NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for Ethiopia

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 18, 2024

    • The IMF Board completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Ethiopia, allowing the authorities to draw the equivalent of about US$340.7 million (SDR 255.6 million). The ECF was approved by IMF Board in July 2024 and forms part of a US$10.7 billion support package from development partners and creditors for Ethiopia.
    • The Ethiopian authorities have shown strong commitment to their homegrown economic reform program. Implementation of ECF-supported reforms is advancing well.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the first review of the 48-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Ethiopia. The Board’s decision allows for an immediate disbursement of about US$340.7 million (SDR 255.6 million), which will help Ethiopia meet its balance of payments needs. The completion of the review brings total disbursements under the arrangement to about US$1.363 billion.

    Ethiopia’s ECF arrangement for a total of SDR 2.556 billion (850 percent of quota) or about US$3.4 billion at the time of program approval on July 29, 2024 (see Press Release 24/291) is aimed at supporting the authorities’ Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda (HGER) to address macroeconomic imbalances and lay the foundations for private sector led growth.

    All quantitative performance criteria and four out of five structural benchmarks for the first review have been met. The emergency liquidity assistance framework has been finalized prior to Board approval with a slight delay from end-September target date.

    The implementation of the authorities’ economic program, including the transition to the new exchange rate regime, has been commendable. The spread between the formal and parallel market exchange rates has narrowed to low levels, with little sign of disruption to the broader economy. The supply of foreign exchange is picking up, helping alleviate acute foreign exchange shortages. Nonetheless, some unmet foreign exchange demand persists as economic agents are still adjusting to the new FX regime.

    Steady implementation of the HGER reform plan will be key to macroeconomic stability and stronger economic growth. Continued tight monetary policy and elimination of monetary financing of the government will be key to durably reducing inflation. Expanding social safety nets is critical to mitigating the impact of reforms on vulnerable people. Maintaining momentum on domestic revenue mobilization and structural reforms in the SOE sector is essential to creating sufficient space for social and developmental capital spending.

    The authorities continue their efforts to restore debt sustainability. Financing assurances and adjustment efforts are consistent with IMF policy requirements and program parameters.

    Following the Executive Board discussion, Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director and Chairman of the Board, made the following statement:

    “Ethiopia’s program under the ECF has made a solid start, and the transition to a more flexible exchange rate has progressed well. Transitional one-off arrangements to address the foreign exchange (FX) backlog from past fuel imports are in place, relying principally on market participants with an additional contribution from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE). As economic agents adjust to the new FX regime, reform momentum and clear communication will need to continue to ensure a fully successful and sustained switch to a floating exchange rate.

    “Continuing to restrict NBE’s FX interventions and additional policy measures to support FX market development will be critical to enhance market efficiency and deepening. Prudent macroeconomic policies, including continued tight monetary policy and the elimination of monetary financing of government deficits are essential to reducing imbalances and shoring up macroeconomic stability.

    “Implementation of the early stages of the authorities’ monetary policy reforms and the shift to an interest-rate based regime has been encouraging, including the steady uptake of NBE open market operations. The authorities should step up efforts to improve monetary policy transmission, including by enhancing treasury bill market functioning. Close supervision and enforcement of net open position regulations for banks will help address financial sector vulnerabilities. 

    “The authorities have embarked on ambitious and comprehensive tax mobilization reforms, which will be guided by the recently approved National Medium-Term Revenue Strategy. The new VAT law further streamlines exemptions, expands the revenue base, and strengthens administration and compliance framework. Sustained tax revenue mobilization reforms are critical for creating sufficient space for social and development spending needs. The authorities are implementing plans to expand the targeted social safety net (PSNP), which will deliver cost-effective and efficient support to vulnerable people and mitigate the social impact of the FX reform. 

    “Amendments to the law governing the NBE tabled in Parliament include important improvements to the NBE’s mandate, functions, and powers. Robust lender-of-last resort provisions and legal safeguards to central bank autonomy and governance will also be important.

    Continued steps to secure debt treatment is crucial to restore debt sustainability. The progress made on debt restructuring negotiations under the Common Framework is welcome. The authorities are working to reach an agreement on debt treatment with official creditors by the time of the second program review. Negotiations with commercial creditors should follow on comparable terms. The authorities plan to develop a debt management strategy with Fund technical assistance.”

    Ethiopia Selected Economic Indicators, 2021/22-2028/29

    2021/22

    2022/23

    2023/24

    2024/25

    2025/26

    2026/27

    2027/28

    2028/29

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Output

    Real GDP growth (%)

    6.4

    7.2

    6.1

    6.5

    7.1

    7.7

    8.0

    7.8

    Prices

    Inflation – average (%)

    33.9

    32.5

    26.6

    25.0

    16.7

    12.2

    10.4

    9.6

    General government finances

    Revenue (% GDP)

    8.1

    7.9

    7.5

    8.4

    9.8

    10.9

    11.3

    11.5

    Expenditure (% GDP)

    12.7

    10.8

    9.9

    11.5

    12.4

    13.4

    13.7

    14.0

    Fiscal balance, including grants (% GDP)

    -4.2

    -2.6

    -2.0

    -1.7

    -2.1

    -2.0

    -2.0

    -2.0

    Public debt (% GDP)1

    48.9

    40.2

    34.7

    43.6

    39.1

    36.0

    33.6

    31.6

    Money and Credit

    Broad money (% change)

    27.2

    26.6

    14.1

    28.4

    28.3

    30.6

    22.1

    21.0

    Credit to private sector and state-owned enterprises (% change)

    18.9

    24.1

    9.7

    -14.3

    37.9

    40.1

    24.2

    21.1

    Balance of payments

    Current account (% GDP)

    -4.0

    -2.8

    -2.4

    -4.4

    -3.3

    -2.5

    -2.1

    -1.9

    FDI (%GDP)

    2.6

    2.1

    1.6

    2.7

    3.2

    2.9

    3.0

    3.0

    Reserves (in months of imports)

    0.8

    0.5

    0.7

    1.4

    2.1

    2.6

    3.5

    3.6

    External debt (% GDP)

    24.0

    18.1

    15.4

    28.9

    26.8

    24.5

    22.5

    19.7

    Exchange rate

    Real effective exchange rate (% change, end of period, depreciation –)

    10.1

    24.0

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    1/Public and publicly guaranteed external debt, which includes long-term foreign liabilities of NBE and external debt of Ethio-Telecom. Does not include expected debt relief.

    For digital posting, please submit press release with an editable table (no images) already inserted in Microsoft Word file to ensure that the data in the SEI table is displayed as prepared.]

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/18/pr-24383-ethiopia-imf-completes-the-1st-review-under-the-ecf-arrangement

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Holds a Press Conference

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    SABRINA SINGH, DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY:  OK, everyone, good afternoon. Thank you for being here today. It is my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The Secretary will deliver some opening remarks, and then we will have time to take a few questions. I will moderate those questions and call on journalists.

    With that, Mr. Secretary?

    SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III:  Thanks, Sabrina.

    Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s great to be back at NATO. But I wanted to start with just a few words about the Middle East.

    As you all know, Israel yesterday killed Sinwar, the leader of Hamas. That’s a major achievement, and it opens a major opportunity for progress.

    Sinwar was the architect of the October 7th terrorist assault on Israel. His plot left 1,200 people dead, including civilians from more than 30 other countries, and that includes the United States. He was responsible for the deaths of many Americans over the years, including more than 40 Americans murdered on October 7th and four murdered American hostages.

    Sinwar devoted his life to wrecking the chances of peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. He’s finally been brought to justice, and that removes a huge obstacle.

    Our top priority is the 101 hostages still kidnapped in Gaza, including our own American hostages. They have been through hell, and so have their families, and the hostages should not have to suffer one more hour in captivity, and those who are holding hostages should release them immediately.

    Sinwar’s death also provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting cease-fire to end this awful war and to rush humanitarian aid into Gaza. Our forces in the region stand ready to assist in Israel’s defense, to deter aggression and to reduce the risk of all-out war, and we will continue to drive hard to bring all of the hostages home and to end the conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through principled diplomacy.

    Now, let me turn back to our work here at NATO. This has been an historic defense ministerial for three reasons. First, this is our new Secretary General’s inaugural ministerial meeting, so I want to thank Mark Rutte and his staff for convening us. And I also look forward to working very closely with Mark and his team.

    Second, this is our first defense ministerial with NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea, and that just underscores the importance of working with our partners in the Indo-Pacific on boosting industrial base resilience, combating disinformation and much, much more.

