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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Russia: History, culture and traditions: the Great Ethnographic Dictation will be held from November 1 to 8

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Big Ethnographic Dictation will take place from November 1 to 8. This all-Russian educational event is being held for the ninth time and is attracting more and more participants. In 2023, over 3.4 million people from 89 regions of the Russian Federation and 228 foreign countries tested their knowledge.

    Traditionally, the dictation will be held in offline and online formats. Each subject of the Russian Federation will organize sites: one of them will be unique, reflecting the specific cultural characteristics of the region. Online participants will be asked to answer questions on the official website, by selecting the “Take dictation” tab.

    Residents of Russia and foreign countries who speak Russian, English or Spanish will be able to assess their knowledge of the history, culture and traditions of the peoples of the Russian Federation.

    The tasks consist of 20 federal questions for participants under 16 years old. All those over this age will answer 30 questions. 20 of them are federal and 10 are unique to each region. Participants at foreign sites will test their knowledge of places that are connected with our country, but are located outside of it.

    In total, you can get 100 points for your answers, the maximum time to complete the tasks is 45 minutes. The online format participant certificate indicating the results will be available immediately after the end of the dictation in electronic form.

    The correct answers will be published on the official website until November 13.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145939073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Muscovites from 83 old houses completed the paperwork for the renovation program in the third quarter of 2024

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    All residents of 83 old buildings signed documents in July-September 2024 to receive new apartments under the renovation program. The resettlement of these five-story buildings has been completed or is still ongoing. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, the head of the capital’s Department of City Property Maxim Gaman.

    “In the third quarter of 2024, 100 percent of Muscovites from 83 old buildings completed the paperwork for housing in new buildings under the renovation program in 10 administrative districts. Thus, about 14 thousand people became owners of equivalent apartments. Most of them live in the east of the capital. There, almost 2.7 thousand Muscovites from 16 old buildings received the keys to new apartments. In the southeast, more than 2.6 thousand people from 14 buildings signed contracts for modern housing, and in the west, more than 2.6 thousand city residents from 13 buildings,” said Maxim Gaman.

    New buildings will be erected on the site of the old buildings, intended for the subsequent resettlement of city residents under the renovation program.

    “From July to September of this year, 23 new buildings were handed over for settlement. The areas around the residential complexes were landscaped. Trees and shrubs were planted there, and children’s and sports grounds were equipped for the leisure of city residents. Residents of 80 old houses have already begun moving to new residential complexes,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Urban Development Policy of the capital

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin reported, that 1.2 trillion rubles have been allocated in the draft budget for three years to implement the renovation program.

    The program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Last year alone, 59 new buildings were handed over for settlement in the capital and over 47 thousand people were resettled. Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin instructed to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction rates and volumes. Over the past five years, within the framework of the federal project “Housing” of the national project “Housing and Urban Environment” the volume of construction and commissioning of residential properties in the capital has doubled – from three to five to seven million square meters per year. More information about this and other national projects being implemented in Moscow can be found Here.

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145936073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will finance the renovation of public transport in the Kaliningrad region and Ingushetia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Order of October 23, 2024 No. 2971-r and order of October 29, 2024 No. 3054-r

    Documents

    Order dated October 23, 2024 No. 2971-r

    Order dated October 29, 2024 No. 3054-r

    The public transport fleet in the Kaliningrad Region and Ingushetia will be replenished with new equipment. The orders to allocate a total of 668.3 million rubles for these purposes were signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    418.3 million rubles will be sent to the Kaliningrad region. It is planned to purchase trolleybuses that will operate on routes in Kaliningrad using funds from the Government’s reserve fund, on a co-financing basis.

    The decision taken will increase the share of environmentally friendly transport operating in the city. Trolleybuses have an increased reserve of autonomous running. Thus, they can be used as electric buses on previously operating trolleybus routes. The vehicles will be equipped with media systems. This will make it possible to provide passengers with information in audio and video format.

    Speaking about the decision taken during a meeting with deputy prime ministers on October 28, Mikhail Mishustin noted that such vehicles will provide a better level of transport service and make trips more comfortable and reliable.

    “The President emphasized that the invested resources should bring maximum benefit to people. We expect that such work will continue in the future,” said the Prime Minister.

    For the purchase of 30 medium-class buses for Ingushetia, 250 million rubles will be allocated from the Cabinet’s reserve fund, also on a co-financing basis. The buses are equipped with a cashless fare payment system, as well as equipment for counting passengers. These devices will make the bus schedule more convenient for people.

    The work is being carried out within the framework of the state program “Development of industry and increasing its competitiveness.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Preparations for the 2025 admission campaign have started: the Academic Council of the State University of Management discussed all the nuances

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 29, 2024, a meeting of the Academic Council of the State University of Management was held. Those gathered discussed the results of the 2024 admissions campaign and preparations for organizing admissions in 2025.

    The meeting began traditionally with a formal part. Irina Merkulova and Nikolay Malyshkin received associate professor certificates, Sergey Lenshin was awarded a diploma of the national Father’s Recognition award in the nomination “Scientific Works and Research in the Field of Demography and Culture”. Of course, they did not forget to congratulate the birthday boys of the month, after which the council members began the official part.

    The first issue on the agenda was the nomination of GUU teachers for the academic title of associate professor. Council Secretary Marina Zhukova reported on the documents submitted by the candidates and the decisions made following their consideration. Those gathered made their choice by secret ballot.

    Acting Vice-Rector Nikolai Mikhailov made a proposal to petition for the nomination of SUM employees for departmental awards of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, which was unanimously supported.

    Head of the International Cooperation Department Inessa Bogatyreva informed those gathered about the development of the university’s international activities and the organization of training foreign students at our university.

    “The most popular areas of study among foreign citizens are management and economics. Significantly fewer applicants enter law, state and municipal administration, personnel management, advertising and public relations, business informatics and hotel business,” noted Inessa Yuryevna.

    Head of the Department for Organizing Admissions of Applicants Vadim Dikikh presented a report on the results of the admissions campaign for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs in 2024.

    “This year, we used new tools for accepting applicants on a targeted basis, new practices for working with applicants. As in the previous year, the vast majority of applications were submitted digitally. Among the interesting facts, I would like to note the reluctance of applicants to answer phone calls, preferring to communicate exclusively via messengers, which is also worth considering in future work,” the speaker emphasized.

    Continuing the topic, Vadim Dikikh presented for approval regulatory and legal acts on the organization of admission in 2025 for bachelor’s and master’s degree educational programs and training of scientific personnel in postgraduate studies.

    The meeting also discussed structural changes at the State University of Management, approved new continuing education programs, and agreed on student nominations for the E. T. Gaidar scholarship and tuition discounts.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/30/2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    3 mins ago

    EIT’s School of Health and Sport Science is focused on accelerating health outcomes for the community, with lecturers conducting meaningful local research.

    Accelerating health outcomes in the community is a focus for EIT’s School of Health and Sport Science, with lecturers conducting meaningful local research.

    Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science and until recently the acting Head of the School of Health and Sport Science, says like many tertiary institutions, research is important to EIT. Research helps lecturers stay up-to-date on the latest developments in their field, ensuring they provide students with the most current and relevant knowledge. It can also provide an important community link to address local challenges.

    Helen’s role as the Head of School has been taken by Dr Andrew Garrett, who comes to EIT with a research pedigree, having been Sport, Health and Exercise Science Programme Director and Graduate Research Director at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

    Andrew’s main area of research expertise is the markers of fatigue in temperature regulation during exercise in the time of climate change and he was an Associate Member of the Hull York Medical School (HYMS). His PhD work was funded by the Australian Military based at the University of Otago in New Zealand (Induction and decay of heat acclimation) and in collaboration with the Otago Medical School. His current research interest focuses on practical methods for the prevention of heat injury in older populations.

    Helen says that research will continue to be an important part of the School. At present the School has a combined research committee with the School of Nursing, which has resulted in health being a focus for research.

    “The research we do has a health science focus and anything that we were going to do would be aimed at accelerating health outcomes in our community.”

    A significant project which is having an impact on the Hawke’s Bay community is research that is addressing the epidemic of youth vaping among intermediate and high school students.

    The project has been led by  Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing and was funded by Health Research Foundation Hawke’s Bay and EIT. It also received a funding boost from Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand. The initial project was  entitled Actions to Vaporise Rangatahi Vaping in Te Matau-a-Māui. Recently the project was extended outside the region following interest from a Bay of Plenty High School.

    A project in the early stages of development, is being conducted by researcher and lecturer Dr Patrick Lander. It looks at green spaces in urban areas and how people use those for well-being and health.

    Helen says that while the School has a strategy around health research, there are also researchers who focus on sport and exercise. Working in this field is Mike Schofield, a lecturer in strength and conditioning, who is the coach of New Zealand shot-putter Maddison-Lee Wesche, who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games earlier this year.

    Mike’s area of research is biomechanics and it is about evolving a technical model from a theoretical basis. His research is aimed at allowing top-level athletes to reach their full potential.

    Another lecturer who is an active researcher is Associate Professor Carl Paton, who is involved in a number of research projects with students. These projects are focused on high performance cycling.

