes project ribbon cutting in Whitman County, Wednesday, Oct. 30

    Source: Washington State News 2

    COLFAX – A celebratory ribbon cutting is taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 30, to mark the completion and grand opening of four new passing lanes on State Route 26 between Dusty and Colfax. The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds. State and local officials and regional transportation partners will join representatives from the Washington State Department of Transportation to mark the occasion.

    Improving safety

    The four new passing lanes are part of the Connecting Washington funding package passed by the legislature in 2015. The passing lanes add locations for vehicles needing to pass slower vehicles safely. The SR 26 corridor is heavily traveled by students at Washington State University and local agricultural vehicles. The new passing lanes now give safe locations for travelers to pass vehicles, with two passing lanes westbound and two located in the eastbound direction.

    State Route 26 passing lanes ribbon cutting details:

    When:  11 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Oct. 30, with official remarks and ribbon cutting beginning at 11 a.m.

    Where:  Palouse Empire Fairgrounds, State Route 26 and Fair Grounds Road.

    Details:  The ribbon cutting will celebrate the completion of the four new passing lanes constructed on State Route 26 between Dusty and Colfax. Members of the public and media are invited to commemorate the occasion. The ceremony event will feature speeches from local state representatives, WSDOT, the Palouse Regional Planning Transportation Organization and WSU. 

    Directions:  If traveling from US 195, people should turn west onto State Route 26, go approximately 4 miles to Fair Grounds Road, then turn right into the fairgrounds parking lot.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 29 October 2024

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    On 29 October 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during July, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

    The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of July. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: CEO Emre Gürsoy leaves Agillic and Christian Samsø is appointed new CEO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Announcement no. 08 2024
    Inside information

    Copenhagen – 30 October 2024 – Agillic A/S

    The Board of Directors of Agillic A/S (“Agillic”) informs that CEO Emre Gürsoy leaves the company, and that
    Christian Samsø is appointed new CEO of Agillic.

    Mr. Samsø has served as Chief Sales Officer and in the Management Team of Agillic since late September 2024. His previous experience includes positions as CEO of Goodiebox, CEO of CBIT and he holds a board position in MapsPeople.

    Christian Samsø will take up the position as CEO, and Emre Gürsoy will leave the company with immediate effect.

    For further information, please contact:
    Joar Welde, Chair of the Board of Directors
    Joar.Welde@vikingventure.com

    Certified Adviser
    John Norden, Norden CEF A/S

    About Agillic A/S
    Agillic is a Danish software company offering brands a platform through which they can work with data-driven insights and content to create. automate and send personalised communication to millions. Agillic is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with teams in Germany, Norway, and Romania.
    For further information, please visit www.agillic.com  

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    The MIL Network –