    And third, this ministerial is the first high-level NATO gathering since our 75th anniversary summit in Washington back in July. The summit was a major success. We welcomed Sweden as a NATO ally. We endorsed a NATO industrial capacity expansion pledge, and that will strengthen the defense industrial base on both sides of the Atlantic and increase large-scale multinational procurement and help deliver capabilities swiftly and securely. We also launched the NATO security assistance and training for Ukraine, or NSATU. Now, that’s our military effort to plan, coordinate and arrange delivery of the security assistance that Ukraine needs to prevail against Russian aggression. We strengthened NATO’s deterrence and defense. We deepened ties with our global partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and we celebrated 75 years of the strongest, most successful defensive alliance in history.

    I’m proud of all this progress, but we’ve still got work to do. Our priority is implementing the important agreements from NATO’s recent summits, and today, we continued our progress. We’re forging NATO’s most robust defense plans since the end of the Cold War, and that will help ensure that we have the forces and capabilities to meet any contingency. That includes air and missile defense, which are crucial for defending the allied airspace, and earlier this month, General Cavoli directed a reinforcement of NATO air surveillance in Romania to monitor Russian military activity.

    NATO allies continue to make robust investments in air and missile defense, but we must invest in many other areas to meet our requirements, so I’m glad to say that we’re sharing the burden of collective defense more than ever. In this year, a record 23 NATO allies are hitting or topping our shared commitment to spend at least two percent of GDP on defense. But we still need each and every single ally to meet this mutually-agreed-upon obligation as soon as possible, and that will let us fulfill the requirements of our new plans and hit our capability targets. And by investing in our trans-Atlantic defense industrial base and scaling up military production, we can send a long-term demand signal to industry.

    AUSTIN:  You know, we also met yesterday with our Indo-Pacific partners and with the European Union. It was a very productive meeting, and it underscored the profound links among Euro-Atlantic security and Indo-Pacific security.

    We’re concerned by the PRC’s increasingly coercive behavior in the Indo-Pacific, which has profound implications for the whole world. We’re also troubled by the growing alignment between Russia and the People’s Republic of China, including the PRC’s support for Putin’s indefensible war of choice against Ukraine, and that makes our close cooperation with our Indo-Pacific friends more vital than ever.

    We also held a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting yesterday. Minister Umerov gave us some great insights, and we made clear our enduring commitment to a free and sovereign Ukraine.

    Like countries of goodwill around the world, our NATO allies continue to stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-defense, and the United States and our allies and partners are determined to stand by Ukraine for the long haul, and we’ll stand by one another.

    The foundation of NATO is a collective defense commitment in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The U.S. commitment to Article 5 remains ironclad, and we will defend the sovereignty in the territory of every member of this alliance. Whatever changes lie ahead, we will tackle them together, and that solidarity is the reason why NATO is the greatest defensive alliance in history.

    And thanks again, and with that, I’ll be glad to take some questions.

    SINGH:  Great, thank you. Our first question will go to Phil Stewart from Reuters.

    Right here in the middle. Yeah. No, you’re OK.

    QUESTION:  OK, thank you. So you were saying that Israel has an opportunity to end the war in Gaza, but Israel’s prime minister is vowing today to keep fighting. Do you support Israel’s new campaign to, quote, “stop the axis of evil,” end quote, as Netanyahu put it? Or is Israel missing an opportunity here?

    And on — on Ukraine, President Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that a formal invitation to join NATO is the only way Ukraine can survive Russia’s invasion. Do you agree with that assessment? And more broadly, do you endorse his victory plan? Thank you.

    AUSTIN:  So which one of those questions do you want me to answer, Phil?

    (LAUGHTER)

    All right, let’s start with the question as to whether or not there is an opportunity available with respect to Gaza. Of course there is, and we would hope that we can work together to take advantage of that opportunity.

    The first thing, Phil, that we need to focus on is a return of the hostages. Again, you heard Prime Minister publicly state yesterday that anyone who has control of hostages, he would encourage them to return them, and — and again, I would hope that they would do so.

    Beyond that, you know, I think there are other opportunities, and we will see how things evolve. But clearly, there are opportunities for a change in direction, and we would hope that, you know, parties would — would take advantage of that both in Lebanon — in Gaza and in Lebanon.

    The second question was — as I recall, Phil, was about the victory plan and whether or not we endorse the victory plan. Again, the victory plan is President Zelenskyy’s plan, and we’re going to do everything that we can to provide the security assistance to support the president as he tries to accomplish his objectives.

    But what we all want to make sure that we continue to do is to link military objectives to strategic objectives, and, you know, that dialogue continues. And you know, I just met with Minister Umerov today. We talked through a number of those things. Again, our focus is going to continue to be on doing everything that we can to support the victory plan, or support President Zelenskyy. It’s not my position to evaluate publicly his plan. We have been supporting him by providing security assistance in a major way for over two and a half years. We’re going to continue to do that.

    Next question.

    SINGH:  Thank you. Thank you. Our second question will go to Andrey Smolyakov, Novaya Gazeta Europa.

    Right here in the back, in the middle. Yeah.

    QUESTION:  Thank you. Mr. Secretary, Ukrainian military has been able to carry out some effective UAV strikes deep into Russian territory, but there have been reports, especially in Russian and Ukrainian-language media, that the U.S. has discouraged those attacks. Is there any substance to those reports? And if so, is the U.S. willing to support such operations in the future?

    AUSTIN:  Actually, Andrey, we’ve seen the Ukrainians use their long-range UAV strike capability to great effect, and we saw recently that they were able to take out a number of strategic-level ammunition supply points, which has had an impact on the battlefield.

    I think what’s important to point out here, Andrey, is that they were able to produce these UAVs in Ukraine. They were able to scale that production rapidly. The UAVs have proven to be very effective and accurate. And again, when you consider the fact that one precision-guided missile costs, in some cases, close to $1 million, depending on what it is, and these UAVs, they can produce in great numbers at a fraction of the cost. So when you look at the balance sheet and the effects that are being created on the battlefield, I think this is a great capability. How they use that capability that they’re producing is going to be their call, Andrey, so…

    SINGH:  Thank you. Our next question will go to Phil Green, right here, Air & Space Magazine. Right here, in the blue.

    QUESTION:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

    SINGH:  I’m sorry — Chris Gordon. I said “Phil”. Sorry, sorry.

    QUESTION:  Thank you, Sabrina. Thank you, Mr. …

    AUSTIN:  You’re Phil now…

    SINGH:  Yeah, you’re…

    AUSTIN:  I’m kidding, Chris. I know you’re Chris, so…

    (LAUGHTER)

    SINGH:  Yeah.

    QUESTION:  Good to hear. Sir, the world is in a very difficult situation, and I have two questions regarding that situation. First, if there is a settlement in Gaza, is the Pentagon prepared to provide logistical support and military advice to an Arab-led stabilization force if there are no U.S. boots on the ground?

    And then secondly, to put a finer point on my colleague’s question earlier, President Zelenskyy’s repeatedly appealed to the U.S. to use ATACMS to strike a broader range of targets inside of Russia and to do so more quickly than drones. The Biden administration has not allowed this. Have Putin’s nuclear threats worked?

    AUSTIN:  Regarding Putin’s nuclear threats, again, you’ve heard me say a number of times that I think any kind of nuclear saber-rattling is reckless and dangerous, and we would call upon Putin and others to not employ that kind of language.

    In terms of whether or not we would participate in any kind of stabilization efforts in Gaza, I think that that’s going to require the contributions of a number of countries. Hopefully, countries in the region will step up. There quite possibly is, can be a part for the United States to play in that, as well. What part that would be and what that would look like, Chris, we’re going to have to work with our allies and partners to scope that out. And I certainly would not have any announcements to make on anything like that.

    The first step though is we’ve got to get to some sort of ceasefire, and then we need to make sure that we’re putting the right things in place to stabilize the area and provide for some sort of security going forward. But that’s left to be defined yet.

    SINGH:  Thank you. And our last question will go to Teri Schultz, Deutsche Welle.

    QUESTION:  Thank you, Secretary Austin. I’m — I’m very interested in the future of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a group that you yourself created. I mean, what is the future of this, given that nobody knows what’s going to happen after November under either administration that would take over? What will happen with this group? How do you consolidate what you have done, what has been done under your leadership? But even more of interest to the Ukrainians, do you have a sense after this last meeting that there’s — there’s enough momentum to provide enough to help Ukraine tilt the balance on the — on the battlefield as is necessary, you yourself say, to some day moving to discussions about ending the war?