    Helen says it is important that academic staff are research active.

    “Degrees in institutions such as ours should be taught by staff active in relevant applied research. Sport, exercise and health is focused on application to the real world. So we have to enable our academic staff to do research that’s relevant to the field, the discipline that they’re teaching. That keeps them current, and gives students real-world examples of how they could apply their knowledge.”

    “And that’s really important from my perspective.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Healthcare services provided by unregistered persons

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong and a reply by the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, in the Legislative Council today (October 30):
     
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that there are currently many premises in the community claiming to be pain treatment centres, etc., boasting that they can provide clients with services such as “bone manipulating” and pain treatment, but some members of the public are injured after receiving services provided by persons who are suspected to be non-healthcare professionals at these premises. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it knows the number of the aforesaid premises and, among them, the number of those which have applied for licences for private healthcare facilities (PHFs);
     
    (2) of the number of complaints made against the aforesaid premises and the follow-up situations in the past three years; among them, the number of cases involving unlicensed medical practice, and the respective numbers of persons prosecuted and convicted; and
     
    (3) as it is learnt that some premises which have not applied for PHFs licences are presenting an image of licensed healthcare facilities through means such as promotion and furnishings in order to mislead consumers, of the measures the authorities have put in place to caution members of the public against seeking inappropriate treatments for certain medical conditions, so as to safeguard their health?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In consultation with the Security Bureau, I provide a consolidated reply as follows:
     
         Premises providing pain relief services in the community can be classified into three categories:

    (1) involving healthcare services which should be provided by registered medical practitioners and/or dentists, e.g. prescription of painkillers or performance of surgical procedures etc.;
     
    (2) involving healthcare services which should be provided by healthcare professions of other different disciplines; and
     
    (3) not providing healthcare services, say conducting only massage which do not concern the practice of healthcare professionals.
     
         These three categories of services are regulated by different legislations. As the premises under the aforementioned categories 1 and 2 provide healthcare services, they are regulated by relevant legislations on healthcare facilities and healthcare professions.
     
         Since 2018, the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633) regulates premises where registered medical practitioners and/or dentists practise. Operators are required to obtain a licence or letter of exemption in order to operate private healthcare facilities. The existing law specifically covers premises of these two healthcare professions as their daily operation may very likely involve high-risk issues such as infection control and blood management, thereby requiring the most stringent regulatory system under a risk-based principle. In this connection, apart from being regulated by the specific legislations on healthcare professions, such premises are also regulated by the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance. As of the third quarter of 2024, there are 14 licensed private hospitals and 259 licensed day procedure centres in Hong Kong. The Government is also preparing to implement the clinic licensing regime under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance and will make an announcement shortly.
     
         Premises under category 2 involve healthcare services which are provided by healthcare professions of other multiple disciplines. By nature, services commonly known as “bone-manipulating” and “pain management” may be similar to the treatments provided by Chinese medicine practitioners, physiotherapists and chiropractors under their respective scope of practice. Depending on the actual services performed, relevant ordinances would come into play when healthcare services which must be provided by registered healthcare professionals are involved. This serves to prevent non-professionals from performing such acts so as to safeguard public health.
     
         The provision of a service will be considered as practising Chinese medicine if it involves the performance of any act or activities on the basis of traditional Chinese medicine in general practice, acupuncture or bone-setting as stipulated in the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549). Any person who is neither a registered nor listed Chinese medicine practitioner providing such service commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 6 and imprisonment for three years. By the same token, any person who practises the profession of a physiotherapist as stipulated in the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359) without registration commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 2 and imprisonment for six months; whereas any person who is not listed in the register of registered chiropractors under the Chiropractors Registration Ordinance (Cap. 428) but practises chiropractic as defined in the Code of Practice by the Chiropractors Council commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 5 and imprisonment for one year.
     
         During the period of 2021 to the third quarter of 2024, available records show that there were a total of 35 suspected cases of providing “bone-manipulating” or “pain management” services in contravention of the various ordinances on healthcare professionals. Of these, 3 cases were successfully prosecuted with conviction, while the others are still being processed or could not be successfully prosecuted possibly due to the individuals involved being subsequently proven to be registered healthcare professionals, etc. Members of the public should report to the Police if they suspect that someone is practising without registration or falsely using the title of a registered healthcare professional. The Department of Health (DH) as well as the statutory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions will provide professional support to the Police as appropriate.
     
         To prevent the public from seeking improper treatment of certain conditions regardless of the type of premises which provides such services, the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (Cap. 231) prohibits/restricts the publication of advertisements that will likely lead to the use of any medicine, surgical appliance or treatment for the purpose of treating or preventing diseases or conditions specified in Schedules 1 and 2 to the Ordinance. These include any disease of the musculo-skeletal system, including rheumatism, arthritis and sciatica. The DH has put in place an established mechanism for screening advertisements. Appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the law against any contravention of the Ordinance.
     
         The Government urges members of the public not to casually believe the claims of being able to offer so-called “treatment” from random persons who are not registered or accredited as healthcare professionals. Since the professional qualifications and standards of these persons have not been attested, the safety and effectiveness of the so-called “treatment” cannot be assured. It may even worsen the condition or cause injury. Before receiving healthcare services, members of the public can browse the online registers of the statutory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions to ascertain the qualifications of service providers. If members of the public have doubts about the qualifications of the healthcare professionals, they can also request the person concerned to provide relevant certification documents in order to better protect their safety.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Housing Department urges public to be alert to fraudulent website of Cash Allowance Trial Scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Housing Department (HD) today (October 30) alerted members of the public to a fraudulent website (https://cashalwaysget_hk2024.site), which purports to be the website of the Cash Allowance Trial Scheme.
     
         The fraudulent website seeks to obtain the personal and credit card information of members of the public. The HD emphasises that the fraudulent website has no connection with the Cash Allowance Trial Scheme” and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up.
     
         Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned should contact the Police. For enquiries, please call the Cash Allowance Office hotline of the HD at 3105 3333.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China strongly opposes US rule on investment restrictions against China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China strongly opposes the U.S. final regulations on investment restrictions aimed at China, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

    China has lodged solemn representations with the United States and reserves the right to take action, said the spokesperson in a statement published on the ministry’s website.

    The United States has overstretched the concept of national security to adopt discriminatory investment restrictive measures against China, which is a typical non-market practice, the spokesperson said.

    The spokesperson noted that the U.S. restrictions target sectors like chips, AI and quantum computing. Most industries related to these fields are not connected to national security, yet they will all be affected by the U.S. ban.

    This will disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation between Chinese and U.S. companies, harming the interests of businesses in both countries, the spokesperson said.

    China has noticed that many U.S. business associations and companies have expressed concerns that U.S. investment restrictions against China will cause American companies to give up the Chinese market to competitors from other countries, severely damaging U.S. interests, the spokesperson stated.

    It is hoped that the United States will respect market economy laws, properly define the boundaries of national security in economic and trade fields, and stop politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues, the spokesperson added.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour urged to use wealth tax on super-rich to fund green transition

    Source: Scottish Greens

    30 Oct 2024 Finance

    By taxing the super wealthy we can fund our shift to a fairer, greener and better economy.

    More in Finance

    The Labour government must tax the super-rich and polluters to fund our green transition and tackle the climate and nature emergencies, say the Scottish Greens.

    Speaking ahead of today’s UK Budget statement, the party’s Co-leader, Lorna Slater, has urged the Chancellor to apply a wealth tax on the wealthiest 1% of households in the UK – those with assets worth £3.4 million and above.

    Analysis from the University of Greenwich suggests that this tax would raise over £70 billion a year and potentially up to £130 billion. 

    Ms Slater said:

    “The world is burning around us. We urgently need to see climate leadership from Downing Street.

    “There is more than enough money to support our transition to a greener future and create thousands of high quality, well paid green jobs, but so much of it is being hoarded by a tiny number of extremely wealthy people who don’t need it.

    “The solution is staring us right in the face. By asking the richest people and corporations to pay their fair share we can transform our economy and protect future generations.

    “Making the change is essential for our climate, but it is also crucial for our economy. The UK has a huge opportunity, but it has been squandered by 14 years of a Tory government that actively undermined our climate efforts while giving handouts and tax breaks to its super-wealthy friends and donors.

    “Labour must show the level of ambition that is needed by making a generation-defining investment in clean, green renewable energy and nature restoration and ending the climate vandalism of the Tories.”

    Ms Slater added:

    “The pain that households and families have suffered over the last 14 years was not inevitable. The cuts and austerity were a political choice, and one that Labour has doubled down on by cutting Winter Fuel Payments and refusing to lift the cruel two child cap. Labour can put an end to the cuts and support vital services like our NHS and schools.”

    The tax, supported by the Scottish Greens, would start at a marginal rate of 1%, rising to 5% for those with £5.7 million or more (the richest 0.5%), and 10% for those with £18.2 million (the richest 0.15%). 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese able to receive meteorological alerts up to 8 minutes in advance

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 30 — With the improvement of China’s meteorological disaster risk warning capability, meteorological alerts can be delivered to the public within three to eight minutes, covering 98.8 percent of the country’s population, China Science Daily has reported.