    AUSTIN:  Yeah, thanks, Teri. So we’re — we’ve been doing two things simultaneously. We’re providing — focused on providing Ukraine what it needs to be successful on a battlefield today as it tries to defend its sovereign territory, and it’s been very successful at that. And I would remind everybody that Ukraine has taken on the largest military in Europe, and for two and a half years it has successfully defended its territory.

    And Putin has not achieved, not one strategic objective that he set out to achieve. Kyiv still stands. The Ukrainian government did not fall. And I could name a number of other things, but they have been very, very successful. So helping them defend the — in the current fight is one objective.

    The other objective is making sure that we help them get what’s necessary to be able to defend against aggression in the future and deter aggression as well. And that’s what the capability coalitions have been designed to do.

    As you know, we have an Air Force Capability Coalition. It was focused initially and still is focused on helping Ukraine get a fighter aircraft capability. And as you know, Ukraine now has F-16 capability. It will — we will continue to build upon that.

    There’s an artillery capability coalition that’s also being very successful, and it’s helping Ukraine acquire the artillery systems and the munitions that it needs not only for today but for the long haul as well.

    There’s an IT coalition that helps make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to be able to function in the information space, in the information domain and be effective. That IT coalition has been very, very effective, very impressive.

    There’s a drone coalition.

    And so these coalitions are designed to ensure that, at the end of the day, Ukraine has what it needs to be able to deter aggression and defend itself going forward. And thank you for bringing it up because it’s a thing that not many people pay attention to. But every day, we are building long-term capability for Ukraine.

    And, you know, I have to applaud the work of our allies and partners who are leading some of these coalitions and rallying support for Ukraine and, you know, digging deep to provide them what we think they’ll need going forward.

    So I think that will help to spell success for Ukraine in the long haul, and I appreciate you bringing it up, Teri.

    SINGH:  Thank you, everyone. That concludes today’s press conference.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 18th, 2024 As Wildfire Seasons Intensify, Heinrich Introduces Legislation to Study the Impacts on Home Insurance Coverage, Identify Measures to Alleviate Risks for Homeowners in New Mexico

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, recently introduced the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act to better understand the impacts of increasingly destructive wildfires in the West on insurance coverage for homeowners, and identify possible measures to alleviate the financial risk of wildfires.  
    “My office is fielding more and more calls from New Mexicans whose premiums are being hiked dramatically, or who have lost their insurance plans entirely. New Mexicans are trying to protect their families’ homes and financial stability. They deserve transparent and fair insurance markets that give them peace of mind,” said Heinrich. “We need to get a better handle on how exactly these more destructive wildfire seasons and other climate risks are impacting insurance companies’ decisions. More accurate data and analysis will help us create more effective solutions to this mounting challenge of insurers substantially raising the cost of premiums for homeowners and even pulling out entirely from Western and forested communities.”
    According to a report released by Heinrich as Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, the financial risks of wildfires are hard to predict because fires can start for a number of reasons and because their risk to peoples’ homes at any given time is based on a complicated combination of topography, drought conditions, wind patterns, fuel amounts, and the location of houses among many other factors. This has led many insurers to either raise premium costs substantially across the board in Western and forested communities or pull out of markets entirely — with several major insurance companies declining to provide any form of coverage.
    Heinrich’s Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act would require a federal study to assess: 
    The Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act is endorsed by Public Citizen and the National Association of Counties (NACo).  
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Harshbarger Office Makes Book Delivery to Central Heights Elementary School

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)

    Kingsport, TN. – Today, staff from the office of Representative Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) visited Central Heights Elementary School in Blountville to deliver donated books from the U.S. Library of Congress.

    “It is always a privilege to be able to give students the resources they need to read and learn as they grow in their education,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger. “I’m thankful my office was able to play a small role in supporting Central Heights Elementary and Librarian Stephanie Cronan in their efforts to create an environment where students can succeed. 

    The U.S. Library of Congress Surplus Books Program, led by Joe Mahar, is a treasure to Tennessee’s first district and I am grateful for their service. Reading is the foundation of learning, and I’m proud to support local schools in fostering a love for books and education.”

    Background: Library of Congress Surplus Books Program

    The Office of Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger has delivered thousands of books throughout East Tennessee, fulfilling requests from libraries, schools, non-profits, and qualifying early childhood and senior centers.

    Eligibility requirements include one of the following:

    • Full­time, tax­ supported or non-profit educational institution: school, school system, library, childcare or early learning center, college, university, or museum as a few examples.
    • Agency of local, state, or federal government.

    For more information or to sign up your organization, visit: https://harshbarger.house.gov/book-surplus

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police Operation to protect children

    Source: South Australia Police

    South Australia Police searched 161 homes of Serious Registrable Child Sex Offenders during the third Operation Child Safe.

    Between August and September, SAPOL conducted 16 days of action to ensure 277 offenders on the Australian National Child Offender Register (ANCOR) were complying with the strict conditions imposed on them.

    Acting Officer in Charge of Public Protection Branch, Chief Inspector Kellie Watkins said 46 people were charged with breaching ANCOR obligations under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act.

    “These obligations include notifying police of any change of address or vehicle and disclosing their email addresses. Importantly the offenders must report any contact with children to police,” Chief Inspector Watkins said

    During the operation police located eight Serious Registrable Offenders who had failed to report contact with children and six in possession of child exploitation material. Two mobile phones, five tablets/laptops, two hard drives and 71 storage devices were seized, along with cannabis and related equipment.

    “Police will continue examining a number of items seized which may result in further charges being laid,” Chief Inspector Watkins said.

    “Checks on all registered child sex offenders are a matter of routine for police. The public should be reassured that SAPOL will take every opportunity to police child sex offenders and ensure they comply with their legal obligations.”

    Anyone found guilty of an offence against this Act is liable to up to 10 years imprisonment.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Honored at ASUC Berkeley Event to Promote Civic Engagement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Barbara Lee 13th District of California

    October 18, 2024

    Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) on Thursday was honored at an event hosted by the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) (UC Berkeley Student Government). The event centered around promoting civic engagement among young people and inspire them to be public servants and vote. 

    In her remarks, Congresswoman Lee shared her experience as a student fighting in the civil rights movement and when Shirley Chisholm inspired her to vote. She also spoke about her time as President of the Black Student Union at Mills College.

    “When I was a young student, although I was active in my community, I did not want to engage in politics because no one was offering a real vision for the country that I felt included me. Despite that, while President of the Black Student Union, I asked Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to speak at Mills College. As she spoke, I finally heard policies that spoke to me and my community. From there, I registered to vote, went to Miami as a Shirley Chisholm delegate, and the rest is history,” said Congresswoman Lee.

    “Our young people are our future. It was an honor to join ASUC at Berkeley to share stories, promote civic engagement, and be recognized by this group of incredible young people. With weeks to go before Election Day, I hope they all get out to the polls and get involved in their future and their community, as I did when I was their age.”

    For pictures of the event, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: News Release for Early Warning Report Regarding Dundee Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Jorey Chernett, of 6222 Indianwood Trail, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48301, USA, announces that on September 1, 2024, he acquired control or direction over 12,493,791 Class A subordinate voting shares (“Shares”) in the authorized share structure of Dundee Corporation (the “Company”), a company with a head office at 80 Richmond Street West, Suite 2000, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2A4. The Shares were previously controlled by Herr Investment Group LLC in its capacity as investment adviser to Pointillist Partners, LLC, an investment fund of which Mr. Chernett was co-portfolio manager and the largest owner. As a result of this change, Mr. Chernett owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over, 12,493,791 Shares, which represented approximately 14.49% of the issued and outstanding Shares. Currently, Mr. Chernett owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, 12,853,791 Shares, which represents approximately 14.91% of the issued and outstanding Shares.

    The investment in the Shares was made for investment purposes. In accordance with applicable securities laws, Mr. Chernett may, from time to time and at any time, acquire additional shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments of the Company in the open market or otherwise, and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of his securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to the securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors.

    A copy of the Early Warning Report filed under applicable securities laws is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

    For more information, please contact:

    Jorey Chernett
    6222 Indianwood Trail
    Bloomfield Hills, MI
    48301 U.S.A.

    Telephone: (248) 469-8811

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem: Cease the relentless attacks on healthcare in the Middle East

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, strongly condemns the repeated, egregious attacks on healthcare facilities in the Middle East. These attacks cause death and injury and deprive women of their essential right to access reproductive healthcare.

    Just three of the ten hospitals in northern Gaza are operational, and only at minimum capacity. These hospitals face dire shortages of the most basic items. Women, many of them malnourished, are left to give birth under heavy bombardment with little medication.

    An airstrike on a tent camp in the Al Aqsa hospital compound in Deir al Balah earlier this week killed displaced Palestinians simply trying to survive, having lost their homes, schools, businesses and possessions. This was the latest in a long line of attacks on health workers, patients and facilities across Gaza and the West Bank. International humanitarian law and international human rights law must be respected. 

    Time and again, women in Gaza have lost access to essential health services, including emergency obstetric care, prenatal check-ups, and safe delivery facilities, contributing to a drastic increase in pregnancy-related complications and maternal deaths. The obstruction of deliveries of vital medical supplies has further exacerbated the healthcare crisis in Gaza, depriving people of basics like antiseptics, antibiotics and even soap.

    Attacks on healthcare have not been limited to Gaza. Around half of the more than 1,000 attacks on healthcare in the occupied Palestinian territories have taken place in the West Bank, according to WHO.

    Now healthcare is also under fire in Lebanon. As fighting intensifies, attacks on health facilities have killed health workers and patients, and forced almost half of primary health centres in conflict-affected areas to shut down. Lebanon’s healthcare system is already struggling to serve an unprecedented influx of injured people, and these attacks, coupled with existing staff and resource shortages, are pushing it to the brink.

    Healthcare is a fundamental human right. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. They must never be a target of war. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be allowed to reach all those in need.

    We need peace now.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: SHAREHOLDER INVESTIGATION: The M&A Class Action Firm Investigates the Mergers of GATO, AG and YOTA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered money for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2018-2022 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Gatos Silver, Inc. (NYSE: GATO), relating to its proposed merger with First Majestic Silver Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, GATO stock will automatically be converted into the right to receive 2.55 shares of First Majestic common stock.

    Click here for more information: https://monteverdelaw.com/case/gatos-silver-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE: AG), relating to its proposed merger with Gatos Silver, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Gatos Silver stock will automatically be converted into the right to receive 2.55 shares of First Majestic common stock.

    Click here for more information: https://monteverdelaw.com/case/first-majestic-silver-corp/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Yotta Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: YOTA), relating to its proposed merger with DRIVEiT Financial Auto Group, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, DRIVEiT securityholders are expected to own approximately 78.4% of the combined company.

    Click here for more information: https://monteverdelaw.com/case/yotta-acquisition-corporation/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: On October 21, Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 21, in Moscow, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov.

    The heads of government plan to discuss current issues of Russian-Kyrgyz trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of joint projects in the fields of energy, industry, transport, education and other areas.

    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://government.ru/annuncements/53042/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CWA Members Ratify Contracts with AT&T, Securing Raises Across Eleven States

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    Following Longest Telecommunications Strike in Southeast History, Contracts Also Include Improvements to Overtime and Scheduling Ahead of Historic Nationwide Broadband Buildout

    ATLANTA, Ga. and SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Over 25,500 members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) across eleven states have ratified strong new contract agreements with AT&T Southeast and AT&T West. After their prior contract expired in early August, workers in the nine AT&T Southeast states engaged in a month-long strike to force AT&T to engage in good faith bargaining.

    AT&T workers, including technicians, customer service representatives and others who install, maintain and support AT&T’s network, will receive wage increases of at least 15% over the course of the new four-year collective bargaining agreement in the West and over 19% during the new five-year agreement in the Southeast. In the contract that covers the Southeast, Wire Technicians and Utility Operations professionals, who will be essential to fulfilling the nationwide broadband buildout underway as part of President Biden’s Infrastructure bill, will receive an additional 3% wage boost.

    The contracts covering both AT&T Southeast and AT&T West include significant improvements to overtime and scheduling practices, addressing a key concern of technicians who install and troubleshoot AT&T fiber networks in homes and businesses. These technicians often cited unreasonable expectations for the time needed to complete work assignments, too many assignments being added to their queue through the day, and over-scheduling of weekend shifts — all of which contributed not only to their own diminishing work-life balance, but the level and quality of customer service they are able to provide AT&T customers.

    “Our members were clear from the start: every CWA member at AT&T has value and no one should be treated like a second-class employee. These new contracts provide our members with family-supporting wages and benefits, and address longstanding concerns about overtime and overscheduling which not only kept them away from their families and unable to plan their own lives, it negatively affected the quality of service our members want to deliver,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “In August, 17,000 members embarked on the longest telecom strike in the history of the Southeast and the largest in the county at the time, because they knew if they stood together and held their ground, AT&T would have no choice but to send negotiators to the table who could bargain a fair contract. Our unity across our union made these monumental contracts possible. Now, over 25,000 AT&T workers across 11 states have a strong contract that reflects their value and will undoubtedly help them keep our communities better connected.”

    CWA members across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee walked off the job on August 16 after AT&T refused to engage in good faith bargaining and failed to send negotiators who had the authority to make decisions to the table.

    During the month-long strike, AT&T suffered operational and financial strain without essential customer service representatives and AT&T installation and maintenance technicians on deck, resulting in the company having diminished capacity to handle outages and repairs. The blow forced the company to reach a fair tentative agreement with its thousands of workers, building upon the labor momentum currently sweeping the South.

    “For 30 days, our members stood up and made sacrifices to fight for the fair contract they deserve. Because of our members’ solidarity and tenacity, AT&T workers now have the support they need to make AT&T a leader in closing our nation’s digital divide,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “Across these nine states, billions of dollars in federal funds will be rolling in to support a massive broadband rollout, and this contract ensures that both customers and workers will be adequately supported as AT&T bids for and hopefully secures new projects stemming from that funding.”

    “With this new contract, our members are well positioned to support their families, with improved wages and schedules. They are also ready to get to work bringing high-speed broadband internet to homes and businesses throughout the region now that the Biden-Harris Administration has approved both California and Nevada’s ‘Internet for All’ proposals,” said CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arce. “I’m happy to say AT&T West is celebrating with our brothers, sisters and siblings in the Southeast over our strong contracts.”

    The AT&T Southeast contract covers approximately 17,000 workers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The AT&T West contract covers approximately 8,500 workers in California and Nevada.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI and CISA Issue Public Service Announcement Warning of Tactics Foreign Threat Actors are Using to Spread Disinformation in the 2024 U.S. General Election

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued their final four-part joint public service announcement (PSA) today titled “Just So You Know: Foreign Threat Actors Likely to Use a Variety of Tactics to Develop and Spread Disinformation During the 2024 U.S. General Election Cycle.” This PSA highlights efforts by foreign actors to spread disinformation in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. general election with the goal of casting doubt on the integrity of the democratic process and sowing partisan discord. Foreign adversaries are using a variety of sophisticated disinformation campaigns, often leveraging new tools, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), to craft and spread misleading content. 

    “As we approach Election Day, it is important to remember that while elections are political, election security is not. Election security is national security. Our foreign adversaries are looking to attack our democratic process to further their own objectives, and we need the help of all Americans in ensuring they are not successful,” said CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley.  “There has been incredible effort across local, state and federal governments to ensure the security and integrity of our nation’s election infrastructure. Americans should be confident that their votes will be counted as cast.  They should also know that our foreign adversaries will try to make them believe otherwise. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, verify the information they consume, and rely on trusted sources like their state and local election officials.” 

    The PSA highlights specific examples of tactics we have seen used by Russia and Iran during the 2024 election cycle to target all Americans. These include things from mimicking national level media outlets like the Washington Post and Fox News and creating inauthentic news sites posing as legitimate media organizations to using paid influencers to hide their hand. It is important for voters to critically evaluate information sources, particularly as disinformation campaigns evolve to use AI-generated content. Both agencies urge the American public to rely on trusted information from state and local election officials and to verify claims through multiple reliable sources before sharing them on social media or other platforms. 

    For more information on how to protect yourself from disinformation, visit the official websites of the FBI and CISA’s dedicated election security webpage, cisa.gov/Protect2024.  

    ###

    About CISA 

    As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

    Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s free HPV vaccination accessible to 40 pct girls of eligible age

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 18 — In its ongoing battle against cervical cancer, China has made free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations accessible to about 40 percent of girls aged 13 to 14, according to the National Health Commission.

    Since 2021, 11 provincial-level regions and multiple cities have provided free vaccination services for girls of eligible age, Shen Haiping, head of the commission’s maternal and child health department, said at a press conference on Friday.

    A total of 280 million free HPV screenings have been conducted across China, greatly facilitating the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, Shen said.

    Health authorities worked with women’s federation organizations in providing medical assistance to 275,000 cervical cancer patients in financial difficulties, the official said.