    Xiong Shaoyuan, deputy chief of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), told a press conference on Tuesday that the accuracy of heavy rain warnings has reached 93 percent, and the lead time for severe convective weather warnings has increased to 43 minutes, marking a significant improvement for the country’s disaster control.

    China’s emergency response mechanism, led by meteorological disaster warnings, has been continuously strengthened. A comprehensive national survey of 10 major types of meteorological disaster risks has been completed, and 45 types of meteorological disaster risk products are now released on a daily basis, said Xiong.

    Additionally, the services for warning against risks such as flash floods, geological disasters, and forest and grassland fires have been digitized with high precision, said the official.

    Xiong further said that meteorological services have been extended to more than 70 sectors of the national economy, contributing to smooth transportation, stable energy supply, improved livelihood and the development of new quality productive forces.

    For example, the meteorological service system for agriculture covers the entire chain of grain production, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the CMA issued 12 types of agricultural meteorological disaster risk warnings, said Xiong.

    This year, in response to the CMA’s hot and dry wind warnings, the country’s wheat producing regions have taken various measures of disaster control, which have brought an increase in the yield of winter wheat by about 1.5 billion kilograms, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese mainland to further enhance access for Taiwan compatriots

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 30 — A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said that the mainland would continue to make it easier for Taiwan compatriots to visit, urging the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to remove obstacles to cross-Strait exchanges.

    It is a shared aspiration of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to expand exchanges and deepen cooperation, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference.

    According to data from the National Immigration Administration, 994,000 travel permits have been issued for Taiwan residents to visit the mainland this year. Additionally, a total of 2.96 million entries have been made by Taiwan individuals into the mainland, a year-on-year increase of 68.4 percent.

    The data shows that the mainstream opinion in Taiwan society continues to prioritize peace, development, exchange, and cooperation with the mainland, said Zhu.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Religion and Faith – Shincheonji Zion Christian Mission Center Holds Record-Breaking 110,000 Graduation Ceremony

    Source: NewzEngine.com

    Zion Christian Mission Center and Chairman Young-Jin Tan, from the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony by Chairman Man-Hee Lee held their ‘115th 110,000 Joint Graduation Ceremony’ at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church Branch on Wednesday 30th October, with many overseas graduates flying in to attend the ceremony.

    A total of 111,628 graduates graduated at the ceremony, marking the fourth time that over 100,000 graduates have graduated – this record-breaking number follows the 103,764 graduates in 2019, 106,186 graduates in 2022, and 108,084 graduates in 2023.

    Originally planned to be held at the Imjingak Peace Park, the location was unilaterally cancelled the day before by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation. However, the many attendees that came followed suite to the location change at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church Branch.

    Whilst many graduates from both domestic and abroad arrived, the event was also attended by foreign religious leaders who visited Korea specifically to visit the graduation ceremony. The graduation’s online attendance was also met by many graduates from other domestic branches, as well as multitudes tuning in online from all other overseas churches.

    – Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST begins visit to Cascais (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SCST begins visit to Cascais (with photos)
    SCST begins visit to Cascais (with photos)
    ******************************************

         The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, arrived in Cascais, Portugal, on the evening of October 28 (Cascais time) and began his itinerary yesterday (October 29, Cascais time). In the morning, together with the President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), Mr Timothy Fok, Mr Yeung exchanged views with various members of the Executive Council of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), including the ANOC President, Dr Robin Mitchell; the Secretary General, Mrs Gunilla Lindberg; the Vice-President for Africa, Mr Mustapha Berraf; the Vice-President for Europe, Mr Spyros Capralos; and Member for Asia Mrs Li Lingwei.           Attending the Executive Council Meeting alongside a delegation from the SF&OC in the afternoon, Mr Yeung made a presentation on the bid to host the 2026 ANOC General Assembly in Hong Kong. He illustrated that Hong Kong is the ideal place for hosting international events. Mr Yeung said that Hong Kong has a fair and mature legal system thanks to the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, enabling the city to maintain its social stability. Hong Kong is also an Events Capital of Asia and the World’s Meeting Place. As an international city, Hong Kong is widely connected with the rest of the world, which underlines another strength of Hong Kong.            Mr Yeung added that Hong Kong has been actively advancing the development of sports in the community, supporting elite sports, promoting Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing sports professionalism and developing sports as an industry. In recent years, Hong Kong athletes have achieved impressive results in major international games. Mr Yeung also shared with the meeting the imminent commissioning of the Kai Tak Sports Park in the first quarter of 2025, making it the largest sports infrastructure project in Hong Kong’s history.            Mr Yeung attended a reception hosted by the City of Cascais, during which he exchanged views with City Councillor (Sports and International Affairs) Mr Francisco Kreye and other leading figures in the world of sports, including the International Olympic Council President, Mr Thomas Bach.            Mr Yeung will continue his visit to Cascais, Portugal, today (October 30, Cascais time).

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 16:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “M” Mark status awarded to Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
     
         The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024, which will be held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground from November 1 to 3.
          
         The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (October 30), “We are delighted to award the ‘M’ Mark status to the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024. Hong Kong is hosting this tournament again after seven years. We look forward to bringing in more visitors from abroad, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a centre for major international sports events.
          
         The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local “national sports associations” and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
          
         For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Extension to Baroness Newlove’s appointment as Victims’ Commissioner

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Secretary of State has approved an extension to Baroness Newlove’s term as Victims’ Commissioner from 17 October 2024 to 31 December 2025.

    Baroness Newlove was initially appointed to the role without competition for a year from 17 October 2023 to allow for a further campaign fill the role substantively.

    The Lord Chancellor decided not to continue with that campaign.  Following consultation with the Attorney General and Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor will readvertise the role later in 2024 with revised criteria which reflect the government’s vision for a strengthened role. To ensure there is no gap in cover in this vital role, The Lord Chancellor has extended Baroness Newlove’s term until 31 December 2025.

    The Victims’ Commissioner independently promotes the interests of victims and witnesses, encourages good practice in their treatment, and regularly reviews the Victims’ Code which sets out the services victims can expect to receive. 

    Biography of the Victims’ Commissioner: 

    • Baroness Helen Newlove is a community reform campaigner and activist. She came to prominence after her husband Garry Newlove was murdered outside the family home by a gang of youths, all alcohol and drug-fuelled, in 2007. After his death she campaigned to tackle anti-social behaviour and the underage and binge drinking culture.
    • Baroness Newlove was given a peerage in the 2010 Dissolution Honours list and sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Newlove of Warrington in the County of Cheshire. 
    • She originally took up the post of Victims’ Commissioner on 4 March 2013, was reappointed for a second term in March 2016, and stepped down on 31 May 2019. She was succeeded by Dame Vera Baird. 
    • On 5 March 2018, Baroness Newlove took up the office of Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords.
    • On 17 October 2023, Baroness Newlove was appointed as the government’s Victims’ Commissioner for a term of 12 months.

    This appointment is made by the Secretary of State under Section 48 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, and is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The appointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chewing gum litter cleaned up from Oxford’s historic streets for a second year 

    Source: City of Oxford

    ODS, on behalf of Oxford City Council, has successfully completed the removal of chewing gum litter from key city centre streets, thanks to grant funding from the Chewing Gum Task Force. 

    The cleanup operation, which began in the summer, focused on heavily trafficked areas including George Street, New Inn Hall Street, Carfax, Queens Street, parts of St Ebbes, High Street, and St Aldates down to Christchurch Meadows. 

    Alongside removing the gum, the team deep-cleaned pavements and steam-cleaned street furniture. Educational materials have also been distributed to encourage proper gum disposal and help maintain the cleanliness of the city’s historic streets. 

    ODS’ street cleaning team worked early mornings to ensure minimal disruption and adapted their schedule to work around extreme weather conditions and major events, such as St Giles’ Fair and the Oxford Half Marathon.  

    The gum removal process is time and labour intensive. In the worst affected areas, it took as long as 30 minutes to clean just 1.5msq, this was then followed by a mechanical sweeper to eliminate any stains left by the gum. 

    In line with the Council and ODS’s commitment to sustainability, no chemicals were used during the cleanup, and ODS completed the work using a repurposed 1973 electric milk float, called Earnie. 

    This year’s cleanup was made possible by a £26,500 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force, administered by Keep Britain Tidy. The funding supports both the immediate cleanup and long-term behaviour change to reduce future gum littering. 

     Comment 

    “I’m pleased to see our city centre streets gum-free thanks to the hard work of ODS – a big thank you to them. 

    “The team’s hard work over the past few months, starting early and adapting around large events and extreme weather conditions, doesn’t go unnoticed. 

    “I hope the clean streets and new disposal guidance will inspire people to keep the streets tidy by properly disposing of their gum in the future.” 

     Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and an Inclusive Economy 

    “We’re thrilled to be working on behalf of Oxford City Council which received the Chewing Gum Task Force grant from Keep Britain Tidy for a second consecutive year. The funding helps improve the appearance of our historic streets and supports the city’s sustainability goals, using our repurposed electric milk float. Chewing gum litter affects the beauty and accessibility of Oxford, and last year’s cleanup showed promising results. We’re committed to working with the Council to make a lasting impact and keep our city clean for everyone.” 