    According to the commission, cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. In 2022, there were 151,000 new cases of cervical cancer in China, with an incidence rate of 13.8 per 100,000, ranking fifth among cancers in women.

    China has attached great importance to the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, with this disease highlighted in a series of major documents, Shen said.

    In 2023, the country launched a campaign to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in answer to the international community’s call to lower its incidence rate to 4 per 100,000 by the end of the century, Shen added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to promote high-level financial opening up: vice premier

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 18 — China will steadily expand the institutional opening up in the financial sector, and support more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest in China, Vice Premier He Lifeng said here on Friday.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with members of the International Advisory Council of the National Financial Regulatory Administration.

    He said that China will further deepen the reform of the financial system, steadily expand the institutional opening up in the financial sector, facilitate cross-border investment and financing, and support more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and start businesses in China, in order to provide high-quality financial services for China’s modernization.

    The advisory council members expressed their anticipation for the financial reform and opening up, and the development prospect of China’s economy and financial market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Financial opening-up, development under spotlight at key forum

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 18 — Heavyweight guests from home and abroad discussed financial opening-up and cooperation as well as economic development on Friday as they gathered in Beijing for the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024.

    Yin Li, secretary of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Committee, said as an important destination for global financial investment, the Chinese capital will move faster to develop a vibrant modern financial system and enhance its capacity to serve national financial management functions.

    Toward that end, efforts will focus on improving financial service facilities, building a financial market system that fosters innovation, strengthening international financial exchanges, and maintaining a safe and sound financial environment, Yin said.

    Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, said the central bank will focus on serving high-quality development while strengthening counter-cyclical adjustments through monetary and macroprudential policies.

    The central bank will work to make financial support policies more targeted and effective, create a favorable monetary and financial environment for stable economic growth and structural adjustments, and steadily push forward financial opening up, said Pan.

    Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said the administration will guide financial institutions to increase financial supply, improve resource allocation, and accelerate the flow of funds, therefore fully supporting the country’s economic recovery.

    Regarding the capital market, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said the regulator will deepen capital market reform, and improve institutions and mechanisms that promote the high-quality development of listed companies and strengthen the market’s intrinsic stability.

    Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, said media should move to create a favorable “soft” environment with boosted market confidence. Boosting trust and confidence is particularly of great significance when the Chinese economy is at a critical stage of overcoming challenges, he told the forum.

    Fu said Xinhua will make every effort to amplify the “main theme” of economic development, and contribute new and greater strength to advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality financial development.

    Zhu Hexin, head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, said the administration will make solid efforts to deepen reform and promote high-standard opening up in the field of foreign exchange.

    Work will be done to improve the opening up of capital accounts, enhance the evaluation of policies and communication with the market, and boost regulation and risk control capabilities, according to Zhu.

    Agustin Carstens, general manager of the Bank for International Settlements, said via video link that as a key engine for global growth, the strengthening of China’s domestic demand will benefit the world, inject fresh momentum into the global economy and safeguard global monetary and financial stability.

    Themed “Trust and Confidence — Work Together to Promote Financial Openness, Cooperate for Shared Economic Stability and Growth,” this year’s conference is jointly hosted by the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the People’s Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Xinhua News Agency, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Lee Announces $77 Million for Power Grid Resilience Investments in Nevada and the West

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected a coalition of public energy utilities – including NV Energy and other partners – to receive more than $77 million to protect the Western power grid against extreme weather, improve grid reliability, and lower costs for consumers. This investment stems directly from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congresswoman Lee helped negotiate and pass. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). 

    “Southern Nevada is on the front lines of the climate crisis, and as we invest in clean energy projects that create jobs and lower costs, we must also continue to strengthen our power grid to withstand some of the worst impacts of this crisis, including extreme heat and wildfires,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I helped negotiate and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring much-needed investments in our infrastructure and long-term savings to Nevada communities. Today’s award does exactly that, and I will continue working to ensure that Nevadans have the support they need to thrive.” 

    DOE is providing this $77,021,741 grant to the coalition including NV Energy, Idaho Power, Northern Lights, and Puget Sound Energy through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, which was established and is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant is part of a broader investment in 38 projects across 42 states that will upgrade nearly 1,000 miles of transmission infrastructure. 

    You can read more about the GRIP program here. 

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: First Nations leadership vote on the Final Agreement to reform Child and Family Services

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 18, 2024 — Calgary, Alberta — Indigenous Services Canada

    Yesterday, at a Special Chiefs Assembly hosted by the Assembly of First Nations, First Nations leaders adopted a resolution rejecting the $47.8 billion Final Agreement on the Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, instructing the Assembly to take a new approach to negotiate a different final agreement. 

    Despite the support for the Final Agreement from the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation and the Chiefs of Ontario on October 9th and 10th respectively, the Chiefs-in-Assembly have rejected this historic Agreement that was created through extensive negotiations between Canada and the Assembly of First Nations, the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. This Agreement would have legally bound Canada to provide $47.8 billion in stable and predictable funding over 10 years for a fully reformed Program that would reduce the number of First Nations children in care and keep children connected to their families, communities, and cultures. 

    Canada has made every effort to reach a fair, equitable and comprehensive resolution outside of litigation, including securing unprecedented levels of funding. 

    In response to the 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decision, Canada has made significant investments toward reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, including implementing key provisions of the Agreement-in-Principle that were supported by previous AFN resolutions. This includes increasing program funding from $680 million in 2015-16 to over $3.8 billion in 2023-24, and has committed $8.1 billion to date towards meeting the needs of First Nations children through Jordan’s Principle. 

    The shared goal of reform work is to address the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s orders and improve the lives and outcomes of First Nations children and families living on-reserve and in the Yukon by reducing the number of First Nations children in care and ensuring that children can remain connected to their families, communities and cultures. Canada will review the resolutions and determine next steps.

    Quotes

    “For decades, governments separated First Nations children from their families and communities, causing grief, trauma, and endless sorrow. The federal government has taken action, including through legislation, to restore control to First Nations communities so that these practices finally come to an end. We are disappointed by this outcome but remain committed to the reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program. We are committed to building a system together where all First Nations children grow up surrounded by their culture, love, and their language.”

    The Honourable Patty Hajdu
    Minister of Indigenous Services

    Quick facts

    • Many of the reform elements that were included in the Final Agreement built on the commitments made in the 2021 Agreement-in-Principle, and are already in place, including: 

      • funding for prevention at a per capita rate of $2,500 per First Nations person residing on-reserve or in the Yukon, adjusted annually for inflation;
      • funding for post-majority support services up to the age of 26; and
      • funding for First Nation Representative Services across the country.

    • In early 2024, $810 million was provided to First Nations and First Nations child and family services agencies to support several new components of the Program, such as information technology, results, poverty, emergencies, and remoteness.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information, media may contact:

    Jennifer Kozelj
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
    Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
    Jennifer.Kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Indigenous Services Canada
    819-953-1160
    media@sac-isc.gc.ca

    Stay connected 

    Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:

    X: @GCIndigenous
    Facebook: @GCIndigenous
    Instagram: @gcindigenous

    Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth

    You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit http://www.isc.gc.ca/RSS.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott Announces Efforts to Bring Public Accountability to the SBA’s Disaster Fund

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) announced his intent to introduce the SBA Disaster Transparency Act. The legislation would bring the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster account into parity with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund, requiring public reports on the status of the SBA’s fund.

    “Residents in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton are counting on us for urgent federal assistance,” said Senator Scott. “As we work to provide much-needed support, we must also ensure that Congress and the American people are never caught off guard by funding shortfalls. My bill will mandate that the Small Business Administration publicly report on the status of the Disaster Loan Account, similar to FEMA’s transparency with its Disaster Relief Fund. This will enhance accountability and enable Congress to provide timely assistance during disasters well before funds are depleted.”

    Earlier this week, Senator Scott joined Senate Small Business Committee Ranking Member Ernst (R-Iowa) and his Senate colleagues in penning a letter to SBA Administrator Guzman raising serious concerns with the unacceptable failures by SBA that allowed this funding shortfall to occur. Joining Senators Scott and Ernst on the letter were Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and James Risch (R-Idaho).

    “We are committed to ensuring disaster victims across our nation, including those affected by recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton, receive timely federal disaster assistance…” the Senators wrote. “We are deeply concerned about the SBA’s handling of its disaster loan account and the SBA’s failures to provide its authorizing committees statutorily required information…Unfortunately, the SBA failed to comply, or only partially complied, with several of these provisions, and is now, at the eleventh-hour, sounding alarm bells.”

    Read their full letter here.

    As of October 15th, the SBA stated that its Disaster Loan Account is exhausted, but they will continue to accept applications to be considered for loan dollars once Congress appropriates more disaster funds.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Welch, Schakowsky Push to Increase Funding for Medical Research, Require Law-Breaking Drug Companies to Reinvest in NIH and FDA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 18, 2024

    Bill applies to pharmaceutical companies who are found guilty or are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government. 

    Bill Text (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)

    Boston, MA – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), along with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) introduced the Medical Innovation Act of 2024 to increase funding for medical innovation by requiring large pharmaceutical companies that are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government to reinvest a small percentage of their profits into the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

    In 2023, the NIH only had funds for 23% of the applications it received, contributing to a huge medical innovation gap. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies have been accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, marketing drugs for unapproved uses, illegally incentivizing doctors to prescribe drugs, lying about the safety of their drugs, and violating other criminal and civil laws. The companies have settled many of these claims with the federal government, treating the fines as a cost of doing business. Most recently, Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay the Justice Department $450 million to settle a set of lawsuits alleging that the company defrauded Medicare and conspired with other drug-makers to illegally inflate the prices of two generic drugs.

    Between 2019 and October 2024, the Department of Justice pursued new actions against or settled cases with at least 40 pharmaceutical companies. 

    The Medical Innovation Act would: 

    • Require pharmaceutical companies accused of breaking the law to reinvest a small percentage of their profits in NIH and FDA. These payments would increase with the severity of the settlement penalty, and would only be required of companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop billion-dollar, “blockbuster” drugs.  
    • Invest in life-saving medical innovation through the NIH and FDA. Payments collected through this bill would be used to develop treatments and diagnostics to address unmet medical needs; support research grants for early career scientists; research diseases that disproportionately contribute to federal health care spending; and advance basic biomedical research, among other uses.
    • Promote sustained investments in biomedical research. To ensure that the Act results in a net increase in funding for medical research, money from the supplemental settlement fees would only be available in years that annual appropriations for NIH and FDA are equal to or greater than appropriations for the agencies in the prior fiscal year.    

    “Big Pharma shouldn’t be able to defraud the federal government and get away with just a slap on the wrist,” said Senator Warren. “This bill will help us save lives by ensuring giant drug companies that enter into settlement agreements with the federal government chip in to fund the next generation of medical research.”

    “The Medical Innovation Act is a commonsense way to advance more medical research by holding shady pharmaceutical companies accountable when they break the law,” said Senator Welch. “I led this bill as a member of the House and am fighting today with my colleagues Senator Warren and Representative Schakowsky to maintain America’s leadership in biomedical science.”

    “For too long, drug companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop their blockbuster drugs have gotten away with defrauding consumers and taxpayers,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “The Medical Innovation Act would make it more difficult for these drug companies to game the system by requiring them to provide a share of their profits to increase investments in biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. We can continue to be a leading force in medical innovation and this legislation will help ensure that we have the means to cure diseases and save lives.” 

    Senator Warren first introduced the Medical Innovation Act in the 114th Congress and has pushed for its passage in every Congress since. 

    The following Senators also co-sponsored the bill: Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). 

    This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: National Women’s Health Network, AIDS United, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Families USA, Public Citizen, and Massachusetts Medical Society. 

    “The Medical Innovation Act reinvests in vital research. This legislation is a crucial step toward holding the pharmaceutical industry accountable while ensuring that taxpayer-funded research leads to tangible advancements in health. With women historically underrepresented in clinical trials, it’s imperative that we close the innovation gap. The Network thanks Senator Elizabeth Warren for her leadership on this issue and we are hopeful that together, we can create a healthier future for all women,” said Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth, Executive Director, National Women’s Health Network.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The ImPORTance of Coos Bay

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    I’ll always fight to get Oregon’s ports the resources they need to improve their infrastructure, support the regional economy, and make our supply chains more efficient – which is especially important now that congested ports are in the spotlight as a key factor driving the ongoing supply chain crisis. 

    Fast forward to earlier this week when I received a welcome call from the Biden-Harris administration that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Coos Bay more than $25 million for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Terminal Planning Project. I’m still smiling. 

    None of this happened by osmosis. I’ve been honored to team up with Congresswoman Hoyle and Senator Merkley as co-captains to land this project for the Port of Coos Bay, the South Coast and rural Oregon. Of course, former Congressman DeFazio also deserves huge credit.

    These fresh federal funds for environmental reviews, permitting and preliminary engineering show how much momentum this project has.

    Modernizing the port and generating the potential for thousands of good-paying jobs on the South Coast is the North Star for regional economic development. This good news shows how a “small community with big grit” can pilot its own course to a bright future. 

    We do many things well here in Oregon. And what we do best is grow things here, make things here and then ship them somewhere.

    The Port of Coos Bay’s new state-of-the-art container terminal would play a huge new role in that proven trade playbook for economic success in our state. And it could increase West Coast shipping capacity up to 10 percent all while setting the bar for modern, environmentally-friendly ship-to-rail container operations that get trucks off the road.

    The national supply chain is overdue for a West Coast port like the Port of Coos Bay to increase capacity and relieve the shipping congestion. You simply cannot find a better location for a new port anywhere on the West Coast. 

    As a bonus, the Port of Coos Bay also has access to a Class-1 railroad, which provides for the quick movement of cargo without the pollution from heavy duty trucks.

    And I’m all in to watchdog that this project cuts no corners during environmental reviews.

    There’s still more work to be done to secure additional federal investments in this modern project for this iconic port,  but we’re well on our way to complete this voyage along the Oregon Way.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: ThreeD Capital Inc. Disposes of Securities of Birchtree Investments Ltd.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ThreeD Capital Inc. (“ThreeD”) (CSE:IDK / OTCQX:IDKFF) a Canadian based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources and disruptive technologies sectors, announces that through a series of transactions on October 11, 2024 (the “Dispositions”), ThreeD disposed of ownership and control of an aggregate 10,750,000 common shares (the “Subject Shares”) of Birchtree Investments Ltd. (the “Company” or “Birchtree”). The Subject Shares represented approximately 12.9% of all issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. As a result of the Dispositions, the percentage ownership held by ThreeD decreased below 10% from the last early warning report filed in which ThreeD reported a 15.7% ownership of all issued and outstanding common shares of Birchtree.

    Immediately prior to the Dispositions, ThreeD owned and controlled an aggregate of 10,750,000 common shares of Birchtree, representing approximately 12.9% of all issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-dilutive and partially dilutive basis.

    Immediately following the Dispositions, ThreeD did not own or control any securities of Birchtree.

    The Subject Shares were disposed of through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The holdings of securities of the Company by ThreeD are managed for investment purposes. ThreeD could increase or decrease its investments in the Company at any time, or continue to maintain its current position, depending on market conditions or any other relevant factor.

    The Subject Shares were disposed of for total consideration of $215,000 or approximately $0.02 per Subject Share.

    About ThreeD Capital Inc.

    ThreeD is a publicly-traded Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources and disruptive technologies sectors.  ThreeD’s investment strategy is to invest in multiple private and public companies across a variety of sectors globally. ThreeD seeks to invest in early stage, promising companies where it may be the lead investor and can additionally provide investees with advisory services and access to the Company’s ecosystem.

    For further information:
    Matthew Davis, CPA
    Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
    davis@threedcap.com
    Phone: 416-941-8900
     

    The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Thailand: Authorities must urgently enforce arrest warrants for Tak Bai suspects

    Source: Amnesty International

    Ahead of the 25 October expiry of the statute of limitations in a case in which 85 people died during and after protests in the Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province, Thailand in October 2004, Amnesty International’s Thailand Researcher Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said:

    “The Thai authorities must take urgent action – before it is too late – to ensure long-delayed justice for the victims of human rights violations committed by state officials violently suppressing a protest in Tak Bai two decades ago.

    “A landmark court decision to accept the lawsuit initiated by the victims and their families in August was a beacon of hope amid entrenched impunity for violations against protesters in Thailand. But days ahead of the expiry of the statute of limitations for these crimes, the legal case raised by victims is in jeopardy.
    “Defendants in this lawsuit, who are all former or current high-ranking officials – including individuals allegedly in Japan and the United Kingdom – have failed to present themselves at court. Unless at least one of them does so before 25 October 2024, this lawsuit will be dismissed.

    “The Thai authorities must take all necessary steps to ensure there is no impunity for those suspected of criminal responsibility for grave human rights violations in this case. This includes by enforcing arrest warrants against suspects and presenting them in court before 25 October 2024 to enable the victims and their families to have the opportunity to pursue criminal accountability in this case.”