    Adrian Moss, City Centre and Streetscenes Service Manager, ODS 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Defence News – HMNZS Canterbury to return items from the Manawanui to New Zealand

    Source: New Zealand Defence Force 
    • The HMNZS Canterbury, departs Apia today, for New Zealand with items from the Manawanui on board.
    • Among the items are the three containers removed from the reef following the grounding and subsequent sinking of Manawanui. These have been checked and passed by the Ministry for Primary Industries in Samoa before loading on board.
    • NZDF Senior National Representative, Commodore Andrew Brown took the opportunity to visit the Canterbury and thanked the ship’s company, and Embarked Aviation detachment for their contribution to CHOGM and Operation Resolution.
    • Commodore Brown said, “The Canterbury supported Operation Resolution by transporting Maritime NZ equipment to Samoa.  It’s now returning to New Zealand with Manawanui’s two rigid inflatable boats, equipment, and the three containers removed from the reef last week.”  
    • The Canterbury is returning home to prepare to respond to the high risk weather season coming up in the Pacific after contributing to New Zealand’s support of CHOGM, by providing a platform to operate helicopters and transport equipment such as Hato Hone St Johns ambulances to Samoa.  
    • “As Canterbury returns to New Zealand, we remain focused on our priorities and the complex and technical process of fuel removal.  Work is continuing on engaging a company to undertake this task,” Commodore Brown said.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – Giant transformer is safe, sound and underground

    Source: Meridian

    30 October 2024 – Following a stunning journey worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, Meridian’s Manapōuri Power Station has taken delivery of a new transformer that’ll give the hydro station a huge – and timely boost.

    A 104-tonne transformer’s not a quick or easy thing to transport, with the New Zealand leg of the journey taking place over several carefully planned days last week.

    After arriving in Bluff from Australia, the 135 MVA transformer was unloaded onto a trailer for the 170 km journey by road to Supply Bay, before spectacularly making its way by barge across Lake Manapōuri.

    It was the first time a piece of generation equipment this size has travelled by barge across Manapōuri – items this large have previously used Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound and then been transported over Wilmot Pass.

    Following the slow and scenic journey across Manapōuri, the transformer was delicately reversed down a two-kilometre road access tunnel into the cavernous machine hall.

    “There were plenty of early starts and late finishes, but our Meridian team and suppliers have achieved an outstanding result for New Zealand’s electricity supply ahead of Winter ‘25,” says Meridian acting GM Generation Yanosh Irani.

    “This has been months of work, planning, and coordination, and the specialist skills on display have been amazing – Meisters for barge operations, Move Logistics for transportation from Bluff to Supply Bay and then again at West Arm, and E-Type for fabricating and installing two unloading wedges for the delivery. A real – and world class – team effort.”

    Manapōuri Power Station has been operating at reduced capacity for around two years, following the discovery of faults in two of its seven transformers, so the arrival of the first replacement transformer is a major milestone.

    “We saw this winter just how important every single megawatt is, so this transformer has landed at a brilliant time,” says Yanosh Irani.

    “Getting our biggest power station closer to full capacity will boost security of electricity supply next winter and, in the meantime, give us the ability to ease off generation in the Waitaki to help restore storage levels in Lake Pūkaki.”

    The new transformer will increase generation capacity at Manapōuri from the current restricted limit of 640 MW to around 768 MW – close to the maximum 800 MW allowed under its consent conditions.

    Work to commission it is expected to be completed by Christmas, and the second replacement transformer (along with a spare) is due to arrive in late 2025.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Welfare – Plan ahead this Halloween to avoid a fur-raising trip to the veterinary clinic

    Source: NZ Veterinary Association

    If you’re getting ready to host a Halloween party or expecting trick-or-treaters at your door tomorrow night, you should also be preparing for how you will keep your pets safe and well.
    The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) Te Pae Kīrihe is urging all pet owners to plan for Halloween, a time that can be stressful and potentially dangerous for our furry friends. NZVA Head of Veterinary Services (Companion Animals) Sally Cory says veterinarians often see an increase in dogs swallowing items they shouldn’t at Halloween, such as treats and chocolate. Some injuries may also result from pets being scared by noises and having more people in their environments than they are familiar with.
    “When celebrated safely, Halloween can be a fun activity for the whole family, but we need to first ensure our pets are provided with a safe and calm environment,” she says. “For some cats and dogs, having people dressed up in costumes knocking on the front door can be particularly stressful and lead to increased anxiety in our pets. There is also always a risk they will escape.”
    Other Halloween hazards include chocolate and sweets being more accessible to pets. Sally warns chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains theobromine, an alkaloid that causes vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive panting, an abnormal heartbeat, seizures or even death. The darker the chocolate, the higher the risk. Xylitol, also known as wood sugar, birch sugar, or E967, is another one to watch out for as this sugar substitute can result in poisoning that is life-threatening to dogs. Raisins, even in small numbers, can cause toxicity issues in dogs causing damage to their kidneys. Wrappers may also cause obstructions in smaller dogs and cats and take care if you are displaying lanterns with candles in them as curious pets can knock them over, risking burns.
    “Another issue is dressing pets up in Halloween costumes,” Sally says. “It may seem like a cute idea, but this is best avoided as costumes restrict an animal’s movement, hearing, breathing, barking or meowing, and can cause overheating and even restrict blood flow. Costumes should never cover the eyes, ears, or muzzle of a cat or a dog.”
    To celebrate safely this Halloween, ensure pets are kept in a quiet room away from the front door and bring dogs inside for the night in case visitors accidentally leave a gate or door open. It is also essential cats and dogs are microchipped to ensure a quick reunion should a pet escape and go missing.
    In an emergency veterinary situation outside of normal business hours, call your vet for further advice. If you are advised to go to an emergency service provider, you may be asked to ring ahead to let the vet team know you are coming. This helps prepare staff for your arrival.
    Here are the NZVA’s top tips for animal safety this Halloween:
    • Keep sweet treats and wrappers away from your pets – especially chocolate or lollies containing xylitol/birch sugar.
    • Keep pets in a quiet room away from the front door.
    • Bring dogs inside for the night in case visitors accidentally leave a gate or door open.
    • Don’t dress animals up in costumes that restrict their movement, hearing, breathing, barking or meowing – no matter how cute they might look. Spend that time perfecting your own costume instead!
    If you’re worried about your animal’s health this Halloween, contact your vet for advice.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Defence and Employment – Industrial action escalates as NZDF refuses to budge on zero pay rise

    Source: PSA

    The stubborn refusal of NZDF to lift pay for civilian workers will spark another round of industrial action by PSA members beginning next week.
    Further bargaining for a new collective agreement has failed to budge NZDF from its zero-increase position. As a result, members have voted overwhelmingly to reject the offer and to escalate industrial action. The current industrial action legally must end on Thursday.
    “NZDF is insulting the thousands of dedicated civilian workers who, like the men and women in uniform, are keeping our country safe from threats, but in the eyes of NZDF are second class citizens who don’t deserve a pay rise,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “This stubborn refusal to increase the zero-pay rise offer shows how little NZDF respects and values its civilian workers who like many are doing it tough in a cost-of-living crisis. It leaves our members with no choice but to send another strong message that this position is unacceptable.”
    PSA members are already working to rule and refusing overtime and callouts (unless life preserving services as required). Members will now initiate further industrial action on top of this beginning 9am Thursday 6 November. Kauri Point (Auckland) members, who load and unload ships, will join them on 20 November. This may include a refusal to work in certain circumstances and an escalation of actions. The action ends on 31 January.
    “NZDF doesn’t seem to care that its refusal to budge on pay for civilian staff will keep undermining morale. Workloads are already increasing through its current voluntary redundancy programme as it seeks to cut $30m from spending. Forced redundancies may also follow.
    “All this will prompt more to consider leaving at a time when the Defence Force is facing critical worker shortages.
    “The Government promised no impacts on the frontline from its spending cuts.
    “Make no mistake, these cuts will impact the ability of NZDF to deliver on its stated mission to ‘secure the country against external threats’. There is nothing more frontline than that. We urge NZDF to reconsider,” said Duane Leo.
    Previous statement
    16 Sept: Industrial action looms as NZDF refuses pay rise for civilian workers
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: BUD Fund

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong and a reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, in the Legislative Council today (October 30):
     
    Question:
     
         In recent years, the Government has launched many enhancement measures to the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that the Government launched the “E-commerce Easy” under the BUD Fund on July 15 this year, with a view to assisting enterprises in opening up the Mainland market through developing electronic commerce (e-commerce) business, of the respective numbers of relevant applications received and approved by the Government so far, as well as the average and maximum amounts of funding involved;
     
    (2) given that at present, enterprises applying for the BUD Fund are required to provide proof of substantive operations and commercial transactions in Hong Kong, but it is learnt that many enterprises with trademarks and other intellectual property rights registered in Hong Kong have substantive operations on the Mainland and overseas, thus rendering them unable to successfully apply for the Fund, and there are views that the original intention of the Fund is to assist enterprises in enhancing their competitiveness, whether the Government will, in the light of the relevant situation, review the eligibility criteria for applying for the Fund; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) given that there are views pointing out that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in cross-border e-commerce is particularly innovative, such as the use of AI key opinion leaders for marketing of goods, whether the authorities will consider expanding the funding coverage of “E-commerce Easy” to include the application of AI, thereby enabling enterprises to make better use of the funding to establish marketing systems; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government is dedicated to assisting Hong Kong enterprises, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, in developing brands, upgrading business operations and enhancing competitiveness. One such measure is the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund), which provides funding support for non-listed Hong Kong enterprises to develop business in the Mainland and 38 economies with which Hong Kong has signed free trade agreements and/or investment promotion and protection agreements.
     
         The reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:
     
    (1) With a view to assisting Hong Kong enterprises in developing the Mainland sales market through electronic commerce (e-commerce) business, the Government launched “E-commerce Easy” under the BUD Fund on July 15 this year to allow enterprises to make use of $1 million funding flexibly within the cumulative funding ceiling of $7 million per enterprise to implement e-commerce projects on the Mainland. Since the launching of “E-commerce Easy”, the number of applications received has been gradually increasing for each month. As at end September this year, 102 applications have been received. So far, eight applications have been approved or approved with conditions. Other applications are being processed earnestly by the BUD Fund Secretariat, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, which will complete the vetting as soon as possible upon receipt of clarification on the questions raised by the Secretariat and supplementary documents from applicant enterprises. So far, the average funding amount of the approved applications is about $470,000, whereas the largest funding amount approved is about $990,000.
     
    (2) The BUD Fund aims to assist Hong Kong enterprises in exploring more diversified markets through developing brands, upgrading business operations and developing sales. As such, the application eligibility is enterprise-based, requiring that an applicant enterprise must be registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) and has substantive business operations in Hong Kong, but is not premised on the registration location of the relevant intellectual property rights.
     
         Since the setting up of the BUD Fund in 2012, the requirement of having substantive business operations in Hong Kong has been in place, and was specified in the relevant Legislative Council Finance Committee paper for setting up the BUD Fund. As such, enterprises which solely operate outside Hong Kong do not meet the application eligibility. Considering that the BUD Fund involves public funds, we should focus the resources on enterprises with substantive business operations in Hong Kong in order to maximise the benefits brought about by the BUD Fund to Hong Kong’s economy and to such enterprises, thereby meeting the public expectation. We have no plan to relax this requirement.
     
         In fact, many Hong Kong enterprises have developed the Mainland and overseas markets with the BUD Fund’s support, including establishing new offices and retail points at target markets, purchasing machinery/equipment, placing advertisements, thereby benefiting their business operations in both Hong Kong and outside markets. Past success stories of different types of applications are set out on the website of the BUD Fund for the reference of applicant enterprises.
     
         Since the launching of the BUD Fund in 2012, the Government has kept on reviewing and enhancing its operational arrangements from time to time, having regard to market changes and the needs of the trade. Over the years, the Government has launched a number of enhancement measures, including expanding the geographical scope of the BUD Fund in phases from only the Mainland originally to 39 economies at present, gradually increasing the cumulative funding ceiling per enterprise from $500,000 to $7 million, launching “Easy BUD” in June 2023 to expedite the processing of applications involving designated measures with a smaller funding amount, as well as launching “E-commerce Easy” in July this year to assist enterprises in developing the Mainland sales market through e-commerce business.
     
         In the 2024 Policy Address released earlier, the Chief Executive announced the injection of $1 billion into the BUD Fund to assist SMEs in upgrading their business operations and developing new markets. In view of the rapid development of the e-commerce market of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and that the ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner, the geographical coverage of “E-commerce Easy” will be expanded to the 10 ASEAN countries to support enterprises to develop the ASEAN market through digital transformation. We will also provide more targeted funding support for SMEs to implement green transformation projects. We expect that the above measures will be rolled out in the first half of 2025.
     
    (3) The funding scope of the BUD Fund – “E-commerce Easy” is broad and covers many measures related to e-commerce, including the establishment of online stores on third-party online sales platforms and placing advertisements (including the engagement of ambassadors/key opinion leaders to promote products), development and enhancement of mobile applications and websites (such as adding online payment function and chatbot on enterprises’ websites). On the condition that the existing guidelines and other funding criteria can be satisfied, the use of technological services or plans (including artificial intelligence technology) by enterprises to implement the above measures for developing e-commerce business is within the funding scope of “E-commerce Easy”.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Japan: Momentum for marriage equality grows with Tokyo High Court ruling – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    In response to today’s Tokyo High Court ruling recognizing the unconstitutionality of Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage, Amnesty International’s East Asia Researcher Boram Jang said:

    “This decision marks a critical step towards marriage equality in Japan and offers renewed hope to same-sex couples across the country.

    “This case is also a reminder of the lengthy and fragmented legal battles couples must endure to exercise rights to equality that should already be protected. It is an injustice that weighs heavily on their lives.

    “The Japanese government must take action to legalize same-sex marriage across the country. It is time to introduce national legislation that brings marriage equality to everyone in Japan, rather than relying on inconsistent and inadequate responses at the local government level. All couples, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, deserve the same legal rights, protections, and the dignity that comes with recognition under the law.”

    Background

    The Tokyo High Court decision on 30 October marks another important development in Japan’s ongoing struggle for marriage equality. The court ruled that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional as it violates Article 14(1) and Article 24(2) of the Constitution. The legal battle for LGBTI equality has been fraught with key victories and setbacks over recent years.

    In March 2021, the Sapporo District Court made a landmark decision, ruling that the government’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage was unconstitutional under Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality under the law. This initial victory gave hope to same-sex couples across the country.

    In March 2024, the Sapporo High Court became the first high court to rule on the issue, upholding the district court’s finding that the ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. This ruling reinforced the growing trend toward equality, increasing pressure on the Japanese government to address legal gaps. A Tokyo District Court decision, also handed down March 2024, mirrored that of the Sapporo High Court.

    However, the path to marriage equality has been complicated. In June 2022, the Osaka District Court rejected claims by same-sex couples, ruling that the Constitution did not require the recognition of same-sex marriage, a setback for the rights of LGBTI persons. In May 2023, the Nagoya District Court restored momentum by recognizing that denying same-sex couples the right to marry constituted discrimination.

    The Fukuoka District Court in June 2023 acknowledged flaws in the legal framework but maintained that legislative reform – not judicial rulings – was the appropriate way to address the issue. The Tokyo District Court reached a similar verdict in November 2022.

    Presently, couples must rely on the limited recognition provided by local governments. For example, in November 2022, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government introduced a partnership certificate scheme. While these certificates offer some recognition, they do not provide essential rights such as inheritance, spousal visas, or parental recognition.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Prime Minister’s Questions and Budget 2024 – 30 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) –

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Rishi Sunak MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will then deliver the Budget Statement in the House of Commons.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT8JZ6Ln5ls

    MIL OSI Video –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Prime Minister’s Questions and Budget 2024 with British Sign Language (BSL) – 30 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Rishi Sunak MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will then deliver the Budget Statement in the House of Commons.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx0EJDhmEeU

    MIL OSI Video –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: Key AI Accomplishments in the Year Since the Biden-⁠ Harris Administration’s Landmark Executive  Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    One year ago, President Biden issued a landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The Executive Order directed sweeping actions to manage AI’s safety and security risks, protect Americans’ privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, advance American leadership around the world, and more.
    Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing that Federal agencies have completed on schedule each action that the Executive Order tasked for this past year—more than one hundred in all. Below are some of the Administration’s most significant accomplishments on managing AI’s risks and seizing its promise in the year since President Biden signed his Executive Order.
    Managing Risks to Safety and Security:The Executive Order directed the boldest actions ever taken to protect Americans from a broad range of AI’s safety and security risks, including risks related to dangerous biological materials, software vulnerabilities, and foreign actors’ efforts to develop AI for harmful purposes. Over the last year, to protect safety and security, agencies have:
    Used Defense Production Act authorities to require developers of the most powerful AI systems to report vital information, including results of safety and security testing, to the U.S. government. These companies have notified the Department of Commerce about the results of their red-team safety tests, their plans to train powerful models, and large computing clusters they possess capable of such training. Last month, the Department of Commerce proposed a rule to require the reporting of this information on a quarterly basis.
    Led the way on AI safety testing and evaluations to advance the science of AI safety. The U.S. AI Safety Institute (US AISI) at the Department of Commerce has begun pre-deployment testing of major new AI models through recently signed agreements with two leading AI developers. The Department of Energy (DOE) developed and expanded its AI testbeds and evaluation tools, which it has already used to test models’ risk to nuclear security.
    Developed guidance and tools for managing AI risk. The US AISI and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the Department of Commerce published frameworks for managing risks related to generative AI and dual-use foundation models, and earlier this month, AISI released a Request for Information on the responsible development and use of AI models for chemical and biological sciences. The Department of Defense (DoD) released its Responsible AI toolkit to align AI projects with the Department’s Ethical Principles.
    Issued a first-ever National Security Memorandum (NSM) on AI. The NSM directs concrete steps by Federal agencies to ensure the United States leads the world’s development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI; to enable agencies to harness cutting-edge AI for national security objectives, including by protecting human rights and democratic values; and to advance international consensus and governance on AI. This essential document serves as a formal charter for the AI Safety Institute, designating it as the center of the whole-of-government approach to advanced AI model testing, and will guide rapid and responsible AI adoption by the DoD and Intelligence Community. The NSM also directs the creation of a Framework to Advance AI Governance and Risk Management in National Security, which provides agile guidance to implement the NSM in accordance with democratic values, including mechanisms for risk management, evaluations, accountability, and transparency. 
    Finalized a framework for nucleic acid synthesis screening to help prevent the misuse of AI for engineering dangerous biological materials. The framework, developed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), encourages nucleic acid synthesis providers to identify gene sequences that could be used to pose national security risks, and to implement customer screening to mitigate the risks of misuse. Federal agencies will require that funding recipients obtain synthetic nucleic acids from vendors that adhere to the framework, starting in 2025. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed an initial framework with principles for evaluating the effectiveness of screening mechanisms going forward.
    Launched a new Task Force on AI Datacenter Infrastructure. The Task Force provides streamlined coordination on policies to advance datacenter development operations in line with economic, national security, and environmental goals.
    Identified measures—including approaches for labeling content and improving transparency—to reduce the risks posed by AI-generated content. The Department of Commerce submitted to the White House a final report on science-backed standards and techniques for addressing these risks, while NIST has launched a challenge to develop methods for detecting AI-generated content. President Biden has emphasized that the public has a right to know when content is AI-generated, and agencies are working to use these tools to help Americans to know that communications they receive from their government are authentic.
    Combatted AI-generated image-based sexual abuse. Image-based sexual abuse—both non-consensual intimate images of adults and child sexual abuse material—is one of the fastest growing harmful uses of AI to date and disproportionately targets women, children, and LGBTQI+ people. This year, following the Vice President’s leadership in underscoring the urgent need to address deepfake image-based sexual abuse and a White House Call to Action to reduce these risks, leading AI developers and data providers made voluntary commitments to curb the creation of AI-generated image-based sexual abuse material. Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) funded the first-ever helpline to provide 24/7 support and specialized services for victims of the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including deepfakes. The Department of Education also clarified that school responsibilities under Title IX may extend to conduct that takes place online, including AI-generated abuse.
    Established the AI Safety and Security Board (AISSB) to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security on the safe and secure use of AI in critical infrastructure. The AISSB has met thrice this year to develop a set of recommendations for entities that develop, deploy, and promote accountability for AI systems that assist in delivering essential services to millions of Americans. The work of the AISSB complements DHS’s first-ever AI safety and security guidelines for critical infrastructure owners and operators, which were informed by agencies’ assessments of AI risks across all critical infrastructure sectors. To help protect critical infrastructure further, the Department of Treasury released a report on managing security risks of AI use in the financial sector, and the Department of Energy released an assessment of potential risks to the power grid, as well as ways in which AI could potentially strengthen grid resilience and our ability to respond to threats.
    Piloted AI for protecting vital government software systems. The Department of Defense and DHS conducted AI pilots to address vulnerabilities in government networks used, respectively, for national security purposes and for civilian governmental organizations.
    Standing up for Workers, Consumers, Privacy, and Civil RightsAI is changing the products and services Americans buy, affecting jobs and workplaces, and introducing or exacerbating risks to privacy, equity, and civil rights. President Biden’s Executive Order stands up for Americans in each of these domains, and over the last year, agencies have:
    Developed bedrock principles and practices, along with guidance, to help protect and empower workers as AI is built for and used in the workplace. The Department of Labor (DOL) released AI Principles and Best Practices for employers and developers to build and use AI in ways that center the wellbeing of workers and improve the quality of jobs. DOL also published two guidance documents to assist federal contractors and employers in complying with worker protection laws as they deploy AI in the workplace. In addition, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released resources for job seekers and workers to understand how AI use could violate employment discrimination laws.
    Protected patients’ rights and safety, while encouraging innovation, as AI is developed and deployed for healthcare. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established an AI Safety Program to track harmful incidents involving AI’s use in healthcare settings and to evaluate mitigations for those harms. HHS has also developed objectives, goals, and high-level principles for the use of AI or AI-enabled tools in drug development processes and AI-enabled devices. Additionally, HHS finalized a rule that established first-of-its-kind transparency requirements for AI and other predictive algorithms that are part of certified health information technology. HHS also finalized a civil rights regulation, implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, that requires covered health care entities to take steps to identify and mitigate discrimination when they use AI and other forms of decision support tools for care.
    Published guidance and resources for the safe, secure, and trustworthy design and use of AI in education. In July, the Department of Education released guidance calling up on educational technology developers to design AI in ways that protect rights, improve transparency, and center teaching and learning. This month, the Department of Education released a toolkit to support schools and educational leaders in responsibly adopting valuable AI use cases.
    Issued guidance on AI’s nondiscriminatory use in the housing sector, which affirms that existing prohibitions against discrimination apply to AI’s use for tenant screening and housing advertisements, while explaining how to comply with these obligations. Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau approved a rule requiring that algorithms and AI used for home valuations are fair, nondiscriminatory, and free of conflicts of interest.
    Set guardrails on the responsible and equitable use of AI and algorithmic systems in administering public benefits programs. The Department of Agriculture’s guidance provides a framework for how State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments should manage risks for uses of AI and automated systems in critical benefits programs such as SNAP, while HHS released a plan with guidelines on similar topics for benefits programs it oversees.
    Affirmed commitments to prevent and address unlawful discrimination and other harms resulting from AI. DOJ’s Civil Rights Division convenes federal agency civil rights offices and senior government officials to foster AI and civil rights coordination. Five new agencies also joined a 2023 pledge to uphold America’s commitment to fairness, equality, and justice as new technologies like AI become more common in daily life.
    Advanced privacy protections to safeguard Americans from privacy risks that AI creates or exacerbates. In particular, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and DOE established a research network dedicated to advancing the development, deployment, and scaling of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), while NSF launched the $23 million initiative Privacy-preserving Data Sharing in Practice program to apply, mature, and scale PETs for specific use cases and establish testbeds to accelerate their adoption. Simultaneously, DOE launched a $68 million effort on AI for Science research, which includes efforts at multiple DOE National Laboratories and other institutions to advance PETs for scientific AI. The Department of Commerce also developed guidelines on evaluating differential privacy guarantees. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a Request for Information (RFI) on issues related to federal agency collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, and disposition of commercially available information containing personally identifiable information. OMB also released an RFI on how federal agencies’ privacy impact assessments may be more effective at mitigating privacy risks, including those that are further exacerbated by AI and other advances in technology and data capabilities.
    Harnessing AI for GoodOver the last year, agencies have worked to seize AI’s enormous promise, including by collaborating with the private sector, promoting development and use of valuable AI use cases, and deepening the U.S. lead in AI innovation. To harness AI for good, agencies have:
    Launched the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot and awarded over 150 research teams access to computational and other AI resources. The NAIRR pilot—a national infrastructure led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with DOE and other governmental and nongovernmental partners—makes available resources to support the nation’s AI research and education community. Supported research teams span 34 states and tackle projects covering deepfake detection, AI safety, next-generation medical diagnoses, environmental protection, and materials engineering.
    Promoted AI education and training across the United States. DOE is leveraging its network of national laboratories to train 500 new researchers by 2025 to meet demand for AI talent, while NSF has invested millions of dollars in programs to train future AI leaders and innovators. These programs include the EducateAI initiative, which helps fund educators creating high-quality, inclusive AI educational opportunities at the K-12 through undergraduate levels that support experiential learning in fields such as AI and build capacity in AI research at minority-serving institutions.
    Expanded the ability of top AI scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to come to the United States, including by clarifying O-1 and H-1B visa rules and working to streamline visa processing.
    Released a report on the potential benefits, risks, and implications of dual-use foundation models for which the model weights are widely available, including related policy recommendations. The Department of Commerce’s report draws on extensive outreach to experts and stakeholders, including hundreds of public comments submitted on this topic.
    Announced a competition for up to $100 million to support the application of AI-enabled autonomous experimentation to accelerate research into—and delivery of—targeted, industry-relevant, sustainable semiconductor materials and processes.
    Established two new National AI Research Institutes for building AI tools to advance progress across economic sectors, science, and engineering. The NSF-led AI Research Institutes launched in September will develop AI tools for astronomical sciences, with broader applications across scientific disciplines. Earlier this year, NSF also funded 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines), seven of which include a focus on advancing AI.
    Announced millions of dollars in further investments to advance responsible AI development and use throughout our society. These include $13 million invested by DOE in the VoltAIc initiative for using AI to streamline permitting and accelerate clean energy deployment, as well as $68M from DOE to fund AI for scientific research to accelerate scientific programming and develop energy efficient AI models and hardware. DOE has also launched the Frontiers in AI for Science, Security, and Technology (FASST) initiative roadmap and request for information to harness AI for scientific discovery, national security, energy and electric grid resilience, and other national challenges, building on AI tools, models, and partnerships. NSF, in partnership with philanthropy, announced an inaugural investment of more than $18 million to 44 multidisciplinary, multi-sector teams across the U.S. to advance the responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies including AI, ensuring ethical, legal, community, and societal considerations are embedded in the lifecycle of technology’s creation.
    Issued a first-ever report analyzing AI’s near-term potential to support the growth of America’s clean energy economy. DOE’s National Laboratories also issued a long-term grand challenges report identifying opportunities in AI for energy over the next decade. 
    Released a vision for how AI can help us achieve our nation’s greatest aspirations. AI Aspirations sets forth goals to create a future of better health and opportunity for all, mitigate climate change and boost resilience, build robust infrastructure and manufacturing, ensure the government works for every American, and more. In furtherance of these goals, HHS launched CATALYST, a research and development program focused on the potential use of AI to better predict drug safety and efficacy before clinical trials start. In complement, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology also authored a report outlining AI’s potential to revolutionize and accelerate scientific discovery.
    Published guidance addressing vital questions at the intersection of AI and intellectual property. To advance innovation the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released guidance documents addressing the patentability of AI-assisted inventions, on the subject matter eligibility of patent claims involving inventions related to AI technology, and on the use of AI tools in proceedings before USPTO.
    Bringing AI and AI Talent into GovernmentAI can help government deliver better results for the American people, though its use by Federal agencies can also pose risks, such as discrimination and unsafe decisions. Bringing AI and AI-enabling professionals into government, moreover, is vital for managing these risks and opportunities and advancing other critical AI missions. Over the last year, agencies have:
    Issued the first-ever government-wide policy to strengthen governance, mitigate risks, and advance innovation in federal use of AI. OMB’s historic policy, M-24-10, requires agencies to implement concrete safeguards when using AI in a way that could impact Americans’ rights or safety. These safeguards include a series of mandatory risk management practices to reliably assess, test, and monitor AI’s impacts on the public and provide greater transparency into how the government uses AI. OMB’s policy also directs agencies to designate Chief AI Officers to coordinate the use of AI across their agency, while expanding and upskilling their AI workforce and removing barriers to adopting AI for all manner of purposes—from addressing climate change to advancing public health and safety.
    Released a government-wide policy to advance responsible acquisition of AI by Federal agencies. M-24-18, published this month by OMB, helps ensure that when Federal agencies acquire AI, they have the information and tools necessary to manage risks, promote a competitive marketplace, and collaborate on strategic planning. This work directs the Federal government—the largest buyer in the U.S. economy—to advance AI innovation and risk management through responsibly exercising its purchasing power.
    Hired over 250 AI practitioners into the Federal government through the AI Talent Surge. Tech talent programs ramped up hiring for AI talent, with the Presidential Innovation Fellows bringing on their first-ever AI cohort, DHS establishing their AI Corps with over 30 members onboarded to date, and the U.S. Digital Corps providing pathways for early-career technologists to join Federal service. AI talent has been instrumental in delivering on critical AI priorities, from using AI to deliver top-tier government services, to protecting the public’s rights and safety in the use of AI.
    Established the Chief AI Officers Council to harmonize best practices and sharing of resources across the interagency to implement OMB’s guidance and coordinate the development and use of AI in agencies’ programs and operations.
    Introduced expanded reporting instructions for the federal AI use case inventory to include identifying use cases that impact rights or safety and how the agency is addressing the relevant risks in line with OMB’s policies. 
    Bolstered the public interest technology ecosystem. Building on the AI Talent Surge, the White House announced funding across government, academia, and civil society to support education and career pathways that will help ensure government has access to diverse, mission-oriented technology talent.
    Activated new hiring authorities to bring AI and AI-enabling talent into agencies. As part of the AI Talent Surge, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) granted new hiring authorities, including direct hire authorities and excepted service authorities, for agencies to rapidly bring on top-tier AI and AI-enabling talent, and released guidance on skills-based hiring and pay and leave flexibilities to best position agencies to hire and retain AI and AI-enabling talent. Additionally, OPM collaborated with partners to run three National Tech to Gov career fairs to connect the public with AI and tech jobs in government, surfacing roles from over 64 Federal, state, and local government employers to over 3,000 job seekers.
    Advancing U.S. Leadership AbroadPresident Biden’s Executive Order directed work to lead global efforts to capture AI’s promise, mitigate AI’s risks, and ensure AI’s responsible governance. To advance these goals, the Administration has:
    Sponsored and passed a landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution. The unanimously adopted resolution, with more than 100 co-sponsors (including the People’s Republic of China), lays out a common vision for countries around the world to promote the safe and secure use of AI to address global challenges.
    Engaged foreign leaders on strengthening international rules and norms for AI, including at the 2023 UK AI Safety Summit and the AI Seoul Summit in May 2024, where Vice President Harris represented the United States. In the United Kingdom, Vice President Harris unveiled a series of U.S. initiatives to advance the safe and responsible use of AI, including the establishment of AISI at the Department of Commerce.
    Announced a global network of AI Safety Institutes and other government-backed scientific offices to advance AI safety at a technical level. This network, which will formally launch in November at the inaugural network convening in San Francisco, will accelerate critical information exchange and drive toward common or compatible safety evaluations and policies.
    Expanded global support for the U.S.-led Political Declaration on the Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy. Fifty-six nations now endorse the political declaration, which outlines a set of norms for the responsible development, deployment, and use of military AI capabilities. DoD has expanded the scope of its international AI Partnership for Defense to align global Responsible AI practices with the Political Declaration’s norms.
    Developed comprehensive plans for U.S. engagement on global AI standards and AI-related critical infrastructure topics. NIST and DHS, respectively, will report on priority actions taken per these plans in 90 days.
    Signed the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law. This first multilateral treaty on AI represents a powerful affirmation of the relevance of existing human rights obligations to AI activities and establishes a strong baseline in international law for responsible government use of AI. The United States’ signature reflects its commitment to ensuring that AI technologies are designed, developed, used, and governed in ways that promote respect for human rights and democratic values. 
    Led the development of a Joint Statement on Responsible Government Practices for AI Technologies. The Joint Statement, to which the 41 countries of the Freedom Online Coalition committed, calls on governments to develop, use, and procure AI responsibly, including by respecting international obligations and commitments, assessing impacts of AI systems, conducting ongoing monitoring, ensuring adequate human training and assessment, communicating and responding to the public, and providing effective access to remedy. 
    Launched the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse.  The 15-country Global Partnership has advanced international policies to address online safety, and spurred new programs to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including through AI.
    The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development published resources to advance global AI research and use of AI for economic development. The AI in Global Development Playbook incorporates principles and practices from NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework to guide AI’s responsible development and deployment across international contexts, while the Global AI Research Agenda outlines priorities for advancing AI’s safe, responsible, and sustainable global development and adoption.
    The table below summarizes many of the activities that federal agencies have completed in response to the Executive Order.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: President  Biden and Vice President Harris Announce New Actions and Investments to Advance Educational and Economic Opportunity for Latino Communities Across the  Country

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, President Biden will ceremonially sign Executive Order (EO) 14124, establishing the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), alongside nearly two dozen champions for these institutions and Latino communities. President Biden and Vice President Harris will also announce nearly $19 million in transformational investments for five HSIs in Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Puerto Rico to build research infrastructure. These efforts build on the Administration’s historic investment of over $16 billion in more than 500 HSIs across 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico that educate more than 4.7 million students annually.
    Over the past three years, President Biden and Vice President Harris have taken historic actions to expand opportunity for Latino families and communities, including: creating more than 15 million jobs – with 5 million created for Latinos, helping Latino entrepreneurs start new businesses at the fastest rate in over 10 years, addressing our broken immigration system, and working to ensure equitable educational opportunity for students.
    Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing new actions to advance educational opportunities for students at HSIs and giving them a fair shot at achieving the American dream. 
    Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through HSIs
    With student enrollment that is at least one-quarter Latino, HSIs are engines of economic mobility, propelling high numbers of students from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students into good jobs and brighter futures. Today, President Biden will ceremonially sign EO 14124 to strengthen the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing opportunity for HSIs and the students they serve.
    The EO creates a new Initiative and first-ever President’s Board of Advisors on HSIs to:
    Increase awareness of opportunities for HSIs to equally participate in Federal programs and enhance the capacity of HSIs to meet the educational needs of their students.
    Identify best practices for HSIs to scale effective strategies, programs, and initiatives to support the educational success and economic mobility of their students.
    Improve the ability of HSIs to align program offerings with the economic needs of the Nation and their local economies, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and teaching.
    Coordinate efforts to help HSIs become or remain fiscally secure institutions.
    Foster cross-sector collaboration among HSIs and philanthropic, public, and private sector organizations.
    Strengthen Federal recruitment activities at HSIs to build accessible and equal pathways into Federal career opportunities for HSI students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
    Provide tools, data, and analytics to support HSIs in improving educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for students.
    Investing Additional $19 Million in Research Infrastructure at HSIs
    To remain the most competitive economy in the world, the Nation’s most inclusive institutions of higher education must continue to lead in research and development. Yet too many HSIs report having unmet infrastructure needs that hold back their ability to engage in research that will propel forward these institutions, their students, and the nation as a whole.
    To help address these needs, the Biden-Harris Administration established the Department of Education’s Research and Development Infrastructure Program (RDI) for the colleges and universities that play a central role in educating students from diverse backgrounds. The program provides funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)—including HSIs— to implement transformational investments in research infrastructure, including research productivity, faculty expertise, graduate programs, physical infrastructure, human capital development, and partnerships leading to increases in external funding.
    Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced nearly $19 million in new grants to five HSIs to build their research and physical infrastructure including—
    Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida received $1.1 million.
    National Louis University in Chicago, Illinois received $3 million.
    Sam Houston State University in Houston, Texas received $5 million.
    Texas A&M University Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas received $4.7 million.
    University of Puerto Rico on the Rio Piedras Campus received $5 million.
    The $19 million in grants to HSIs was a part of $49 million in RDI grants to 13 HBCUs, TCCUs, and MSIs.
    Building on Historic Investments in HSIs
    Today’s announcements build on President Biden and Vice President Harris’ historic investments of over $16 billion in direct funding to HSIs, including through COVID relief funds and the Department of Education’s federal grant program funds.
     The chart below provides a state-by-state breakdown of funding to date.
    State 
    Total Funds Received by HSIs in the State 
    AR 
    $11,356,918
    AZ 
    $739,602,657
    CA 
    $6,389,050,269
    CO 
    $290,670,467
    CT 
    $81,522,902
    DC 
    $10,396,350
    FL 
    $1,524,890,025
    GA 
    $96,526,460
    ID 
    $12,477,969
    IL 
    $664,298,648
    IN 
    $20,049,711
    KS 
    $20,869,761
    MA 
    $110,295,475
    MD 
    $68,836,836
    MN 
    $12,999,876
    NC 
    $10,750,057
    NE 
    $1,211,270
    NJ 
    $582,987,076
    NM 
    $399,198,109
    NV 
    $336,899,054
    NY 
    $327,800,182
    OH 
    $875,529
    OK 
    $9,372,922
    OR 
    $58,864,009
    PA 
    $66,357,824
    PR 
    $1,135,872,342
    RI 
    $48,066,707
    TN 
    $7,383,933
    TX 
    $3,433,719,411
    VA 
    $14,730,892
    WA 
    $124,035,244
    WI 
    $23,119,648
    Grand Total 
    $16,635,088,533

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Governments of Canada and Quebec to Announce Investments in Forest Industry Transformation

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    TROIS-RIVIÈRES — The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, joined by Quebec Minister of Labour, Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and the Nord-du-Québec region and Member of Parliament for Trois-Rivières, Jean Boulet, will announce investments in forest industry transformation. A media availability will follow.

    TROIS-RIVIÈRES — The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, joined by Quebec Minister of Labour, Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and the Nord-du-Québec region and Member of Parliament for Trois-Rivières, Jean Boulet, will announce investments in forest industry transformation. A media availability will follow.

    Date: November 1, 2024

    Time: 1:30 p.m. ET

    All accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

    Contacts

    Media Relations
    Natural Resources Canada
    Ottawa
    343-292-6096 
    media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    Cindy.Caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Follow us on LinkedIn

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Wildlife triumph – orphaned cassowary chick returned to wild

    Source: Government of Queensland

    Issued: 30 Oct 2024

    Open larger image

    The healthy juvenile weighed around 28kg when released.

    Open larger image

    The stripey weighed around 1kg when taken into care.

    In a heartwarming tale of survival and conservation, an orphaned cassowary chick that was raised in captivity for almost a year has been returned to the wild.

    The juvenile cassowary was found near its father who was killed by a car near Bramston Beach in November 2023.

    When the chick was rescued and taken to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation’s Garners Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility, it only weighed one kilogram.

    The bird required diligent care, including handfeeding before being moved into a vegetated enclosure that ensured minimal human contact.

    Over 11 months of nurturing, members of the conservation group  C4 (the Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation) and departmental wildlife officers continuously monitored the bird’s growth and development.

    In the enclosure, strategic food placement in different locations meant the chick learned to forage for food, developed its wild instincts and grew into a healthy, juvenile bird.

    A recent veterinary assessment by Tropical Vets showed the juvenile cassowary weighed a robust 28 kilograms and was ready to be released back into the rainforest.

    Wildlife officers chose a release site near Bramston Beach well away from potential dangers posed by roads or human activity.

    Senior Wildlife Officer Alex Diczbalis said the release was a significant success in the ongoing efforts to conserve Queensland’s endangered populations of southern cassowaries.

    “This cassowary’s journey from rescue to release embodies the dedication of everyone who was involved in raising it from a stripey to a juvenile,” Mr Diczbalis said.

    “It showcases the vital importance of collaboration between the department, community groups and local vets.

    “The release of this bird coincided with the age at which a young cassowary would typically leave its father’s side and begin to live independently.

    “It was a wonderful moment, and those involved expressed their immense pride and joy over the successful transition of this iconic bird from care to the wild.

    “The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service would like to thank the team at C4 and Tropical Vets for their assistance.

    “Every cassowary is precious and that’s why we ask people in cassowary country to slow down, restrain their dogs and never feed them.”

    The southern cassowary is considered endangered, and its population is limited to rainforest areas of the Wet Tropics and on Cape York Peninsula. Cassowary sightings can be reported to DESI by calling 1300 130 372.

    Cassowaries can inflict serious injuries to people and pets by kicking out with their large, clawed feet. People are asked to Be Cass-o-wary at all times in the Wet Tropics.

    • Never approach cassowaries.
    • Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them.
    • Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal, dangerous and has caused cassowary deaths.
    • Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids.
    • Slow down when driving in cassowary habitat.
    • Never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road.
    • Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash.

    MIL OSI News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Result of the auction of treasury bills on 30 October 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bids, sales, stop-rates and prices are presented in the table below:      

    ISIN Bid Mill. kr. (nominal) Sale Stop-rate (per cent) Pro-rata Price
    98 19666 DKT 02/12/24 IV 200 200 2.80 100 % 99.7595
    98 19740 DKT 03/03/25 I – – – – –
    Total 200 200      

    The sale will settle 1 November 2024.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business – Welcoming Steve Nadin: A New Era in Functional Consulting at Brainstorm

    Source: Brainstorm

    Brainstorm is excited to welcome Steve Nadin as its Functional Consultant. With a diverse background in supply chain management and consulting, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the team.

    Steve grew up in Nottingham, England, before making the move to Australia in 1991. Family is a big part of his life—he and his ex-wife have 4 children and 11 grandchildren, with one more on the way in February 2025. Steve recently celebrated another exciting milestone, marrying his partner of 9 years, who also has 4 grown-up children and 4 grandchildren. Together, they have built a rich, blended family.

    Reflecting on this chapter of his life, Steve shares, “My family means the world to me, and it’s been a beautiful journey blending our lives together. We have a large, vibrant family, and I’m excited about welcoming our newest grandchild next year.”

    Steve’s career began at Boots the Chemists, a major UK manufacturing and pharmaceutical retailer, where he spent 14 years in various roles across Accounting, Logistics, and Supply Chain. After relocating to Australia, Steve continued to excel in operational and supply chain management roles, eventually launching his own business improvement consultancy in 2011. Unfortunately, the business was impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, leading Steve to shift gears.

    In 2021, he joined SMC as a Senior Consultant, where he helped businesses enhance their operations and navigate digital transformation. His success at SMC led to his promotion to Consulting Manager in 2023, where he played a key role in driving innovation and efficiency for a variety of clients.

    Steve first connected with Brainstorm at the CEMAT exhibition in 2024, where he was drawn to the company’s dynamic growth and future potential. “Meeting with Evelyn at the CEMAT exhibition was a turning point for me,” he explains. “Brainstorm’s vision and the direction it’s headed in really sparked my interest. It’s a company that’s truly on the rise, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.”

    Now, as Brainstorm’s Functional Consultant, Steve is eager to contribute his wealth of experience in supply chain management and operational improvement. While his role is still evolving, he is excited about the journey ahead and looks forward to helping Brainstorm continue its impressive trajectory.

    Reflecting on Career Milestones, two standout moments in Steve’s career include developing a distribution network in the U.S. for an Australian celebrity chef and managing the setup of a large 28,000m² greenfield warehouse in Melbourne. From board approval to go-live, Steve ensured the project was delivered on time and within budget—a feat that he still looks back on with pride.

    “I’m particularly proud of the Melbourne warehouse project,” he recalls. “It was a massive undertaking, but it came together seamlessly. To see everything work out exactly as planned was incredibly rewarding.”

    Steve is looking forward to making a significant impact at Brainstorm, and the team is equally excited to have him on board.

    BrainStorm is a software company that specialises in two areas. They help distribution and manufacturing businesses get their ERP technology in order, and help scaling businesses implement and integrate their software systems.

    They do what they do because there’s too much off the shelf software that doesn’t actually solve the business problems that they’re intended to. BrainStorm has saved their customers over $150million dollars in the past year.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    January 25, 2025
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