    Background

    On 25 October 2004, more than 2,000 protesters gathered in front of Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat province, one of Thailand’s southern border provinces, to demand the release of six Malay Muslim men who were believed to be arbitrarily detained by Thai authorities.

    Security forces used tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition, killing seven protesters instantly – five of whom were shot in the head. After the crackdown, about 1,370 detained Malay Muslim men were transported to Ingkayut Borihan Military Camp in Pattani, 150km away. Forced to lie on top of one another in army trucks, 78 died from crushing or asphyxiation during transit. Many survivors suffered severe injuries and permanent disabilities.

    An independent fact-finding committee, established by the then-government, condemned the use of excessive force and poor judgment in the transportation of detainees. Despite compensation for victims, no officers identified by the committee have been brought to justice so far.

    In August 2024, the Narathiwat Provincial Court ruled in favour of a request from victims and their families to file a criminal lawsuit against officials suspected to be responsible for human rights violations during the Tak Bai protest, including former high-ranking military and police officers.

    Out of the nine officials sued by the victims and their families, the Court determined there is sufficient evidence to pursue a lawsuit against seven of them under the offences of murder, attempted murder, and illegal detention.

    Despite having been summonsed, none of the seven officials have appeared at the Narathiwat Criminal Court for witness questioning and evidence examination.  There are outstanding arrest warrants for all seven persons, including individuals alleged to be in Japan and the United Kingdom.

    The statute of limitations for the case is set to expire on 25 October 2024. At least one of the defendants must appear before court to acknowledge the lawsuit for the case to begin, according to Article 95 of the Thai Criminal Code which governs the statute of limitation for criminal offences. Amnesty International notes that there should be no statute of limitation for serious human rights violations or crimes under international law, including extrajudicial killings and torture.

    In October 2023, Amnesty International published a public statement on the impacts of Thai authorities’ failure to deliver justice for the victims of the violent crackdown on the Tak Bai protest and their families.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Military Leaders Strengthen Indo-Pacific Partnerships During Guam, Hawaii Visit

    Source: United States Navy

    he visit focused on regional security and stability, as well as the defense of American interests and our allies and partners.

    “The United States has always been and remains a Pacific power,” said Mancinelli. “American prosperity and security depend on free and open oceans, and Guam is a strategic hub for critically important activity for the Navy and for our Department of Defense.”

    During his visit to Guam, Mancinelli and Rosenblum met with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio to express appreciation for their continued support of the military, service members, and their families.

    “I’m grateful for the close partnership that the Department of Defense shares with Governor Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Tenorio, and other local leaders on island.  Together, we are committed to ensuring that Guam remains secure and resilient,” said Mancinelli. “So I thank the Governor and the Chamorro people for their contributions to U.S. national security, and for their strong and consistent support of the military presence on Guam.”

    The Governor discussed her priorities, emphasizing defense and the importance of balancing community needs with national security demands.

    “Our administration remains fully committed to promoting peace and stability in the region, with a primary focus on ensuring Guam’s security in the face of growing threats,” said Leon Guerrero. “The relationships we’ve established with the Department of Defense and our federal partners create a strong foundation for advocating for the needs of the people of Guam while navigating the unprecedented military expansion on the island. It is vital that we continue building upon these partnerships, from our local federal and DoD collaborators to INDOPACOM and the Pentagon.”

    Lt. Governor Tenorio added, “While we understand that the Department of Defense may not have statutory authority over some of our needs, they can serve as advocates in securing other federally funded resources, including congressional authorizations and appropriations that are essential for the people of Guam.”

    Mancinelli discussed the ways in which the Department of Defense will continue to work together with the Governor’s office to understand how the military build-up on Guam can be done in partnership with the on-island community.

    He added, “We won’t do anything about Guam without Guam.”

    The acting UNSECNAV’s engagements in Guam also included meetings with Commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Rear Adm. Greg Huffman; Commander, Joint Region Marianas (JRM) Rear Adm. Brent DeVore; Guam Del. James Moylan; and leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force. He also spoke with service members at Naval Base Guam, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Task Force Talon’s Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) site, Andersen Air Force Base, and met with the Armed Forces Committee of the Guam Chamber of Commerce.

    During his time in Guam, Mancinelli and Rosenblum received updates on infrastructure, missile defense, housing, schools, shipbuilding, recruiting, and Typhoon Mawar recovery. The Acting UNSECNAV highlighted the Department of the Navy’s commitment to quality of life initiatives and the essential role Guam plays in Indo-Pacific defense efforts.

    “Guam is part of the U.S. homeland.  It is physically closer to Beijing than Hawaii,” said Mancinelli.  “Our efforts here are designed to deter regional aggression and safeguard the interests of the United States as well as our allies and partners. If deterrence fails, we will fight from Guam, and we will fight for Guam.”

    In Hawaii, Mancinelli and Rosenblum met with senior military leaders, including Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. Stephen Koehler; Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Lt. Gen. James Glynn; U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Chief of Staff Major Gen. Joel Carey; and Director, Maritime Headquarters and Theater Sustainment, U.S. Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Christopher Nash.  Mancinelli received operational briefings, visited local commands, and toured installations, meeting with Navy, Marine, Army, and Air Force personnel.

    At the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, Mancinelli was briefed on experimentation, capabilities, and training to further enhance maneuver and maritime operations. He and Ms. Rosenbaum also toured Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), where Mancinelli received an update on construction efforts to modernize the yard’s infrastructure.  He also observed submarine maintenance and spoke with ASC [formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation] employees conducting training at the shipyard as part of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.  

    “AUKUS is crucial to enhancing our maritime capabilities,” Mancinelli explained. “The Navy is working closely with our partners to help Australia develop, operate, and maintain its own sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines – a generational opportunity to strengthen our alliance. It was excited for me to speak with the growing number of Australian engineers and craftsmen working alongside Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard’s experts to learn how to maintain the cutting-edge technology on U.S. Navy fast attack submarines.”

    Mancinelli and Rosenblum also met with Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander of the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (NCTF-RH) Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, as well as Deputy Commander NCTF-RH Rear Adm. Marc Williams. They discussed environmental assessments, water monitoring initiatives, and the Navy’s commitment to close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

    Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks designated the Under Secretary of the Navy as DoD’s Lead Senior Defense Official for Guam in January.  In this capacity, Mancinelli is responsible for engaging key leaders in Guam; providing oversight, advocacy, and support to Commander, Joint Region Marianas in the execution of its installation management mission; and aligning efforts across DoD to meet operational and resourcing requirements consistent with the National Defense Strategy, while developing and delivering new capabilities to meet logistics, environmental and infrastructure requirements.

    This was Mancinelli’s first official visit to Guam and Hawaii as Acting Under Secretary of the Navy.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: First Bank & Trust Co., Duncan, OK, Acquires Insured Deposits of The First National Bank of Lindsay, Lindsay, OK

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    WASHINGTON – The First National Bank of Lindsay, Lindsay, Okla., was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which then appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Bank & Trust Co. Duncan, Okla., to assume the insured deposits of The First National Bank of Lindsay.

    The sole office of The First National Bank of Lindsay will reopen as a branch of First Bank & Trust Co. during its normal business hours on Monday, October 21, 2024. Depositors of the failed bank will automatically become depositors of First Bank & Trust Co. The insured deposits assumed by First Bank & Trust Co. will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage.

    All customers of The First National Bank of Lindsay will have access to their insured deposits.  Over the weekend, customers of The First National Bank of Lindsay can access their deposits by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

    In addition, based on the estimated recoveries of the failed bank assets, the FDIC will make 50 percent of uninsured funds available to those depositors on Monday, October 21, 2024. This amount could increase as the FDIC sells the assets of the failed bank.

    As of June 30, 2024, The First National Bank of Lindsay reported total assets of $107.8 million and total deposits of $97.5 million. Approximately $7.1 million of the deposits exceeded FDIC insurance limits; this amount is likely to change once the FDIC obtains additional information from customers.

    Customers with accounts in excess of $250,000 should contact the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-314-1744 to set up an appointment to discuss their deposits. This phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Central Time (CT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., CT; on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., CT; Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., CT; and thereafter from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT.

    All customers who would like more information on today’s transaction can call the toll-free number or visit the FDIC’s website.

    Beginning Monday, depositors of The First National Bank of Lindsay with more than $250,000 at the bank may visit the FDIC’s webpage “Is My Account Fully Insured?” to determine their insurance coverage.

    First Bank & Trust Co. agreed to assume the insured deposits for a 6.67 percent premium. It will also purchase approximately $20 million of the failed bank’s assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

    The FDIC preliminarily estimates that the failure will cost its Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) about $43 million. The estimate will change over time as the assets are sold. Alleged fraud caused the failure of the bank and cost to the DIF.

    The First National Bank of Lindsay is the second bank to fail in the nation this year. The last bank failure was Republic First Bank, in Philadelphia, Penn. on April 26, 2024. The last failure in Oklahoma was The Freedom State Bank, in Freedom, Okla. on June 27, 2014.

    ###

    MEDIA CONTACT: 
    mediarequests@fdic.gov

    FDIC: PR-92-2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Personal Property Assistance for South Carolinians Affected by Hurricane Helene

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Personal Property Assistance for South Carolinians Affected by Hurricane Helene

    FEMA Personal Property Assistance for South Carolinians Affected by Hurricane Helene

    South Carolinians who suffered property losses due to Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA Personal Property Assistance. Insurance coverage is the best way to recover after a disaster, but FEMA assistance may be available if you are uninsured or underinsured. Survivors should be aware that FEMA cannot restore all property lost due to the disaster.

    FEMA Personal Property Assistance may help support eligible applicants with items that were damaged due to the disaster, such as:

    • Appliances: Include standard household appliances, such as a refrigerator, washing machine, etc.
    • Clothing: Essential clothing needed due to loss, damage or contamination.
    • Home Furnishings: Basic furnishings found in a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
    • Tools Required for Work and School: Tools and equipment required for your job and items required for education purposes. This assistance also applies to self-employed individuals.
    • Computing Devices: This includes one personal or family computer. You may be eligible for funds for additional computers required for work or school that were damaged by the disaster.
    • Accessible Items: FEMA provides assistance for damaged personal property required for eligible applicants with disabilities.

    Eligibility Conditions:

    • Items must have been owned prior to the hurricane and been damaged by it.
    • Items were owned and being used by occupants of the household.
    • FEMA may not repair or replace a storm-damaged item if you own a similar item that works.
    • FEMA does not provide assistance for furnishings and/or appliances provided by a landlord.
    • Items used by guests and relatives who were not members of the pre-disaster household are not eligible for assistance.

    Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation who were affected by Hurricane Helene are eligible to apply for FEMA assistance at this time. Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance in several ways:

    • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
    • In person at any Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center close to you, visit fema.gov/DRC, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Ex: DRC 29169).
    • On your phone using the FEMA mobile app.
    • By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages. FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.

    FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. 

    kwei.nwaogu

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EFFECTIVENESS OF POSITIVE USE GUIDE ON TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN YOUTHS

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    NOTICE PAPER NO. 3142
    NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
    FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 16 OCTOBER 2024
    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
    Mr Yip Hon Weng
    MP for Yio Chu Kang
    Question No. 6743
    To ask the Minister for Health with regard to the upcoming Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media (a) how will the Ministry assess its effectiveness in addressing mental health issues among youth; and (b) what plans are there to extend these efforts to foster mental resilience in young adults who have left school.
    1     The Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media will be introduced in the first half of 2025 to help individuals identify potential harms of technology and social media, and learn to use them appropriately. Like many preventive health measures, effects take time, and will show up in disease prevalence data.  The Guide is targeted at youths, including those not in school. Outreach efforts by various societal stakeholders will be needed to reach individuals of different age groups. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE conducts single adult, family unit removal flights Oct. 18

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a component agency of the Department of Homeland Security, working in close coordination across the department, including with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, continued to facilitate removal flights of single adults and family units between Oct. 14 and Oct. 18.

    Those included removal flights to Brazil, Central America, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Mexico and Peru. If a noncitizen arrives and has no legal basis to remain in the United States, they are processed and removed quickly, consistent with U.S. law.

    Since the Presidential Proclamation and Interim Final Rule went into effect on June 5, through the end of September, DHS has removed or returned more than 160,000 individuals to more than 145 countries, not including repatriations of people encountered at airports or the northern border. ICE ERO has operated more than 495 international repatriation flights in that period, while DHS has tripled the percentage of southwest border encounters processed for expedited removal. Overall, preliminary data show that DHS completed over 700,000 removals and returns in fiscal year 2024, more than any prior fiscal year since 2010. That included more removals to countries other than Mexico than in any prior year ever. DHS has also reduced the time it takes to remove individuals who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States by more than half from its historical average.

    In keeping with standard practice, the United States ensures that all noncitizens without a legal basis to remain in the United States are properly screened for valid protection claims and withholding of removal in accordance with our laws and U.S. international obligations. This applies to all noncitizens, regardless of nationality, to ensure the orderly and humane processing, transfer and removal of single adults and family units.

    Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings present their claims for relief or protection from removal before immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. Due to operational security reasons, ICE does not confirm or discuss future or pending transportation operations.

    ICE Air Operations facilitates the transfer and removal of noncitizens, including family units, via commercial airlines and chartered flights in support of ICE field offices and other DHS initiatives. In fiscal year 2023 , ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted 142,580 removals and 62,545 Title 42 expulsions to more than 170 countries worldwide.

    B-roll for removal flights is available here. DHS has made additional videos available to the public and the media, including b-roll footage of removal flights, a public service announcement and testimonials from migrants who have been removed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SUPPORTING PHARMACISTS AND ALLIED HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO EASE INTO DEMANDS IN INDUSTRY

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    NOTICE PAPER NO. 3078
    NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
    FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 16 OCTOBER 2024
    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
    Mr Christopher de Souza,
    MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC
    Question No. 6542
    To ask the Minister for Health what more can be done to support pharmacists and other allied healthcare workers to ease the demanding nature of the industry.
    1.     We have increased the number of pharmacists and allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) over the years.  From 2019 to 2023, the number of registered Pharmacists increased by 20%, from ~3,400 to ~4,100.  Registered AHPs increased by 25%, from ~6,000 in 2019 to ~7,500.  
    2.     Within the public healthcare clusters, we are also innovating and streamlining processes to manage the workload of pharmacists and AHPs. For instance, the National Central Fill Pharmacy system resulted in the redesigning of the supply chain and the roles of pharmacy staff, with routine non-clinical and logistical processing outsourced to a third-party vendor. 
    3.     We have also developed the National One-Rehab Framework to provide clearer protocols for care delivery by AHPs, including resource allocation and tracking of common end-to-end rehabilitation clinical outcomes. 
    4.     Most importantly, we will continue to work with the pharmacy and AHP leadership to find ways to make careers in healthcare attractive and meaningful.  With rising healthcare needs and the growth in community care sector, there are many opportunities to develop an exciting professional development strategy for pharmacists and AHPs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Graduands of diploma in nursing programmes and NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies not registering as nurses

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    NOTICE PAPER NO. 3142
    NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
    FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 16 OCTOBER 2024
    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
    Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan,
    MP for Pioneer SMC
    Question No. 6208
    To ask the Minister for Health (a) from 2019 to 2024, what is the annual (i) percentage and (ii) number of graduands of Diploma in Nursing programmes who do not register to be nurses after completing their courses, factoring in those who enlist for National Service or enrol in the NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies; and (b) whether the Ministry has data of the same from graduands of NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies.
    1     The Singapore Nursing Board does not capture the data of graduands who graduated from our Institutes of Higher Learning but do not register to be nurses. Based on the 2022 Graduate Employment Survey conducted by the schools, approximately 90% of the Diploma and Degree nursing graduates who were in full-time permanent employment within six months of graduation, practised nursing.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: YOUTHS SUPPORTED UNDER CREST-YOUTH AND YIT PROGRAMMES AND AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT DURATIONS

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    NOTICE PAPER NO. 3140
    NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
    FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 16 OCTOBER 2024
    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament 
    Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin
    MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC
    Question No. 6204
    To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the average age of youths who are supported by the (i) Youth Community Outreach Team (CREST-Youth) and (ii) Youth Integrated Team (YIT), respectively; (b) what is the average duration which a youth is supported for; and (c) how many touchpoints does a mental healthcare worker has with (i) the youth and (ii) their caregivers, respectively, during that period.
    1     Details of Youth Community Outreach Team (CREST-Youth) and Youth Integrated Team (YIT) services are shown in Table 1. MOH does not track the number of sessions CREST-Youth and YIT service providers have with caregivers. 
    Table 1: Average client age, duration of support, and number of sessions of CREST-Youth and YIT services
    CREST-Youth YIT
      CREST-Youth YIT
    Average age of youths who are supported Majority of the youths are between 17 and 21 years.    
    Average duration which a youth is supported for 4-5 months 6-7 months
    Average number of sessions with youth 4 sessions 4 sessions

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –